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The cold of the basement seeped into Stephanie’s bones, making her shiver and pull her hoodie just a bit tighter around herself. When she agreed to hang out with the Hybrid boys, what she didn't expect was to be hidden away in the basement while the boys were upstairs, arguing about what food to get, who was paying, and if they were gonna go out and get food or order in. It was slightly annoying to say the least- they really could have synchronized better, especially since she had given them the chance to redeem themselves after what Jeff did.
Maybe she should just go. Use the old elementary school excuse and leave, high tail it back to her house where she’ll at least be alone with her paintings and her own delivery-ordered pizza. Oh please, Ms. Nurse, my stomach hurts terribly. May you please send me back home? Elementary, dear Watson.
She zipped up her hoodie and shifted in her seat to stand, when she was interrupted by the sounds of footsteps on the stairs. She paused and settled back down as Evan came into view.
Out of all the boys, Stephanie only really took a liking to Evan. Vinny was a nice guy, but, in her opinion, he was self-centered and was always managing everything like a business. Jeff was Jeff, and she only spoke a few words with Alex- those words being the worst pick up line she had heard in her entire life.
“Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? The fall can't have been that hard, based on how pretty you are.”
Yeah. No thanks.
Evan, on the other hand…
He was sweet. He didn't sugar coat things but he wasn't a total dick. He liked art and he had good taste in music.
Honestly, if she were in a different situation, Steph would ask him out.
But this wasn't that situation. So she pushed these thoughts down into a lock box at the very bottom of her soul, pressed away from any and all eyes.
Evan flopped down on the Lay-Z boy chair next to her, making it rock just a bit. His frayed jeans opened in a man spread and he frowned, arms off the to side of the chair. Steph chuckled.
“Rough night?” She asked, settling back down into the chair, arms crossed over her chest. Evan nodded, still pouting.
“They are now arguing on if they should get Chinese. The only Chinese place is a 30 minute drive from here. And Vinny doesn't even like Chinese.” Steph laughed- for the first time in what felt like months since Jessa went missing, Steph actually laughed. Evan tilted his head at her. His pupils dilated with something she didn't think she could understand, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He sat up.
“I made you laugh.” He said, proudly, sitting up straighter. “I've never seen you laugh before.”
Steph controlled herself quickly, though there was still a hint of a smile on her face, and pushed her glasses up her nose.
“Yeah, well.” She crossed her arms again and looked away. “Enjoy it while it lasted. It's not happening again.”
Evan huffed, and she heard the chair rock as he flopped back down. The silence quickly turned sour. Awkward. Steph shifted, the smile falling off her face. She really should do the whole “im feeling sick” schpeel now, before it was too late.
“You should do it more often.” Evan said suddenly, breaking Steph out of her pity party. She blinked.
“Do what?” Evan shifted and glanced over to her, then went back to staring in front of himself. He looked long enough, though, for Steph to see the flush on his cheeks, and she was watching now as it crept up his neck and ears.
“Smile. Laugh. It’s… a good look for you.” She scoffed, ignoring the way her face was heating up too.
“Thanks, doc. What, you gonna prescribe me serotonin pills now?” She joked, sinking down just a bit. She looked away.
“No- Stephanie, that's not what I meant.” Steph's heart fluttered at the way he said her name. She swallowed, a blush forming on her cheeks, the little prickles of fire setting her skin ablaze with red. Evan’s fingers were suddenly on her chin, cold from the basement AC, tilting her head back to face his. His face was just as red but his eyes were set now. Determined. Steph honestly thought she might have melted.
“You have a pretty smile. And a pretty laugh. You're pretty fuckin pretty.” Evan whispered, gaze dropping to her lips, then back up. Steph’s breath hitched.
She tried on a smile, knowing that it was a pathetic attempt at covering her ass.
“Does that work on all the girls you-”
“Stop.” He whispered, leaning closer over the arm of the Lay-Z boy chair to get closer to her. “For once in your goddamn life, Stephanie, let yourself have this.”
He swallowed. She could hear it from their close proximity.
“Let yourself have me.”
Steph’s heart fluttered. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. She leaned forward just a bit, hesitant, and Evan wasted no time in closing the distance, covering the space where she was scared to. She leaned into it, her lips moving slowly with his, until he pulled back just a bit, sighing out a breath. Steph thought her heart was gonna beat out of her chest.
Evan leaned forward again to press a kiss to her cheek. Steph, once more, grinned. Evan grinned back, complete with a little chuckle.
“There's that pretty smile.” She laughed and leaned in again, closing the distance with another kiss.
The basement door suddenly swung open and Evan fell back into the chair, making it rock. Vinny hurried down the steps.
“Guys, we’re getting Chinese!” He exclaimed excitedly. Evan groaned, head thrown back into the chair.
“Oh, come on, Vinny, you don't even like Chinese!”
Steph smiled again and laughed as they began to bicker. Because for once, she was going to let herself have this.