Alright, this is it. My feet were planted, shoulders squared. I had myself braced for whatever happened next. Taking a deep breath, I donned my game face. This isn't basketball, but it should be an interesting match.

Not waiting any longer, I knocked on the door. While I waited for an answer, my eyes drifted about. Evelyn's house was on a quiet street. The sidewalk was lined with low brick walls and trees drooping under the weight of their heavy orange leaves. It was beautiful.

The house itself was nice too. It was long and had a high roof. Like something from a picture book, it was peaceful and quaint.

My gaze snapped to the door when I heard the heavy footfalls approaching. Even through the door, it sounded menacing. Breathing out my nerves, I donned a winning smile.

The doorknob turned and the door creaked as it was pulled open. From inside the house, a man watched me. He seemed an older version of Mark; portly but not quite fat. His black hair was thinning, and his thin glasses clung desperately to his round nose. Looking me up and down, the man grunted before outstretching his arm.

Taking his hand, I smiled and nodded. "Good to meet you, sir. My name is Judah. Call me J, please."

Sighing, the man shook his head. "Good to meet you too, J. You can call me Thomas. I'm Evelyn's father." Thomas rubbed his forehead. "You'll have to forgive me. I am a little surprised. Anyways, come in."

Turning, Thomas led the way down the hall. I kicked my shoes off at the door before following, closing the door behind me.

It seems like one long corridor connects the house. At the front was the entryway and living room. Further down the hall was the kitchen and dining room. The bedrooms were clustered at the rear of the house.

Each room seemed to be filled with old wallpaper and photos. Passing the living room, I noticed large bookcases overflowing with books, pages curled from being read so many times. There were armchairs with quilts hanging from them. It somehow reminded me of my grandparent's home.

Thomas lumbered down the hall, taking slow and heavy steps. His corduroy slacks shifted with each step, threatening to fall. He was wearing a belt, but it wasn't doing much.

Throwing his hands in the air, Thomas stepped into the kitchen, smiling in disbelief. "May, he's real."

A confused grin settling on my face, my brows knitted together, and I joined Thomas in the kitchen. May's hands flew to her face as her jaw dropped. "Real? He's real?" She whispered.

I had no idea what was happening, but you only get one chance at a first impression. So, I smiled and waved to May. "Hello, I'm J. This is a lovely home."

"Oh, thank you," May said, hurrying around the countertop. Her gray hair was tied up in a bun and she wore a green apron with daisies over a red knee-length dress covered in polka dots. She was smiling happily and fluttering her hands wildly. "It's so good to meet you. Call me May."

"The pleasure is mine," I politely answered.

Surprise coloured my cheeks when May threw her arms my neck, pulling me into a tight hug. I awkwardly hugged her back for a moment before she pulled away.

Fanning herself with a hand, May sighed. "I'm sorry. Thomas and I are both just surprised. Evelyn only recently mentioned that she had a boyfriend and even then, we hardly believed it. Our little Evelyn? She's always been so quiet."

My jaw dropped open a little, was it really so unbelievable for Evelyn to have a boyfriend? Throwing my head back, I chortled. "I know what you mean. When we first met, Evelyn wanted nothing to do with me."

Smiling sadly, May nodded gravely. "Oh, that girl. Well, I'm glad things worked out."

"Me too," I agreed, laughing. My hands fiddled nervously in my pockets.

"J?" Whispered Evelyn, her voice tinged with nervous embarrassment.

Spinning on my heel, I found Evelyn standing in the hallway, hiding behind the wall. Her little hands clawed at the doorframe. Her eyes were wide.

Waving, I grinned innocently. "Happy birthday, V."

Evelyn's hand dropped from the wall and her face grew warm. Her mouth opening and closing soundlessly, she eventually managed to ask, "How, how did you?"

Chuckling, I waved my hands in the air. "A magician never reveals his secrets."

Biting her lip, Evelyn thought for a moment. Suddenly, her face grew dark. Grinding her teeth, she balled her fists. "Mark," she hissed.

"Mark," I confessed, nodding and smiling guiltily. "I got his phone number on our school trip. I asked him your birthday, one thing led to another and now, here I am."

Scowling, Evelyn finally stepped out from behind the wall. I couldn't help but smile; she looked so beautiful, and I hadn't seen her in two weeks and, wait, is that?

My head tilting and brow furrowing, I pointed at Evelyn. "Is that my hoodie?"

Her face turning red, Evelyn wrapped her arms around herself and looked away. My black hoodie was huge on her, she was practically swimming in it. "I got cold," she muttered, refusing to meet my gaze.

Shaking my head, accusation filled my voice. "I've been looking for that."

Quiet for a moment, Evelyn chewed on her lip and finally looked at me. "You can't have it back."

May covered her mouth politely and giggled. "Oh, isn't that cute?"

"Mum!" Evelyn whined, stamping her foot.

Chortling, Thomas slapped me on the back. "I don't know why you chose my daughter, but you are stuck with her now!"

Evelyn's eyes narrowed and she scowled. "Thanks, Dad," she hissed.

"And I'm glad for it," I said, laughing with him.

Thomas slapped my back again and May continued giggling as she buzzed about the kitchen. Evelyn stood by the door, silently fuming.

Moments later, the house creaked as Mark came stumbling in, panting. "Sorry I'm late! There was a problem at work."

Mark went to hug Evelyn but froze when she shot him a deadly glare. He chuckled nervously before raising his hands innocently and stepping back. She rolled her eyes and walked around him, moving to me. Scowling, she headbutted my chest.

Chuckling, I shrugged at Mark and ran my hand through her long hair. Smelling opportunity, Thomas went to say something, but May silenced him with a glance before smiling sweetly at me.

Clapping her hands together, May removed her apron and sighed. "Alright, everyone is here. Let's get started."

With that, the party started. May pulled a cloth from the table, revealing scores of chips, confectionery, and soft drink. There was more than five people should be able to eat, but that didn't stop us.

The afternoon daylight slipped away as we played various games. Turns out, Mark had studied business in his high school years; never again will I play monopoly with him.

In the evening, we lit a cake and sang happy birthday. Evelyn opened her presents, and everyone began crashing from their sugar highs.

Gathering the torn wrapping paper in a garbage bag, May smiled at Evelyn. "What now, sweetie?"

Yawning, Evelyn waved her hand. "Maybe a movie?" She murmured.

Her speech was slow and her eyes drooping but it wasn't long past seven o'clock, why was she tired? Sure, it was a busy day, but she seems exhausted.

Nodding, May began moving around the kitchen, dropping paper plates and plastic cups into her garbage bag. "Alright, you two go and do that. We'll clean up."

Evelyn rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Mkay."

I followed awkwardly as Evelyn slowly shuffled through the house. We moved to the living room, Evelyn put a movie on, pushed me onto the couch and disappeared down the corridor. A moment later, she reappeared, a blanket draped over her shoulder. Yawning, she flopped onto the couch. She curled up beside me and I slipped my arm over her shoulder, pulling her closer. Pulling the blanket tightly over us, she got comfortable.

Smirking, I ran my fingers through her hair. "Cozy?"

"Uh-hm," she mumbled sleepily. "You're nice and warm."

"You like me for my body? I knew it."

"Shut up," Evelyn whispered, trying to hide her smile.

Laughing, I shifted slightly, and Evelyn cuddled in more. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she quickly fell asleep. Her quiet snoring accompanying the gunshots of John Wick was amusing. Though, I turned the volume down and used the subtitles so I wouldn't wake her.

Running one hand through Evelyn's hair, my other hand fiddled with her present, resting in my pocket. I hadn't given it to her earlier. I was waiting for the right moment but now she had passed out. I got lost in thinking about it and eventually Keanu Reeves finished exacting his revenge. The credits played and it was dark outside.

Sighing, I glanced at Evelyn, she was fast asleep. Taking a deep breath, I slipped out from the blanket, gently lowering her to the couch. Tiptoeing through the house, I ran into Thomas in the hallway.

"Excuse me," I whispered, "Which room is Evelyn's?" Okay, that was not the best way to ask that. My face grew warm, and I scrambled to explain. "I, I don't mean- Not that I. Um, Evelyn fell asleep. I was just gonna put her to bed," I said, sighing tiredly.

Thomas looked surprised for a moment, then he laughed. Gesturing with his head, he showed me to Evelyn's room. I nodded in thanks, pulled back the covers on her bed and moved back to the living room. Gently picking her up, I cradled Evelyn in my arms, careful not to wake her. I carried her to bed, tucked her in, placed her present on the bedside table and left, closing the door behind me. Thomas watched closely, nodding in approval at the wholesomeness of it all.

With Evelyn in bed and the door closed, I released a breath I didn't know I was holding. My shoulders sagged and I felt a coldness in my bones. A tired yawn escaped with the help of big slow blinks.

Thomas beckoned me. "It's late. I'll give you a pillow and set you up on the couch," he said, leading me back to the living room.

I nodded and followed silently. Thomas reached into a closet in the hallway, pulled out some blankets, a spare pillow and clean pillowcase, and dumped them in my arms.

As he helped sort me for the night, Thomas frowned. "Evelyn's never been good in the cold," he said quietly. "Her asthma gets worse. So, she tries to keep her chest warm, but it seems to take a lot out of her."

Shoving the pillow into the case, I nodded absent-mindedly, thinking on what he had said. Every season brings new things, some convenient, some challenging. Occasionally, change brings neither. It just slowly stacks building blocks. The tower growing until it can stand no more and inevitably crashes to the ground. Though, if we know what those blocks are, can we remove them before the collapse?

I have thought about it. Now, I think I've finally reached my answer. Well, I have a couple answers actually. When I say just a little further, I know where I'm going. I think I know how to get there. I know we will be okay.

Thomas waved goodnight, smiling heavily. His weighty footsteps drifted listlessly through the house. I dropped onto the couch and curled my legs up. I suppose I'm a little big for this makeshift bed.

Wrapping blankets around myself, I was warm, but I could feel a chill in my chest. One which she had kept away. It is both funny and cruel how quickly we can feel alone.