Saving Everest Read online

  —a text sent at 11:41 p.m.

  42

  May

  I see you’re doing really well for yourself. I’m so proud of you and the guys. You’re calling yourselves Brisklin Street now. That’s really cool. I miss you. Just calling to tell you that I graduate a week from today. I know you said you couldn’t make it but hopefully the universe brings us back together again.

  —missed call; voice mail.

  43

  Beverly

  When the sun came through the window and randomly lightened the whole room, I always adored it. I could be anywhere—classroom, bedroom, library—and the sun would just brighten the room, and I would feel peace. That was until Nami threw a pillow at me. “Wake up! We’re graduating today.”

  I rolled over into the couch. “Not until five.” It was no later than eight in the morning.

  “There are preparations to be made, Beverly.” She exuded flamboyancy. “You know this.”

  “I’m up, I’m up.” We had to decorate for Nami’s graduation party. She was adamant that it be finished before we got ready. I didn’t mind. It was the least I could do since her family took me in. When we got to the school, it felt like an alternate universe. The halls were filled with exuberant students. The principal led us single file out onto the football field.

  I’d dreamed of this, and yet I didn’t feel prepared. I stood in line full of jitters. The stands were full of families. I looked up but didn’t see anyone that would be here for me. As I took my designated seat on one of the many chairs on the football field, I saw Mikey, sitting closer to the front, waving violently to get my attention. I couldn’t help but laugh. I was in that chair for what seemed like forever, the June afternoon sinking my legs into my seat. When my row got called up to the stage, I felt important. Taking deep breaths so I wouldn’t pass out from all the attention calmed my nerves. I passed the stands and Aunt Macy jumped out to take a quick photo.

  Beverly Davis

  My ears crackled and my skin was prickled in goose bumps as I accepted my diploma. The principal shook my hand and for the first time I felt like all eyes truly were on me. I wasn’t invisible anymore, and perhaps I never had been. After the final speech, suddenly all the caps were in the air. The sky was so blue. I looked at my peers, faces I’d probably never see again. There were tears that I never accounted for. Suddenly, there were arms are around me, and I was surrounded by the people I’d grown close to these past months, and it was sad to think that it was over.

  Tiffany grabbed my cheeks. “Stop crying.”

  I tried but somehow the words fueled more of them.

  “Aw, Beverly,” I heard Nami say. “I’m so glad that I met you, and I’m angry we weren’t friends sooner. I guess we just have forever to make up for it.” I laughed and wiped my tears.

  Hugging the two of them harder, I said, “I love you guys.”

  “We love you, too, Bevy-boo,” they said as if on cue.

  “Care if I interrupt?” I managed to hear above all the commotion. Of all the people in the world, she was who I wanted to see here. My mother opened her mouth to speak, but I just wrapped my arms around her instead. I’d dreamed of this happening. I’d waited for this day. In her arms, in that moment, I couldn’t remember why I was mad. Her body grew limp for a moment before she held me tight. She held me like she was afraid it was the last time; I’d missed her smell. I could have cried again, but I didn’t.

  “I’m sorry, Beverly.” She stroked my hair. “I’m so sorry.”

  I pulled back and wiped her tears. “I know.”

  “Beverly!” Manny and Hadley pulled my attention away from my mom.

  “We’ll talk later.” She nodded in understanding and winked. “At home.”

  “Okay,” I said instantly, smiling from her words. It was time. It had been time. I had a summer to spend with my mom before I left for college.

  I walked over to my two favorite eleven-year-olds and met them in a hug. Hadley handed me flowers that her family got for me. They were extravagant but beautiful. The note read “You are the sun.” I cried again and I hugged so many people from then on. Just like that, high school didn’t matter now. That chapter of life was over and everyone knew it, but we had memories that would always be with us. I was so incredibly thankful for the people I’d met and the memories we’d made. For the friendships that would never die and that I would cherish for the rest of my life. I would continue to be fearless and continue making life experiences because I’d gained so much just from doing it for one year.

  My eyes moved past the football field and the setting sun until they stumbled on Lucky and Lincoln standing a few feet away from me. My chest clenched as we made eye contact, and I just knew. I knew with everything in me that he was here. I looked around, making a full circle. Blood rushed to my cheeks and my heart skipped. I felt like I was dreaming but I knew that I wasn’t. “Hey, Bev.”

  My earth shattered. I felt like I might float away. I had so many things that I could have said: I’m sorry I pushed you away. How’s the tour? Did you miss me? You look good. Why are you here? I’m sorry for being stupid. I missed you every day. I’m so proud of you.

  Instead I smiled. “Hey, Ev.”

  THE END

  Acknowledgments

  The manifestation of this book you possess would not have been possible without the belief, determination, and support of all the fans who have been on this journey with me since the beginning, as well as the many people involved in its evolution. I wish I could list them all, but I suppose this will suffice for now. This couldn’t have been possible without Deanna McFadden, the best editor I could have asked for. Thank you for the endless revisions and requests that sucked the life out of us both but ultimately shaped something quite beautiful. Thank you for not only your patience but your passion. Whenever I felt like I couldn’t, you told me I could. Special thanks to Alysha D’Souza—I will never forget the kindness and everlasting support. And to the many others at Wattpad HQ who worked hard on the preparation of this book.

  Dejah, Italy McClurkin, C. M., Summer Jones, Mignon, Lynn Mcmeans, Royal McClurkin, Kyceen Ragland, my high school French teacher, whose class I used as a writing workshop rather than studying my adjectives. My fifth grade teacher, who was rude as heck but pushed me to prove myself through literature, and lastly, Ty and Keith, for creating me. We truly have them to thank, I guess.

  About the Author

  Sky Chase is a young author who grew up in the vibrant city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She’s been telling stories since before she could read, but when she joined Wattpad, she found a safe place to create and a platform on which she could advocate for mental health. When Sky’s not writing, she can be found counting the constellations from her window, scribbling song lyrics on napkins, and visiting her local animal shelter. Saving Everest is her first novel.

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2019 Sky McClurkin. All rights reserved.

  Published in Canada by Wattpad Books, a division of Wattpad Corp.

  36 Wellington Street E., Toronto, ON M5E 1C7

  www.wattpad.com

  No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the express written permission of the copyright holders.

  First Wattpad Books edition: October 2019

  ISBN 978-0-99368-992-5 (Hardcover edition)

  ISBN 978-1-98936-500-7 (eBook edition)

  Names, characters, places, and incidents featured in this publication are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events, institutions, or locales, without satiric intent, is coincidental.

  Wattpad, Wattpad Books, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Wattpad Corp. All rights reserved.

  Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication inform
ation is available upon request.

  Cover designed by Michelle Wong

  Images © igor_kell

  About the Publisher

  About Wattpad Books

  Wattpad Books, a division of Wattpad, is the leader in data-backed publishing. Leveraging billions of daily insights from Wattpad’s global community of 80 million book lovers, Wattpad Books combines the best of art and science, using human expertise and story DNA machine learning technology to identify the trends, voices, and stories that are the future of publishing. By elevating the stories of diverse communities around the world, Wattpad Books is creating new space for writers and fans of every genre.

  Wattpad Books

  A division of Wattpad Corp.

  36 Wellington St. E.

  Toronto, ON M5E1C7

  www.wattpad.com