Delirium: Crash & Burn

Part XXI

Harrison

I looked down at my watch, I was so early. I couldn't help it, the apprehension had gotten a bit too much and the longer I waited watching the clock, the slower time moved. I straightened my tie again feeling as it moved as I swallowed, the muscles of my throat contracting. Nervous, this whole situation made me, nervous. 

Some much had changed this year already and it felt as though my life had been thrown in a fritz when Evie came to our school. I had changed a lot and I couldn't help but slightly miss my old self feeling increasingly conscious of this new outer shell I wore.

This was the first dance of the year and I wasn't going with Cole and the boys nor was I going with some random girl who I didn't care about. This was the first time that I was going with someone I actually like about and who cared about me, Evie. 

I sat in my car with the headlights dimmed, trying not to draw any attention to myself. I checked my phone again and decided I wouldn't wait any longer. I could feel the sweat accumulating around the collar of my shirt. I turned the engine off and got out of the car locking it behind me. I straighten my tie again, it felt crooked. I sighed dramatically removing it and shoving it into my pocket. I fixed the collar of my shirt, messed with my hair and tucked my shoe laces in, glancing into the window of the car checking my appearance again.

This was exhaustive, I was waring myself out for nothing, its not like I hadn't been on any dates, in fact I had been on so many I lost count. I had been to all school dances since freshman year. But despite all of that I still felt nervous. The street was quite. Their house was lonely looking, it stood at the end of the street attached to a row of worn out garages. The porch was dressed in rows of flowers and a small bench which swung when the wind blew. I straightened my shoulders summoning all of the courage I had in me, I walked briskly.

I stood in front of the door and I eventually brought a shaky hand to knock on the door. I instantly heard shuffle from the other side of the door along with the rattling of keys as the door creaked open. In front of me stood a tall slim man. He had a light ginger beard and pale ginger hair. He instantly stuck out his hand for me to shake and spoke sternly as he did.

"I'm Joe, I suppose you're Harrison?"

I nodded slowly feeling suddenly very exposed in front of him. A few seconds passed a small robust women also came to the door. She had blonde hair and fair skin, she wore a kind smile on her face and she also reached out her palm to shake my hand.

"Come in love, I'm Pam."

There was a brief moment of silence before she continued rather awkwardly.

"We are, er, Evie's foster parents."

Pam turned to me and signalled to a quaint study room off the entrance. I studied the room. There was a small charming book shelf at the back which was full of classic English literature. My eyes darted around the photo frames each with pictures of different people in, rows of happy, smiling people, grateful people. My eyes locked on one picture of Evie with Kat, I smiled internally as my heart became warm. A gentle hand brought me out of my thoughts, it was Pam.

"You can sit and I'll go tell Evie that you're here."

She instantly turned away rushing up the stairs, I could hear the excitement in her footsteps. I sat down on the plush brown couch and Joe came and sat beside me. In front of the main sofa the TV was on, he was watching a baseball game. I noticed him reaching for the remote to change the channel, unsure of where I stood in regards to sports. I could tell he did not wish to rock the boat and sports can be a sensitive subject to men. I could tell he was, considerate. I tapped him on the shoulder and stopped him from changing the channel stating how much I actually wanted to watch the game but didn't have chance to.

He turned to face me, analysing me, my characteristics and my mannerisms. I was sure he wanted to see if I was right for his girl, if Evie was safe with me. I wanted to tell him that the worry that was evident on his face didn't need to be there. That I was kind and caring and I wouldn't purposefully hurt Evie. 

I wanted to rectify every miscalculated, misunderstood ideology that has ever crossed his mind about boys like me. I understood that he was worried about Evie, his girl. I would worry too if I were in his shoes. Evie's beauty and striking mind would surly attract people and those people wouldn't always be good. That's the thing with beauty; it attracts the good and the really bad. He eventually broke the silence.

"You seem like a good kid, Harrison."

With that he placed his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it slightly. He stood up and headed towards the kitchen leaving me wondering if he truly meant it. My eyes continued to wonder, I noticed that there was a book on the coffee table, the title read, "There Is Still Good Left In The World" by Jackson Williams. I cocked my head, recognising the author's last name was the same as Evie's. I shook my head at the thought, surly that couldn't be Jackson William's as in Evie's birth farther, how many 'Williams' where there in the world I thought to myself. It was merely coincidence.

I paused slightly feeling increasingly perplexed; I remember Evie telling me that her dad died when she was little, that people used to call him wako Jacko because his mind was troubled. Surely this isn't Jackson Williams, Evie's father, or was it? I was curious; I turned the front page and opened it, reading the first few lines.

"To my dearest Evie.

There are still kind heated people who will dry your tears; there are still smiles and hugs to be given. It's not all doom and gloom. The hard part is finding them. You know those people, who will smile at you despite not knowing you, the people who will hug and hold you. The people who will simply offer their ears to listen and banish the worries you have."

I quickly shut the cover, suddenly worried I would be caught being nosey. The question began to burn a hole in my mind, I was curious, I wondered about her birth father, I wondered about her history, what her story was. I had a few opportunities to ask, I mean I really wanted to ask, but I kept my curious thoughts to myself. I did not want to upset Evie by digging up metaphoric graves. I knew she would open up to me eventually and tell me everything, I mean we have time, I truly felt like we would be together a long time.

All of my gnawing thoughts halted when Evie walked down the stairs into the room. She deserved her own sound track she looked that good. She wore a long black gown. The fabric wrapped perfectly around her body. I was in awe of her beauty, energy radiated from her. I was drawn to her, I always was. Her hair was in loose curls and appeared lighter. I walked up to her slowly unsure of whether she was real or a fabrication of my wildest dreams. I reached for her hair, taking a few strands in my fingers. She smiled, she knew she looked good.

"Did you change your hair?"

I whisper, my voice unable to project itself louder. She nodded her head.

 "I wanted to surprise you."

She looked up at me, her eyes bright; she smiled revealing rows of perfect white teeth. My breath hitched in my throat.

"You look beautiful."

My hand dove into my pocket pulling out a small flower. Evie looked down at my hands noticing my gift, she instantly pushed her hair back behind her ear motioning for me to put the flower in her hair. I did not hesitate to act. I gently pushed the flower back into her hair and stepped back admiring how even more beautiful she looked. I took Evie's hand in mine and led her to my car, opening the door for her.

I slid into the driver's seat and let out the nervous breath that I was holding. I turned to Evie who's face lit up as she smiled at me, I leaned into her holding the side of her face. I placed my lips on hers gently and only for a brief couple of seconds. 

The temptation to take it further was there but I contained my excitement enjoying the lingering teasing kiss.