Saving Everest Read online

  As if someone heard my cry for help, an angel was sent to me.

  I’m here

  My phone buzzed with a message from Everest.

  “Didn’t you ever hear that it’s rude to text while you’re on a date?”

  “Sorry—actually, that was my ride telling me that they’re here. Thank you for taking me out tonight.”

  “Wait, that’s it?” He looked surprised.

  I felt bad for how quickly I was leaving.

  “Okay, bye. Call me!” I heard him yell across the food court just as I was making my way out of it.

  When I got in the car, Everest didn’t say anything.

  “So, how was it?” he asked when we were a quarter of the way home.

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” I huffed, fighting to not let my words crash past my lips. I did not want to complain about my date, but at the same time, I did.

  “Okay,” Everest responded, like he didn’t care much to begin with.

  “He’s nice. He’s really nice and all, but I mean, he talked through the whole, entire movie. Do you know how hard it is to watch a movie while someone is talking to you? It’s impossible. When we went to get food, he ordered this double onion, garlic, and ham panini, right? But refused the mints I offered him. And don’t get me started on the fact that he called me black beauty. All I kept thinking about is the horse, Black Beauty, from a book I read years ago.”

  There was silence is the car before Everest busted out a compressed laugh. He laughed until he was red in the face. It all spilled out, like he was trying once to hold it back for a while.

  “It’s not funny.” My ears turned hot from my sudden outburst.

  He wiped his eyes with the hem of his shirt. “It kind of is.”

  His laughter filled the car once more, as if he’d thought about it again. It was if it had became uncontrollable.

  “Stop,” I said, while feeling the effects of his laugh. My stomach bubbled up with the fiercest amusement. Eventually, I joined him in the laughing fest. Being with him for just this moment was the most fun I’d had all night. It was easy being with Everest. We could be doing just about anything and I would never be bored.

  So while the sky was dark and the only light was coming from the passing buildings, Everest and I laughed like it had been just him and me hanging out that entire night.

  34

  Beverly

  There’s this omen that has been passed on for years and years that whoever attends Winter Formal with a date will fall in love. It was as if Valentine’s Day at Shady Hills Academy came early. I read somewhere once that love was the closest thing to magic, and I thought that was cool, because it meant we all had the potential to experience magic outside of movies and fairy tales. I wondered if Everest knew of this school legend when he asked me to go a couple of weeks ago. But Nami was able to secure the guys a performance at the dance, so that was most likely the reason he was going. It was a hopeless idea, but still I allowed my mind to wander.

  I stared in the mirror and glided my finger along my face. My makeup was all right enough, I supposed. I was sure my mother would have something to say about it. I could practically hear her telling me to add more color. Be bold. I could feel her fingers sticking into my hair. She’d probably want it as an messy updo rather than a mess around my head. My pale-pink dress was fitted enough, but red would’ve made me stand out.

  “Beverly, everyone is waiting for us.” Everest knocked on the door.

  I stuffed necessities in my purse in a rush and left. “Okay, let’s go. I’m ready.”

  He was wearing a typical button down and tie, and somehow they outshone formal clothing. That morning I’d woken up early—spent hours getting ready—and it was unfair how he didn’t have to do too much to look this good.

  “Oh, you both look so nice!” his mother said on our way out the door. “Not so fast, let me get a photo.”

  We stood out in the yard to pose. Everest pretended that the whole thing annoyed him, but there was a smile hidden on his face. I noticed that Everest and his mom shared the same smile as she snapped the photos with delight. We were posing as if it was prom and not just a school dance. He held my hand, back to chest, and I told myself I was imagining his heart trying to escape. Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but wonder where these photos would end up. Would I be a story she would tell her grandchildren as they flipped through albums? Or would they be deleted when I left? I couldn’t stay at Everest’s house forever.

  “Okay, Mom, that’s enough.” He put his arm around me, and I was pulled instantly from my thoughts.

  “Be safe!” she called from the porch as we drove away.

  When we arrived at the school, the theme was automatically evident: winter romance. Golds, creams, greens, and some touches of red were everywhere. The decorations were doing their job of making it feel like a winter wonderland, and left me awestruck. Everest had been to plenty of events, so he didn’t understand my interest in everything going on around me. The gym was full of unfamiliar and familiar faces. Each person I saw was dressed to impress, and with a motive of witnessing magic. This time I wasn’t all alone as everyone circled around Everest, looking for his attention. I had my own friends. Speaking of which . . .

  “There you are!” Tiffany wrapped her arm around me. Nami stood behind her with her arms crossed.

  “Oh, shut up, you arrive early to everything,” Tiffany said.

  We walked to the tables and I didn’t miss the ooohs and ahhs that fell from the lips from just about everyone who was impressed by the decor. The ceilings were high, and Christmas lights hung in the most perfect places. Nami was on the dance committee, but she’d never mentioned how gorgeous the decorations were going to be. It was far better than homecoming. Red and white roses were everywhere in the space. An array of food was on each side of the room, with fruits and cheeses among other little snacks. Beautifully sculpted ice statues made me feel as if I was in a museum. Everest, being the goof that he was, had me take a few pictures of him messing with the statues when Mikey and Aurora approached us.

  “Oh, look what we have here,” Mikey exclaimed with his arms in the air.

  Nami turned to me and sighed. “We really need to get a No Dogs sign.”

  Mikey laughed. “You know you love me.”

  “Down, cat. No need to have your claws out,” Aurora said. I couldn’t help but notice her purple hair was in glossy waves and she wore a red lip.

  We found a table, sat down, and chatted. The conversation was always so light and easy with us. Everest had to split away from my arm when it was performance time. The band was playing the dance’s first song. I thought their entire set was five numbers—a nice way for him and the guys to play but not have it take up the entire dance.

  They’d set up at the far left of the room on a small platform. I watched from my elegantly decorated table how the boys joked and laughed while getting situated on stage. Everest’s smooth voice floated through the room. His entire demeanor changed when he sang. He was usually so very calculated, but when he was on stage, he let himself become vulnerable. It was lovely and romantic.

  Lucky counted them down and they launched into a version of “What a Wonderful World.” I slow danced with the girls without taking my eyes off of him. His own eyes closed as he got really into the song. Everest could sing a song about pudding, and I would probably shed a tear. The chorus was upbeat—slow enough to show the meaning, yet still fast enough to dance to. His voice serenaded everyone in the room, and the music that came from Lucky and Lincoln was the perfect combination.

  Everest used the passion of the room to fuel his words. He meant every word he sang and everyone knew it. Everest sang like he was telling the mic all of his secrets. Every time he sang, it was like that, but today was different—maybe the dance was making him into this love song. Lincoln and Lucky bobbed their heads to the b
eat, and Mikey twirled Aurora gracefully.

  His set ended a few tunes later, and the amount of love that was in that room was enough to circle the world twice. Everest got several pats on the back as he made his way toward me.

  “I loved it,” I told him excitedly.

  “Yeah?” he said with a shy smile.

  “Yes, you were awesome.”

  “Do you hear that?” He pointed upward and his nose scrunched.

  “Hear what?”

  He grabbed my hand as the DJ started up. “Music. C’mon, dance with me.”

  And that sentence caused us to be on the dance floor for almost two hours. We danced to every single song. We danced, we danced, and we danced. We danced even if we didn’t know the song. We danced even if the song was terrible. It was the most fun I’d had since the fall festival. Everest and I were completely and totally lost in each other. About an hour into downing the cider that was being served like water, Nami informed me that it was spiked and that I should slow down. I was feeling terribly hot from all the dancing. Everest looked overheated—his tie was nowhere to be found and his button-down shirt was unbuttoned a little. He strode toward the exit and nudged his head toward the door, summoning me to follow. The room felt so muddled and my mind spun as I followed. The Christmas lights sparkled gold. Everest pulled me outside, his face giddy and a glass of cider in hand.

  “You need to slow down with the cider. It’s spiked, surprise, surprise,” I told him with a laugh, reaching for the glass.

  He nudged my hand away and took off his suit jacket, placing it on my shoulders.

  “Whatever, Mom.” He smiled before taking another sip.

  Snowflakes fell gently on his head while he smiled, and I wanted to take a picture. I wanted to doodle this moment in my notebook. I snuggled deep into his jacket; it smelled like a fight between cinnamon and alcohol.

  “Having fun?” Everest asked. His lips were dangerously close to my ear, and the warm breath sent a tide of shivers down my spine.

  He stood back up to his full height and stared down at me, awaiting my answer. His smile was righteous. Was the sky was black or blue? I couldn’t really tell. The Christmas lights sparkled—the only things keeping me from looking right at him.

  Not wanting to interrupt the scene or moment, I nodded my head softly, with the least amount of movement possible. Everest looked so pure; he looked as if he transcended the stars. And when his smile reached his eyes, I wondered what I’d done to deserve this. To deserve the pleasure of meeting him. Of knowing him.

  “You look really nice,” he said suddenly, and I froze. He’d never said I looked nice before, and him giving me a compliment affected me more than I thought it would.

  “Shut up.” I laughed in disbelief, realizing that he probably was joking. That maybe he didn’t mean to say that. I never thought he would ever say such a thing.

  “You don’t think you look nice?” He moved closer, his breath coming out in puffs of white.

  I looked away.

  “Well, you don’t,” he said, laughing. I quickly looked at him, and instantly felt hurt. I knew he wouldn’t ever look at me like that. He was drunk—he probably wouldn’t remember what he’d said tomorrow. I began to pull off his suit coat to head back inside, before he grabbed my arm.

  “You look beautiful,” he said, searching my eyes with a breathtaking smile.

  I stood shocked and unsure of how to react. His words knocked the air out of my lungs. Those three words did the weirdest thing to my heart. Heat rushed up the side of my neck and I just stood there.

  “What would you do if I kissed you?” Suddenly his grip on me shot tingles up my arm. “Would that be okay?” he whispered and took a step closer. My external self stayed still but my heart tried to leave my chest.

  I thought about this moment, and how I knew he would probably forget it. But I wouldn’t, I would never forget this. If I let this kiss happen, I would be the only one to remember it, and for the first time in my life I selfishly didn’t care. There was always a secret part of me that was enamored with Everest. Every part of me wanted him. And although these were new emotions, it didn’t feel like it. I should have realized it all along—what I felt for him, how much I cared about him.

  Our breath mingled like clouds in the cold December air. The sky was dark and filled with stars. This was too perfect. How could I reject this moment? It was almost as if this was supposed to happen.

  I grabbed his dress shirt and pulled his lips to mine. Piece to piece, we were a puzzle, fitting perfectly. I felt it. I felt everything. My fingers were no longer numb as my entire body ignited in a sparkling flame. He tasted of cider, and I was drunk. My mind couldn’t form thoughts as he gripped my cheek, bringing us closer. His kiss was a paradox. It was urgent but slow; rushed but careful. His tongue gently traced my bottom lip, sending jolts of impulses through my body.

  His eyes were still closed, and I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.

  “Do you know how long I’ve wanted to do that?” His eyes glittered.

  I floated completely out of orbit. I wanted to feel his lips on mine again, again, and again. Because kissing Everest was the closest thing to magic.

  So I kissed him again.

  35

  Everest

  Confession: I’m so sick . . .

  By the time the night after the dance came around, the coughing started. And that annoying little thing happened when one of my nostrils would be stuffed and the other would be clear. I was so sick, man. I didn’t even know where it could have come from. For the following few days, I was a vegetable. I stayed in bed buried in sickness, and didn’t think about anything. All I did was sleep. My throat was all kinds of sore. My eyelids felt too heavy to be on my face. My nose leaked out of both holes. My body ached and pulsed. My lips felt Sahara-desert dry, but I was too weak to do anything about it. I felt terrible.

  Miranda, my mom, and Hadley all took turns tending to me. Usually, when I was sick, I dealt with it by myself. Most people wouldn’t even guess that I was sick because I’d try my best to cover it up. So I wasn’t exactly used to the treatment that I was getting. Miranda fixed my pillows, heated up tea, and brought this Antarctica-type water that was just the best thing on planet Earth. Hadley showed me pictures of the Christmas decorations around the house because I hadn’t had the chance to see them. She was so happy to show me everything and just be around me. She was in my room the most, just watching movies or reading. I enjoyed her company more than I thought I would.

  Sleep, sleep, and more sleep. I would wake up and it would be a new day. On the third day of me being sick, and probably the hundredth time where I woke up randomly, it was Christmas morning. My mom and Miranda helped me down the stairs so I could watch Hadley open up her gifts. It felt so good not to be in bed anymore. My bones felt like they were made out of popsicle sticks, and I felt grimy despite taking a shower the night before. But my overall mood was good. I so desperately wanted to pull Beverly aside during the opening of gifts so we could talk about Winter Formal, but she wasn’t meeting my eye. The tree had so many presents underneath it that I figured the presents were being used as a stand to keep the tree up.

  Hadley received dancing gear, clothes, a vintage pink bike and some other things that I couldn’t remember. Luckily, I’d got my sister a care package stuffed with her favorite things before I got sick: chocolate-covered pretzels, a gift card to a local pizza place, Disney movies, and a gold necklace in the shape of a flower. My parents got me some expensive preppy clothing, like what I used to wear before, and a watch that probably cost more than my car. I kind of fell asleep at one point during the gift opening, and when I finally woke up, I was in my bed. I rolled over to switch positions and that was when I saw her. When did she come up?

  Beverly was asleep with a box of tissues, vapor rub, and a blanket wrapped around her in the chair beside my bed. He
r hair was frizzy underneath a knitted gray beanie, and her nose and cheeks were tinged a orangey pinkish color. She wore a red sweater and gray sweatpants with bright-yellow fuzzy socks.

  “Oh, you’re up. I was just bringing some tea for the both of you. Whatever you have, she has it too,” my mother sighed sweetly. “Beverly, honey, I have some toast and tea for you.” She spoke softly, and placed the tray on my nightstand with the rest of the supplies.

  Beverly’s dark-brown eyes fluttered opened slowly. “Thank you,” she replied, her voice hoarse but sweet.

  “Merry Christmas.” I smiled, genuinely happy to see her, and despite the elephant in the room.

  She looked at me and had that familiar softness in her eyes. “M—”—she broke into a coughing fit—“—erry.” Then the series of sneezes began. “Christma—” She weakly held up a finger as she blew her nose.

  I laughed before coughing myself.

  “At least you two sick puppies have each other,” my mother said with a shake of her head before leaving.

  Beverly moved to sit up in the recliner, looking uncomfortable. At the sight of that, I lifted my covers and gestured to the space beside me. I didn’t even have to say anything before she slowly worked her way out of the chair and into my bed. Even though I had just woken up, we both fell asleep after that. Her being close to me made me feel better.

  I noticed when I woke back up that at some point we’d separated, probably because it got too hot. Her hat was no longer on her head, and she’d changed out of her sweater, which left her in a tank top. It was strange to have her so close again.

  When my lips touched hers at the dance, it felt like anything was possible. For a moment, it gave me the courage to believe I deserved to be happy, and I knew for that moment, everything was going to be okay.

  “I know you’re awake,” she said in a nasally voice. And even though her back was to me, I knew her eyes were closed.