Some Kind of Normal

“Everly?”

I reached forward and held my breath when our fingers connected. I swear something passed between us, but I was so emotional that I had no idea what it was. But it was there. And it was electric. Like a shock.

I angled his Henley over my head and slowly threaded my arms through. My chest rose and fell, faster than I’d like, and I kept my eyes lowered as I pulled out my hair. I played with the tangled ends, afraid to look up.

A heartbeat passed. And then another.

“Better?” he asked, his voice low.

I nodded. His shirt was still warm and it smelled like him. Fresh and clean and just…Trevor.

Several long moments passed. Several long moments where the quiet faded away and the crickets made themselves known. In the distance I heard the vague echoes of those at the drive-in, but here in this small patch of sanctuary, I heard Trevor’s breathing and my own fast-beating heart.

I knew he was watching me, but I kept my eyes averted, still too afraid to let him see what was inside them. Too afraid that his intense, penetrating gaze would rip apart my defense shield. And that little bit of defense was all that was keeping me from falling apart right now.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

My bottom lip trembled. Shit. Get hold of yourself, Everly.

I shook my head and exhaled slowly.

Trevor took a step so that he was beside me, and he leaned back against my tree, hands folded above his head. He glanced up through the branches at the stars that twinkled over us.

I followed his gaze and relaxed into the bark once more, this time with the added barrier of Trevor’s shirt. The silence enveloped us, and we both let it. It was just easier somehow, and after a while, that big lump in my throat dissolved and the tightness in my chest faded to nothing.

“There’s going to be a blue moon this month.”

Wow. I’m silent all evening and that’s my opening line?

“Blue moon?” Trevor pushed off from the tree and stood facing me. I tilted my head slightly so that I could see him better. I knew he was tall, and maybe it was the dark or maybe I was just feeling small and vulnerable, but right now, he looked larger than life. “What’s a blue moon?” he asked.

“Every so often, there are two full moons in one month. The second one, that’s the one they call a blue moon.”

“That’s kind of cool.”

He inched a bit closer, and I found it harder to keep my breaths nice and even.

“I’m sorry about today. I didn’t mean to suggest that

you had some kind of brain damage or anything.”

Oh. My. God. Brain damage? Could I have been any more insensitive?

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say brain damage.” Oh God. I said it again. “I meant…” Just stop. Right now.

“It’s okay, Everly. I know what you mean.” Trevor shifted his weight, but his eyes never left mine. “Is everything okay with you?”

Surprised, I didn’t answer right away. I tried so hard every single day to be normal and, at the very least, some sort of version of the old me. Guess I was failing at that too. “Why would you say that?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. You look sad or something.”

“Is it that obvious?”

He moved again. Another inch and now there was only a whisper between us.

“Yeah,” he said slowly. “It kinda is.”

“I’m fine. Just tired.”