The Girl who Never Noticed.

Chapter Nineteen.

Evelyn

{Two weeks later}

There's one day left before my birthday. Christmas is just around the corner and i may not be in my Christmas spirit, but i won't lie - i am excited. And i'm at least trying.

Yesterday, Zachary, Faith and i went hunting for a tree and its decoration, today we were going to put it up. Yes, they decided to celebrate Christmas eve with me. They insisted on having a sleepover.

Up in my room, I was getting ready. I decided to wear a dark red sweater that stopped mid thigh and black tights , i settled for black velvet boots with mini heels that laced up to my ankles. I styled my hair into a high ponytail and curled the end of it, and i applied simple make up, apart from the blood red lipstick.

Then, i went downstairs and prepared hot cocoa and heated ready made cookies (i didn't have time to bake any.) As if on cue, once i placed the snacks on the coffee table, the bell rang.

When i opened the door, i was greeted by a smiling Zachary who hugged me.

"You look prepared for Christmas," he said, eyeing me.

"Yeah, well. I decided, you know, for a change," I responded.

Just then, Faith showed up, wearing a white sweater and tight leather pants with a green velvet, cloak-like coat with light brown ankle boots, begging us to get in before we freeze to death. 

When we came in, she tried to hug me but a box in her hand stopped us. A grin made its way onto my lips when i realised what it is.

"You got doughnuts!" I squealed.

She smiled and opened the box, "your birthday treat."

I smiled and thanked her before stuffing my face with it. We all sat down and ate in silence before Faith broke it.

"Shall we begin decorating?"

---

"Nice job!" Zachary applauded as we finally finished with the Christmas tree. 

It was around eleven and we decided to stay up watching movies until the crack of dawn. However, around three movies later, we were all sound asleep.

---

I squirmed and stirred in my sleep, but i was awoken when i felt someone move under me. 

I peeled my eyes open to see Zachary half asleep and half awake, staring at me with a lazy smile across his face. 

"You look cute."

I giggled, "are you dreaming, Zach? Go back to sleep."

"I'm awake, princess. And i'm serious, you're cute when you're sleeping," he grinned slyly.

I looked at him skeptically,"I'll just pretend like that wasn't creepy at all."

That was a lie. I didn't find it creepy. At all. In fact, I found myself blushing. 

"I'll be outside for a little while," I whispered with a small smile.

It was 8 a.m when I checked the clock while going  outside.  I may not be a morning person, but i definitely like it when i inhale the morning air.

Once outside, I moved to the little swing in the front yard and began swinging slightly. I felt like i wanted to stay alone for a while. Isolated. Organise my life, myself. To see how far I've reached, how much more i have to fight. It somehow relaxes me, even though there is fear and pressure when thinking about the future.

"Hey."

I jumped and turned to see James standing by the front gates with his hands in his back pockets. i tensed all over when he swiftly started skidding my way, as if he hadn't done enough.

"You still dare to show up?" Even though my insides were shaking, my voice was steady.

A look of hurt passed over him, "Evelyn, I-" 

"Save it, James," I stopped him. "Who are you? What are you? Cause you aren't the James that i knew, threatening someone who means a lot to me with a knife. Get out of my life, you sick bastard! Go. Away."

He looked stunned, to say the least. And the look on his face made me want to go up to him and hold him and tell him its fine. And i would have, if it were James. The one I know, knew.

Turning around, he said, "i just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. And a merry Christmas."

With that, he left. (A/N: i was supposed to end the chapter here, but i'm a good person, so here's more. Okay, on with the story.)

A sigh escaped my lips and i buried my head in my hands.

"Princess?"

I jumped again and turned. This time, it was Zachary.

"Hey," I smiled lightly.

"I saw James coming here." 

"Please don't say  you heard us," i groaned.

"I heard you," Zachary rolled his lips into a thin line. "And what you did was the right thing."

"He looked hurt," i looked up to meet his eyes. "I hurt him." 

"You hurt him. Not James, not your best friend."

I sighed in frustration. 

"What did you mean when you said he threatened someone who means a lot to you with a knife?" He asked all of a sudden.

"What?" I said, shocked. 

He narrowed his eyes but mumbled, "never mind."

After a couple of moments in silence, Zachary breathed, "don't let him ruin your day, princess."

He shoved his shoulder into mine playfully, "come on, birthday girl."

I smiled a little and looked at my hands, but he saw it and started hooting, "Atta girl!"

I shushed him telling him that the neighbours would wake up and started laughing.

He doesn't even need to try to make my day.

"You're beautiful," he whispered, suddenly serious.

I looked down at my hands, trying so hard to stop blushing - but failing miserably.

Zachary broke the silence when he took a box out of his pocket and held it out to me.

"Happy birthday, baby."

This is the second time he calls me that and i know i ought to show him his limit with the nicknames but i can't. And honestly, i don't want him to stop.

What is happening to me?!

I took the box and opened it, gasping at the sight.

It was a golden necklace, with a golden book that was open, and a carving that said "Books find me when I'm lost" on the pages. The book was the size of a baby's fist. It was beautiful.

And it must have costed a fortune.

"Zachary, you shouldn't have," I breathed out. "it's beautiful and it looks like its worth a lot, oh my gosh, its beautiful."

I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him so tightly i'm pretty sure i knocked the breath out of him, as he said, "glad you liked it, baby."

This is the third time he calls me that.

~~~

A/N

AYYYY BEAUTIFUL READERS

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LOVE YOU BABESSS

MWAH