To The Moon And Back

Chapter 19

Evelyn's POV

Meet me at the tree at 3 tomorrow. We need to talk.

I received the message around two in the morning, when I was wide awake, tossing and turning trying to fall asleep. It was an exhausting pattern of rolling around and overthinking that has been going on for about a month.

Why does he need to talk to me? The last thing I need is for him to yell at me and think he knows what's best for me.

My eyebrows furrow in annoyance and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to manage to get at least three hours of sleep. But all I see is a replay of the party, mostly of me crying after what Shon did. Then it changes to Braden holding my hand in the woods, eager to tell me something.

He can't like me... He's my best friend. He sees me as his best friend only. Unless...

I shake my head at the possibility of something more between us. I'm with Shon. I like being with Shon.

I picture Shon and his goofy smile, and the memories of our dates that made me fall for him. Eventually, I drift off to sleep with a small smile on my face.

***

After sleeping on and off for a total of four hours, I get ready and text Braden before I get in my car and drive to the school.

When I pull up, I see Braden leaning against the tall willow tree, his eyes closed. Climbing out of the car, I quietly walk up to him, the soft crunching of the grass beneath my feet is the only sound made, with the exception of a few bird songs. Braden still has his eyes closed, with his eyelashes lightly fluttering, deep in a dream.  A small smile forms on my face and I raise my hand up, brushing a piece of hair out of his face. I decide to let him sleep a little and gaze at him. His freckled cheeks are a light shade of pink from the sun, and his sculpted face is relaxed, something I haven't seen in a while.

I glance at the tree and walk around it to find our carving, running my hand over the bark. I smile, remembering the day we carved it, marking the willow as our tree. I hear Braden stirring and walk back over to him. I brush his hair out of his face again and he jumps, fluttering his eyes open.

"Hey," I say softly, and sit down next to him, pulling down my skirt so the grass doesn't poke my thighs. "You had a rough night too?"

He stretches and yawns. "Yeah. I haven't gotten much sleep in a while."

I nod my head in agreement. "Me too." I glimpse at him, looking into his tired eyes and his dark bags under them. His freckles are darker than usual, and his hair is disheveled, most likely from him running his hands through it. It's something he does when he's stressed. "What's bothering you?" I say worriedly.

he looks away from me and runs a hand through his hair. "Nothing. I'm fine." He gives me a small smile and I frown.

"Braden, I know you better than anyone and I can tell that something is definitely wrong."

He sighs, fiddling with his fingers. "Fine. You're right. Something is bothering me." He looks away from me and mumbles, "or someone."

"Who?" I say without thinking and immediately regret it. I know what he's going to say. That was stupid of me to ask.

"Who? It's your so-called 'Boyfriend'" he holds up air quotes.

My frown turns into a scowl. "God, Braden! Is this going to be an everyday conversation with you?"