We were sitting in Ryan's living room, on the shabby looking couch, with heavy silence surrounding us. Ryan had his head laying on my shoulder and his eyes were closed. I was absentmindedly skimming my good hand through his hair in a soothing motion while lost in my own train of thoughts.

How could Jack possibly escape?

Now that I was thinking about it, I remembered that I had made Evan check his pockets and all possible places he could have hidden a weapon and he had nothing on him. So where did the knife come from? It didn't make any sense. There was no way he could've escaped so easily.

Also, we had been in the kitchen the entire morning so it was obvious this happened during the night. But we would have heard him escape if that was the case. Something just wasn't adding up!

"Stop thinking so much. I can practically hear the wheels of your head turning. " Ryan said while moving his face and burying it in my neck. " I can't stop thinking Ryan. Something just doesn't add up here. " I sighed and slumped my head over his.

He made a move to say something but the loud doorbell stopped him. " Who could that be? " I asked. My question was answered when the door opened and in walked Jenny.
We both stood up and walked over to them. Looking at Jenny's cheerful smile instantly put me in a better mood.

"What the fuck happened to your hand, Evelyn? " Jenny almost shouted. She took my hand in hers and looked up at me with worried eyes. " I.... I cut myself...in the kitchen..., " I hesitated. Ryan slipped a hand around my waist and squeezed it in reassurance. " Turns out she's clumsy just like you, Jen, " He winked at me and I smiled back at him thankfully.

" Aww, you should take care of yourself Eve," Sophia added in while gently pulling me in a side hug. Why were these people so good? "Anyways, clumsy girl, this is Mia Hall, one of our best friends. " Jenny said pointing over to the blonde girl.

Mia was beautiful, to say the least. She had blonde hair with light purple highlights. Her eyes were icy blue in colour and she was wearing a bold red lipstick. She was wearing a light purple tank top and black Jean shorts.

I extended my hand for her to shake and she took it while smiling at me. Then her eyes landed on Ryan and I saw a glint of mischief in them. "Hey there Ry, miss me? " she said in a flirtatious tone while batting her eyes at him. I felt something stir up in my chest at seeing this. I didn't like it. "Nope, " Ryan said casually and Mia laughed teasingly.

I averted my eyes to Jenny before I could say anything. It wasn't my place, right? Jenny was carrying a load of bags in her hands. Sophia was too. " What's with all these bags? " I asked.

They both looked over at each other and then giggled. " Make-over time! " they both shouted. My eyes widened. I had totally forgotten about that. "You weren't serious about it, were you? " I asked laughing nervously. " Hell yeah we were! " Sophia said teasingly. I looked over at Ryan but he was busy talking to Mia. Idiot!

The front door opened again and Aiden walked in shouting a " Good Morning" at all of us. Noah and Evan were right behind him. "Oh good the boys are here too. They'll clean the place up while we do our work. " Jenny clapped her hands and I sighed.

Aiden walked up and snaked his hand around Mia's waist, " Hey sexy. " Mia giggled at this and I rolled my eyes. Not even a minute ago she was trying to flirt with Ryan. " C'mon let's go Eve! " Jenny said holding my hand and pulled me towards the stairs. " We'll be using your room Ryan! " She shouted over her shoulder and Ryan groaned loudly.

Jenny set the washroom mirror on Ryan's window cabinet carefully. Sophia and Mia then set to work to get all their things out of the bags while I went to take a quick shower and changed into some casual pyjamas and a loose white shirt.

Once I was sitting in front of the large mirror, the girls started tossing around ideas on how to make me look different and unrecognisable. Mia offered to dye my hair some other colour and I denied it before anyone could even think about approving it. "I love my hair colour and I'm not gonna dye them in any other colour! Nope! Not a chance. "

" Oh c'mon Evelyn, we could just give you some blonde highlights. They'll look hella good with your honey brown hair. You've got to try it out. It's temporary anyways! " Mia said pouting. Jenny and Sophia were nodding their heads and looking at me with pleading eyes. I sighed in defeat.

I guess there was no harm in trying it out, right?

"Okay fine we can try it out, " I sighed and they all squealed happily. I had never had girl-friends before so even though it was new to me, it felt good. I felt happy for the first time in a while and all thoughts of the events of this morning left my mind. Mia and Sophia set to work with my hair while Jenny helped them out.

We laughed and joked around all the while. I learned that Mia was actually aspiring to be a make-up and hair stylist one day. Judging be the way she was working on my hair, she was really good at her job. Sophia was a traveller and had wanted to go into management and touring but couldn't due to lack of financial support.

Jenny on the other hand told me that she liked to paint. She showed me her paintings on her phone and I fell in love with them. They were awesome. I didn't know much about art but I could definitely say that they were worth something.

I looked at all these amazingly talented women standing there laughing at each other and I wondered what they were doing here. Their talent could take them places but they were stuck here, anonymous, hidden from a world of opportunities.

But they seemed happy which was new to me. I came from a world where happiness was measured by the amount of money you made and the things that you owned. But this here, this was special. I smiled, grateful that I got a chance to meet these amazing people.

"So, Eve, care to tell us what's going on between you and Ryan? " Jenny said teasingly and I snapped out of my trance to look up into her mischievous eyes. "Nothing is going on between me and Ryan, we're just friends, " I said, a light blush creeping up my cheeks.

"Oh yeah, then how do explain his protectiveness over you, huh? " She said and Sophia giggled, " And the fact that he calls you 'Sunflower'? " I looked between the two of them and then shifted my attention to Mia. She was grinning down at me mischievously too.

Oh, so they told her too, huh! Nice!

I scoffed. Mia noticed my eyes lingering at her and said, " Oh no Evelyn, don't even think that I would try to steal your man. Ryan and I are just friends. I just like teasing him here and there." She giggled. Her words made me feel....relieved. Why? Don't ask!

"So..?" Jenny wiggled her eye brows playfully. " I don't know what you're talking about, " I waved it off and they all giggled. "Oh c'mon, you do think he's hot, now don't you? " Jenny said. " Meh, he's alright, " I was totally lying. Jenny snorted at my response and a shy smile spread over my features. My expression made them giggle more and I rolled my eyes.

" There, done. " Mia exclaimed after almost two hours had passed. Jenny looked up from Ryan's bed and gasped, " Oh my God, they look so good! " She clapped her hands together. I got up from my seat and turned slightly to see them myself and they actually really complemented my honey hair. I loved it. " You look so different! " Sophia chimed in and I grinned.

"Now go and wear this, be careful with the hair though, " Jenny said handing me a white sleeveless crop top and pair of khaki trousers along with a pair of high sole white converse shoes.

I went inside the washroom to change into my outfit. When I walked back into the room all the girls squealed in approval. I looked into the mirror and saw the strong and confident girl staring back at me, whom I had left back in New York.

I felt as if I was a new me with my old confidence back and it was awesome. I didn't feel weak anymore. I was feeling strong. Funny how just your appearance can make you feel that way!

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• Evelyn's outfit •

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• Author's Note •

What do you think about Evelyn's new look? I like her better this way :) Also how do you think Jack could've have escaped?

QOTD :- Is there one specific outfit in your wardrobe that makes you feel confident even on the worst of your days?

I feel confident when I'm wearing my sweats ;) weird I know, but they just make me feel free and I love that.

Much love

M :)