The Unrealities of Greendale (1/3) *Being Edited*

Chapter 1

"We should go somewhere... anywhere but here," he said, smiling his beautiful grin, dimples demanding to display themselves. I felt butterflies fly around in my stomach.

"I don't know, I mean it's a school night..." I argued. He chuckled to himself, his eyes trailing off while he rubbed the back of his neck. I turned my head sideways.

"What?" I asked. He shrugged lightheartedly.

"I don't know, I mean. Sometimes I worry about you, Val." I smiled at his remark.

"What for?"

"Because you never take chances or go after what you want. I swear, you're as much of a daredevil as my grandma," he teased. I laughed and playfully punched his arm. He fake pouted and rubbed the spot where I hit him.

"Ouchie," he said in a baby voice. I laughed harder and almost lost balance."But seriously," he continued. "Let's ditch this tree and go have some fun." he persuaded. I was moments away from agreeing but suddenly, I saw my bedroom light go on. I looked up and saw my mom through the window, looking for me. I turned to Evan, but with a few rustles through the leaves, he was gone, lost in the dark night. My mother lifted the window.

"Valeri, what are you doing in that tree?!" she asked, completely flabbergasted. I stuttered, struggling in a strive to come up with a response. She held out her hand, ready to pull me back into the house. I gripped it, and she pulled me through the window. The jacket fell behind and landed in the tree.

"God, don't scare me like that!" she exclaimed.

"Sorry mom, I just... needed some air." I lied vaguely, looking over my shoulder through the window. I was so confused as to where Evan had gone. My mom twisted my face back and forth, examining for any bruises.

"Mom, I'm fine," I assured her. She ignored me and continued to inspect my face."Mom. I'm okay, I swear." I reiterated. She finally stopped.

"Honey, if you were meant to be in the trees, you would've been a bird," she joked. I half smiled, half frowned. I nodded, to show her I was listening, as she walked away and stopped at the door. "Try to get some rest, Valeri," she said.

"Okay, mom," I replied plainly. She smirked. With that said, she walked out of the door, turning out the light as she left. My lamp dimly lit up my dark room. I turned back towards the window and peered out, seeing that the jacket was gone.

Who would steal a random jacket in a tree? I thought. Eh, probably fell out. I'll get it tomorrow.

I decided to shrug it off. I plopped face down on the bed. Turning over to lay on my side, I felt disappointed that Evan had left so soon. I was considering going out to find him, but I assumed I'd see him the next day. He didn't go to my school, so I'd see him once I came home. He always made time for me. I soon found my thoughts quickly replaced with a light slumber.

I opened my eyes and found myself in a forest. Something seemed eerily strange about it, like I had been there before. I turned and saw Evan standing there.

"Evan?" I questioned. At first, his face was warm, kind. His eyes a lightly toasted olive that seemed to be honey kissed. The sun lit up his face, illuminating his flawless skin.

Then something turned cold.

The sun disappeared behind the dark clouds and there was something that was unsettling about him, like how his eyes had turned black, piercing through me as I became glazed over by fear. I'd never been afraid of him, but I did not know this side of Evan... if this even was Evan.

"I love you, Valeri..." he said, but his tone sounded unsure, hesitant... and somehow resistant. I reached out to touch him but he backed away.

"Don't," he scolded.