Peyton has been standing in front of me for the past five minutes with her arms crossed over her chest waiting for an answer to the million-dollar question. Why was my car fucked up? "Ev, I've got all night, I don't care if we miss Stensby's game. We're not leaving until you tell me what happened to your car."
"What do you want me to say?" I ask. The truth was that I didn't know. I didn't know who was the one that trashed my car and left a nice little note too but believe me I had a pretty good idea. "I don't know who did it and we can be here all night if you want but my answer will still be the same."
"When did it happen?" Peyton asks.
"I left my car parked near the administration's building, my car was fine when I left it." I pause. "They must've trashed it while I was in Conrad's office. I couldn't have been there for more than thirty minutes, they were quick."
"This is serious Ev," Peyton says pointing at my car and I nod.
"I haven't said otherwise, I realize the gravity of the situation." I pause. "But what do you want me to do? Jared warned me this would happen."
"Report it," Peyton says, and instantly shake my head. "Don't shake your head at me, Everest Green. They're targeting you and I bet this is just the beginning."
"It would only make things worse," I tell her. "I'm in enough trouble as it is and I don't want to give them the satisfaction of knowing that they have me in a corner because I'm afraid of what they might do."
"I don't care if you don't want to give them the satisfaction Ev, it's not about that." Peyton sighs. "It's about keeping you safe, I've looked the gang up. Azrael Sylla, aside from being called the rape factory, they are wanted for multiple murders. No one that messes with them, comes out alive."
"I know, I've read the news articles too." pause. "But I don't want to spend the rest of the night thinking about what they might do to me. Can we just please go to Stensby's game? We've wasted enough time as it is."
"Yes, but I just have one more question." I heavily sigh. "Is this all? They just trashed your car and nothing else?"
"Yes Peyton, this was all." I lie. She was frantic enough as it is, telling her about the cute little note that they left as well would send her over the edge. It's not every day that someone tells you that they will bury you six feet underground if you don't shut up your pretty little mouth. "Now, can we go?"
Peyton nods. "We can take my car if you want, I can now see why you didn't want to take yours."
"Nah, I'm thinking about owning it at this point," I tell Peyton. "The only reason why I didn't want to take my car was because I didn't want you to freak out the way you did. I don't care about what other people think."
"You're making it sound like I was making a big deal about nothing, which is wrong on your part." Peyton pauses. "Unlike you, I don't freak out about meaningless things."
"I see your sassiness Sawyer," I say as we both get into the car and Peyton laughs. "It's going to get you nowhere. Keep it up and I might just leave you stranded."
The drive to the BGU baseball stadium was a short one, the stadium was in the far end of campus and with us living so close to campus it didn't take much before we were already in the parking lot. There were a few people that walked by the car and couldn't help but stare at the obvious, good thing my windows were tinted.
Kelsea was waiting for us in the stands, thankfully she saved two spots for us. My conversation with Peyton in the parking garage of our apartment made us late and the stands were already packed. Everyone here at BGU loves sports, so no matter how much we suck at most of them we cheer at every single one as if we were the best. And believe it or not, it's the best thing, the adrenaline rush you feel every time you shout is everything.
The game started in a few minutes so Peyton and I made our way to the stands as quickly as we could. The stands were very crowded and it made it a little challenging for us to find Kelsea in the midst of it but we eventually did. She picked Peyton and I's favorite spot to watch the game from. Two rows above the BGU dugout. You could see the entire field from there and the best part was that we got to cheer Stensby up before he went up for his at-bat.
"Hey girls," Kelsea greeted with a sweet smile. "You arrived just in time, the game is about to start."
"Great," Peyton replies. "We had a minor setback on the way here, nothing major, but it delayed us a bit."
"Have you had the chance to see Stensby?" I ask Kelsea.
"He came up to the net before he started to warm up with the team," Kelsea replied. "He asked about you guys and I told him you were on your way."
Before I could continue the conversation the announcer spoke through the stadium speakers. "BGU give a warm welcome to your Bowling Green Eagles as they take the field. Let's play some ball."
The whole team ran out of the dugout and one by one they took the field. Stensby was always the last one to walk out, it became part of his pregame routine. His head popped up after everyone else had walked out. He had his game face on but once he reached second base (the position he plays) a smile curved on his face when he saw the three of us cheering on for him.
Today's game was going to be a good one, just like in swimming, OHSU was way too good for our taste in baseball as well. So every time this matchup happened, the stadium was just as full as the BGU pavilion.
The game was tied by the end of the fourth inning, with two runners in scoring position Stensby hit a line drive with two outs to right field earning himself 2 RBI's. He brought the two runners in scoring position home and he tied the game. From the sound, the bat made once it made contact with the bat I already knew it was going to be a good one. Unfortunately, the next player that came to the plate struck out, but the damage was already done. We had ourselves a ball game with the score tied at the start of the fifth inning.
"Ev, do you feel like taking a little trip?" Peyton asks and I already knew what she was going to ask. "You've been sitting here for quite a while, it would be good for you to stretch your legs."
"What do you want Sawyer?" I ask giving my best friend a look.
"Nachos," She grins.
"You're crazy if you think I'm going to the food stands to buy you some nachos," I tell her in a somewhat dramatic tone. "The game just got good."
"C'mon Ev, please!" Peyton pouts but I shake my head. "The empanadas at Alejandro's after the game are on me." Now we're talking.
"Empanadas and a bottle of Chardonnay," I tell her. If I had to stand in line for more than twenty minutes for just nachos it was going to cost her more than the empanadas at Alejandro's. "It's my final offer. Take it or leave it."
"You have yourself a deal." Peyton grins handing me a ten-dollar bill. The things I do for food and wine. We better stop at Target on the way home, I'm cashing in what I was promised tonight.
I got up from my seat and I walked up the steps into the main hallway of the stadium. There were lines but thankfully they weren't that long. I didn't want to miss BGU's next at-bat. When I reached the food stand, I instantly regretted ever getting up from my very comfortable seat. I didn't realize it at first until I heard his voice.
Connery was standing two spots in front of me in the line. But he wasn't alone. He was laughing loudly at something the blonde girl standing next to him had said. It didn't take long for me to recognize her either, Inez, how could you miss that amazing figure? She was all over him. I'm not going to lie, seeing that stung. But I had no right to be hurt or mad. I put him and his family through hell. Though I couldn't help the thought from crossing my mind, was I that easy to replace?
I completely disregarded my feelings and I turned my attention to my phone. If I ignored the current situation enough, I would be in front of the line in no time and I would save myself the embarrassment of getting caught staring. I would rather die than give them both the satisfaction of knowing that seeing them together stung.
My efforts paid off at first, but once they were done ordering and turned around to walk away, they spotted me. Within a few seconds, they were both headed my way. "Hey Everest," Inez greeted.
Did she want to rub it in that bad huh? I mentally roll my eyes. "Hi," I reply shortly avoiding all eye contact with Connery.
Although I didn't even take a glance at him, I knew that if looks could kill, I would've dropped dead to the floor already. "I didn't take you for the baseball fan." Inez comments.
"I'm here for Stensby," I reply coldly. Can't she take a hint? I'm not interested in having a conversation with her and she has made it clear what were her intentions by coming to talk to me.
"Oh right, I forgot that Stensby plays baseball." She pauses. "I'm glad to see you out in the world, with all that has been happening I would have stayed locked up in my room if I was you."
This little bitch. Before I could even respond, the guy from the food stand called me. "I'll see you around Everest." Inez laughs as she walks away with Connery.
My blood was boiling, I would've wiped that little smug expression from her face if it weren't for the food stand guy. I ordered Peyton's nachos and I was back in my seat in nothing more than ten minutes. "Here you go."
I practically shoved the plate of nachos in her face. "What's got your little panties in a twist? You were fine before you left."
"Don't ask," I reply.
I was in the worst mood for the rest of the game until the bottom of the eighth inning. With a 3-2 count and runners in both second and third base, my best friend hit it out of the park. Right through center field. The game was tied and Stensby gave us the lead that earned BGU the big W. After that nerve-racking inning and the quality of baseball that I had just witnessed, I could not let my emotions get the best of me. I was proud of my best friend. After the game, we took a cute picture, and even though I'm not the most popular girl around here, I still uploaded it to Instagram with the best caption.
Peyton, Kelsea, and I drove ahead to Alejandro's to order our food. Stensby had a little press to do after the game so it would take him a while for him to be able to leave so he told us to go ahead first. He would be joining us later on. Alejandro's was a little full today which was understandable especially since everyone was coming out of a baseball game.
What did catch my attention was a little poster Alejandro had attached to his truck. Justice for Macy Kingsley and Emily Cohen. I couldn't help but smile. The poster had all the information that was public about the case and it also had the firm's contact information for anyone who had valuable information.
Tomorrow was going to be our first appearance in court, Jared wanted to go after the school first so he convened a grand jury. If a grand jury delivered a verdict that said that the school was guilty, the case against Tommy wasn't going to be easier but it did give us an advantage.
"Hola Alejandro," I smiled.
"Parcerita, me alegra muchisÃmo el verla por aca." Alejandro grins. "Hace tiempo que no pasa por aca, pero ya veo que es por una buena razon."
"Pude ver el cartel que pegaste, gracias." I pause. "Es bueno ver que por lo menos alguien nos cree y nos apoya."
"Ellas merecen justicia mi niña, no escuches el ruido de afuera." Alejandro pauses. "A veces hacer las cosas bien no te garantiza que las cosas saldrán bien pero eso no significa que deberÃas de dejar de hacerlo."
In other words, Alejandro said: "Sometimes doing the right thing doesn't guarantee you that things won't go wrong, but that doesn't mean that just because they may go wrong you should stop doing it." I couldn't help but smile at the encouragement I was receiving from my old but wise parecerito.
I ordered our usual order for the three of us. Kelsea has never been here and I had to ask where has she been living all of this time. She laughed at my comment and I told her that I was going to order her the best empanadas she would ever try. And I didn't stand corrected because once she took her first bite she gushed about how good it tasted.
Stensby got here just in time, I was ready to eat his empanadas if he had gotten here any later. He wasn't alone though. A tall, gorgeous tanned green-eyed guy was standing next to him. I've never seen him before which made me wonder where the heck has he been all this time.
"Hey guys," Stensby greeted. "I'm sorry I'm late, the press coverage took longer than I had anticipated. I brought a friend, I hope you don't mind."
"Don't worry, we don't mind at all." I blurt out loud. Shit. Did I say that out loud? I will never understand the ability I have to embarrass myself in front of the male population.
Stensby's friend couldn't help but chuckle to himself once he saw how red my cheeks turned in embarrassment. "Hey, I'm Sèbastien, it's a pleasure," Sèbastien said with his gaze on me and a little smirk that defined his jawline even more.
Holy mother of...
A/N
Hey guys! I'm so happy to be back, last week was a very stressful week but it was the best one. I'm a week too late but it doesn't matter, the LA Dodgers are WS Champs! I'm still in awe and so happy for them, what a game it was. My emotions got the best of me I will admit, the whole neighborhood could practically hear my screams of joy when they rallied for the win haha.
Back to the story, what do you guys think about Sèbastien? Could he possibily be a love interest for Ev? You'll have to keep reading to find that one out. I'm so happy with all of the support I've been seeing lately, I can't find the words to describe how thankful for every single one you. Thank you for reading and riding along this incredible journey. Thank you as well for being patient with me during this week, I know I missed Friday's update but I hope this made up for it. I will see you guys on Friday!
ps. I attached a little picture of the instagram post Ev was talking about. I hope you like it and please let me know it you would like to see more of this type of content at the end of some chapters. I enjoyed making this one :)