Interlinked

Vivienne

I swing the door open, heart all set in my chest, even though I already know he'll be there. The moment I see him, my body relaxes. The reaction is instantaneous and subconscious, as I'd suppose it would be when every part of me - heart, mind, body, soul - is interlinked with him. There he is, Everest Camden, the golden boy, standing there and leaning against a wall, his head tilted back casually, as though he isn't aware of the fact that sunlight practically spills out of him. 

He is aware of this actually, I used to bring it up all the time. 

Not anymore though, because lines were drawn that night by the beach, and the repercussions of breaking the rules hang over both of our heads like a death sentence. 

He's watching me watch him with a dazzling smile, "Vivienne Monroe Day." He says my name like it's a fact, not a question, and I love him for it. "Everest Hugh Camden," I toss him a scoff, because you know what - our names are equally pretentious. 

He tosses an arm around my shoulder and it feels like home. "We're going to be late," Ever tells me. "I know," I jab him in the side, "This time, it was my darling brother's fault." Ever's eyebrows raise, and I'm about to call him out on it when he hits me with, "Where is Archer anyway?" I roll my eyes. Archer just about cracked my head open this morning because he thought we were going to be late, and right as we were about to leave, he told me he'd meet me there. 

The nerve, honestly, it's ridiculous. 

But I let him be because I know he's nervous about seeing Naz after so long. "I think he's worried about Naz," I whisper to Ever conspirationally. He lets out a soft chuckle, "How astute of you to notice just now. He's been banging on about it for the past week." I cross my arms and act as though I'm not a tiny bit hurt that my brother's best friend knows more about him than me. "How am I supposed to know? Archer never tells me anything," I scowl. Ever nudges me gently, "Don't be upset about it, Viv. He couldn't tell you and you know why." 

I don't like that he knows I'm upset. Too observational, that Everest. I lift my chin up imperiously to meet his eyes, "And why is that?" Ever flashes me another one of his sunshine smiles and I'm momentarily blinded. But just for a few seconds because I'd never give him the satisfaction, of course. 

"Because you'd run and tell Naz everything the moment Archer said anything," Ever shrugs. 

I can't even be offended because I know he's right, but nevertheless I still cross my arms and shoot back some witty retort, because any excuse to talk to him, right? We talk until we reach the restaurant Naz has booked out. It's all just this random chatter, that I know neither of us will remember, but Ever looks as happy as I feel to be doing it, so it's okay. 

The moment I spot Naz, though, I slip out of Ever's grip and sprint over to her. She laughs and envelops me in a hug. I pull back and soak her presence in, as one does when they've been hugged by the Nazira Calloway. She's absolutely gorgeous - this golden brown skin and long black hair and these massive Bambi eyes. She's half Kuwaiti, half British and full beautiful. No wonder she was scouted by Reeve at 14. And she's my best friend.