Moving Forward

-Twenty Three-

Evelyn POV

I didn't have a physical class today. They looked like they needed some time alone together. Who knows, maybe it will be the start of something new.

I can't go home right away, because if I did I would have to text Sarah 'I'm home', when I'm supposed to be at some...what did I make up again? Who cares, it made them get some alone time together, all's good.

Where to go, where to go...I don't need anything from the store, as I did my shopping a few days ago. I could drive around...no that sound boring.

Being a wing woman is hard work.

Buzz- buzz-

My phone is right across from me, so I can easily see the caller I.D. without-

Okay, that's going to voicemail.

...

And there they are calling again. Aw, they didn't appreciate my voicemail. I click the answer button.

"Currently driving for about two hours. Can't talk, I'll call back soon." And then the click of the end button.

-0---0-

Saharah Desert

Hey I'm home
Sent 8:58pm

Hm, nothing yet.

I shouldn't get too worried, she was with Jerry John Quinn, she won't be kidnapped or anything. Besides, even if he wanted to, Mister Three names should know better than leave a witness, I.e me.

"Meow."

"Yes, my little beast, I am avoiding something."

I get up and pace my red and white room for a while. That's when I remember I still have John's hairtie. I take it off, my hair escaping from it's tight grip and plopping down onto my shoulders, and examine it. It's a velvety shade of red, almost like curtains in an opera. It's a pretty color.

Should it return when I see him again? Probably. But as wild and weird looking as the hair tie seems (is it more of a scrunchie maybe?), a small part of me wants to keep it.

I put it on my wrist and call back the number.

"Hello."

"Evening."

We both breathe in the silence.

"To what do I owe this great pleasure?"

"I would simply like to see you, dear."

I take a deep breath and look at the red on my wrist.

"I thought that was until later."

"It seems I won't be able to make it to later, but I can do a few days before."

"Okay."

"..."

"..."

"Evelyn, are you okay?"

"Yeah."

"Dear, you-"

"Know your trying? Yeah."

"..."

"..."

"How soon is soon?"

"The Thursday two weeks from now."

"Okay."

"Very well."

"..."

"..."

"Tell...tell your friend I said hi."

"Okay."

"..."

"..."

"Evelyn-"

"I'll see you then?"

"Dear, I feel like you want to tell me something."

"Do I?"

She sighs.

"I don't want to overstep too far in like before." My breath hitches in my throat for a second.

"I-I..."

"Nevermind, we can talk about this when you want to. It appears I may have said too much."

"M-mother?"

"Yes, dear?"

"I'm sorry."

"No, you don't have to apologize to me any more than you already have in the past."

"I'm just sorry...for not being able to tell you."

"..."

"..."

"I can understand that."

"Thank you."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"I'll...I'll see you then? Same place?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Good." I hear her wince a little. "Sorry."

"..."

"..."

"Bye, mother."

"Bye, Evelyn."

"Don't-"

"I know."

"Okay."

And with that I hang up. The whole time, I've been playing with the hairpiece in my wrist, pulling and tugging it here and there. It helped make the phone call not end in sarcastic remarks and empty words as it usually does. I think this is the first good call that lasted this long.

I look at my reflection in my phone and see multiple red streaks down my face. I go to the bathroom to wipe them gone. They're mostly gone. I see Lucy follow me and I pick him up.

"I'm fine, darling. Just...its been a difficult day. Many ups and downs." He nuzzled into my hands as I cradle him.

That's when my phone buzzes again and I go to see it's a facetime from Sarah. I look in a reflective surface long enough to see the marks are no longer there an answer the call.