The next morning Evelyn was woken up by the smell of pancakes and bacon. It was finally Saturday and today was the guys' track meet. A week from now will be her last softball game and then sport season will be done for and exam season will start. Prom and Graduation were just around the corner after that. She stretched out her arms as she sat up on her bed. It was 9:30 in the morning and she still felt a bit sleepy. She was going to lay down again when she heard a familiar voice coming from the hallway. 'What is Dawson doing here so early?' She thought as she got up and changed out of her pajamas.
"Come on let me go greet her good morning." Dawson whined as he followed his brother around from his room to the restroom.
"Let her sleep dude, she had a long day yesterday." He said washing up and going back to his room, his little brother still tagging along. Alexander changed into jeans and a shirt. "Go downstairs and wait for her in the kitchen as we all usually do. Matthew and I allow her to sleep in on weekends."
"That's because you're stupid." Dawson said with a smirk across his face. 'If I were him, I would go and try to cuddle her every morning.'
"You two seem like the perfect pair." Maverick said as he walked up the stairs. "Alexander, was it?" Alex only nodded. "Right, how about you and your brother go into the kitchen for some breakfast while you wait for my daughter?" Dawson turned to look at Maverick and stretched out his hand.
"Sorry for the disrespect, I wasn't able to introduce myself properly last night. My name is Dawson Khinbert. I am Alex's younger brother and Evelyn's best friend." Maverick took his hand and shook it.
"Nice to meet you boy. Go on ahead to the kitchen, I'll go wake up Matthew." The boys nodded and headed downstairs. Maverick made his way to his son's room and slightly knocked. "Matthew, wake up. Come and eat breakfast."
"I'm up, just getting ready." Matthew replied in a second. "I'll be down in a few." Maverick didn't reply as he walked back down, passing by Evelyn's door, he had overheard Alexander's and Dawson's conversation and decided not to bother his daughter.
"So, what was that small argument about?" Maverick asked as he walked back into the kitchen. Dawson and Alexander already in their seats.
"There was no arguing. Just giving my brother son brotherly advice when it comes to women." Alexander replied looking over at his pouting younger brother.
"Brotherly advice, is it?" Maverick leaned against the door frame with crossed arms.
"He should know that a man should respect a woman's privacy and beauty sleep. As her boyfriend I'm protecting my girlfriend's peace." Maverick snorted.
"It just seems to me that you're making up excuses. Are you by any chance afraid that your little brother will steal away your girlfriend?" Maverick said trying to get under Alexander's skin again. Dawson meanwhile sat there silently listening in to the conversation. Alexander chuckled.
"I'm not afraid of loosing someone that only has eyes for me." He stood from his place and walked over to Maverick. "More than a few guys have tried to get with her, no one knew she was already in a serious relationship. She gave none of them the time of day." He looked behind Maverick and stretched out his hand. Evelyn gladly took it as she walked past her father. "I too have eyes only for her." He gave her a light kiss on the cheek and smiled. "Good morning sunshine."
"Good morning honey." Dawson coughed a few times not enjoying the love scene being displayed right in front of his eyes. Maverick noticed his jealousy and soon realized that he too was deeply in love with his daughter.
'Poor kid.' He thought, walking around the lovey-dovey couple. 'I wonder how many more men she has dying over her?' Matthew walked into the kitchen and raised and eyebrow seeing Evelyn in Ale's arms. Dawson fuming in jealousy and his dad with a curious expression.
"What did I miss?" Everyone turned to look at him but said nothing. "Alrighty then, breakfast ready?"
"Yeah." All four said in unexpected unison. Matthew shook his head and all the weirdness aside. He grabbed a plate from the counter. Everyone ate in awkward silence. Evelyn washed the dishes with Alexander's help afterwards.
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Matthew and Alexander were the first ones to leave. Coach had asked his team members to be there a least two hours early to warm up and have a practice run. They had taken Alexander's car and left Evelyn Matthew's car so she could ride herself over. Evelyn was in her room getting ready, putting on summer clothes and light makeup, when she heard a knock on the door. "Who is it?" She called out as she grabbed her engagement ring from her jewelry box.
"Dawson, may I come in?" Evelyn turned to look at the door. She knew better than to let him into her room, if Alexander found out he wouldn't be too happy.
"Give me a second, I'll be right out." She grabbed her backpack and the keys Matthew had previously given her and walked out. "Hey, what's up?" She asked closing the door behind her.
"Oh well, I was just wondering if you wanted us to ride together to the track meet?" He questioned showing her his car keys. She smiled and showed him Matthew's keys.
"Matthew left me his car."
"Oh then maybe I can ride with you?" Evelyn shook her head, not trying to be disrespectful.
"I think you should take your own car. Matthew will probably want his car at the end of the meet and then you won't have a way back." Evelyn was trying her best to get Dawson to ride his own car without sounding like she didn't want him around. No matter how much she missed her friend, she knew what type of feelings he had towards her and she didn't want to lead him on.
"I'll meet you there then." He finally gave in and left for the school first. 'I won't push her too hard. She'll come around, eventually.'
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Evelyn sat in the front row. She had arrived at school and met with Alexander and Matthew who had already saved a spot for her and the twins. They shared the bleacher with their team mates. VIP sitting. "We've never been this close before." Natasha commented as she looked at Matthew, Alexander and Caleb stretching at the starting line. The meet was about to begin and everyone was waiting patiently. Jonathan, Dawson, Mrs. Jane and Maverick couldn't be as lucky as the girls but were still able to seat behind them up in the general bleachers. The twins had already been introduced to Evelyn's and Matthew's dad and were amazed at how young he looked. They greeted Dawson and welcomed him back.
"It's about to begin." Kristine squealed as she saw everyone that was competing on the first run taking their starting pose.
"Ready! Steady! Go!" A light shot was heard and the men took off. As it started everyone was neck to neck slowly taking momentum. Cheers and screams could be heard from the crowd behind the girls. Evelyn turned to look at everyone who had come to see their track team meet. In the crowd she managed to see Dean who smiled and waved at her.
'What is he doing here?' She thought to herself and she turned back towards the race. "Go Alexander!" She cheered as she saw him taking the lead. Matthew now too far behind. He was on his second curve. "Go!" Evelyn stood from his spot, throwing her arms in the air. Cheering louder as her boyfriend increased his speed. She knew if he continued running like that and increasing his momentum, he could maybe break his own record. "You can do it!" She saw him taking the third curve, one more and he would cross the finish line. Matthew and Caleb still not far behind, followed by the opposing team. Evelyn subconsciously walked towards the finish line as she saw Alexander running the fourth curve. As soon as he saw Evelyn, the love of his life, waiting for him, his speed increased. In less than a second, he crossed the finish line, tearing the ribbon that had been placed across it. Evelyn jumped in his arms, snuggling herself in his embrace. "You did it!" She cheerfully and proudly said. The whole crowd cheered and jumped up and down on the bleachers. Matthew crossing the line next, a minute or so later Caleb crossing through. In all the commotion Evelyn and Alexander only saw each other as he placed his lips on hers. Through the speakers you could hear the commentator announcing Alexander's new record, causing the crowd to cheer more and louder. Matthew patted his best friend's back congratulating him as he finally let Evelyn touch ground.
"You left me behind bro." Matthew breathlessly said jokingly. The rest of their team mates ran up to them, including the twins, congratulating them. Natasha hugged, kissed and congratulated Caleb for his amazing race. Everyone returned to their seats. The meet wasn't over yet. Two more sets of three runners were up. Each meet was won by Remington High but no one else was able to beat Alexander's record. The final announcement indicated the end of the meet and everyone cheered for Remington High. The end of season track meet was a total success. The coach invited the team and their families to dinner at a nearby pizzeria to congratulate everyone for an amazing season.
"A toast to all my wonderful players, especially my two super stars; Matthew and Alexander!" The coach called out as he stood and picked up his glass of soda. Everyone soon followed and picked up their own glasses.
"Cheers!" Everyone said in unison.
"I'm so proud of you, my sons." Mrs. Jane said to both Matthew and Alexander as she gave each a hug and a kiss. Dawson fist pumped them both and gave them a pat on the back.
"Who would have guessed you guys were this good." Dawson said. Alexander chuckled. He looked around for Evelyn but she was no where in sight.
"Has anyone seen Ev?" Alexander finally questioned. As if on cue Kristine ran towards Alexander and Matthew through the crowded restaurant.
"Evelyn's in trouble!" Alexander, Matthew and Dawson all ran after Kristine as she showed them the way. Outside the pizzeria Dean had Evelyn pinned against the wall. He had dragged her around the alley. He reeked of alcohol.
"Why couldn't you choose me?!" He yelled in her face.
"Dean you're drunk." Evelyn said calmly as she tried to free herself from his strong grip. He kept on pushing her against the wall grabbing her by the wrist preventing her from taking a step away.
"I've loved you since freshman year. I've only had eyes for you." He whispered leaning against her ear causing an uncomfortable shiver to run down her spine. He slowly licked her earlobe and kissed her neck. "I could make you happy if you only gave me a chance." Evelyn squirmed in his grip. He was too strong for her. She felt hopeless and weak.
"Dean, please let me go. Let's talk about this." She begged as his grip on her tightened.
"No!" He yelled out. "I'm done talking! I'm done being the nice guy." He pressed his body against her and continued kissing and nibbling at her neck. Evelyn tried to free herself from his hold, fearing what he would try to do next. She closed her eyes, tears flowing down. Dean's hand was slowly making its way under her shirt when suddenly he was thrown to the side and hit a few crates. Evelyn opened her tear-filled eyes to see Matthew reaching out to her while Alexander and Dawson beat the boy up.
"Ev are you ok?" Evelyn turned to look up at her brother who was now protecting her in a warm embrace. She was shaking. She was terrified. She started crying loudly and hysterically.
"I was so scared!" She cried out. A few minutes later the police arrived. Kristine who had originally witnessed her friend being taken away by a drunk Dean made the call before going to fetch the boys. Alexander and Dawson had already done quite a number on him leaving his face bloody and bruised. The police looked at the security camera's of the establishment and decided it was unnecessary to arrest them too. Everything was done so fast and on the down low that no one else at the pizzeria knew of the incident that had just happened outside. "I want to go home." Evelyn told her brother who was still holding onto her while Kristine, Alexander and Dawson spoke to the police officers. Dean already handcuffed and seated in the back of the cruiser.
"I'll take you home." Matthew placed his hand on her back taking her to his car. He signaled Ale to let their parents know what had happened before coming home himself. The police had left by now, taking Dean into custody for assault.
"I want to go with Evelyn." Dawson whined as he was pulled away by Alexander.
"Leave her." Was Alex's only reply. He knew she didn't want anyone near her. She felt safer with Matthew. Alexander informed his mom and Matthew's dad about the incident and without bothering anyone else they decided to leave and check up on the frightened girl.