1 6 | f a i r y  b o w e r

"HURRY UP!" I shouted out the side of the window the next morning.

Everett was leaning over the porch railing, his eyes narrowed at me and Austin sitting in his red Jeep. He blinked slowly, not making an effort to move.

I rolled my eyes. "Everett, get in!"

He frowned for a moment, his glare lingering on Austin, before sighing and stepping off the porch of Clemente House, making his way to the backseat. Austin hummed along to the radio, acting nonchalant about it all, but I knew by the tapping of his fingers against his steering wheel that he was getting impatient too.

Everett slammed the car door shut and Austin immediately stepped on the gas, lurching the car forward. Everett staggered, catching himself before he flew through the windshield of the car.

"Dude, wait, I haven't got my seatbelt on," he said, shooting a glare at him through the rear-view mirror.

Austin sent him a half shrug. "Sorry."

He didn't look sorry.

"We're going to Isla today," I said, sensing the tension and quickly changing the topic. I sent Everett a smile. "We're bringing our boogie boards out to play in the lagoon."

"Oh," Everett said, quirking a brow. "You don't have work today?"

"It's only a four-hour shift," I shrugged. "I'll be done at ten, then we can leave."

"Right," he teased, smirking. "Can't go a day without working, can you?"

"Hey, I need to replace that creaky bike, don't I?"

"I don't know how you've survived this long with it," he said.

"She's had it since she was nine," Austin cut in, glancing at me. "Her dad got it for her."

The car fell silent. A face flashed in my mind – brown skin like mine, curly hair. A soft smile. Warm eyes filled with all the kindness in the world. I shook my head, forcing it out.

"I've had it for seven years too long," I joked uneasily. I patted the passenger door. "Maybe I should get one of these instead. Then you wouldn't have to drive me around."

Austin shot me a look. "I like driving you around."

Instantly my face warmed. I turned away, blushing. "You're definitely cheaper than an Uber."

He laughed and I felt myself glow at his reaction.

"Isla, are you using me for my car?" he joked.

I raised a brow at him. "Yes. That's why I befriended you all those years ago. For your car."

He chuckled warmly, reaching over to affectionately ruffle my hair, and a smile split across my face.

A second later, we arrived at the beach. The car rumbled to a stop in one of the empty streets beside it – one with free parking, if you came early enough. And since I had 6 AM shifts, we were always early enough.

I hopped out of the car, tugging my bag over my shoulder to see Austin pulling my board out of the backseat and passing it to me. I blinked, momentarily confused.

"I'll just take it when we meet later," I said, handing it back.

He shook his head, refusing. "I'm not coming later."

I paused, my fingers tightening around the board. "What?"

He shrugged. "Mia wants to learn how to surf, so I'm going to meet her."

Mia. I hated how she was appearing in our conversations all the time lately.

"So, you're not coming to Isla?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"I mean," he hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck and avoiding my eyes. "We always go to Isla, and we can always go another day, right?"

I soured. Of course, we could just go another day. But this was our last summer together and we'd never get this day back. I scrunched my nose at him.

"Why does Mia need you to teach her anyway?" I asked, trying not to let the jealousy show in my voice. "You know they run classes at the beach club, right? She could just... go to one of those if she's so eager to learn."

He laughed, sending me a cocky grin. "Well, I'm clearly the best surfer in Shellside Bay."

"You wish," I snorted and rolled my eyes, whacking him on the chest. He shrugged and I wavered, releasing a breath. I couldn't stand the idea of him teaching Mia to surf.

The thought of him holding her waist, spending all day with her. A pressure rose in my chest and I frowned at him.

"Why can't you teach me how to surf?"

Austin's brows shot up like I'd just told him the funniest joke he'd ever heard. "You?"

"Yes, you?" Everett echoed, his grin wide and teasing.

"Why not?" I huffed, placing my hands on my hips, pointedly ignoring Everett's stifled laughter.

"Isla, you already know how to surf. You're probably better than me," Austin chuckled.

Everett stood behind him, practically pissing himself with laughter. I narrowed my eyes in a glare, though my face warmed in embarrassment.

"Look," Austin said, patting my head affectionately. "I'll see you later, okay? I'll drive you home."

I shoved his hand off my head, frowning. "Well, alright but –"

"I have to go, Mia's probably waiting," he interrupted, jogging around me to grab his board. "See you guys."

"Bye," Everett grinned, waving his fingers. He glanced at me in the corner of his eye and I knew he was trying to rile me up – he had the shit-eating grin that he always had when he teased me. When he was anticipating a reaction.

I released a sigh, ignoring Everett to watch Austin jog across the beach, straight past the Shack and towards the far end – where Mia was probably waiting for him. I glowered, gripping my board tighter and slowly making my way to the Shack.

Everett fell in step beside me.

"Well, that sucked," he started, smirking.

I rolled my eyes. "Shut up, Everett."

He shrugged. "Hey, I'm just being sympathetic here."

"How about you be useful instead?" I shot back. I shoved my board into his hands, marching past him towards the Shack.

I got to work immediately, unlocking the door and pulling the shutters up. By the time I was settled, Everett had been joined by Connor and River.

"Isla!" Connor greeted, grinning widely.

"Hey, losers," I said.

"Where's Austin?" he asked, glancing around the Shack.

Everett smirked. "Yeah, Isla, where is Austin?"

I set him with a dangerous glare and his hand drifted to his jaw, where I'd punched him just weeks ago. "He's teaching Mia to surf."

"Teaching?" River echoed.

"Mia?" Connor repeated.

"To surf," I deadpanned.

Connor blinked then turned to meet River's eyes, sending him a wide, teasing smirk.

"Right," he started, wagging his brows. "To surf."

"I'm sure they'll be doing a lot more than surfing," Everett added. Connor sputtered a laugh, high fiving him and I rolled my eyes, feeling my face warm.

"Shut up," I interrupted. "They're just surfing."

"Isla," Everett said gently, though his eyes glittered mischievously. "Stop lying to yourself."

I scowled at him and he sent me a wink.

"Maybe next time, he'll teach you," he teased with a shrug.

This time I leaned over the counter to whack him harshly over his chest. He caught my hand, holding it there for a moment.

"I'm just being sympathetic," he pouted.

"You're being irritating," I said, ripping my hand out of his grip and whacking him upside the head. He sputtered, rubbing his head where I'd hit him.

"Ouch."

"So, does that mean Austin's not coming on the Nauti Buoy today?" River interrupted. I blinked. I'd forgotten him and Connor were still there.

River narrowed his eyes at me, glancing between me and Everett. I cleared my throat, shoving a hand through my hair and avoiding eye contact.

"Yeah, nah. He's going to meet me after." After Mia, I added in my head, frowning.

That was what I would always be. An afterthought. A second choice. A chore you left for another day – something you could always come back to.

"What a dick," River muttered. He rolled his eyes, shoving off of the counter. "I'm going for a smoke. You coming?" He nodded at Everett.

"Nah," he said, shaking his head. "I quit."

My eyes widened. "You quit?"

Everett turned to me and his cheeks tinted pink. He shrugged. "Yeah, apparently it's bad for you or something."

"Whatever," River said. He sent me a silent nod as a goodbye and left. Connor grinned, waving at us and bounding after him.

I narrowed my eyes at Everett. He sat back onto one of the stools, leaning back onto the counter as he stared out at the beach.

He rested his cheek against his folded arms, his fingers twitching, and I wondered if he was thinking about a cigarette in his hands.

I leaned onto the counter beside him, resting my elbow on the chipped wood and my chin onto my palm.

"When did you quit?"

He glanced at me. "I don't know. A week ago?"

"Huh."

There was a pause and he eyed me suspiciously.

"What, are you impressed?" he teased in a lazy drawl. "Lover boy's really got your standards at rock bottom, huh?"

I flushed in embarrassment, because I had been impressed, and he was always good at reading me in a way only Sky had ever been. "Shut up. Austin's a good person."

"Right," he scoffed. "A good person who ditches his friends and forgets to pick them up after work."

"That was one time."

"Zero for me," he muttered.

I raised a brow at him. "Why do you care so much?"

His face fell and his cold demeanour instantly settled back over his expression. "I'm just saying, Monroe. I don't see how you could be in love with him for ten years. He treats you like nothing."

"You just don't see it," I mumbled, frowning.

Sure, sometimes Austin left me for other girls. Sometimes he'd almost disappear for weeks.

But Everett didn't see all the good times. He didn't see when Austin would drive me to school, blasting the radio in the morning to cheer me up. Or when he'd taught me to surf, his hands firm on my waist to show me how to twist my body.

Or eight years ago, when he'd hugged me and curled up beside me in bed, letting me cry my heart out for a week straight.

"You just don't see it," I repeated, though my voice was considerably quieter. Everett sent me a wary look. "We've been through a lot together."

"Is that why he's spending all his time with Mia now?"

I curled my lip at him. "Mia's a bitch. She's been trying to get into his pants for years. She's always been jealous of me and Sky because he doesn't ignore us like he does to her." I frowned. "Or didn't."

There was a silence and I slumped over the counter. Everett turned so that our faces were inches apart and snorted at me.

"I don't know what to do," I groaned.

"Do about what?" he asked, arching a brow.

"About Austin!" I exclaimed, lifting myself slightly off the counter. "I mean, what does Mia have that I don't have?" I paused, sighing. "Besides perfect straight hair, and bigger boobs, and acrylics."

"Hmm," he hummed. "Austin?"

I frowned. "I've known him my whole life! We grew up together! I probably know him better than anyone else."

Everett's eyes flashed and he pursed his lips, turning away. "Trust me, dating your best friend isn't always a good idea."

"Oh?" I quirked a brow at him, standing upright to send him a pointed look. "And I suppose you know everything about love?"

"I know enough," he grumbled.

"Right, and what do you look for in a girl then?"

He rolled his eyes, his lips pulled in a taut frown. "Nothing."

"Nothing?" I said, arching a brow in disbelief. "I highly doubt that. Come on. Blonde hair? Red hair? Curly hair? Short hair?"

His eyes grew dark at that and I smirked at him.

"Oh, short hair, huh?" I teased. I pulled at my waist-long hair. "I'll have to keep that in mind."

"Stop, Isla," he spat finally. He met my eyes and I froze. There was something intensely dark – almost sad – in his expression. "I don't have a type. I'm taking a break from the whole love thing right now."

I frowned. Taking a break? I was half tempted to tell him that you can't just decide to take a break from love.

Love was a spontaneous thing. It creeps up on you, hiding like your shadow in the dark. And then one day... It just hits you and everything changes. Suddenly the world is tinted pink and just looking at that person sends waves through your heart, even if you don't want it to.

Austin had been my friend for years, and then one day, his hug began sending shivers down my spine. His hand in mine spread warmth all across my body to the tips of my ears. Suddenly, the world had changed.

I'd fallen for him without even realising. And I wouldn't take it back for the world. Even if it meant being jealous and hurt. Even if it meant eventually getting my heart broken.

But Everett's brow remained furrowed and his lips remained tugged down in the corners. He felt entirely unapproachable and closed off. I hated it when he was like this, but I didn't want to push it.

So, I sighed, turned back to my work, and let it go.

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A U T H O R ' S N O T E

So, they're slowlyyy getting closer! Next time, we have another party 👀 Let me know your predictions and what you thought of this chapter! I'll give you a hint, there's gonna be some drama hehe

Thank you so much for reading, commenting and voting as usual! See you tomorrow! x