"Evelyn! Girlie wait up some of us don't work out on a daily basis!" Hailey yelled, an obvious 10-20 paces behind me.
It was a borderline scorching summer day, so jogging was a bit more strenuous to those who don't workout on a daily, Hailey in particular. She's been working with me for a few weeks now, and is truly starting to show some cardiovascular endurance, though not comparable to a triathlon runner like me. I slowed down my stride to allow her to catch up.
"I'm… getting… tired… can… we… stop….", Hailey took a large breath between each word.
"Just to that stop sign ahead and we'll be done…even I'm starting to feel the effects of the heat." I said, forcing it all out with only one breath between.
We reached the stop sign and Hailey stopped abruptly, borderline collapsing on the ground.
"You've gotten a lot better! Keep this up and you'll be running triathlons with me!", I joked.
"I will NEVER run a triathlon or do any sport for that matter, I'm more of a sit and look pretty reading a book or painting kinda girl.", Hailey said.
"We can walk to the car and I'll drop you off at home so we can shower before meeting up with Cara. Did you wrap her birthday present yet?", I asked.
"Well I didn't really wrap it, since wrapping up a painting could damage it, but I did box it up."
I smiled. The painting Hailey made for Cara was beautiful and she put almost 60 hours into it. Cara was going to lose it when she saw it, probably trying to avoid tears as to not mess up her makeup.
After about 10 minutes we reached my car. I dropped Hailey off at home then drove back home to get ready for Cara's party. It was a whopping 2 minute drive from Hailey's place to mine.
The second the door opened Ari came running over to hug me. Before she opened her arms her nose crinkled.
"Sis you reek!", she exclaimed.
I laughed, then grabbed her in my arms not letting her go. "Oh don't you just love the smell of hard work." She pulled away and laughed.
"Go take a shower nasty.", Ari said.
I passed Uncle Alec's study on the way to the shower. He had fallen asleep reading one of his voodoo books. That man was borderline clinically insane.
The shower was cool and refreshing. I threw on some shorts and a tee and some light makeup. If I didn't look a little cute Cara might throw me out. I chuckled to myself. I looked at the clock, 5:45? The party was at six! "I'm going to be late!" I exclaimed.
I ran down the stairs and said goodbye to Ari and that I'd be back in the morning. I grabbed Cara's present off the counter, it was a small and intricate box with a little Tiffany blue bow on it. She was going to love this necklace. Then I rushed out the door and to my car. I drove a little fast in a 30 to make it there on time.
Her house was lively and was adorned with balloons and flowers. She approached me at the door wearing a lace, baby blue dress and her hair pinned back perfectly into a "messy" braided bun. She had a white sash around her shoulder and across her waist in big blue letters saying "Birthday Girl".
"You were almost late!", Cara said while pulling me into a hug. "You look pretty cute too!"
"Only for you will I put on makeup Cara.", I said sarcastically.
"Come in! We're about to do greetings and then dinner will be ready at 6:30!", Cara said cheerfully.
There was a lot more people here than I expected. I didn't see Hailey anywhere. She must of been late, as per usual. She probably got caught touching up a painting. I started mingling, most if not all the people being from my high school or general area.
Then I saw him, a tall, pale man with dark messy hair. I've never seen him before. I felt almost intimated by his stature, I decided to avoid small chat with him.
Almost on cue he turned around, his eye piercing mine. He started walking towards me, I panicked. Something was not right with him.
I felt someone grab my shoulder. I whipped around to see Hailey smiling at me. She looked naturally beautiful as ever. Her dirty blond hair was let loose into a messy bob. She wore loose fitting mom jeans with a little paint stain on them. And a loose flowy brown blouse. She always looked magical.
"You showed up just in time." I looked over where the man was approaching me. He had disappeared into the crowd.
"Why what's wrong?", Hailey looked concerned.
"It's nothing, I said, let's go find Cara so you can wish her happy birthday!".
"Thats if she doesn't kill me for being late", Hailey joked.
"Hello everyone!", Cara yelled from the top of the stairs. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes so if we all want to take a seat at our assigned tables that would be amazing! The menus will be out shortly!"
"Only Cara could afford to have menus for a birthday party", I said. Hailey smirked.
We searched for our table and found it almost front and center with little place cards with our names in italicized font. Cara's said "birthday girl".
As everyone settled I watched people take their assigned seats. I was horrified to see the dark figure sitting at the table next to me, our backs were almost touching due to the tightly packaged vicinity of the tables. I pushed my chair in more to be as far away from him as possible. He must of heard me move because he turned and addressed it.
"I'm sorry." his voice was like silk, "I'll move forward more so you have more space." He smiled and pushed his own chair in. "My names Ian."
I stared blankly at him for a second his features were gorgeous and defined. He was perfect by all means, his pale skin almost glowed from perfection.
"Do you have a name?", he asked with a smirk.
"Oh… umm yeah sorry. I'm Evelyn"
"That's a beautiful name, timely even. You don't hear names like that anymore!", he exclaimed. Maybe trying to put a compliment in there somehow?
"Thank you.", I said and continued about my night.