This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

-Fight Song, Rachel Platten

35| Evelyn

"You kids shouldn't get involved in this," said Ethan.

Evelyn and Mason was in Ethan's tattoo parlor. It was Friday. The whole week Mason had spied on Mallory and Bryan but had found nothing suspicious. Evelyn was quite disturbed about his skills. The way he stalked her, none could tell. But at the end of the day, he knew everything Mallory had been doing. God know if Mason had stalked her same way. She had a feeling about it.

"I don't have a choice. You gotta tell me," Mason insisted.

"As far as I know, it gets in here through the borders and there is different gangs who receives it. You can't know which one he's getting the stuff from."

"There is more than one gang," Mason said.

"Hmm, I had tattooed two gang leaders. But I'm not sure both of them are involved in drug dealings." Ethan told them.

"Bryan is getting the stuff from one of them. And what if he's in one?" Mason's face etched into a deep frown, "And he would involve Mal."

"Hey, let's not get too ahead of ourselves, okay? We still don't know." Evelyn said. Mason didn't seem to hear her.He fished his phone out of his pocket and scowled at it.

"There's a party tonight in my house." Mason said. "A party where this things will be dealt. I am sure. This is the chance she was looking for."

"Mallory threw a party?" Evelyn asked.

"Yeah," Mason frowned.

"Then we know what to do." Evelyn said.

• • •

It was hard keeping Mason distracted the whole day so he didn't keep stressing about the party. The worst was it was on his house. The last thing Evelyn wanted was for him to march into his house and beat people up.

Evelyn suggested that Mason should just let the party happen. If Mallory was actually throwing this party as a cover of getting drugs, then they could caught her or most importantly they could try to find out if it was Bryan, her boyfriend who was supplying it and where it was coming from.

Evelyn looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a pair of skinny ripped jeans with an off shoulder crimson red blouse. She had blow dried and curled her hair in loose curls.

Evelyn sighed putting on the foundation and concealer. With a little touch of high lighter, she finished it. This would not have been possible if Abigail didn't made it her mission to fill Evelyn up with the best products.

Taking the eye liner, Evelyn looked at herself. She used to make her eyes look striking by always keeping her lines sharp, so sharp that it could cut throats. Today, she decided, she would go for it. Her hand was steady and she realized she still had it in her. Satisfied with the result, she put on the lipstick. She went for red.

When she looked at herself, she could see that. Her old self staring back. Her brown eye shadow and sharp liner make her hazel eyes pop. Her blouse was well-fitting. She looked down at her hands and she grimaced at her nails. They were in a bad shape as she kept biting them whenever she felt anxious and also she had a little tummy which was well covered but Evelyn had seen better days when she didn't have any extra fats anywhere.

There was a knock at the door, " If you're done, I think we should head-" The rest of the words died in Mason's throat.

Evelyn looked at him. He was still wearing the same shirt and leather jacket from morning but he never failed to look good.

Evelyn smiled and looking at him she asked, "Do I look average?"

Mason leaned against the door frame, "You want me to tell you the truth?"

Evelyn nodded yes.

"You look nice," Mason said lending out his hand, "Let's go."

Putting on her vans, she walked out of the house followed by Mason. Leaning down, she locked the front door and stood straight. Evelyn felt a slight touch on her elbow.

"Here's the truth," Mason's voice was close. He was standing right behind Evelyn, literally breathing on her neck.

"You look so beautiful I can barely take my eyes off," Mason whispered. Evelyn could feel his hot breathe on her bare neck and shoulder, "You are driving me crazy."

Evelyn's breathe hitched in her throat. She opened and her mouth but no words came out. She felt the heat radiate from her body and the accelerated heart beat. Evelyn somehow turned. She was greeted by cold air.

"Why are you still standing there? Let's go," Mason said hopping on his jeep. Evelyn stared at him.

His expression had changed to serious. Evelyn wondered if it was the same Mason, who just made Evelyn's leg turned to jelly. They were all business now.

Reaching there, she turned to Mason who was looking at his house with his jaw locked. Evelyn stood in front of him and placed her both hands on his shoulders.

"Relax," Mason looked down at her and sighed. Evelyn took his hand, "We can do this."

They walked inside the house hand in hand. The house was nothing like Evelyn had seen it before. The party was not like any others, it was grand. The house had been redecorated for the occasion. There was a dance floor in the middle of the dining room, sitting arrangements were on the side. Evelyn saw waiters running around with trays of drinks.

She looked at Mason. "Your sister surely knows how to throw a party," Evelyn laughed nervously.

"Then I think, I need to talk to my sister," He said and his hold on Evelyn's hand became tighter.

"Remember why we are here? Don't let anything distract you." Evelyn said and Mason looked down.

Mason rolled his eyes, "You are truly helping me with that matter," His eyes swept over her for a second and he looked away.

Evelyn gulped.

Mason steered Evelyn forward among the crowd. He kept looking around and grimacing, mumbling how people are making his house dirty. They were done looking at the main building. There was no sign of Mallory, or Bryan.

Jack and Noah was found in the garden playing beer pong.

"Yo!" Jack waved and he drank a cup. Noah threw the ball and scored. The crowd around them cheered.

"Looks like they don't have time for me," Mason said.

"You know they are drunk." Evelyn commented.

They walked around the garden. Some of the people waved at Mason and tried to get him in the game. When he dead glared at them, they fled away. Some tried to start conversation with him, they were treated the same way.

"Can't you at least smile?" Evelyn said.

"Why would I smile at them when they are wasting my money and making my house dirty?" He asked back.

Evelyn covered her face with her palm and shook her head.

"Where are they?" Mason asked a moment later.

"I wonder." Evelyn said.

They went to the other building. It was filled with people too.

"How many people is here?" Mason asked with his eyebrows wiggled. "I can see students of other schools, maybe even from another town."

"I remember you told me your sister is trying to make a statement." Evelyn said.

"Of course, she wants to tell the whole world that she is back in town," Mason said in snickering voice.

They went to upstairs. Mason started checking rooms and they found busy people every time. "I feel like I have lend my house to teens to make out." Mason commented.

Evelyn laughed and Mason shook his head. They were going down the stairs. Mason was walking front.

Evelyn felt a sharp elbow jabbing in her stomach, "Ow!"

Mason turned instantly, "What happened?"

"I think someone just elbowed my stomach," Evelyn said holding her stomach and yelping in pain.

Mason quickly walked up two steps. Whoever had elbowed Evelyn was already vanished in the crowd. But Mason yelled anyway, "Watch out, stupid!"

Evelyn held on the railing and closed her eyes. "Does it hurt really bad? Should I get you ice? I should probably get ice. Where are you hurt?"

Mason attacked with a ton of questions, Evelyn leaned on him. "No, it's okay. I can manage. Nothing serious. Sharp elbow, I would say." Evelyn laughed a little.

Mason was not convinced. He placed his hands where Evelyn was holding it on her stomach, "You are hurt." His eye brows were wiggled. "And you are making jokes. Tell me, did you see his or her face?"

"I think it was a guy. Let that go. We need to move." Evelyn said.

Mason looked at the crowd again and then he looked at her stomach, "I am getting you ice."

Rubbing his hand in the place where Evelyn got hurt, he asked, "Does it hurt real bad?"

Evelyn sighed. "It's fine, trust me."

Mason's eyes met hers, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am." Evelyn nodded.

"Maybe it had subsided now, but it will come back." Mason said.

"I am fine, now. Let's finish the task at hand. I swear I will get ice when get home." Evelyn assured.

"Screw the task,"Mason said and pulled Evelyn forward with him. They were walking back to the main building. Evelyn sighed.

"You never give up." Evelyn commented. "You stubborn son of a nice woman."

Evelyn sat down on a stool in the kitchen.

"You stay here, I am just gonna go and hire Jasmine. Lemme see if I can find something," Mason said.

"Okay," Evelyn said sitting and massaging the side of her stomach.

Mason vanished among the people in a flash. Evelyn filled herself a glass of water. There were many people walking in and out of kitchen. The music was blaring loudly. Evelyn couldn't see any familiar faces around.

Then she saw two, not the ones she was looking for.

"Hey, hottie," Alex whistled as he leaned against the kitchen counter. Evelyn glared at him. On her other side, stood Reddie, someone Evelyn had long forgotten.

"Hey, there," Reddie said with a smug smile.

Both of their faces had red blotches. Evelyn could tell they were wasted.

"Won't you dance with me?" Alex said leaning closer. Reddie beside him chuckled.

Evelyn's ears got hotter. She glared at him harder. Her breathes become quicker. She could feel the hot rush of anger blazing her body.

"Get lost from here," Evelyn said.

"You look even hotter when you're angry. I get why Mason keeps you around, " Reddie commented.

Alex's expression changed hearing Mason's name. He snickered. "Oh yeah," Alex said. "But I don't see him around. Did he leave you?" Alex asked.

Reddie on the other side closed whatever distance he had left.

Evelyn could see she was getting cornered. Sandwiched between the two bastard, Evelyn closed her hand into fist. Her body trembled. Her heart beats quickened. Her stomach dropped and her eyes stung.

This wasn't the best time to have an anxiety attack.

"Won't you-" Alex placed a hand on her shoulder and she jerked him away.

"What's happening here?" A voice boomed behind them. All of them looked behind. Bryan Stellar was looking at Alex with a hard face. He strode towards them and asked Alex, "What did I tell you?"

"Oh, C'mon," Alex groaned. "She was standing here all alone."

"I need to talk to you. It's urgent," Bryan grabbed Alex's elbow, steering him out. He looked at Reddie.

Reddie wiggled his eyebrows. Bryan send him a hard glare and Reddie backed off. He vanished in the crowd.

Evelyn stared at Bryan who guided Alex away from the kitchen. When he was about to get out, Bryan looked behind and nodded at Evelyn.

What just happened?

Evelyn closed her eyes and took a deep breathe. Her heart rate was still up. It was not coming down.

Evelyn took deep breathes and held the kitchen counter firmly. Her whole body shivered and her teeth chattered. She couldn't figure out why Bryan did that. He didn't have interest in this. Was he trying to get in good terms with Evelyn?

Evelyn debated over whether she should tell Mason about any of this. Telling him would be stupid. He would get angry and he would get into a fight probably. They were here to spy on Mallory, he wasn't here to get into fights.

"Here take this, " Evelyn jumped hearing Mason's voice. "I found icepack."

Evelyn looked at Mason's hand then up to his face. He had arrived out of nowhere.

Evelyn gulped.

"Evelyn, are you okay?" Mason asked taking a step towards her. "You look flushed."

"I'm fine," Evelyn said closing her eyes, shaking her head. "I just feel a bit of sick."

"Give me that," Evelyn said gesturing to the ice pack in his hand, "Can we go to your room? I need a bit of quiet place, right now."

Mason had his eyes narrowed on her. He shook his head and grabbed her wrist. "Let's get you an empty room."

Mason steered everyone from their path as they made it to there building. When he reached his room it was locked from inside.

"Didn't anybody tell them this room is off limit?" Mason said in annoyance.

They walked a bit further and found Mallory's room. Mason opened the door. It was empty.

They got inside and Mason closed the door. The room was dark and quiet. Evelyn finally left a sigh in relief.

"What happened in the kitchen, Evelyn?" Mason asked suddenly.

Evelyn gulped. She thought he didn't see anything or he didn't guess.

"No-nothing. I told you. I just felt a bit sick," Evelyn answered. Mason gave her an intense look.

A girl suddenly walked out of the en-suited bathroom. Both of them looked at her. She glanced their way before walking out and closing the door.

Mason looked back at Evelyn. Evelyn went for the ice pack.

"I am going to the washroom," Evelyn said walking in.

"If you need anything, tell me. I will be waiting here." He said and sat on the bed and Evelyn nodded.

Evelyn got in the washroom. Lifting her blouse up, Evelyn pressed the ice pack in her stomach. She hissed in pain as it was really cold. Her hand became numb and she remembered Mason had been walking around with it this whole time.

Water drops ran down from the pack. Her blouse was wet in cold water and so was her jeans. Evelyn cursed whoever had elbowed her. Few moments later when she couldn't feel her fingers anymore she gave up. Placing the pack on the floor, she washed her hand.

"Argh!" Evelyn said, "I hate this."

That's when she heard a giggle out of the door.

• • •