- sad
- wholesome
- ur name is Evelyn
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The hallway was loud with the shuffle of students switching classes, but Evelyn barely noticed. She stood by her locker, arms crossed, chewing on her bottom lip as she waited. Her phone buzzed with a message from Jessica, but she didn't open it—too focused on the way her stomach tightened.
Vinnie finally came into view, hood up even though it wasn't raining, jaw set like it always was lately. He didn't say anything when he stopped in front of her, just stared at her for a second like he was already annoyed.
"You gonna ignore me again?" Evelyn asked, tone clipped.
He rolled his eyes. "I texted you back last night."
"Yeah, three hours later, Vinnie."
"Okay, and?" His voice rose a little. "I was out with my cousins, my bad for not living on my phone."
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't act like you don't see my texts and just decide not to answer. You always do this—"
"Jesus, Evelyn, I answered you!" His voice cut through the noise around them. A few heads turned, but neither of them cared.
"Don't raise your voice at me."
"You're yelling at me first."
She slammed her locker shut, making him flinch. "Because you don't fucking get it."
"I don't get it? I'm the one always walking on eggshells so you don't blow up!"
They stood too close, breaths short, faces tight. No one stepped in. Most people already knew not to.
Evelyn turned like she was going to walk away, but stopped. "You're exhausting."
"So leave," he said. Quiet, but mean.
She stared at him for a second. Her throat was tight but she wasn't going to let him see it. Instead, she scoffed, adjusted the strap on her backpack, and walked away.
Jessica stood near the corner of the hallway, pretending to scroll on her phone. When Evelyn passed, she reached out and grabbed her wrist gently.
"Hey," she said. "You good?"
Evelyn gave a hollow laugh, still walking. "Totally. Never better."
Jessica didn't let go. "You wanna ditch next period?"
There was a pause. Then Evelyn finally nodded, eyes glassy but holding it together. Jessica linked their arms and pulled her toward the back exit, neither of them saying much more.
As soon as they pushed open the back doors and the cooler air hit them, Evelyn finally exhaled. She didn't even realize she'd been holding her breath.
Jessica led her to her car, unlocking it with a chirp. "We can go sit somewhere. I don't care where."
They slid into the seats, and Evelyn leaned her head against the window, her phone in her lap. It buzzed, and she didn't look right away—but she felt it. That knot in her chest twisting tighter. She already knew who it was.
Vinnie:
So now you're just gonna leave?
Cool.
Glad to know how quick you are to walk away.
Jessica glanced at her, saw the screen light up. "Don't. Just don't, Ev."
Evelyn didn't answer. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard like muscle memory.
Evelyn:
You told me to leave.
The reply came fast.
Vinnie:
And you always take it literally. You know I didn't mean it like that.
