Everett Smith

A Story by Jess Holden

The cold of the winter always seemed to get to me. I would shiver and be cold even when the sun was shining bright, and their was no wind.
I guessed most of the cold was in my mind.
His hot breath rose above his head, and floated towards the sun that beat down on us as it gently set into the horizon. This was a sunny, but cold November, and me and Everett had just finished an evening's meal with his parents. I couldn't wait for this night to end; Everett's parents thought me to be a pain, and hated everything to do with me. Just the sound of my name repulsed them enough to leave the room.
I wasn't the girl that did drugs, smoked, slept around, or was in a hospital for suicide attempts, I was the rich girl, the "stuck up" one. This is what they assumed of me when we met. Once they found out my father owned the biggest car company in town, they automatically hated me. Part of me couldn't blame them though. Anyone who knew my father, knew he had a horrible temper, one of which he just couldn't control without the help of prescription pills.
But their hatred of me was unnecessary.
I was more like my mother, less anger, more laughes. My mother pretty well raised me by herself, that's how ofter my father was gone.
But none of that matters now. The past is the past, and I much prefer my present and future with Everett. He was what every girl dreams of; arms like a body builder, face like a model, abs like you wouldn't believe, and a pair of beautiful baby blue eyes to match. He was like a God, sent to earth to fall in love with one lucky girl that he would spend the rest of his life with.
Tonight, however, Everett was upset. His calm blue eyes were now dark and unsettling; his body was fidgety, and he couldn't keep still for less than 5 minutes. As we stood outside his parent's house, trying to enjoy the sunset, I couldn't help but wonder if he was alright. I opened my mouth to ask, but fell short of words.
Maybe tomorrow, I thought, trying to give myself time to think about what words would be said, maybe gauge how he would react.

My mind let slip the words that I had been thinking just mere hours later, as we drove to our second floor apartment in the lower part of town. We parked 4 blocks from the building, this walk becoming part of our daily routine, and talked.
"I know they don't like you, but I dunno how you put up with it!" he said, laughing softly, as we walked hand in hand.
"What's wrong Ev? I saw how you were tonight after dinner, and you worried me..." I said abruptly, looking deeply into his blue eyes, my eyes stinging with tears. I saw him pause, and take a moment to think, before replying.

"I was just thinking about how they treat you, they shouldn't." He said quickly, almost trying to avoid further conversation. I decided not to pry; he has secrets, as do I.

"Alright, but I'm here for you." I said, wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders.

"I know, and I you," he said, looking down at me with a stupid smile across his perfect face.

"I love you."

"I love you too Everett."

I opened my eyes to see the lifeless world around me. My room was dark, a thick layer of dust on almost every surface, with the shades blocking out the sunlight.

I love you I kept thinking in my head, listening to the way the words sounded.

I love you, I love you... no, I thought.

I loved you..