Chapter 9 You Are Not Everett!

Rebecca's POV

The phone stopped ringing suddenly, and I knew Everett hadn't picked up.

Everett loves me so much, he wouldn't ignore my call on purpose. He must be busy with something.

I shouldn't be angry. I should understand him.

Maybe if I call one more time, he'll answer.

I stood shivering in the cold wind, dialing that familiar number over and over, but no one ever picked up.

I rubbed my cold arms. My phone battery was down to ten percent.

Even though the battery was almost dead, I still wanted to try one more time.

What if Everett answered this time?

The phone kept ringing, and my heart sank bit by bit.

I figured I should just accept this. Even though Everett loves me, he can't be by my side every single second.

The ringing stopped abruptly, and I was about to press the button to turn off the screen in disappointment.

Suddenly I saw the call interface start counting time—it had connected, but the other end wasn't saying anything.

The unexpected joy made me straighten up instantly. I quickly pressed the phone to my ear.

"Hello, Everett? Is that you? Everett?"

The other end stayed quiet.

I pulled the phone away to check the screen. I confirmed it was Everett's number, and the call timer was still running.

I put the phone back to my ear. "Honey, thank God, I knew you'd answer my call."

"I'm done with the tryouts. It took longer than I expected, and there are no more buses. Can you come pick me up?"

"Everett didn't come get you?" A familiar, raspy voice came from the other end.

"You're not Everett!"

A low chuckle came through, the voice deep and magnetic. "Right, I'm not. So tell me—did he actually come get you or not?"

"No." My voice carried disappointment.

At first I didn't recognize who it was, but after he said all that, I was sure it was Steven.

"Could you please tell Everett to come pick me up?"

Steven answered bluntly, "No."

I froze for a moment, then anger rushed up.

Everett is my boyfriend. Asking him to pick me up isn't too much.

Or does Steven just hate me and doesn't want to help? But he drove me home yesterday...

I really need help right now. I swallowed my awkwardness and discomfort. "Mr. Harris, then could you please give the phone to Everett? I want to ask him myself if he can come get me."

"No."

Another refusal.

I started to get confused. If he hates me so much, why did he even answer the phone?

My voice took on an angry edge. "Mr. Harris, you have no right to stop me from talking to Everett. Please give him the phone."

I heard the sound of fabric rustling from the other end, like someone changing clothes.

Steven's voice moved away then came back closer, with a tone of reproach. "Rebecca, you're an adult. Can't you figure out your own schedule?"

Embarrassment flashed across my face.

Actually, I had planned it out, but plans can't keep up with changes.

I didn't expect my turn would be so late. In the end, I missed the last bus.

Either way, I just wanted my boyfriend to answer the phone.

Why was he blocking me, and why was he blaming me?

"Steven, where's Everett? Let him talk to me."

A door closing sound came through, then it went quiet. "I don't know where he is. He went out and forgot his phone."

Everett didn't bring his phone, which meant I couldn't reach him.

I closed my eyes, my heart sinking.

Looks like I'd be spending the night out here in the suburbs.

A sarcastic voice came through the phone. "Rebecca, you two really are perfect for each other."

"You're this old and still can't plan your schedule, leaving yourself stranded outside in the middle of the night."

"He goes out without his phone and doesn't give a damn about his girlfriend."

I got even more annoyed listening to this. Even if Steven is Everett's brother, he has no right to judge me and Everett like this.

"Excuse me, you're not our parents. What gives you the right to lecture me..."

Before I could finish, Steven's voice cut me off. "Where are you? I'll come get you."

How ridiculous. The person who was just lecturing me now says he'll come pick me up. I've never heard anything more contradictory.

"I don't want you to pick me up. I only want Everett to pick me up."

"Everett is my boyfriend. I don't want some other guy picking me up." I couldn't help snapping back.

After I said that, there was a brief silence on the other end, like a sigh slipping through. "Rebecca, stop being stubborn. Tell me, where are you?"

I was actually being called stubborn by this arrogant jerk for standing my ground.

I couldn't stand him. So what if he's Everett's brother? He can't keep criticizing me over and over, let alone use that condescending tone about coming to get me.

My stubbornness completely dissolved. I just felt offended. "Oh, who do you think you are? What gives you the right to boss me around? I don't want someone as arrogant as you managing me."

My phone, as if cooperating with me, shut down right after I finished that last sentence.

I stared at the black screen, my eyes starting to sting.

This is awful. It's like my phone is trying to ditch me here by myself.

The cold wind hit my face like ice water. I rubbed my arms. I was really cold.

So what if I'm alone? At least there's still one streetlight on.

I'm not completely alone—at least there's one beam of light. I'm not scared.

The weak light flickered from time to time, but it still gave me a little comfort. I crouched down closer to the light, trying to steady my emotions from this bit of brightness.

Under a streetlight not far away, three swaying figures slowly approached. "Hey, pretty thing, is a girl standing here all alone waiting for us?"

They got closer and closer, their shadows stretching long on the ground, already covering my feet.

I backed away in panic. The already unstable light went out at that moment.

I screamed and ran toward the distance.

Staying put was definitely not a good choice.

The cold wind cut across my face. I knew I had to run, and fast.

Tears slid down the corners of my eyes. Help me. Someone, please help me.

A hand pressed down hard on my shoulder. I closed my eyes in despair...