Finding Everett | ✔️

Chapter Fourteen

Okay, so I felt SO bad that a bunch of you guys were like, YAY AN UPDATE and instead it was just me telling you about a name change that I decided I needed to stay up and force out a chapter.        

So here it is, 12:20AM. Breakfast Club is playing on the TV and I kicked out a chapter. It's a little short and for that I am sorry, but it needed to be short for the next chapter. Sowwie! Anyways, hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The days passed a little faster than desired after the adventure Everett and Lizzie shared in New York City. Time spent together merely felt like minutes, the seconds passing like wind in the trees.

For Everett North. he couldn't figure out whether he appreciated that or not. Of course, he sent silent thanks out that school finally would be ending and that graduation lingered only a week away.

But on the other hand, Lizzie hadn't been around too much the past while, either too busy finishing up the art project with Jesse which originally brought her to him or busy with family matters at her home. Her life after graduation came barreling down on her and she still needed to figure things out. Various projects, such as the one previously mentioned, needed to be wrapped up and in short - both North boys took a bit of a back burner.

If he were to be honest, though, Everett actually missed her constant chatter. Though, he still refused to admit it to anyone except himself.

Deep inside, however, Everett knew that the rest of his family could sense a difference without Lizzie's happy mood to bring him up a few notches. He somewhat hated how he needed her around to smile and wished he could finally reach the point where he didn't need someone else to make him feel content.

But he didn't seem to realize that his family could see something else as well. Small things, like pieces of music holding more pep than usual. Or that small and content smile the sat on his face most of the time. They could see a mild glow about him that hadn't been there before. His sullen attitude had taken a turn.

Without even knowing, Everett's heart went through a slight change. Still damaged and a bit sore, but content never the less.

"You excited?"

Everett's preoccupied mind changed direction and instead focused on his father who popped up beside him on the couch. Frowning, he replied, "About ... what exactly?"

Peter chuckled slightly and replied, "Graduation, of course. Both my boys are leaving high school behind. If I'm feeling a tad sentimental about this, then I know you have to have something brewing in that mind of yours, Everett." Everett felt the couch shift beside him and knew his father had made himself comfortable.

Hitting the pause button, Everett shifted his own body to face his father, his thumbs slowly circling each other. "Well," he drew out, his eyes squinting. "I guess, in some weird way, I'm excited. But then again ..." he paused momentarily to collect his thoughts together and form a pattern before speaking.

"The thing is this, dad. Yeah, it's great and all that I'm finally going to be free of the daily grind of school, but really - what else do I have to look forward to? I mean, what am I supposed to do now? No adventure waits for me. Nothing does. I ... I feel like I'm destined to just sit at that piano for the rest of my life and do absolutely nothing."

It appeared as though his heart understood what his mind couldn't, for the words that Everett tried and failed to form came forth with ease. The worries that he carried for years finally left his chest and he let out a breath of relieved air.

Who knew it could have that affect?

The room fell silent for a few beats and Everett couldn't hear anything but the buzz of the television and his fathers breathing.