3 2 | n e w  y o r k

I SAT ON EVERETT'S MATTRESS, my legs crossing as I watched him pack his clothes messily into his suitcase.

"You know, if you fold them, you'll be able to fit more in."

He turned to me, squatting over his suitcase with a painful frown. "But that takes so long."

I rolled my eyes, slipping from the mattress to sit on the floor beside him. I took one t-shirt from his hands, our fingers brushing on the way.

"It'll take you double the time trying to cram all that in there," I said pointedly.

He paused, raising a brow and a cheeky smirk spreading across his lips. Instantly, I warmed, throwing the t-shirt at his face. It hit him right when he began laughing and I grabbed another shirt, throwing it at him when he didn't stop.

"Shut up," I whined, half-humiliated. "That's not what I meant."

"Are you sure?" he teased, lowering his voice in a joking smoulder. He leaned closer, taking my wrist into his hand and pushing me so that my back hit the floor.

He hovered over me, his smirk cocky and arrogant. His grip tightened on my wrist, with his brow still raised as he waited for my reaction. I ignored the heat blossoming across my face and the painful thudding of my heart, erratic in my chest.

Instead, I leaned up, brushing my lips across his. "I don't know. You tell me."

His eyes widened, the smirk falling off his lips. I watched as a blush crept up his neck, spreading to his ears until he was bright red.

"Well?" I teased, my voice barely a breath between us.

"I – I mean – If you –"

I laughed at his reaction, pulling my wrist out from his hand and shoving his chest until he was sitting upright.

"Don't tease if you're not going to follow through, Ev," I said, arching a brow at him. I traced a finger over his chest, smirking snidely. I heard his breath hitch in his throat before jabbing his chest and turning back to the suitcase – half-packed. "Now pack. Your flight is in a few hours, and you still have to drive down to Sydney."

He pouted, but followed my lead, picking up a t-shirt and begrudgingly folding it neatly.

"But I don't want to leave," he muttered finally, his voice quiet.

I paused, gently placing the folded t-shirt into the suitcase.

"Ev," I said, reaching out to take his hand. His eyes flickered to meet mine – that bright hazel that I knew I'd miss the minute he left. "You're going to have to face them at some point."

I didn't have to name them. His father. His soon to be stepmother. Emma and his ex-best friend.

"I know," he said, frowning. He flipped his hand, taking mine into his and brushing his thumb along my skin. "I just – I wish you could be with me."

"About that..."

His eyes snapped up, meeting mine with a sort of flaming fire. I squeezed his hand, a pressure building up in my chest and burning erupting behind my eyes.

But I refused to look away. I had to say it, and I had to say it to his face.

"Maybe we should break up."

"No," he said immediately. His voice cracked and he shook his head wildly, pulling me closer until I was practically on top of the suitcase. His hands ran down my arms before rubbing my legs as he took in a shaky breath. "No. We're not breaking up. We can do this, Isla. I just – I just got you."

"I know," I said, my voice wavering. "I know that, but – but you're going to be all the way in New York, and – and there's going to be so much happening in a year. I don't want to hold you back, Ev. You deserve to have someone who can be there for you."

"I don't want anyone there for me but you," he said determinedly. "Isla, you're my first choice. I'm not going to break up with you on the off-chance I'll meet someone else in New York. And I won't meet someone else, because all I want is you."

"We've only had each other for two weeks, Ev," I said. I sniffled harshly, squeezing my eyes shut as a tear finally slipped down my cheek. "What if – I don't know. What if you change your mind?"

"I won't," he said. His hands reached my hips and he squeezed them, tugging me forward until I was straddling him. He took my face into his hands, forcing me to meet his eyes, and sent me a small smile. "Because we've had each other for only two weeks, and those two weeks were amazing. And I'm not going to break up before I've had you for more. This was barely a trailer."

"A trailer?" I laughed through a sob.

"Yes," he said, grinning back at me. "A trailer. We still have the rest of the movie, Isla."

"Visit me during break," I said suddenly. I wriggled on his wrap, placing my hands onto his shoulders so that I could meet his eyes properly. "And – and I've been saving up. I'll visit you too. And when I move in with River – you'll visit me, right?"

"Of course." He pressed a quick kiss to my lips – salty and wet with tears. "Of course, I will. And I'll visit all the time. Maybe – Maybe I could even move here. Move in with my grandma for senior year. I think my dad would let me."

"Would he?" I cried, hope quickly filling me like light erupting through the darkness. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him for an urgent kiss, barely pulling away to murmur, "You're cruel, Everett."

"Cruel?"

"How could you turn up to Shellside Bay for the summer and turn my life upside down like that?" I complained.

He chuckled, pressing a kiss to my lips. "You're one to talk."

I sighed, sliding a hand down his cheek, memorising the feel of his skin. Memorising the heat of it – always so hot, like he was constantly feverish beneath my touch. Memorising the arch of his cheekbones and dip of his lips. The rough of his stubble and the way his Adam's apple bobbed as I ran my fingers over it.

Memorising the pulse on his throat, pounding at lightspeed under my fingers – under my lips.

His hands slid down my hips, moving to cup my bum and squeeze it gently. I laughed against his skin, pulling back to meet his eyes – darkened with desire and hungry for more.

I trailed a finger down his chest, smirking. "Maybe we've got a bit of time."

He flipped us then, pinning me back to the floor and hovering over me. He brushed his lips over mine, his smirk arrogant but the redness of his face betraying him.

"I was hoping you would say that."

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I sat in the car, my grip tightening around my phone. Outside, Austin helped Everett pull his suitcase out of the back of the Jeep. He'd offered to drive Everett to the airport, knowing how important it was to me – how much I needed to see him off.

Other visitors and tourists bustled through Sydney airport, pushing their luggage on trolleys and speaking in a plethora of different languages. My anxiety spiked at the sound of suitcase wheels hitting the road and I clenched my jaw, trying to suck in a deep breath.

A hand rested over my paling knuckles and I looked up to see Sky frowning at me from the front seat.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, releasing a sigh. "I'll be fine. I just – I'm nervous."

"Isla, you'll be fine," she said, patting my hand and offering me an encouraging smile. "I've only known Everett for two weeks, but I can tell. Nothing will tear you guys apart, especially something as little a distance."

"But it's fifteen thousand kilometres," I muttered, my heart sinking. "How do you know?"

She smiled at me, glancing out the window where Austin and Everett were saying goodbye. "I see the way he looks at you, Isla. Like you're the most amazing thing he's ever laid eyes on."

My face warmed and I followed her gaze. Sensing my eyes on him, Everett turned his head, meeting my stare. He smiled gently at me, and I felt my heart twinge.

"Really?" I asked, my eyes still on Everett.

"I swear it, Isla," she replied. I turned to her and she offered me a wide smile, nodding towards the airport. "Now go say goodbye before people start beeping at us."

I laughed, sliding across the backseat towards the door. "Thanks, Sky."

"Whatever," she teased.

I pushed the door open, slamming it behind me with a loud click. Everett stood awkwardly with Austin, both of them avoiding eye contact. I smiled to myself. Even though they'd started getting along better these past two weeks, they certainly weren't the best of friends.

I stepped beside Everett, slipping an arm around his waist to face Austin.

"Alright," I said. "I'll take him to his gate."

"Got it," Austin replied, stepping back. "I'll go for a round then pick you up. Okay?"

I nodded and he turned, rounding the car to the driver's seat. I craned my neck, facing Everett and sending him what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

"Ready?"

"Will I ever be?" he sighed, frowning.

I laughed a hollow laugh, bouncing onto my toes to press a quick kiss to his lips. When I pulled away, he was still frowning, though his expression had softened significantly.

"Let's go."

We made our way through the airport in tense silence. We tried to make conversation as we checked in his suitcase. He joked about visiting Fiji one day together, and I joked about him bringing me souvenirs back from New York.

But it was all tense and hollow and full of absolute dread.

The clock counted down to his flight's take off, and every minute felt like torture. By the time we reached the line for security – the point of no return – I was actively holding back tears.

Everett paused then, turning to face me. I looked up to meet his eyes – brown and hazel and all sorts of fire behind them.

"Isla," he said, his voice burning. "Listen. I have to say this before I go."

"What?" I blinked in surprise, but he continued, like the fire in his eyes and voice would go out at any second.

"As soon as I saw you, I was blown away. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, and you're so full of fire and passion, and you're so considerate of everyone you meet. Even when I treated you like the biggest asshole on earth, you worried over me and dragged me around. You cared for me."

"Ev –"

"Wait," he interrupted, his voice breaking. He swallowed thickly, shaking his head. "And at first, I was angry. I was so angry at everything, I refused to let myself find any happiness. But you, of course, came barrelling into my life dead set on ruining my plans to wallow in self-hate."

I laughed at that and he finally cracked a smile.

"I guess, what I'm saying is... I know we haven't been dating long, but I won't see you for a while. And I don't want to say it over the phone." He paused, swallowing a shuddering breath before taking my hands into his. He brushed his thumb over my skin, tracing a burning path over my fingers.

"Isla," he said. "I love you. I love you so much. I'd take you anyway I could get you. I'd sell my soul for a minute. A day. A week."

"A summer," I teased.

He laughed, nodding. "A summer."

I chuckled, tears finally betraying me and dripping in hot, fat drops down my cheeks. I wiped at them hastily with the sleeves of my hoodie before rolling onto my toes and pressing a kiss to his lips.

"I love you too, Everett," I said, my blood rushing with the words. "I love you. I love you. I love you –"

He interrupted me with a deep, slow kiss – full of passion, and longing, and words neither of us wanted to say. Emotions neither of us wanted to express in the middle of a crowded airport. But tears slipped from my eyes anyway, turning our kiss into a salty, wet mess.

He pulled away then, reaching up to wipe the stains from my cheeks.

"Don't cry," he said, though his own eyes were gleaming in the light. He pulled on the strings of my sweatshirt, tightening the hood around my neck. "You'll ruin my sweatshirt."

"Oh, my God," I said quickly, looking down at the oversized sleeves in recognition. This was the sweatshirt he'd given me all those weeks ago – when he'd walked me home after Austin had bailed on me. "I completely forgot. Do you want it back?"

He shook his head, running a hand along my sleeves until he reached my fingers. He intertwined them and swayed our arms gently, childishly.

"No," he said. "It looks better on you." He pulled me closer then until we were almost close enough to touch. "I like it better on you."

"It's yours though," I said, tugging at the sleeves.

He rested a hand on my wrist, stopping me. "Give it back to me when I see you again. And then I'll give you another. It'll be a reminder."

"A reminder," I repeated, my lips pulling in a sad smile. "You have to come back, then. And soon. Before I ruin it completely. Got it?"

He chuckled, his chest reverberating through me. "Got it."

"I'll miss you so much Everett," I said suddenly, my voice a weak squeak beneath the rumble of suitcases and conversation in the background.

Everett frowned and sucked in a sharp breath – and I knew he was trying his hardest not to cry. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine.

"We'll meet again someday."

"Don't say someday, that makes it sound so far away."

"Soon."

"Soon," I said, my lips twitching into a watery smile. "I like that."

"I'll see you soon, Isla Monroe." His grip on my hands tightened and he leaned down so that he could lower his voice to a whisper. "I'll see you soon. I promise."

I nodded, as if I was trying to convince myself. To remind myself – soon. Soon, we'd see each other. It'd be no time at all, and I'd be staring into his hazel eyes again and feeling his burning skin flitter across mine.

Soon.

"Do me a favour," he said finally, stepping back slightly. "Don't turn around."

"What?"

"When you leave," he added. "Don't turn around. Or I won't be able to stop myself. Promise me."

"I promise."

"Okay."

"Alright."

We both fell into silence, the knowledge that time was out and he had to leave sticking to the backs of our minds. His grip on my hands tightened momentarily then loosened until he had released them completely.

I sniffled, trying my best to hold in my tears. I wouldn't let his last image of me in person be me crying. I wouldn't leave him with that.

So, I sent him a bright smile and I took a step back.

"See you soon, Everett," I said, keeping my voice strong and sure.

"See you soon, Isla." He nodded curtly, then after a second, added, "I love you."

I bit back a whimper, my tears almost falling. But I sucked in a breath and said, "I love you too."

His hazel eyes drilled into mine – full of unspoken words. Words that didn't need to be spoken, because mine were saying the same thing.

I watched him, taking in this last picture of his face – memorising the way he looked here and now. His hair was a shade lighter, bleached by the sun, and slightly longer and messier than it had been at the start of summer. His skin had turned a darker, tanned shade of olive, kissed by the Australian sun and always burning when he touched me.

A temporary reminder of the impact I'd had on him – of the summer we'd spent together. And even though I looked the same, he'd changed me on the inside. He'd changed me forever.

He nodded slowly, his eyes shining and mouth twitching as if to say, I'll see you soon. Go.

I nodded back, my eyes not leaving his. Unable to leave his. How could I just walk away like this? After all we'd been through this summer?

I thumbed the hem of the sweatshirt – a permanent reminder that Everett had been here, and he'd be back. Soon.

Because this was just the trailer. We'd barely begun. We had so much more in our futures – both together and apart, though not for long. And though summer had ended in a blink, and though it hadn't turned out the way I'd expected, it was perfect.

I gave Everett one last smile, a big one this time, one that he could remember until the next time we'd meet in person.

Then, I spun and left and didn't look back until I reached the doors.

And when I thought he wasn't looking, I glanced over my shoulder to find him staring right back at me.

THE END

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

Thank you so, so much for reading Isla! I really hope you all enjoyed following Isla's journey!

Before you ask, YES there will be a sequel! At least, I have one planned. It will be set in Isla's first year of university! I still need to write it though so follow me on Wattpad/Instagram for updates!

I want to thank everyone who clicked on this story and read, voted or commented! You all really inspired me to write and to even enter this story in the Watty's! Thank you for your support! 💕

Special thanks to the people who have been with me since the start! RosieKarder17 thefutureunheard CenturyLostToMemory phodragon adleynnliv santosella401 bipolarpizza lmaoitsleyna DeccaStoleMyHeart heybeautiful- sana_06 KDaleR_11502 SmileySide_Up _thecolourorange_ tomyloveforbooks itsafia12 anyamaya14 queengurleen nadiasobsessed VanyasLostAirpod indecisivecabbage maia_slightfree_

I hope I got all of your usernames right, and I know I'm missing lots more but you know who you are! I'm so lucky to have so many amazing readers! Your comments have really motivated me and mean a lot! Thank you so much, and thank you to everyone who has read this story! I really hope you liked it! 💕💕

Let me know if you have any questions, and I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks again for reading! Hope to see you in my other stories!

- liv

(ps 2 bonus chapters coming soon!)