The rest of the weekend went by smoothly. No one dared bring up the incident anymore. Dawson was at Evelyn's house first thing Sunday morning and spent most of the day there. Maverick stayed out of the kids' way spending his time out in the garden. Monday morning came. Alexander had gone back home Sunday night to Dawson's delight. Today was also Dawson's first day back at school. The twins picked up Evelyn early since they had softball practice. "So, word on the street it seems Dean's parents didn't bail him out yet." Kristine started saying as she drove out of Evelyn's driveway.
"I also heard another weird rumor about his cologne." Natasha added. "Apparently his cologne contained pheromones."
"What does that even mean?" Evelyn questioned as she leaned forward in the back seat.
"His scent caused girls to fall head over heels for him. He would then sleep with them and toss them aside afterwards." Natasha said as she turned back to look at the confused girl. Kristine listened in as she drove them to school.
"That would explain why I felt in trance every time I was around him." Evelyn felt relieved in a way, to learn that she hadn't been falling for the guy but instead it was a trick he played.
"You felt it too?" Kristine questioned. "I felt it that time in class when he talked to us. I couldn't move my eyes away."
"That was the reason why." Natasha confirmed for all three. "Last I heard though a lot of girls came forward about what he had done to them. His parents weren't too happy about it and he'll be sentenced for a minimum of 3 years in prison, after that, he will be able to get out on parole."
"At least he's serving time. He's paying for what he did to those girls and what he tried to do to me." Evelyn said as she leaned back on her seat looking out the window.
"Everyone is unaware that he tried to hurt you. People just think that he tried hitting on you at the pizzeria and got his ass kicked by Alexander." Kristine said as she parked in an empty spot.
"Let's keep it that way. The last thing I want is to be the center of attention for all the wrong reasons." Evelyn grabbed her duffle bag and got out of the car followed by the twins. They went directly to the field and started with warm ups before the coach made them do practice plays.
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All day long all Evelyn and her friends heard were rumors about Dean. The more people talked about him the more things came out into the open. "You were one of the lucky ones, Evelyn." Jonathan told Evelyn as they all sat together at lunch. Alexander had his arm over her shoulder as he had already finished eating. Dawson sat at her other side. Matthew is next to Alexander and the twins with Caleb and Jonathan in front.
"It was all thanks to Kristine's fast thinking. If she hadn't been around, there wouldn't have been anyone to inform the guys about it." Evelyn replied. She had allowed the twins to tell Caleb and Jonathan what had happened but to keep it to themselves. Jonathan gave Kristine a kiss on the cheek, feeling proud of his girlfriend.
"I was just trying to protect you. I knew I wouldn't have been able to do anything myself. The best thing was to tell Alexander and Matthew. I'm glad I found you guys right away." Alexander smiled at Kristine. He always loved how close the twins and Evelyn were. Saturday was proof that they will always have each other's back.
"I'm happy my sister has great friends." Matthew said aloud what Alexander was thinking. "I hope you all can continue taking care of her once Alex and I graduate." He looked from Caleb to Dawson. "That includes you two, too."
"I'll be going to Community College while I work until I have enough money to go to Florida U. I'll be sure to keep an eye on them all." Jonathan added. Alexander couldn't help but think that he missed some good years of High School hanging out with 'the popular kids' instead of making long lasting friends like the ones Evelyn had. He was really enjoying himself being around everyone in this group. Alexander smiled as he saw everyone talking and laughing, his brother included.
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After lunch the rumors about Dean started to die off. Now everyone was talking about the next softball game and Prom. Fliers had already been posted on every wall; every locker, every inch and corner of the school about Prom. Tickets were being sold even though it was still a month away. The theme was 'A walk to remember.' Very cliché but still every Senior was so excited about it. Underclassmen could attend only if they got invited by a Senior which wasn't at all too rare. Alexander was obviously taking Evelyn. Jonathan was taking Kristine. Matthew had asked a girl named Julia and they both agreed to take Natasha and Caleb just to get them inside the salon. Dawson wasn't too happy about not being able to go but they still had a month to figure out a way to get him in.
"We have plenty of time to go window shopping for the perfect prom dress." Natasha said as the girls waited for class to start. The math teacher, Mr. Roberts was always running late, to the girls' delight since they could talk and gossip.
"Alexander told me he won't buy his shirt until I get a dress that way, we can color match." Evelyn leaned forward in her seat enjoying her girl talk.
"Caleb wants to color match, too." Natasha added as she looked over a dress and suits magazine, she had borrowed from one of the upperclassmen girls she had Spanish class with. "Look this one would look perfect on you." She said pointing at a light crimson dress for Evelyn. It was a wide strap dress with u-neck line. The back was cut open all the way to her upper back and was connected by silver diamond chains from side to side. The length was all the way to her ankles but had an opening on the right side allowing her leg to show all the way up to her thigh. It was sexy and elegant at the same time. "And I bet Alexander would look amazing in that color too." Kristine looked at the dress and agreed 100% with her sister.
"You'd look stunning in it." Kristine took her phone out and searched for the website shown in the magazine. "Would you look at that; its in stock and on special." She sent the dress to her liked list. "Let's save it for now." Evelyn giggled at Kristine's exaggerated gestures. The girls continued looking over dresses in the magazine, looking them up online and saving them in their cart for later. Finally, the teacher arrived and ordered everyone to sit down.
School was over, the twins said their goodbyes to Evelyn as she made her way towards Alexander's car. He was already waiting for her standing by the passenger side door. "How was school, baby girl?" He asked as he opened the door and helped her inside. Dawson was already sitting in the backseat.
"It was ok. Same ol', same ol'. How about for you, Dawson?" She asked as she turned back.
"It sucked. None of my classes were with you. I had a couple with the twins and Caleb." He replied, Alexander already driving off.
"Sucks for you." Alexander replied instead of Evelyn. He was happy that they didn't get to have any classes together. At least he wouldn't be bothering her and keeping her from paying attention in class.
"Are you staying for a bit when you drop me off?" Evelyn asked her boyfriend. Alexander shook his head.
"I can't today baby. Matthew and I got in trouble with Ms. Gonzalez again and she made us part of the stupid prom committee. We have to go see some salons to see which one would be better and under the budget." Evelyn pouted but understood completely.
"I can hang out if you want." Dawson chimed in.
"No, you can't. Mom needs your help today; remember." Alexander soon burst his bubble.
"Oh, right." Evelyn giggled and said it was ok to both of them. Alexander drove into her driveway, gave her a kiss goodbye and drove off as soon as he saw her walking into the house.
"I'm home." Evelyn called out to no one in particular. She knew Matthew wasn't home. Her mom was still at Grandma's. And she didn't see her father's car in the driveway either. She sighed, wondering if she was going to feel this loneliness once Matthew and Alexander went away to college.
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The week went by fast. Dean's rumors had already died down, he was a thing of the past. Alexander and Matthew had been busy after school all week helping the Prom committee, they both took turns dropping off Evelyn at home. The twins picked her up for school every morning as they had softball practice. Saturday came and the girls had their game that afternoon. Dawson, Mrs. Jane, Maverick, Jonathan and Caleb along with Alexander and Matthew all went to cheer the girls on. Their team won by a landslide. Maverick invited Evelyn's friends over for a BBQ to celebrate the end of season sports.
"Your dad's cooking is amazing." Natasha told Evelyn as they all sat in the patio eating Bar-B-Q ribs, homemade mashed potatoes and coleslaw. Alexander walked over to them with a plate full. Caleb, Jonathan and Dawson had also joined the celebration.
"I agree. Look how the meat falls off the bone so smoothly." Caleb agreed as he bit off a piece off his rib.
"Its so juicy." Kristine chimed in. Matthew walked over to the table and sat down next to Evelyn; leaving her in between him and Alexander.
"Congratulations to the three of you for keeping our school on the high scores." Matthew said giving the girls a big proud smile.
"It was a piece of cake. The other team didn't look like they had any practice at all." Evelyn said taking a fork full of coleslaw. "How are the prom preparations coming along?" She asked as she looked at Matthew. Matthew looked over a Alexander.
"They're coming along. I think this will be our last week helping them out." Alexander replied instead. He looked over at Matthew who seemed a little nervous. Evelyn took notice of it but shook it aside thinking it was probably nothing. The gang ate and joked around, enjoying themselves to the fullest.
"Look at them, aren't you glad they found great friends?" Mrs. Jane questioned Maverick as they looked at the kids through the kitchen window. Maverick smiled and nodded his head.
"I'm glad Evelyn has the twins by her side. I get worried about her, you know. She's too attached to Matthew and Alexander. I feel she'll have a hard time letting go when they have to leave off to college." Mrs. Jane nodded at that.
"I know it won't be the same without them. They spoiled her too much. Always over protecting her." Mrs. Jane turned away from the window and took a seat.
"I wasn't too sure about your son dating my daughter at first but these couple of weeks I've been around I've seen how much they both love each other." Maverick took a seat with Mrs. Jane and pour both of them some wine he was taken out.
"Thank you. As I father, I understand where you're coming from but I can assure you if my son ever dares hurt your daughter, I'd be the first he will have to deal with." Maverick clung his glass with hers with a smile.
"Thank you for taking care of my kids." The adults continued talking and joking.
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-Evelyn's P.O.V-
I went to bed after everyone left. It was the weekend but Alexander wasn't able to stay over tonight either. The week felt rather lonely without Alexander. He and Matthew had been busy every day after school with Prom committee. I wasn't feeling sleepy yet but I knew it was already quite late. I tossed and turned in my bed. Ok I really can't sleep. I got up and walked down to the kitchen. "Oh my, you scared me!" I screamed out as I turned on the light and saw my father standing by the fridge.
"Sorry, late night snack." He replied sipping on what seemed to be chocolate milk and munching down on some Oreos. "Would you like some?" He questioned signaling to the cookies on the counter. I nodded and sat down on the table. He poured me a glass of milk and handed it to me before placing the whole pack of cookies it the middle of the table.
"How'd you know I like plain milk?" I asked as I dunked a cookie into it.
"I might not have been around for your teen years, but I do remember a thing or two about your childhood and I know you always preferred plain milk with your Oreos." He replied as he too dunked a cookie into his chocolate milk.
"Yea and I remember you would add extra sugar into your already sweet chocolate milk."
"Still do." He said with a smile. I smiled back and we both continued snacking on our cookies. "What brings you down here so late at night?" He finally asked after a little while of silence. I sighed.
"I just couldn't sleep."
"Is everything ok with Alexander? I haven't really seen him around this week, except for today but I expected him to stay. Was surprised when he said he couldn't." I shrugged my shoulders.
"He's been busy, but we're fine." I didn't know what else to say. Even I found it strange that we hadn't spend time together this week. It had never been like that. I was amazed that my father didn't dig any further and fully changed the subject.
"I spoke to your mom today. She's coming back next week." He took another cookie and dunked it in his drink. I'm glad she was coming back but it made me wonder where he was going to go after she came back. He had been staying here for the past 2 weeks, I was actually starting to open up to him little by little just like Alexander had suggested. It seemed he had read my mind when he added. "I asked her if I could continue staying here until I find a place near by."
"Oh, that sounds good. What did she say?"
"She said and I quote, 'the couch is always available.'" I laughed. That sounded exactly like mom. "I can't believe she didn't suggest the spare room upstairs but I figured that bedroom already belongs to Alexander."
"I think she was just joking around. I don't think Alexander would mind you sleeping there. He does have a few of his things there but I think he could make room for you." My father smiled at my reply. He seemed happy to hear me say that.
"I'm glad you still want me around." He said softly. I clearer my throat and drank the lady bit of milk I had left in my glass.
"I still haven't completely forgiven you but I see that you're making an effort. I should do the same." I yawned and stood from my seat. "Thank you for the snack. I should get to bed." I gave him a light kiss on the cheek and went back upstairs. I knew I caught him by surprise as he said nothing as I walked away. I got back into bed feeling the sleepiness getting to me. Prom and graduation was now around the corner and then Alexander and Matthew would be going off to college.