the sound of approaching footsteps always earned a mixed reaction from evangeline. on the one hand, an impending conversation meant measuring her every word, holding her tongue until she could be sure everything had the precise meaning she needed it to. on the other hand, it was a welcomed gesture that left her honored to take someone’s time. she’d only just finished handing out pamphlets for roses’s upcoming charity auction for the ‘lesser privileged’ families of the church when those oh-so familiar feelings were dredged up by the sound of footfall heading in her direction. a distracted gaze stayed glued on her belongings as she gathered them into her bag, preparing to head off to her next class. she spoke before she looked, guessing whoever it was had approached her about the auction. “gabriel is still handing out pamphlets if you missed them. and unfortunately i have to get to class.” once she’d slung her bag over her shoulder, however, eva’s gaze finally landed on the other person. “oh! it’s you,” brows raised in faint surprise as she put on a grin once she’d recognized her classmate. “did you, um, need something?”







