Summer Forever

02.

Last Year

I sat on my bedroom floor, a blanket thrown over my shoulders and my phone propped against the screen of my laptop.

Everett's face flashed up at me from my phone. I could hear his gym's music faintly in the background. He was walking on the treadmill, his body shifting with every step he took. His face glowed with sweat, and it was hard to tear my eyes away from him to focus on my practice papers.

"So, explain to me again," Everett said, his breathing heavy. "You graduate in September, and then you have your final exams?"

"Exactly."

"Why?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. That's just how it works here."

"But that's not really a graduation then. I mean, you can't even celebrate 'cause you know you're not officially done."

"It's not really a celebration unless you're here anyway."

Everett frowned. Or at least he seemed to frown. It was hard to make out based on the pixelation of the screen.

"Isla, you're allowed to have fun when I'm not there," he said.

I sighed, dropping my pen and picking up my phone to hold closer to my face. "I know. It's just, it's not as fun when you're not around."

It was true. Since he'd left for New York again back at the start of the year, it was like something was always missing. No matter how many jokes Connor cracked, or how many beach trips I made with Sky; nothing seemed to fill that gap like Everett did.

It was like he'd barged his way into Shellside Bay and formed a permanent Everett-shaped hole in my life. And now that he was back half-way across the world, that hole was more obvious than ever.

"Isla," he sighed my name. He'd stopped moving, pausing the treadmill to chide me through video call.

"I know," I said quickly. I didn't want our call to be spoiled by this. It already spoiled most of our relationship, but I wouldn't let it have this much power over us. We could have a conversation without the distance ruining it all. I was determined. "I know. I think exams are just getting to me. How's university prep going?"

"College?" he corrected with a smile. "Good. I've got my things mostly ready. My room mate sounds nice. I don't know. I hope he's nice."

"It's so weird that you're going to be sharing a room with a complete stranger."

"You're going to be sharing a place with River," he pointed out. "In less than a year."

"He's not a stranger." I paused. Laughed. "Actually, yeah, no. I take that back. You're right."

I sighed, leaning back against my bed. Thinking about the future—about next year—it was like looking into the abyss. I didn't know what to expect. It caused a kind of sinking feeling in my stomach, the idea of an unknown future.

It was terrifying.

Growing up.

Leaving.

But it would be more terrifying to stay.

I only wished Everett could be with me.

"Maybe you could come here to study," I blurted. "Like, on an exchange?"

Everett was quiet for a long time. Eventually, I glanced at the screen. He smiled at me then, looking away momentarily.

"Yeah," he muttered. "Maybe."