For Ever

six

dear ever,

i didn't tell you back then but our first date sent chills to my spine. i had deja vu moments with things i know, i didn't do. which is funny because, they were my firsts but it felt like i did it before. i told myself back then, i probably dreamt of this and forgotten it. but it felt all too familiar and real, that got me to change my mind.

"Wow, are all student council people that time conscious?" I asked when you got out of the car. I walked out of my dorm five minutes before eight and I saw a car parked by the driveway. No on got out so I thought it wasn't you, Ever. But when the clock stated that it was eight, precisely. You went out of that car.

You chuckled and said, "I didn't want to return you tomorrow at seven fifty-five. Come on, we're wasting time."

I got in your car and placed my bag on my lap. You didn't tell me where we were going Ever. The only hint you told me is that I'd love it. You were too confident for your own good. You probably asked Bree what I liked to make sure I loved it, didn't you?
The car ride was silent and from the looks of it, we're heading South.

You took a sharp turn and entered the big gates leading to an old subdivision. The houses were all painted the same but you can clearly guess which ones were new and old. We stopped at the parking and you went out, so I quickly followed you. You took picnic basket and blanket from the trunk and then locked your car. You held my hand and by the way you reacted you were surprised that I let you.

"This is a date after all, I'm giving you fair chance," I said and you smiled. You dragged me along and entered the gates of a small and semi-abandoned house. The house wasn't scary, it was actually properly taken care of but it was clear that no one lives in this house anymore.

"Isn't this trespassing?" I asked and you shook your head.

"It's my house uhm well my family's but they gave it to me, don't worry we won't do anything illegal," you reassured me as you led me towards the back. The house was small but the lot surrounding it was big, it had a properly taken care of field that looked marvellous. I love sceneries like this. You began preparing the blanket and the food while I looked around.

There was a treehouse that seemed familiar at the corner and my curiosity got the best of me. I went to it and climbed the built in ladder and saw that at the opening there were two small handprints with the letters T and J painted on each one. My head started aching, so I paused for a while and tried to breath normally. My train of thought was interrupted when I heard you call out my name.

"Don't climb up, it hasn't been used for years. It's probably gonna break, it's not safe," I heard you say. I went down to face you, you looked nervous back then, Ever. I have never seen this side of yours—nervous. I've always known you as the cool guy who do not in any way get nervous. Why, Ever? Why were you like that, right now?

"Are you okay?" You asked and I nodded. I touched my head and began massaging it.

"My head just hurts, I woke up too early for this," I reasoned out and you hugged me. Your hugs felt good, Ever. They felt like I was home, at peace, the effect you have on me was something I could not understand. Did you feel the same way? Is that why you couldn't leave me alone?

"Let's eat breakfast, I cooked your favorite. You always have headaches when you don't eat, that's probably why," you said and I let out a confused look. Ever, how'd you know so much about me?

"I mean, that's what Bree told me, so i'm only guessing," you said nervously while scratching your head. I nodded, believing that story. But you lied to me, right? At that time, you were lying, right Ever? But naive me, believed it.

"I didn't know you can cook," I say as I sat on the left side if the blanket. "You really are perfect," I continued. You looked shy when I said that, I could see your face slightly turning pink.

"I couldn't say perfect, Tanisha. I'm bad at English subjects," you joked and I laughed.

"So, english boy. What are your other flaws?" I questioned taking a bite at the ham and cheese sandwich you prepared.

"I have a temper but don't worry I'm getting good at controlling it now. I'm clingy, if you haven't noticed. Plus my face isn't symmetrical. Uhmmm, oh yeah, my fingers aren't symmetrical as well, you see my left hand is bigger than the other, which makes them uneven. I'm also the jealous ty-," you said thinking really hard what other bad traits you have and then I cut you off with my laugh.

"You really know how to win a girl over, english boy."

"Am I winning you over?" you asked, your tone laced with genuine curiousness. I shrugged and continued eating. I finished my sandwich and took the plate that had sushi on it.

"How about you, Tanisha. What are your flaws?" He asked.

"A lot. I'm struggling with my subjects, unlike you. I'm not attractive, unlike you. I'm awkward, unlike you. I'm rude and selfish, unlike you. I also have a temper but unlike you, I can't control it, should I go on?" I asked as you stare at me in awe. I looked away and stared at the view in front of me. Avoiding your gaze.

"You're perfect to me, Tanisha," you said nonchalantly and I swear I heard you say that before. But when?

"Why is your name Ever, is that your real name?" I asked, changing the subject to a lighter one. You placed your sandwich back on the plate and drank water.

"I always hated my name but I had someone I love who loved it. She called me Ever, short for Everest. I just used it as a nickname since then," you explained. Your eyes glistened as you talked about her, it is true the eyes are the windows to the soul.

"Where is she now? Are you still in touch?" I asked again.

"It's complicated, she's near but at the same time she's so far away from me," he tried his best to explain. I knew it was a touchy subject so I didn't ask any further.

"Call me crazy Ever but some how I feel like I've been here before," I said and you froze. You seemed to have noticed my puzzled face and then you laughed. Brushing it off, acting like that never happened.

"Tanisha, you're crazy."

After we were done, we went back to the car and traveled to our next destination. You asked if I had any music preference to listen to and to which i replied that you can freely choose whatever. You played the song Little Souls by Nicole Z. It was my favorite song, Ever. You told me it was yours too. You started humming and tapping your fingers on the wheel while your eyes stayed in focus on the road. My head started to hurt again and you noticed. Why is everything you do so familiar, like I've seen it before.

"Tanisha, are you okay?" you asked and I nodded.

"Just a headache," I replied. You stopped the car and parked at the side. You took your bag and  you started looking for something. A minute later you gave me a medicine and water.

"How about we'll head back? So you can rest?" You asked. Ever, I was touched, you knew very well that this was the only chance I'm giving you but here you are cutting it short so that I can rest.

"But you said, twenty-four hours." You smiled and took a deep breath.

"But I don't want you getting sick for a date, it's alright Tanisha."

"What time is it?" I asked while I massage my head. You looked for your phone and said. "It's ten o'clock."

"You have twenty-two hours left, just text me if we're going on another date," I said and you smiled.

"Really?" You excitingly said, while you reached for my hand.

"Yes, you can bring me home now. I loved our first two hours together," I said. You started the car and the next thing I knew I was already asleep.

Ever, I had a dream during the car ride. It was blurry and everything was muted. But I knew I dreamt of you.