Silence Is She

six - be your own Dora

After hours of writing, they were finally done although they didn't talk much during the process.

"Wow. You're really good at this." He dropped the notebook down after reading it and stared at the tiny girl in front of him in awe. The way she pours all her feelings into this piece is crazy. He couldn't have written this any better.

A blush crept its way up to Evelyn's cheeks, and she cast her face down so he couldn't see it. She didn't know what to reply. This was the first time someone had complimented her in years. "I-it's nothing, really."

He leaned in closer. "No, this is actually amazing. Where'd you learn to write like this?"

"I only write for fun. It's not much of a big deal," she replied, starting to feel uncomfortable now. She wasn't used to people talking this much to her. Catching a glimpse of light from her phone, she checked the time. Her eyes widened in shock, realizing how late it was.

"I have to go," she said, starting to pack her stuff.

"How're you gonna get home?" he asked, already having an idea how.

"Walk," she replied, not even looking at him—just keep doing her thing.

I knew it, he thought.

He stood up abruptly, earning Evelyn's full attention. "No way I'm letting a girl walk alone during this time of the night. It's too dangerous."

"My house isn't that far," she replied, wishing he'd just drop it. She couldn't waste anymore time talking to him. Her mom should be home anytime soon and if she doesn't hurry, she's not gonna make it before her mom arrives.

"I'll drive you home," he insisted.

Why can't he see that he's already done more than enough for her, and she doesn't want to bother him any further? Plus, he doesn't even know her. Why is he practically offering a stranger a ride?

"No, it's fine. I can walk." She swung her backpack over her shoulders, ready to leave.

He shook his head and stood before her, blocking her. "Like I said, I'm not letting you walk home at this time. If you don't trust me to ride a car alone with me, that's fine. I'll walk with you then. At least, you get to scream for help loud and clear if I decide to kidnap you, right?"

Evelyn was stunned. She hadn't thought that way of him at all. In fact, he's been a really nice person so far. "But—"

"Dear lord, help me. I got no gags on me, okay? You get to scream as loud as you can, I promise," he said, sounding so serious and misunderstanding her completely.

He smiled when she doesn't reply, taking her silence as a 'yes'.

"Thank god we're done talking about this. I was actually willing to argue with you all night if that's what it takes for you to agree with me. It really isn't safe out there, you know," he said, taking her small hand into his large one and started walking out the door.

She only kept quiet and followed alongside with him as she was too busy trying to control the butterflies in her stomach. She has never felt this way before. She feels...safe and happy—maybe just a little. Is this normal?

As they walked out, she caught sight of a red Ferrari parked outside the library. She assumed it was his since it was the only car out here.

"What about your car?" she asked, stopping in her tracks, causing him to stop too.

"I'll come pick it up after I drop you or something," he replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"You're going to walk to my house and then walk all the way back here again?" she asked in bewilderment.

He laughed. "Yeah, I guess so."

She stayed rooted in place and looked at him in surprise. Why go to such lengths? And for what? The sake of making sure I'm safe? She wondered.

He chuckled at her reaction. "C'mon, now."

On the way home, she noticed one thing about this stranger. He talks a lot—like, nonstop. Maybe he's just friendly and outgoing? Nevertheless, she liked his company—a little too much actually. She was somehow drawn to the sweet, yet deep voice of his. If she has to spend the rest of her life listening to him, so be it. At least, it doesn't have venom laced with it in every single word.

"So, why bangs?" he suddenly asked, startling her.

"I wanted to look like Dora," she replied.

He furrowed his eyebrows together. "I thought Dora has short hair?"

Evelyn nodded. "She has brown hair too while mine is black. I plan on cutting it soon though." She took a few strands of her black hair and looked at it in sadness.

She and her father would always watch Dora together when she was younger. Every time the show was on, he would call out to her and she would run down the stairs in excitement and sit on his lap to watch it. Despite the vagueness of her memories, this was still one of her favorite moments she shared with him, which was why Dora remained to be her favorite show. But it will never be the same again—not without her father singing with her at the top of their lungs to all the theme songs.

"I think you look beautiful in long, black hair." He now took hold of her hair and ran his fingers through it. "Be your own Dora."

There it was again. The darn butterflies. How is it even humanely possible that his words have this much effect on her? They're just spoken words, so why? Before they knew it, they had already arrived at Evelyn's house. Time flies by so quickly with all this talking even though he does most of it.

"We're here," she said.

He chuckled. "See? I told you I wouldn't kidnap you."

"Umm..." How should she say this? She was very grateful for what he's done for her tonight, but she doesn't know how to put everything in words. He probably has no idea what this all meant to her.

"Thank you very much. For everything. For helping me with my writing, taking me home and talking to me. If you weren't there, I-I would probably still be crying about how stressed out I was. So thank you," she said quietly, feeling really nervous because this is the most she has spoken to anyone. She hoped he can see just how much he has helped her in the last few hours and that she really was thankful for it.

He smiled and held both her arms lightly, causing shivers to run down her spine. "It's my pleasure. I really enjoyed talking to you too."

She smiled back at him—not the one she has on when she needed to assure people she's fine, but a real, genuine one.

He looked taken aback from this. She looked absolutely breathtaking, especially with a smile plastered on her face. She should definitely smile more often.

"Well, goodnight then," he said.

"Goodnight," she replied and walked up to the front door. Before she opened the door, she turned around and said, "I'm Evelyn, by the way." Then she disappeared inside.

Evelyn. Her name is Evelyn.

Oh man, I'm in trouble. She is just too fucking adorable.