. . .

Everly Clark

GABRIEL AND I had been wandering around the building, just examining the different paintings and making unnecessary comments once in a while. It had been fun, this was fun. I mean tonight, I was going to forget everything. Just for one night, I was going to be his painter girl.

"Hey, Everly," Gabriel said, raising an eyebrow at me, "When are you going to show me your painting?"

I gnawed at my lip anxiously, "Um, now?"

He grinned happily, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. We walked over to where my painting was placed and much to my surprise people were pointing and smiling.

I looked around to see almost everyone in this room staring at my painting. They had looks of shock mixed with awe, as looked from a distance.

"How beautiful is that!" an older lady exclaimed, looking at her husband in shock.

"This simple painting tells a thousand words," a man said, placing his index finger on his chin.

"Too bad it's sold!" another lady replied.

Sold?

My eyes shot to my painting, right underneath it was the words SOLD, written in big, bold, letters. My mouth parted in surprise, a series of emotions running through my veins.

"Everly holy shit!" Gabriel said, his eyes genuinely happy. I said nothing, my eyes were on that sold sign.

"Everly!" I saw Gwen running over to us, a huge smile on her face. Her heels made a click-clacking sound, as she smiled at everyone she passed.

"Oh hello there!" she chirped, looking at Gabriel. She then smirked at me, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"Uh, hi there?" Gabriel responded, his brows furrowing a bit.

"My husband just bought your painting!" she squealed loudly, before pulling me into a hug.

My eyes widened and I awkwardly patted her back. She then pulled away, both hands still on my shoulders.

"Y-You're married?" I asked out of shock. Out of everything I could've said, that's what I chose to say. Yay me.

Her face lit up, "Oh yes! I have been for about a year and a half now! But, I kept my maiden name just for this business!"

"O-Oh, well tell your husband thank you!" I replied, a small smile on my face.

"Will do!" she smiled and then ran off once again. I looked at Gabriel, who had a goofy grin on his face.

I managed a small smile back.

"Oh come on Everly, don't be so subdued! This is the greatest news ever!" he grinned, poking my forehead. I couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped my lips.

I starved for love and affection for so long I forgot what it felt like. I was falling, falling, and falling and there was nothing there to catch me.

His blue eyes caressed me, the smile never leaving his face, "I'm proud of you Everly Clark,"

I felt giddy, "You barely know me, Gabriel Pryer. You know nothing about my past, you don't know the mistakes I've made,"

His head tilted in a way that meant he was trying to figure something out, "So? Just because people make terrible mistakes, does not mean that they are terrible people Everly, "

Like a snake mesmerized by a charmer, I couldn't help but smile at his words. His smile was the sun and I was flying to damn close.

"Did I ever tell you how pretty you are?" he mumbled, looking down at me seriously. Flutters of panic filled me and my cheeks were a bright red.

"Once or twice," I responded my voice a whisper. His eyes were stormy as he came closer, leaning in.

I couldn't think, all I heard was the sound of my heart beating in my ear. I had tuned out everyone around me, all I could focus on was Gabriel leaning closer to me, his eyes never leaving my lips.

Tell him to stop! You can't do this, not like this.

By now, his lips were barely brushing mine. His eyes were closed, as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

My eyes, on the other hand, were so wide I was afraid they were going to bulge out of my sockets.

"Um excuse me?"

We both jumped apart, coughing awkwardly.

A woman stood there, a small beauty mark above her lips, "Are you, Everly Clark?"

"U-Uh, yeah, I am Everly," my voice was so high pitched, I couldn't help but cringe. I took a quick glance at Gabriel who snarled in dismay, glaring at the woman.

"Nice painting," she said and then walked away quickly.

I clenched my jaw tightly. Nice painting?

Seriously? I closed my eyes tightly, telling myself not to feel disappointed.

"Rich people are weird," Gabriel said, still glaring.

How is he so calm?

"You're weird," I blurted out and immediately regretted it. He frowned at me and then nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I am," he cracked his infamous grin, that made grenades explode in my stomach. I couldn't help but blush at the thought of kissing him.

Oh God, I was acting like I was fourteen again.

"Want to go steal food?" Gabriel suggested, smiling secretively at me.

"Of course," I replied in a heartbeat.

It was weird. Even after that almost kiss we had, we were back to ourselves. I couldn't help but be thankful for that, I needed him more than I have ever wanted anyone before.

. . .

I laughed loudly as we both ran in the rain to my house. We both ended up ditching the party after stuffing our faces with a bunch of delicious food.

He tripped and fell into a puddle.

"Ow! What the hell!" he cursed, scowling at the ground. I laughed louder, making him look up at me in shock.

He tried to glare at me, but failed and began to laugh along with me. I extended my arm to help him and he smiled sweetly at me.

"Thank you, my sweet Everly," he said mischievously and pulled me down with him. I shrieked and fell right on top of him.

I should've been pissed, my designer blue dress was getting ruined. I was now dripping wet in a dirty puddle, half of my body pressed onto his.

"You are mean," I said in between laughs.

God, why can't I stop laughing?

He gave me a breathtaking smile, "Well you look happy, so it was worth it,"

I still couldn't slap that stupid smile off my face.

"You're a dork," I retorted, trying to get off him. He quickly wrapped an arm around my waist, holding me tightly.

"I am not! Apologize!" he ordered, mischief swimming in his eyes. I giggled as he started to tickled my sides.

"I'm sorry!" I yelled loudly, my voice scratchy from laughing so much. He laughed, the sound like music to my ears and let me go. We both stood up, silly smiles on our faces as the rain poured down.

"This was the best night I have ever had!" he yelled happily, throwing his head back.

I laughed again, hitting his chest playfully. Today was the best night I have had in the past nine years.

A feeling of guilt washed over me as I thought about Ricky and his family again. The smile slowly fell from my face.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" Gabriel asked, a look of concern on his face.

Everything.

"Nothing," I replied, looking him dead in the eye, "I-I, just thank you for tonight."

He smirked at me, "Anytime, but just so you know if I'm dead tomorrow it's because of my mother,"

I let out a chuckle and nodded, "I'll see you soon, Gabriel,"

I watched as he sat in his car and drove until I couldn't see him anymore. I moved the wet hair out of my face and smiled, walking to my front porch.

The smile disappeared from my face when I saw an envelope attached to my front door. I hesitantly pulled it off and opened it up.

I pulled out the paper and the blood drained from my face. The paper fell to the ground as I stared at it numbly, my hands trembling.

You can't hide from me forever.

- R. H.

. . .

a/n: dude was that a good cliffhanger or not?! but this chapter was super fun to write, especially the heated moments!! ;)

whoot whoot, your girl graduated from 7th grade !! (i know i am young, don't judge me)

expect more updates since it's summer!!

have an amazing day peeps!