Evelyn was exhausted. Her swimming coach was making her practice to the bone. A state-level swimming competition was due in a month, and her coach had a very hectic schedule planned for her.
After her practice, Evelyn meets Triston at the canteen as planned. Evelyn scrunched her face looking at Triston as he had a bruise on his cheek and a cut on his lips. "You got bullied again?"
Triston nodded and entered the cafe, avoiding looking at Evelyn, but she would not let it go so easily.
" Why don't you fight back?"
" I can't," Triston says softly. " I have got used to it by now."
Precisely at that time, a girl from Candice and Madison's gang pushed Evelyn and mouthed the word " Losers."
Evelyn wanted to retaliate, but Triston stopped her and said sadly, " They are bullying you because you hang out with me."
" I don't care, Triston. I am not going to leave my friend because of some petty bullies."
Triston felt butterflies in his stomach. Hearing Evelyn wouldn't leave him; he had a warm feeling in his heart. His thoughts are interrupted by Evelyn when she asks," Are you free in the evening?"
"Yes, Why?"
" I think you should train with me."
" What for?"
" Martial Arts."
" What?" Triston was shocked. " I-I can't do Martial Arts."
" Why not?"
"I am not cut out for these things."
"That's a lame excuse. Anyone who puts their mind to it can learn."
" But..."
" Please, can't you do it for your friend?" Evelyn requests. " My trainer is a very good person, and even I will be there with you."
When Evelyn asked Triston with puppy eyes, he couldn't say no and reluctantly agreed.
So as decided, after their classes, Triston and Evelyn left to go to the Martial Arts Training Academy.
Evelyn introduced Triston to James. " He's the guy who was being bullied, " Evelyn whispered, and James looked surprised.
" But he looks so tall and strong," James remarked.
Evelyn shrugged, and James gazed at Triston, who was fidgeting in his spot. " So, you want to join?"
Triston didn't reply, so Evelyn said, " Yes, he sure will."
" You forced him to come here?" James asked Evelyn.
" No, I didn't... Did I?" Evelyn looked at Triston, raising her brow.
" N-No... She d-didn't," Triston stuttered.
" Come on, James. Can't you see he is intimidated by you?" Evelyn remarked.
James smiled at Triston and patted him on his back. " You don't have to be nervous, young man. I won't bite you."
James took Triston along with him to discuss the joining procedures, and Josh approached Evelyn. " Who's that guy?"
" He's my friend at the college."
" Why did you get him here?" Josh asked, looking a bit pissed.
" He gets bullied a lot, so I wanted him to stand for himself."
" Why do you care?"
" He's my friend, Josh."
" I don't like him."
" You don't like any boy I am friends with."
" That's right. You are my friend, " Josh says possessively.
" You will always be my best friend, " Evelyn says, holding Josh's arm. " But Triston is my friend too."
" You can't trust boys."
" You are a boy too, " Evelyn pouts.
" I am a good boy. I care for you, " Josh said.
" I know Josh, and I care for you too." She hugged Josh and said, " Triston is a good guy. There's nothing to worry about."
Josh snorts, and Evelyn says, " You try to be his friend; you will know."
" You are my friend. I don't need any other friend."
" But I will be happy if you two get along. Why don't you help Triston with his training?" Evelyn suggests.
" Why should I?"
" Because James is always busy with all the students, and you are the best here."
Josh didn't reply just stood there, giving her a blank look. " Please, Josh. You don't speak to anyone else. Triston is not like those other guys you hate."
Josh still didn't agree, so Evelyn tried to bargain. " If you help him, I will join you for your counseling sessions."
" Will you?"
" Yes."
" But you hate hospitals."
" I don't like the smell, but I will come with you. That way, even Rachel will have some free time."
" Okay."
" Means you agree to train him?"
" If you come with me to the hospital."
Evelyn jumped up in joy and hugged Josh again. " Thank you so much. Please be easy on Triston."
" Why?"
" He's very sensitive."
Josh scowls and leaves to see the new boy.
As soon as Evelyn and Triston left the Martial Arts Academy to go home, Evelyn got a call from a cafe where she had applied for a part-time waitress job. After finishing the call, Evelyn looked a little sad, so Triston asked, " Are you upset about something?"
" I applied for a waitress job, but they wanted me to do the morning shift, and I had to say no because of my classes. Now I have to apply elsewhere."
" Why do you need a job? You are on scholarship, right?"
" There are other expenses plus the rent."
" You stay with your friend, right?"
" Yes, and she is willing to pay the rent in full, but I don't want to burden her."
" I-I can help you if you..."
" I don't want to burden my friends. That applies to you too, Triston."
"But..."
" Please, Triston. I want to do this on my own."
Triston was quiet for some time and then said, " In that case, I can help you get a job."
Evelyn was excited. " How's that?"
" I know a place where you can work. I will take you there tomorrow."
The next day, Triston takes Evelyn to Reese's restaurant. He introduces her to them and asks to give her a job.
Triston had already informed Reese everything about Evelyn, how she helped him with the bullies and how they became friends. Reese was delighted that Triston finally had a friend, so he hired Evelyn without even a second thought.
As days passed, Triston and Evelyn's friendship developed. They were almost together the entire day. In the morning, they both practiced together in The Martial arts school. In college, Evelyn was stuck to Triston like glue, and after college, Triston joined Evelyn for her work at Reese's restaurant. While Evelyn was busy with her shift, Triston worked on his hacking job on the laptop.
Needless to say, Triston had fallen hard for Evelyn. Reese observed the way he looked at Evelyn and spoke to him. "Why don't you tell her?"
" Tell her what?" Triston asked, blushing that he was caught staring.
" That you like her."
Triston looked flustered. "H-How did you know?"
" The way you look at her... anybody could guess that."
" B-But I-I don't deserve her," Triston said sadly.
" Why do you say that?" Reese asked, surprised.
" She is so beautiful, strong and independent and me..? I am nothing but a loser," Triston remarked.
" Why do you think so negatively about yourself," Resse asked, annoyed.
" Because I am pathetic."
" You are not, Triston, and even Evelyn thinks so; that's why she is your friend."
" But..."
" No buts Triston. After so many years, you have got a chance at happiness, and I hope you will take it. Promise me you will try."
" I-I can't, Reese. How will I...?"
" I will help you. I have a bit of experience in this field, " Reese smirked.
During her days working at the restaurant, Evelyn had gotten close to Reese's wife, Samantha. Samantha told her everything about Triston and his family. How his parents died and how his Uncle's family treated him.
Evelyn felt her heart break when she heard that Triston had been abused since the age of six. No wonder he never fought back. She couldn't imagine the pain he must have felt for so many years. How did he manage to survive it all alone? She thought she was strong, but Triston was way stronger than her. He just didn't realize it.
After learning about Triston, Evelyn's admiration towards him had increased tenfold. She wanted to help him get out of his Uncle's family's clutches, but she didn't know how she would do that. How would she remove the years of fear that was instilled in Triston's mind, body, and soul?