the hardest of hearts

“Ah,” he nodded, a slow grin forming, “that must be where I almost recognize you from. I went to BHU as well. I imagine I’d seen your face around at some point. It wasn’t all that big a campus.” He smiled widely, inviting her share in the joke, before continuing. “What was your major?”

Biting back another giggle, Evangeline twirled a strand of hair around her index finger. “I double-majored in religious studies and astrology. What about you?”

Nyx took a beat to recognize the woman next to her but she nearly lost it when she realized it was Evangeline. “Nice to see you haven’t changed much either. Always easy on the eye, you know?” The shorter woman said with a fond little smirk, remembering the constant arguments they had. “I ordered myself some fire water. My own creation of course— It’s just a little bit of everything in a glass.” Nyx got her glass and took a sip, feeling the harshness and the burn in her throat. “Still as good as I remember. What have you been doing with yourself?”

Years ago, Evangeline would have been defensive over that sort of comment from Nyx, but she just smiled now, setting her glass of wine down for a moment. “You’re not so bad-looking yourself,” she teased, returning Nyx’s smirk with one of her own. “Sounds adventurous,” she laughed, raising the glass back to her lips and sipping. “Me? Nothing exciting, really. Just lots of painting. What you’ve been doing is what I want to know.”

Furiously texting on her phone, Victoria strutted down the street, her curly hair bouncing with each step. With each movement of her fingers she became more engrossed in her phone and less aware of her surroundings. It was only when someone brushed into her that Victoria looked up. Turning to face them sharply, the dark look on her face was soon replaced by an amused one upon recognizing whom she was looking at. “Well, I would hope so—” She paused, a devilish smile crossing her features as she tilted her head to the side. “Evan.”

At the wicked smile on Victoria’s face, Evangeline wavered for a moment, unsure if it was teasing or truly wicked. Then again, she had no idea what had become of Victoria. Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, she stated carefully, “Victoria. Good to see you again.”

Ariel subtlety blushed, she no longer showed it though Evangeline could know that without even looking at her, or so Ariel thought sometimes. At first, it was a surprise until she got used to the complicity that came with friendship. “Don’t say that—-but thank you!” she said covering her cheeks lightly “Aw, but you’re such a cute girl.” she mocked her, taking the cupcake. Her eyes practically shining “You know what? This is great, cupcakes are ridiculously great.”

“Aww, you think I’m cute?” she questioned, holding two hands to her heart and making an appreciative expression. “I’m flattered, Ariel. You’re just as cute.” Grinning widely, she tossed her hair over one shoulder. “I’m honored you think that. I picked them out just for you.” Setting the cupcakes down on the table, she took one, taking a small bite of it. “You really like them?”

Ariel closed her eyes and chuckled while shaking her head lightly “You should have stopped me.” She liked when the times when Evangeline was hyper, when she was happy even her hair was happy. Not that Ariel liked her any less when she was sad or angry, but she preferred things to be okay with her. “It’s Tchaikovsky, as usual…Thank you!” she said smiling “It’s a waltz, a little more complex than that but similar. I insist why didn’t you stop me? You know how I am when i’m here. Anyway…” she stopped playing, and stood up “That’s not a fair game and you know it! Look at you, bribing your best friend with cupcakes.” the girl gave her friend a disapproving look in a joking manner “You should be ashamed of yourself.”

Beaming widely, Evangeline leaned against the wall, shaking her head. “I wanted to hear you play. You’re amazing, Ariel,” she praised, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. Biting back laughter, she quipped, “I really am a horrible person.” Rolling her eyes, she held out the cupcakes to Ariel. “Take some,” she offered.

There was more to see, it felt; Barton Hollow had to have been the same size, still, but Peter couldn’t imagine that it was so full of everything the way it was now. It couldn’t have been…or perhaps Peter just hadn’t been looking for it, all those years ago? He shrugged off the almost-melancholy thought and continued his stride. It wasn’t so graceful a return to the waking world as he might’ve hoped, though, since Peter promptly knocked shoulders with a dark haired woman who said…something unexpected. “I do? Well, thank you, though I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or something else. You look…almost familiar. Where did you go to school?”

Evangeline let out a musical laugh, running a hand through her chestnut waves and glancing up at him with a cheerful grin. “It’s in-between, I supposed,” she mused. “Barton Hollow University. And you?”

The fuck am I supposed to tell you? Sorry I guess, for not getting to say goodbye, but that wasn’t my fault. I tell you now, goodbye. And thanks, I guess, for the rich life you gave me. Whatever.” Jake really believed he is crazy, talking to two graves, of the two people that never even tried to show him love how it was supposed to be shown. When he finished talking, he took out a cigarette and lit it.

Evangeline stood before the graves of her parents, feeling a strange mixture of pain and resentment. They had been nothing but cruel to her throughout her entire life, yet she stood there, staring down at the tombstones with flowers held in her hands. Noticing a distant voice, she raised her head from the graves, happy for a distraction. “You okay there?” she questioned with a raised eyebrow.

“Fuck—” That was the only word that seemed appropriate of the affect ten years had had on her old work place and once favorite watering hole. Ten years did little to change her tendency to swear. The fury nodded over at her old manager, they’d never really spoken much but the unspoken nature of their friendship was something she appreciated. He didn’t tell her much she’d cost them in damages and she kept the riffraff out. She sat herself at the bar and ordered properly for the first ever time in her history with the Anti-Hero. “Well I don’t know about you, but I’m staying here all fucking night.”

“Nice to see you haven’t changed that much,” Evangeline noted with a laugh, lifting her glass of red wine to her lips and taking a small sip. Crossing her legs and meeting Nyx’s eyes, she questioned with a raised eyebrow, “What did you order?”

She felt the door burst open, and yet didn’t stop playing. She spent her day playing everything related to Tchaikovsky in the slightest. It only made her miss ballet more, but at the same time it gave her some sense of duty. “You’re no supposed to be here.” she said, she didn’t sound rude and didn’t feel the need to. It happened often, this didn’t mean she didn’t disliked it but she couldn’t hold it agaisn’t anyone. Opening the wrong door happened, and it wasn’t a big deal “If you’re looking for Rachel, she is at the other door. I don’t work on Sundays, neither I take contracts today.” the entire time she spoke, she didn’t stopped playing. “I apologize.”

“Aww, is that any way to treat your best friend?” Evangeline had been feeling particularly upbeat for the past few days, and it showed in the way she carried herself, the vibrant expression on her face, the light in her eyes. “Ooh, what are you playing? It’s really good, Ariel.” Grinning widely, she added, “You can keep on playing if you want to, but I’ve got cupcakes. And I know you love sweets.”

Ariel truly didn’t have any problem with standing, but she sat anyway. Happy to take the invitation. It was truth that the proximity made her feel less alone, no. Not less alone, but more accompanied. She liked the accent, the southern accent that Barton had. It was so lively, while hers was simply one from some town that she vaguely remembered. “I’m sorry to hear that, i’m sure this week will be better. I’m sure it will be” she meant it, whenever she gave words of encouragement she truly believed them. It’s sad that it didn’t always go like that.  “I’m glad that you’re okay now. You should have a piece of something sweet, it always comes with some bliss.” she said as she smiled, the smile didn’t fade away when she slightly bent back her head “I had a fight with someone I care about…but I guess it doesn’t matter now. I hope it won’t matter later. Not that I like acting as nothing happens, but misunderstandings are normal.”

Evangeline gave a shaky smile, mumbling, “God, I hope so.” Biting her lip before she could utter another word, the brunette couldn’t help but genuinely grin at that. Ariel was so sweet that it shocked her sometimes. However, the grin faded soon enough, replaced with a more solemn expression. “I’m sorry, Ariel,” she said softly, touching her hand so lightly that it was barely even a touch. “Are you okay?”

Setting his mouth into a hard line, Nicolas turned his back further to the girl and her pad and pencils. He didn’t come to the spot to make conversation, and honestly, the faster he got the picking done, the faster he could get back to the forge and take care of the orders he still had left. Besides, the girl gave off an air of wrong, bitter and hard on his tongue. 

Raising an eyebrow, Evangeline tucked her knees beneath her chin, gazing up at the sky thoughtfully before returning to her sketchbook. “You can ignore me. We’ll get along better that way,” she mumbled to herself, her tone not sarcastic for once as she watched him silently for a few moments before her hazel eyes landed on her pencils once again and she reminded herself of her actual purpose in being here, reaching for a chestnut pencil and beginning to shade in parts of her drawing.

“Yes, you are extremely wrong.” If he left with her that meant he could stand talking to her more than 30 minutes, which also meant she wasn’t that bad. Jake couldn’t see why he wouldn’t enjoy her presence “Damn girl, you really are fucking cold, aren’t you?” he chuckled as he sat on his butt on the bed “Want me to give you a sweater or something?”

“I’m flattered,” she responded, resisting the urge to roll her eyes as she sat up, tilting her head slightly. “What can I say? I get cold easily,” Evangeline laughed, shrugging and continuing, “Yeah. Thanks.”

“Thank you.” she said quickly giving up on her insecurity “I’m fine…” she shrugged “A little stressed but who isn’t? how about you?”

Evangeline couldn’t help but smile, swinging her legs and grinning at Ariel with a surprising warmth that spread to her hazel eyes. “Sit with me. Standing up for so long can’t be all that fun,” she said with a small laugh, patting the spot next to her. “Me? I’m doing just dandy, Ariel. Peaches and cream,” she responded saccharinely, letting her thick Southern accent creep through. Laughing bitterly, she let her accent fade away as she spoke. “I’ve been okay, I guess. Last week was pretty shit for me, but I’m doin’ okay now.” She knew why last week had been terrible for her - it was the week of her parents’ anniversary. March 11th. A Wednesday, an day that was normal to most but was marked to her by her parents drinking and beating her more harshly than they usually did. As much as she hated them, there was still a part of her that loved them, and she despised that part. “What’s got you stressed?”

Kellan heard the faint sound of music before he heard her voice, only bothering to open and look at her with one eye before re-closing it. God, why did people love those evil electronic thingy majigs so much? They were pointless. “Good afternoon,” he responded quietly, taking in another deep breath. “May I ask what you are drawing over there?” 

Not bothering to set aside her cell phone, leaving one earbud in still and the other hanging awkwardly, looped around her thin wrist, she bit her lower lip. “You may,” she responded, her tone the typical disinterested-youth cliché for a moment before it faded into something neither enthusiastic nor bored. “Oh, just the woods,” she responded, tilting her head curiously before questioning, “Why are you here?” It came out ruder than it had been intended to be, and she regretted that for a few moments before quickly moving on.