Above All Else, Evie

VI

Jonathan and Stella Finley were exceptionally welcoming, however she felt that Bale definitely took after his mother in that department, as neither had any interest in her. After introducing herself Mallory disappeared and Bale still hadn't made a comeback from his grand exit. However, Jonathan offered to take care of all of Evie's luggage while Stella brought Evie into the large farm house and got her something to eat.

Evie was exceptionally grateful. It had been a long flight and drive, she was starving. Her body felt as though it had been deflated from all energy. Stella quickly heated up some leftover pizza in the microwave and gave it to Evie to devour. As she ate she studied the young girl. She guessed she was a freshman in high school. She had short dark hair, in a pixie cut style, and quite frankly resembled something of the fair folk with her delicate features. Her eyes were large and almond shaped, a sparkling blue.

"Don't worry about Bale he's actually a really sweet guy. He's just so introverted." Stella chattered on. Evie tried not to worry but she had no idea what was going on. How could she not worry when she would be spending the rest of her life with this massive jerk? Evie couldn't stop her mind from racing, what would happen when the two were alone? He sure as hell wasn't seeming too sweet as Stella kept saying he was.

From her seat in the kitchen Evie could see the darkening sky out the window. It was starting to get late and with each passing minute her anxiety heightened. Stella's body was beginning to sag with tiredness. She had school the next day and living on a farm meant having to do a lot of work in the morning before school. As Stella explained that to Evie a knot began to form in her stomach. She knew what was coming next, should have to go into the cabin that she had been told was Bale's house, and where she would now be living with her fiance.

"We can start planning the wedding tomorrow when I get home from school!" Stella cried happily as she walked her to the cabin next door. Evie was stunned for a minute, it had never occurred to her that she would have a wedding. "It can be right here on the land and your family can come, it'll be just a cute and small celebration.." Stella trailed off as they reached the door. Evie just nodded in agreement with the other girl. Her nerves were in full swing and worse than when she had first arrived, she knew that Bale didn't like her.

"Hey if you need anything at all I'm only like thirty feet away," Stella tried to reassure Huxley. She truly felt bad for her because she knew how her brother was sometimes. She awkwardly patted her on the shoulder before turning and heading back to the house.

Evie went back and forth with herself for a moment. Was she suppose to knock? She thought it was the polite thing to do, but she did live there now so would it only make it awkward? Before she could make a decision, something small and black swooped directly in front of her face causing a blood curtling scream to erupt from her throat. She hopped and danced around desperately trying to get whatever flying demon that was attacking her away. The door to the little cabin was suddenly slammed open, pouring light onto the scene of a frantic and terrified Evie. She hardly noticed though. Before she could process what was going on she felt a pair of strong hands grab her by the arms and yank her inside the cozy cabin.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Bale aggressively demand of her after slamming the front door shut. "You're gonna wake up the entire goddamn county!"

Evie couldn't find the words to answer. She now comprehended that it was just a bat that flew by her face, but the day had been way too long and she was having a hard time catching her breathe. Her mouth felt as though it were filled with sand, she couldn't form any sounds on her tongue. Despite vowing to herself that she refused to cry in front of Bale, she couldn't stop the sob that racked through her body. She wanted to go home, she wanted to hug Jack, watch a movie with Max, and laugh with Artemis.