Fly: A PORTAL Chronicles Novel (The PORTAL Chronicles) (13 page)

Limping back into the living room, I found Everett moving furniture. He’d already shoved my coffee table aside and now pushed a chair to face the couch. Sitting in the chair, he placed a pillow on his lap.

“Sit,” he said, patting the couch in front of him. I obeyed and he reached for my ankle, gently placing it on the pillow.

Just friends! Just friends! Just friends,
I chanted, watching him roll back the leg of my pants to my knee. A shivered as he ran his fingers over my leg.

“Sorry. Are my hands cold?” he asked. He rubbed them together before touching my leg again. “Better?” I nodded even though my shiver hadn’t been caused by cold hands. Taking the bandage, he bit his lip as he gently wrapped my knee, placed a cold pack on it, and secured the pack with another bandage.

“You’ve done this before.”

Everett chuckled. “Yeah, I’ve had my share of sprains. That should do it,” he said, fastening the bandage. “So what now? We have a good hour before lunch.”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “We could talk.”

He smiled. Something about the way he looked at me made my stomach flip.

Just friends. Just friends. Just friends.

“About what?” he asked.

“About you,” I said, reasoning that getting to know him might give me a better chance at figuring him out. “I’ve told you all about myself, but I know nothing about you.”

The smile vanished from his lips. “That’s because there’s not much to tell. My parents are benefactors and alumni of Brightman Academy, explaining why I’ve attended for the past two years. That’s about it.”

“I’m sure there’s more to you than that.”

“Nope.”

“Then tell me more about your family.”

“Okay,” he stared at the wall above my head as if deep in thought. “How about this for an interesting fact? My family works for an underground organization that’s goal is to save the world.”

“Everett!” I said, a bit disgusted he was making a joke of this. “I’m being serious.”

“I don't like to talk about myself. In fact, I try to avoid it.”

“Then how do you expect us to get to know each other?”

“I don’t.”

I looked at him, perplexed and hurt by the wall he’d suddenly put up. His body language reflected it too, his arms now folded over his chest. “So, you’ve asked me a million questions about myself over the past couple days because you
don’t
want to get to know me.”

The look on his face showed he understood how ridiculous it sounded. “I guess I have trust issues. Why are you so interested?” he asked, defensively.

I was aghast at how this conversation was quickly slipping from my control. Not knowing how to stop it or jump ship, I could only brace myself as we barreled into the inevitable iceberg.

“Do I honestly need to justify it?” I asked. Everett stared at me, making it clear I did. I didn’t know how to put it in words.
Because I’m slightly obsessed with you. Because it feels like you get me better than anyone ever has. Because I feel closer to you and like you way more than I should after only two days. Because I want to be more than friends but can’t if you don’t let me in.
Feeling it too soon to divulge the truth, I settled for a watered-down version, simply saying, “Because I care. Because I like you and want to be your friend.”

“Friends don’t sit around and grill each other. You spend time with people and get to know them slowly and eventually.”

Perplexed at how Everett could still be defensive after I said something so nice, I too grew angry. “You grilled me the past few days.”

“That’s… different.”

I sighed, agitated. I couldn’t believe how insensitive Everett was being. “Fine. Let’s not talk at all. We’ll pass the hour staring at each other in silence.”

He watched me for a moment before saying, “What do you want to know?”

I wanted to stay mad but was more curious than prideful. I decided it best to ease into things. “Tell me about your dad. Nurse Pennycoat mentioned he’s a doctor.”

“Yup. He recently cut back his hours because he’s also an inventor and thinks he’s about to discover some huge scientific breakthrough. He spends most of his time in his garage anymore, so I don’t see him much,” he rambled, his voice monotone.

“And your mom?”

“She’s a homemaker and a really good cook.” He paused. “I don’t know what else to tell you about her.”

“Do you have any pets?”

“Kind of.”

“How can you kind of have a pet?”

He sighed. “I have a dog named Scarlett.”

“I love dogs! What kind?”

“I dunno. Some rare breed. Mom got her when she lived in Europe.”

“If your mom got her, then why is she your dog?”

“Because—” He paused, seeming flustered. “I dunno. She likes me best.”

“And you have a brother?”

He noticeably darkened. “No.”

“Then who is the Benjamin guy Hagen keeps harping on? You said he was your brother.”

The look on Everett’s face made it clear that I’d said something wrong. “I knew that’s what this was about!” he exploded. “So you heard one of those ridiculous rumors and wanted to know if it was true, right? I can’t believe this. I expected this from them, but never from you.”

“Huh?” I had no idea what he was talking about. “What rumors?”

“R.I.C.E. stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation,” Everett spouted. “The only thing you’re missing is rest, so I’ll leave you to it.”

“What?” I reeled. “Wait! I don’t want you to go,” I blurted. “I thought we were going to hang out.”

“If you haven’t noticed, I’m not exactly a big fan of playing Twenty Questions,” he said.

“I’m sorry if I offended you, but I was just trying to get to know you. I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He dismissed my remark with a sarcastic “whatever” before folding his arms like a defiant child and staring at the floor, refusing to meet my gaze.

His rejection stung more than I liked. I was done playing games and putting up with the many moods of Everett. It was exhausting — especially after the day I’d had. Finding the need to hurt him back, I shouted, “Fine then. Go! I’m already having a crappy day, and the last thing I need is your mood swings or guilt trips. So go on. If you intended to push me away, then congrats, you’ve succeeded.” My eyes narrowed as I released my final poisonous barb. “I wanted to have lunch with you, but I guess I can eat with Hagen instead.”

The look on Everett’s face was priceless — comical even. He leaned forward, practically spitting at me, “What!?! What do you see in him?”

“Hagen might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but at least I know what to expect with him.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that maybe we shouldn’t hang out anymore until you figure out what you want. One second you’re flirting with me and leading me on, and the next you’re yelling at me like you hate me.”

“Leading you on?” He seethed in his chair a moment before propelling to his feet, sending my foot crashing to the floor from his lap.

“Ouch!” I exclaimed as my heel struck the ground. I cradled my wounded knee as it throbbed, glaring at Everett.

He looked sorry for only a moment before anger overtook his features again. “Have fun at lunch with your boy toy. I’m out.” He started for the door.

Not wanting him to leave, I said the first thing that came to mind,
“Boy. Friend.”

It did the trick. Everett stopped and spun around. “What?”

I stood, even though I knew it would be excruciating. Anything to feel more powerful. “Boyfriend,” I repeated. “Hagen is my boyfriend.”

A silly hurt look came over Everett, revealing that he cared more than I thought after all. I waited for him to say something — anything. The longer he stood there looking like a wounded dog, the more awful I felt. I wanted to hurt him, but hadn’t expected feeling so crummy upon achieving it.

“What? No more rude comments or unwarranted opinions?” I spewed.

He quickly walked back to me, and for a moment, the fantasy of him grabbing and boldly kissing me flitted through my mind, but stopping short of me, he did no such thing.

“I’m sorry, Sophie,” he quietly said. “You’re right. I’m confused. I don’t know what I want. I didn’t mean to shut you out. It’s just that—” He paused, agony playing out on his face.

Something told me to stop pushing, to give his emotions time to breath and blossom, but I couldn’t let it go. “It’s just that what?” I coaxed.

“I’ve been through a lot with my family this year. Something awful happened to my brother, Benjamin, but I’m not ready to talk about it yet… with anyone. I need you to respect that.”

“Okay.”

“And I also need you to promise me you won’t see Hagen.”

I was flabbergasted. “Here I think we’re making progress and then you—. Are you serious? Friend or not, you have no right to make demands like that.”

“Then not,” he whispered.

“What?”

“Then we’re not friends. I can’t be friends with someone who doesn’t trust me.”

“And where does you trusting me come into play?” I asked.

He knew I had him there. “I’ll trust you with this little gem: There’s something terribly wrong with Hagen. I can’t put my finger it, but as soon as I figure it out, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes.

“I can’t be your friend because… I care about you, too, Sophie, and I can’t just hang around and watch you do something so stupid — so childish — as dating that lunatic! You’re smarter than this. That’s what I don’t get. It kills me that you’re so freaking brilliant, yet you don’t get that Hagen is trouble.”

I didn’t know whether to be flattered or offended. “Are you done?” I cut in.

“I’ve warned you, so yes. I’m done… with this — whatever
this
is. I gave it a try, but I can’t do it.”

“There’s nothing to do. It’s not your job to protect me or determine who I can hang out with. I need a friend — not a dad or a stupid babysitter.”

“Then I’m glad not being friends is mutual,” Everett said, his voice cold and emotionless, the wall between us now morphing into an electric fence.

“Good. Get out!” I said, trying to mirror his frigid expression.

“Gladly.” He turned for the door.

Pain welled up within me, overflowing from my mouth. “You and your stupid brother can go to hell.”

I immediately regretting saying it, but the damage was done. Everett stopped and looked at me over his shoulder, the anguish in his eyes taking my breath away. I slapped my hand over my mouth as realization dawned on me.

He said something awful happened to his brother. No! Benjamin is dead!

Everett left then, slamming the door behind him. It was my worst fear come true. I’d deeply hurt someone I cared about, and…

I was alone.

Chapter 17

Lose/Lose Situation

I jumped as Mia abruptly sat across the table from me.

“Have you seen Everett?” she asked with immediacy.

I stared at the salad I’d been picking at. “Not within the last hour.”

“I just ran into him in the lunch line. He’s really upset about something, but he didn’t want to talk about it.” Her face fell. “I bet someone said something to him about Benson.”

“Benson?”

“It’s his brother Benjamin’s nickname,” Mia explained. “I’ve heard different rumors about Everett and Benson all morning. People can be so rude.” She sighed. “I hope this doesn’t cause Everett to relapse.”

“Relapse!” Something about the word startled me.

Mia looked at me uncertainly. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but he’s been fighting depression for a few months now. After what happened to Benson, he holed up in his room and refused to come out. You should have seen him. He was skinny and sallow and let his hair and beard grow out. He was unrecognizable. I bet the rumors going around upset him. People don’t understand what he’s been through. They don’t get that—”

“It was me,” I cut her off, not able to take it anymore. I felt like total scum. My stomach a wreck, I pushed my food away, accepting that eating was futile. “Everett’s not upset about people spreading rumors about him. Well, he might be, but… he’s mostly mad at me.”

“You?” Mia looked surprised. “Sophie, Everett couldn’t possibly be mad at you. Again, I’m saying too much, but he practically worships the ground you walk on.”

I bowed my head in remorse as this knowledge made what I’d said about Everett’s brother and the lie about dating Hagen that much worse. “We got in a huge fight. It was awful,” I mumbled.

“And?” Mia pressed.

I slowly looked up again, bracing to lose my only other friend. “I was asking him questions about himself and his family. He was already weird and uneasy, but when I asked about Benjamin, or Benson, he got defensive. Long story short, we got in a fight ending in me saying—” I stopped short. I couldn’t.

“What did you say?” Mia asked, leaning forward in her seat.

Like ripping off a band-aid, I said it fast to lessen the sting. “You and your stupid brother can go to hell.”

Mia gasped.

“I know! I’m ashamed of myself. It was awful of me,” I said, crying. “I didn’t realize what had happened to his brother until after I said it and he gave me this horrific look.” I clamped my mouth shut realizing my tirade was making me more upset. Everett’s brother had probably passed away from some dreadful illness like Mom. I, someone who should know better, had been insensitive and crass. I took a deep breath before adding, “I won’t blame you if you don’t want to be friends anymore. You’re close to Everett and what I said was terrible.”

“Sophie!” Mia was suddenly beside me, her arms around me. “We all get mad and say things we don’t mean. I’m sure Everett said hurtful things, too, and you said yourself that you didn’t know. I’ll help you talk to him, okay? We’ll make this better.” I nodded, now crying because of my gratitude for her support. “And don’t feel bad about him not opening up to you. He’s only told his parents, a few family friends, and me about what happened to Benson, and that’s because he was forced to.”

My ears perked up. “So you know what happened?”