Chapter 4: What the Heart Wants

Evan

Promptly at 8:00 AM, Evan spotted Shayla pulling into the parking lot from his seat next to her empty one in first period. He thought it odd that she was late for school. The second bell had already rung.

Ten minutes passed before Shayla made her appearance in the classroom. Of course, Mr. Roberts wasn't happy but also, he wasn't surprised so Evan decided this must not be unusual for her to appear late. But something just didn't feel right.

She hastily sat at her desk next to him, sighed deeply and slammed her book down on her desk.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"No."

She didn't even look his way. Was she upset about the avoided hand kiss? That couldn't be it. She wouldn't be that upset over him being a gentleman, right? It's not like he tried to kiss her face, though he really wanted to.

"Okay, well I'm a good listener if you need to talk."

"Thanks." She shot him a half smile, and though to the world it might have seemed faked, to him, he could see truth behind it. It must be her eyes. Those luminous blue eyes. They held so much inside them.

The day moved forward and with each class they shared, he could see she was mentally more gone.

The final bell rang. He met her by her locker.

"I'm going to head to the bus, but text me later if you need anything," he said as he started to walk towards the exit sign.

"Wait. Come with me for a bit," she said as she stuffed her books in her locker.

They walked in silence to her Jeep. He didn't ask where they were going because honestly, he didn't care. He was with her and that was all that mattered.

He climbed in the passenger seat, and she turned on the radio. A rock song came on and she tapped her steering wheel to the beat. Still no words had been said but he felt great just sitting next to her. No words seemed to be needed.

She pulled off onto a dirt road, miles away from the school. It led into a woodsy area. It almost seemed like an entirely different world. Serene and subtle. The calming noise of the wind through the trees and birds singing their own little tunes sent waves of happiness through Evan's body. The sun continually poked through spaces between the leaves and landed on his face. He turned his face up to feel the full effect of its warmth.

She pulled the Jeep over to the side and got out. Evan followed. She made her way down a slight hill and at the bottom was a creek. It sparkled in the sunlight and was crystal clear. Little fish swam by, minding their business. She took off her shoes and he did the same. She stepped into the cool water, and he followed.

"I love to come here when my mind is full of chaos. It clears the clutter sometimes."

"What's on your mind?" Evan asked.

Shayla wandered over to a big rock smack dab in the middle of the creek and she climbed on top of it and sat down. Evan did the same, though he wasn't quite as graceful and fell butt first into the creek.

She laughed heartily. He loved knowing his wet butt made her laugh.

"My mom was killed. It's been a few months, but it's still very painful to talk about. She was my best friend. I look just like her, you know."

"Then she was absolutely beautiful," he said, and she ignored the comment and he winced inside listening to a story that he had actually lived.

"It's been hard, moving on. I found her body when she was killed. I can't shake the image. My dad found her second. He also found me screaming next to her. He hasn't been the same since. None of us have, but he went off the deep end."

"I'm so sorry," Evan said and grabbed her hand. This time she didn't jerk it away. His secret was eating him alive.

"Last night, he left us. He left my brother and me." She pulled a wrinkled piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to Evan.

He read every word.

He felt her heart break as he did.

He handed it back to her and she wadded it up again and shoved it back in her pocket. He was thankful that she finally told him why she was being different and extra thankful it wasn't cause of something he had done.

At least not directly.

But his secret must be kept now more than ever. He couldn't bear to be the reason her heart broke yet again. She had been through enough. He would do everything in his power to make sure she didn't go through anymore.

She let him hold her hand for a few more minutes and then she hopped off the rock. She kicked water up towards Evan, laughing like a child playing a game. He kicked water back and they began to chase each other through the creek causing the fish to scurry.

For a moment it was if she wasn't hurting. Her smile was brighter than the sun glistening off the moving water. For a moment she was happy, at least it seemed to be to him.

Evan took a chance and pulled Shayla close, and his lips found hers. The kiss lasted longer than Evan had expected. She seemed relaxed in his arms, but it didn't take her long to tense up.

"Evan--"

"--I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

"It's okay. I just don't feel that way about you. Just friends, okay?" Shayla lied.

He had no idea just how badly she had been damaged on the inside and how hard she would fight to keep him out of her heart.

He needed to get prepared for this battle he was about to dive head-first into. But did he even have a chance with this blue-eyed brunette that has taken over his heart like a storm in the night?

She was the one. His mate. He just needed her to stop fighting destiny. But for now, he'd give her just his friendship. He didn't have much of a choice.