Song: E.T - Katy Perry ft Kanye West

Evangeline was still not over the fact that Zarek almost kissed her.

She was too overwhelmed with his proximity that she was tongue-tied. She was frozen in the spot, giving herself in and accepting her fate. Jesus, he could have taken her innocence right then and there and she wouldn't have as much as protested.

She left the Spring Ball to go home, curl in her comfortable bed and overthink till the sun rose. However, after her encounter with The Devil, she changed her destination. She needed fresh air, needed to sit down with someone and pour all of the twisted thoughts out.

She needed Trudy.

Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, she used the other one to pick up her phone. Shifting her soft, hazel eyes between the road and the lightened screen of her phone, Eva found Trudy's contact and pressed call. She glued the phone to her ears. After a few rings, the call went into her voicemail. Trudy's monotone voice poured out of the phone.

"Hello. You reached Trudy Green. Leave a message and I will call you back. Thank you."

Eva bumped her fragile hands on the steering wheel, wincing in pain. Trudy was probably still at the Spring Ball, soothing Justin after breaking up with him. Eva placed her phone on the passenger seat, although she was tempted to throw it. Eva didn't want to go home and face her mother's silence treatment. That was, if Hannah was home.

Eva found it to be slightly suspicious. Most religious people had their Bible study and discussions in the mornings. Most people went to church on Sundays, and not every single day. Her mother was obsessed with religion, and by the looks of it, she was obsessing over the wrong one.

What sort of religion encouraged racism? In what verse exactly was it mentioned that god darkened those with hard feelings? Whatever it was, anybody with a common sense should know that it was wrong.

Hannah and Eva weren't in their best faze at the moment. Hannah was convinced that she had the right to ignore Eva because Hannah was dealing with issues. Hannah was missing her husband, House. Ever since the military sent him on a mission, Hannah had destined herself from her children. And ever since her youngest kids, Celine and Joseph, went to a boarding school, Hannah shut Eva out. Hannah thought she lost them.

But they aren't dead, they will be back in the holidays. Eva scoffed.

Her auburn eyebrows were knotted. She had no idea where to go to sit with her mind in peace. Dessertville wasn't the largest city there was, so the places to go to were limited. As Eva wandered with her car the streets filled with Range Rovers and Rolls Royce, she felt out of place in her Fabia, yet it didn't bother her.

Her lost, hazel eyes caught a sign on the road; Donut Central Park. At that moment, Evangeline felt like the park was her ultimate destination after all. She steered the car into the designed parking lot, and stepped a foot outside. A breeze of the spring hit Eva's face, pulling her red her with it. The cold didn't stop Eva from her upcoming meditation session.

She locked her mother's car and jogged to the middle of the park. There was a clearing in the middle surrounded by trees - resembling a green donut. The trees weren't surrounding the clearance entirely, having a sparkling lake that looked like cream spilled after taking a bite of the donut. Eva wandered why she hadn't came here before.

Eva could only imagine how the place looked like during Christmas.

As Eva walked toward the clearance, the chilly spring air played with her silky, red hair, getting it in every direction. All what was left of the sun above her were a few fainting orange and glistening purple rays. The sky was clear from any clouds or birds - the park was quiet and serene; exactly what Eva needed and wanted.

Evangeline sat on one of the empty benches that were surrounding the small playground, facing the sparkling lake. The trees around the lake created beautiful shadows that satisfied the human eye, along with the colorful lamps that illuminated the place. It was getting dark quickly, and Eva would have been crept out if it wasn't for the fellow of citizen scattered in the park.

Eva was utterly exhausted. She was emotionally drained. She was tired of running away and Zarek chasing her like a hungry wolf. She was sure if she gave in to him, Zarek would eat her with cold blood. Not to mention, Hannah would kill her if she was indulging herself with men.

Eva took a deep, calming inhale, and the wind treated her nostrils with the smell of flowers. She searched with her soft, hazel eyes for the source of the soothing odour. The flowers were planted near the pathway, decorating the whole park with its beautiful and dazzling colors.

Eva sighed. It was her life after all. Her life. She had the right to make her own choices, even if they weren't the rightest thing. She had the right to commit mistakes. She was seventeen and was not allowed to date or have social media. And even her phone -which she hardly managed to get- was went through by Hannah.

Eva need her space.

Hannah treated Eva like her own puppet, controlling Eva's life. But how long would that last? Couldn't Eva live the way she want to? Even if her life might not be perfect, at least she would have the freedom to make her own choices.

Eva looked around her again. The playground was empty, no kid was using the slides or playing with the swings. Her legs itched her to stand up, feeling like a child once again. Eva went to one of the abounded swings. She sat there, lightly pushing herself forward and backward.

Maybe that was why her mom controlled her life so much - she was a child that wasn't worthy of the responsibility.

The wind blew harder, giving Eva cold kisses and bites all over her body. She snapped out of it, not believing that such negative thoughts crossed her mind. She reminded herself that she came to Donut Central Park to get away from her mother's prison, and promised herself she would think positive thoughts only.

Eva focused her attention on the beautiful, glowing moon atop of the earth, and the clear, navy sky. However, Eva's mind kept drifting back to Zarek's last words.

'I'll be waiting for you.'

The way he said it; his electric green eyes were so soft it shocked Eva, his voice so smooth and gentle it was unbelievable. Eva never thought Zarek had a soft side. He was the devil after all, with no feelings other than orgasms.

Eva's hand flew to her mouth, her soft hazel eyes widened. She couldn't believe she was having that kind of thoughts. Eva was an angel, she wasn't supposed to think dirty.

Angel. Zarek's special nickname for her. How funny, Eva thought, A devil chasing an angel.

Somehow Zarek's last statement proved his real intention and that he truly wanted Eva. He would have been rude and disrespectful to other girls, sometimes even forcing them into things and threatening them, but he had been different to Eva. No matter how cheesy it may sound, Zarek changed his playing ways for her. Maybe Eva should give him a chance. She had nothing to lose.

Other than your dignity, reputation, and self-respect! Her common sense snapped at her.

Eva silenced that rightfully annoying voice. She was in love with Zarek. She was desperately, deeply, and stupidly in love. She had no idea how she fell for such a ruthless devil, but she didn't care at the moment. Zarek would be good for her, and she could finally be with him after years of admiration from afar.

It may sound creepy, but Eva stalked him like a desperate girl. She knew he hated desperate girls, but he also hated good girls. And she was both. So either way, she didn't stand a real chance with him.

He was like an evil soul roaming the world, taking advantage of everything that crossed paths with him. Eva would go after him and pick up his leftovers to frame them and add them to her collection of First Love Possessions.

How pathetic, her common sense sneered again.

Eva didn't actually have such a collection, although, it didn't seem like a bad idea. However, what did seem like a bad idea bofore was sharing a relationship with Zarek, but at the moment, Eva changed her mind.

Finally, Eva's impossible love story might just come true.

She hugged myself, the night spring air was chilly and she forgot to bring a jacket, having the thin, red flannel as her only source of warmth - that, and her affection for Zarek. She looked around her again, and noticed an old couple that occupied her previous bench. She smiled at them, even though they were too engaged in their intimate conversation to notice her.

Eva watched as the old man hugged his wife, playing with her grey hair as his wife snuggled in his side, giggling. Eva wanted that kind of relationship that would last a lifetime. Sadly, Zarek wasn't one to provide.

Sighting, Eva looked down at her white sneakers and pushed the golden sand around with them, only to feel someone's hand pushing her shoulder forward, swinging her.

Her soft, hazel eyes widened, wild scenarios running around her mind. It was late at night, and defenseless girls like her shouldn't be lurking outside but safely tucked at home. What if it was a serial killer that liked to pick his victims at the park? What if it was a kidnapper who would sell her organs in the black market? Or worse, what if it was a raper who liked his woman to be young, vulnerable, and redheaded?

Eva's lungs stopped working as her heart beated in an abnormal pace. Ha! Take that for healthy organs! Eva cringed at her thoughts.

She took a deep breath, titling her head behind her. She was met with a perfect-haired boy smiling down at her. Relief washed over her as she returned his smile, letting him swing her.

"Ryan." she breathed, her heart slowing its rhythm. She shook her head, red hair moving with her as she looked for something else to think about other than her face in an unsolved police file. "I thought you were drunk."

Ryan chuckled. "Indeed, but not anymore. I've sobered up." he said, "I saw you leave the party like that. I'm not a creep, but I was worried so I followed you here."

Eva grinned, even though Ryan was behind her. "Someone cares about me."

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Evan." Ryan warned, his voice laced with mischief. Ryan stopped swinging her and stood by the empty swing next to Eva. "Can I sit here?" He waited for no response as he sat immediately.

Eva couldn't help but roll her hazel eyes. "I don't understand why you ask when you'll do it anyway."

"I'm pretending to be a gentleman, Evan." Ryan gaped, his forest green eyes dull; giving her the 'duh' face.

Eva chuckled. "Sure."

Ryan coughed, turning unhumorous. "Zarek is roaming around you this past while."

It was not a question but a statement. His tone was serious, unlike his usual relaxed self. If his tone was not enough, then the way he coughed and averted his forest green eyes. Ryan had news for her, and Eva had a feeling it wasn't a good one.

She reduced her swinging speed. She cocked her head to Ryan's side, a questioning, auburn eyebrow up. "Yeah?" Her voice came out shaky, afraid of what was coming at her.

Ryan looked deep into her soft, hazel eyes, showing how serious he was about this. His forest green eyed shifted from Eva's right eye to her left one, mentally debating about something. "Well," He cleared his throat. "I just want to warn you. Whatever things he said to you, he doesn't mean them."

Eva knew that. She knew Zarek was manipulative and selfish, but she still had no idea to what extinct. She thought of throwing a tantrum. However, she was self composed, so she should deal with this like adults.

She held her chin high, just like Trudy would have. "How'd you know?"

Ryan shook his head dismissively, focusing his attention on the lake in front of them. The once had been mesmerizing lake, out of a sudden, felt dull and meaningless - just like how Eva felt about a relationship with Zarek.

Ryan pushed himself forward slightly. "He's my buddy, I know him more than anyone." He shrugged. "There's no way he could have just changed because he realized what a jerk he used to be. Especially for you; after months of bullying - are you kidding me? Isn't that a little suspicious? I mean, why so sudden?"

Eva crossed her arms, her eyebrows knotted like an unsatisfied child. "He said he'll change for me." she sulked, "Is it that much unbelievable? Are you telling me I'm not good enough for him to change for me?"

Ryan didn't need to tell her, she already knew. Zarek didn't settle for good, desperate, and virgin girls. He was interested in naughty, challenging, and experienced women. He wasn't interested in her, and would never be. It was a fact.

And it was okay. Evangeline didn't expect anything more than fantasizing about him for a week anyway.

Ryan reached his warm hands and touched Eva's cold knee. He pulled his hand so fast as if he was electrocuted. "Def-definitely not, Evan." he stammered, his hand scratching the back of his neck, "You are an amazing girl, anyone would be lucky to have you." he said, meeting her eye for a second before he glued them to the ground, "It's just that-..." Ryan sighed, throwing his hand in the air in defeat. "Zarek made a bet."

Eva suspected it from the start because of the way he looked at her as if she was a prize or a trophy to win. She had mistook the determination in his eyes for affection. Eva knew something was going on, but she refused to believe it. She refused her reality and decided to enjoy Zarek's attention for her.

She knew what she was putting herself into from the start, so why did her fragile heart just break?

Just when Eva started believing his fake promises and lies - her own pathetic lies, such a hideous fact got revealed. A wet tear rolled down her cheek, and Eva wiped it with force, almost yanking her freckled cheek off. I won't cry over him again!

Ryan didn't know what to do, fiddling with the hem of his white shirt. "Zarek told me he made a bet with Hunter Adams to win a girl over. Zarek said he'll start chasing her. I'm not sure if it's you, but it has to be. It's you who's going so persistent after."

His forest green eyes looked at her expectably. "You didn't happen to friendzone him recently, did you?

Eva's glassy, hazel eyes snapped up at Ryan's words. "How did you know? Did he tell you?"

Was Zarek walking around and talking about me? Eva refused to believe that he was ruthless enough to strain her reputation. However, Eva knew she needed to face her reality instead of living in lies - whether they were her own or anyone else's. At least then, her heart wouldn't shatter as hard.

Despite the situation, Eva had a feeling karma was breaking her just like she broke Justin.

"Well, no, not really," Ryan said, shaking his head. Perfect, golden strands of hair intact. Despite her misery, Eva found herself wondering how much hair products exactly did he use.

Ryan looked Eva in the eye, his forest green eyes glinting with regret and pity. "I'm sorry. I never intended to hurt you. That was why I wasn't glad when he approached you in the hall last Monday." he explained, "I'm telling you all these things, because I care about you."

Eva gazed at him, all of her sadness turned into anger. He cared about her? Those were the exact same words Zarek lured her in everytime. No boy cared about anything other than their own selfish desires. Having faith was so stupid. Her mother was right; men were nothing but manipulative, selfish creatures who would eat her alive when they were done with her.

Eva's hands balled up by their own. She couldn't keep sitting anymore as she stood up. She glared at Ryan, hazel eyes filled with hate and disgust. "This is all your fault."

Ryan flew up to his feet too, eyebrows knotted in confusion. "How can this be my fault?" he exasperated, "I'm just trying to help. I didn't wanna see you getting played-"

Eva winced, holding her hand up. "I don't want to hear this," she hissed. She glared at Ryan from head to toe, surprising herself with the amount of anger she had directed at him. "I don't want to be with you right now."

She didn't want to be with any male at that moment. She hated herself for being so weak and gullible. Zarek managed to play her with a couple of sweet words and a week time. There was no doubt that if she let her guard down again, Ryan wouldn't hesitate to do the same.

Panic flashed through Ryan's eyes when he realized she was leaving him. "Evan," he called after her, "Wait."

She didn't wait, and he didn't follow.

Eva was so sick of being that good, sweet, naive girl. She needed to do something brave, feminine, and dominant; exactly what Trudy would have done. As Evangzline stormed away from Ryan toward her parked car, her mother's voice kept haunting her in her head.

"Men are nothing but manipulative, selfish creatures who will eat you alive when they are done with you."