Followed by Sage

Everleigh's Point of View

"What's happening to you, Everleigh?" I heard Cassy asked me so I looked at her annoyed.

"Can you leave me alone? I badly want to be alone.” I was annoyed to answer. I saw the surprise in her eyes so it was like cold water was poured on my body because of what I had done to her.

"I'm sorry for bothering you, Everleigh. I'm just worried about you.” She uttered sadly and turned her back on me. My shoulders slumped as she completely disappeared from my sight.

"Aishhhh!" I said annoyed. What is happening to me? I'm always irritated these past few days. I'm not like this before.

I finished everything I was doing and when it was night I went home.

It's like I lifted something heavy because I feel bad. I'll probably just sleep so I will be okay. 

 The next day, as soon as my eyes opened, I quickly stood up and ran into the bathroom. I vomited. My stomach feels like it's spinning. After throwing up I felt like a wilted vegetable.

I slowly went to the kitchen and drank some water but when something happened came up in my mind, I was immediately stunned and quickly went to the mirror to look at the mark on my neck. That's how surprised I was when I saw the red mark on my neck. I quickly grabbed my stomach and held my wrist to feel my pulse. It’s beating so fast, so I looked back at the days that had passed.

Vomiting. Nit-picking in food. Always irritated.

"Am I pregnant?" I asked myself weakly and surprised. That is possible because I was marked.

I didn't think about it anymore. I washed up and went back to my room. I took my old suitcase and put my important things in it. I don't know where I am going but I have to leave this house.

It's a shame if my neighbors and my friends will know about this. I’m sorry but I need to leave immediately.

Hours passed by, I’m still walking and don’t know where to go. I’m pulling my old suitcase slowly.

“Cassy…” I don’t know but I suddenly whispered my best friend’s name. She didn’t know about this and my conscience is knocking me because to all her helps and efforts for me, I just leave her like this.

I’m just scared for everything I wasn’t ready.

I didn’t notice that I am already crying. I stopped walking and held my tummy.

What am I going to do now?

One year passed.

Everleigh is living her life. She's living in a far and small town in Parachoia with her daughter, Bella. Her daughter Bella is already one-year-old. Their life is a little bit hard but Everleigh is doing anything for her daughter. She's raising her daughter alone and it's okay with her.

"Everleigh..." I heard Keith call my name that's why I looked at him.

"Why?" I asked him. I'm carrying Bella in my arms, she's sleeping peacefully that's why I can't help smiling.

"Are you okay with your life now?" He asked carefully. I stared at him. Keith is the one who helped me, that's why I'm here in Parachioa. I looked away from him and turned my gaze to Bella. She's so beautiful. She only got my nose and the rest is on her father. I don't know but when I realized that I sighed.

"As long as Bella is with me, I'm happy with my life, Keith. She's my life…” I answered Keith. I saw joy yet I could see sadness there passing through his eyes so I immediately turned my gaze back to Bella.

Keith knows everything about me and Sage so he knows what I went through before and after I gave birth. It's so hard. Raising a child alone is not easy. I endured all the hardships because I was afraid that I might lose Bella. I love her so much even though her father and I weren't on good terms. After all, I want the best for my daughter.

“Just call me when you need anything, Everleigh… I have something to do. I’ll go back here later when I’m done.” He uttered after some minutes. I just nodded and smile at him.

“Thank you, Keith. Take care.” I answered. He smiled at me and caressed my shoulder. He also kissed Bella’s hand.

I watched him slowly disappeared from my sight before I looked again at my daughter who’s sleeping.

“I love you, Bella…” I whispered and kissed her forehead.

As the days go by, our life is still the same. I leave Bella with Keith's mom to look after her while I go to work with Keith. Keith's family took me in when Keith saw me fainting on the side of the road. They took care of me until I gave birth and after a long time they considered me as family as well as Bella.

"Don't worry about Bella, I'll take care of her. I'll call you when she needs something." Keith's Mom uttered. I immediately smiled at her and thanked her again for the second time.

"We'll go ahead, Aunt Kris." I answered. She smiled and nodded. I turned to Keith and asked him to leave. He first approached Bella and kissed her small hand. He always likes that.

We were about to go out the door when we heard a car outside. When I peeked where it came from, a black Wrangler parked in front of Keith's house. I frowned and looked at Keith. I was about to ask him but he quickly grabbed my hand and was about to pull me back into the house when I heard someone call my name.

It was like cold water was poured on me when I became familiar with the voice that called me and I was not mistaken when I saw who it was. When our eyes met, my eyes immediately watered. I don't know why but it's been a long time since we met but I can still remember when he denied me and Bella.

"Everleigh..." Sage uttered.