All Your Life

Evelyn stepped up to the microphone and even though it was a big audience, she was not nervous.

“Hello, the song I will be singing tonight is called ‘All Your Life’ (by The Band Perry) and I want to dedicate it to my best friend, Ryder. He’s always been there for me and I’m so grateful to have him in my life.” Evelyn began playing her guitar, before the lyrics flowed.

“Would you walk to the edge of the ocean
Just to fill my jar with sand
Just in case I get the notion
To let it run through my hand
Let it run through my hand

Well I don’t want the whole world
The sun, the moon, and all their light
I just want to be the only girl
You love all your life
You love all your life”

Evelyn saw Ryder standing by the end of the stage, but she could not tell what his expression was. Whether it was good or bad, she continued to sing her heart out.

“Would you catch a couple thousand fireflies? Yeah
Put ‘em in a lamp to light my world
All dressed up in a tux and bow tie
Hand delivered to a lonely girl
To a lonely, lonely girl

Well, I don’t want the whole world
The sun, the moon, and all their light
I just want to be the only girl
You love all your life
You love all your life

Lately I’ve been writhing desperate love songs
I mostly sing them to the wall
Your could be the centerpiece of my obsession
If you would notice me at all

I don’t want the whole world, no
The sun, the moon, and all their light
I just want to be the only girl
You love all your life
You love all your life
You love all your life, life, yeah.”

Evelyn’s song had ended with thunderous applause. Everyone in the audience stood. They loved her singing. Evelyn even saw her mother wiping tears away with a smile on her face.

“Thank you.” Walking off stage, Evelyn noticed that Ryder was not standing by the stage and began to get upset. The thoughts running through her head were he hated my song, he does not like me the same way, and now I ruined our friendship. She continued walking not letting the smile wash away from her face, no matter what she felt.

Evelyn barely made it down the stage steps before being pulled into a hug.

“You did great up there Eve.” It was Ryder, he did not leave after all, and now here he stood with her in his arms.

“You really think so?” Evelyn could not believe what was happening. Did he really feel the same way?

“Yes, and I’m glad that you dedicated it to me. Is what you sung true? Do you really feel that way?” Ryder pulled away to look in Evelyn’s eyes, now holding her hands.

“Yes, I never spoke up because I did not want to ruin our friendship.” Evelyn was on the brink of tears.

“You could never ruin our friendship Evelyn. I wish I had gone up on stage to sing to you as you did for me. You are my best friend, Evelyn, and I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime.” Ryder was the one to get nervous this time.

“Of course I would.” Evelyn wrapped her arms around Ryder with her head resting on his shoulder; he finally noticed.

~~~~~~

Evelyn Harris stood on the beach watching the sun set as usual, but this time she did not stand alone. Ryder Martin stood with her, holding her hand as the water made their feet sink into the warm sand. She never had to stand alone again and the jar of sand in her room would never empty. Ryder would make sure to fill her jar with sand, whenever it ran low, for she was the only girl he’d love all his life.