music sounds better with you | tils

summertime
and the living's easy
before lunch

No one had followed him, no one was around. Evan preferred it that way. For someone who basked in his own reputation, that being a smartass who was also a dumbass, though most just knew him as a lazy, entitled, flirtatious douchebag, being able to find moments to actually be vulnerable and satiate his inner child were few and far between. If he wasn't going to be successful, if he wasn't going to be a hero, then he'd make his notoriety by whatever means possible. That's how most people knew him; only a few could find the depths or see what existed when the mask slipped.

He'd received the kite he now held beneath his arm three days ago. Normally, he would have flown it that instance, but hiding the thing proved to take priority and slow down his ability to make room for enjoying it. The negative forces in his mind reminded him that kites were for children, that it was both child-like and off-putting for someone his age to be relishing in. For most things, that would have been enough to turn him off from finding any enjoyment.

And yet, once he'd found his chance, he leapt to his feet and rushed out the door of his dorm with the kite hidden in a knapsack. Carrying it delicately and ignoring the few recognizable faces that would likely wonder what the hell he was doing, his pace was hurried enough to leave them all behind. It wasn't until he hit the sweeping winds that he knew he was in the right place, the perfect location to test out the new design he'd crafted.

The kite itself wasn't the usual diamond-shape. It had curves, making it appear like a circle had flattened on top of the diamond. It also had a tail, and he'd painted it bright yellow at its core and orange at the sticking ends. He was rightly proud of his efforts and, as he took it out and began to unravel the string, he started mathing out in his head how much time he could dedicate before risking someone else showing up.

Which ended up being no time at all.

Everything about this summer had been boring. It seemed that everyone was paired off, having fun in their groups, except Tilly. Sure, she hung out with Benji, Rae, Alice and Ever here and there, but she was always the third wheel. It was never more obvious how alone she was, then when she was in the presence of a couple.

Grabbing her journal, Tilly left the dorm with her canvas bag slung over her shoulder and set off towards the meadow. It was a quiet place where she could typically lose herself in reading, writing or studying the flowers scattered throughout the area. She walked with purposes, not making eye contact or saying hi to those she saw on the paths between sections of the Facility. She wanted to be alone, which was easier if she didn’t acknowledge those around her.

It was a beautiful summer day. The sun was high, shining down brightly over the grounds.Big fluffy white clouds moving slowly across the blue sky. There was a light breeze that ruffled her long red hair, flipping it into her face as she walked. She had picked a simple light green sleeveless dress that hit at the knee, putting her scar on full display. A sweater in her bag, just in case there was a chill later. There was no way to tell how long she would be out, if she was left alone, it could be hours.

Just over a small hill there was a tree that hid her from the casual observers hanging out in the meadow. Heading in that direction, Tilly stopped suddenly when she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Who she saw was a shock, not surprised to see him, but to see him alone and with a kite was interesting.

Deciding to postpone her seclusion for a little while, Tilly changed direction and headed over to Evan. Thankfully, he was at least one person she didn’t mind seeing. Sure, he was her Ex, but she still saw him as a friend. Their relationship had been short. Young love and all that, but in those few short months Tilly had learned a lot about Evan, and valued him as a good friend even years later.

“Fancy meeting you out here all alone,” she said with a smile. “Are you avoiding people like me? Or did you just come out here for some peace and quiet?” It was then that she noticed the object in his hands. A kite? Interesting.

“That’s a nice kite, did you find it or is it yours?”