Stranger, Help Me

ARRIVAL

"Gale?"

"Yeah, hey. I'm here. 34 Ridgeloan, Express Town? The house with the daisies out front?"

"...yeah."

"Are you ready?"

"Well..."

"Take deep breaths. It's going to be just fine. It's me."

"Yeah... I know. Okay. Wait outside."

"Alright. See you soon, Evangeline."

"Gale."

Beep, beep...

The light-brown haired girl glanced down at her repulsive reflection in the mirror in her room and frowned. Her shorts revealed her ugly scars and her shirt did nothing to hide the painful patches tarnished on her skin. She wrapped her frail arms around her fragile body and looked away, disgusted with herself. She quickly changed into sweatpants and a baggy shirt, wanting to hide her scars from the one person she cherished. He was the one thing she refused to let go.

"You ready?" Cooper asked, his big eyes staring up at her as she walked out from her bathroom, rubbing moisturiser over her face so she at least looked slightly alive. Never felt it, however. Only with... "Um, hello?" Evangeline jumped.

"When did you get in?" She whisper-yelled. "And no... I'm not. But I'm going to answer the door anyway." She wanted to see his enlightening face, smile genuine and emerald eyes sparkling with eagerness to see her. Well, she hoped so. She was eager to see him.

She quickly brushed her hair down and scampered out her room, Cooper following close behind. Her step-mother kept her burning gaze on her as she nervously walked past. Luckily, she didn't say anything as Evangeline went down the hall and approached the mahogany door. Just knowing that he was on the other side made her heart pound. She could feel it in her chest, her ears.

She spent too long dawdling. She took a deep breath like he advised her to do, and with an arm around Cooper as comfort, opened the door with a quiet creak and a shaky breath out.

"Hey."

That friendly smile was the first thing she saw. Well, it was his neck, considering his height... Or her lack of such. It was contagious and she couldn't help but smile back, a little timidly.

"Hey..."

"This must be Cooper. Hey, big man.
I'm Gale, Evangeline's-"

"I know what you are to her." Cooper said casually. Evangeline's mouth fell open and Gale looked taken aback. "She talks about you a bit."

"C-Cooper!" Evangeline scolded, still in shock. W-was she blushing? Cooper giggled and ran off, so nobody could catch him, his little feet thudding against the wooden boards. "Cooper!"

Gale chuckled, the sound bringing her out of her shock. "Good kid. Show me your room. Well, let me in first." He laughed again, the melodic voice ringing in her ears. She nodded obediently and led him in.

"Take off your shoes, please." She patiently waited as he did so, and she noticed that he was holding bags of... The chocolate? Excitement rushed through her but she easily kept it in check. "My room is this way. Oh," she lowered her voice, a little tremor evident, "She's there."

Gale wrapped his free arm around her waist, making little sparks ignite on her skin and her heart to beat erratically. "It's okay. I'm here."

She nodded and they both walked into the dining room. Her step-mother was standing at the counter, placing a tray of freshly baked cookies down, looking young and beautiful in her flowy skirts and fair complexion. She smiled at the pair and Evangeline shook. What is this? This looked... frighteningly new.