Forevermore

3

"You really love your books." He says walking into my miniature library.

"I do. They've always been there for me." I say as he stops and pulls a book from the shelf.

"The Giving Tree." He says and I laugh.

"This was my favorite book when I was a child." He says looking down at it then back to me.

"It was one of my many favorites and it's kinda stuck with me ever since." I say and he smiles flipping through it then putting it back.

"Narnia." He says reading the binds and I laugh.

"Wow, some of these are so old. A Wrinkle in Time, The Great Gatsby, A Tale of Two Cities, The Scarlet Letter. Of course, Romeo and Juliet." He says and I laugh as he keeps sliding his fingers over the backs. I lean back against the wall and bite my lip.

"The Glass Castle." He says and I smile to myself as he keeps his back to me.

"The Book Thief." He says pulling it from the shelf and flipping it over. He turns to face me with a shake of his head.

"Wow. I can't remember the last time I saw this book." He says gently putting it back then continuing to look.

"Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, and Cinderella." He says and I laugh.

"What, I'm a girl. Got to have some fairytale magic in my life." I say and he grins looking back to the books.

"A Christmas Carol, The Christmas Miracle, Wish. Wow, you've got a whole collection of Christmas readings too." He says and I nod as he keeps looking.

"Have you read every book in this room?" He asks.

"Yup, and I continue to read them over and over again. Always finding something I had missed before." I say and he turns to face me. 

"Come on, I'm sure this place is boring."

"Honestly, it's incredible." He says and I smile as he turns back to face me. 

"Well thank you." I say and he nods.

"So, how are your parents?"

"Um, my mom passed away around this time a few years ago." I say and he sighs.

"I'm so sorry Selena, I didn't mean to upset you."

"No, it's okay. She's in a better place now and she's healthier and happier." I say meeting his gaze and he nods.

"Um, how about a movie or something?" I ask trying to guide away from this conversation.

"Yeah, that sounds great." He says and I nod leading him from the library and into the family room.

"Do you watch Christmas movies?" I ask and he smirks.

"You're kidding right? Of course I do." He says and I laugh.

"Great, cause so do I." I say sitting on the couch and flipping on the TV. He sits beside me as I search through the channels. Finally, I find one and I pull a blanket on over myself.

"The Polar Express?" He asks and I smirk.

"Yeah, why not bring the book to life?" I ask and he laughs.

"Sounds good." He says and I sink into the couch and turn my attention to the movie.

~~~

A knock sounds on the door and I blink open my eyes. I feel a weight over me and I look down seeing Hayden's arm draped over my stomach. I gently move his arm off and get up. Walking over to the door I yawn opening the door.

"Hey girl." Lidia slurs. 

"Lidia, and Evan?" I ask seeing the guy with her.

"She's drunk." He says and I sigh.

"Alright, help me get her to her bed?"

"I feel great!" Lidia shouts and I hush her.

"It's two in the morning Lidia, quiet down." I mumble and she giggles giving me a big hug.

"I love you so much Selena. I'm sorry I was mean this morning."

"Mean? You weren't mean."

"I'm such a bad friend."

"Lids, no. Come on. Shhh." I say and she nods.

"Shhh." She says back and Evan helps me get her into the house.

"Who's he?" Lidia asks seeing Hayden and I hush her.

"A friend. Hush, let him sleep." I say and she giggles.

"He's cute. Good for you girl." She says and I shake my head as we make our way to her room. Evan and I get her down onto the bed and she instantly passes out. I sigh rubbing my face and turn to face Evan.

"Thank you, for getting her here safely." I say as we quietly make our way back down the hall.

"Of course. She should be out till morning. I'll swing by tomorrow to check on her."

"Okay, thank you." I say and he nods as we make it to the front door.

"Well, goodnight Selena."

"Night." I say and he smiles then leaves. I sigh shutting the door behind him and turning the lock. I walk back into the living room and quietly grab the blanket from the love seat and put it over Hayden. Moving back, I look at him to be sure he at least looks comfortable then I turn and walk down the hall to my room. I walk in and pull off my jeans and long sleeve shirt and change into an oversized sweater and pull my hair into a side braid. Exhausted, I flop onto my bed and burrow under the blanket. Sleep tugs at me and it doesn't even take a full minute before everything falls silent.

~~~~~~~~