• Chapter One

    Everest kicked her worn out flipflops off her feet and pumped her legs back and forth on the swing. Amber swung silently behind her, rocking to and fro.
    Everest was easily the most popular in school, and, in several ways, the most beautiful. Her dark brown hair hung to the middle of her back in glossy ringlets. Her eyes were a stunning tropical green - soft, yet somehow very energetic and fresh - and they were rimmed with long, dark eyeslashes. Her skin was suntanned, and light freckles dusted her high cheekbones. She had a supernatural smile - straight, white teeth (yet she never needed braces), enclosed by soft pink lips that, somehow, never got chapped. Everest stood about five'seven, and her figure was perfect - curves, flat stomach, and insanely clear skin. She was a guy magnet.
    Amber tucked her pale blond hair behind her ear and squinted her blue eyes in the sunlight.
    "What is up with you today?" Everest demanded, jumping from the airborn swing and scraping her bare feet on the woodchips.
    "Huh?" Amber asked, startled, "Oh, just worrying about the science test tomorrow". Everest groaned and slapped her hand over her eyes. Science was easily her worst subject.
    "Chill. I'll help you study".
    "Ambi, please. I can see right through you, its not even funny".
    "Humph. Nothing's funny, now-a-days, is it?"
    "Cut it out and stop moping. No puppy dog eyes either".
    "Evy, stop giving me a hard time. I've had McDonalds every night this week", she complained. Her dad was a crazed body-builder who paid McDonalds tribute if they'd customize his happy meal. Dora the Explorer weight-lifter toys. Classic.
    "You act like - hello?" Everest waved her hands in front of Amber's eyes, that were, at the moment, staring off into the distance, "You act like you can't even hear me. AMBER!"
    "What?" she feigned a yawn.
    "Is it me?"
    "No. Sorta", she admitted, "Okay! Ever since your mom started letting you spend more time with you dad, you've kind of forgotten me. At least, that's how it feels to me", maybe she just was emotionaly complex. She considered counseling.
    "You are my best friend. Not likely I'd forget about you", Everest whispered.
    "I know".
    "Well, my dad is really important to me. You know that. You're the one who actually contacted him and set up the bowling date just so I could meet him!"
    Amber giggled at the memory.
    "I'm sorry if you feel like that. I'll spend more time with you. Promise", she crossed her heart.
    Amber smiled at her childish behavior.
    "Oh, c'mon! Remember when pinky-swears were our lives?!" Everest held out her little finger.
    "Okay! Okay! Pinky-swear".


    "Oh my geevus! Why is my locker the new kissing location?" Everest rammed between Amber and her boyfriend, Ryan. Amber blushed as Ryan wrapped his arm around her waist.
    "You know the rules: No kissing, making-out, hugging... and no corny smiles", Everest lifted her left eyebrow at Ryan's twisted grin.
    "Cut the lecture, have you seen Chase? He borrowed my algebra test to study off of and he hasn't given it back yet", Ryan asked. Amber had the satisfaction of watching Everest's cheeks turn crimson at the mention of her crush.
    "I don't know. Think, Ryan. I know you're down to your last pair of brain cells but, honestly, his next class is History. Even I know that". Ryan whacked her arm as he ran down the hallway.
    "I wonder why?" Amber booty-bumped her as she asked in a mocking voice.
    "Oh, shut up. A girl can dream", Evy smiled and folded her hands together as if she was day-dreaming. Amber rolled her eyes.
    "It isn't like he'd turn you down", Amber retorted.
    "Yeah? Well if your so sure.... nevermind. Shut up! Stop making me look slow, Ambi!" she laughed.
    "No worries. Your secret is safe with me", Amber preformed an overly-exaggerated wink as she turned the corner.


    Ryan caught up with Everest and Amber after school.
    "How are my two favorite ladies in the whole world?" he asked, wrapping his arms around each of there shoulders.
    "Ugh. Get away from me, freak", Everest whacked him on the head playfully with her binder.
    "Fine. Be that way. I guess Amber will just have to live with double the attention", he said as he kissed her forehead.
    "Can you save all your mushy stuff until after I'm safe at home?"
    "Home? I thought you were coming over to review our new album", Ryan protested. He had a mini-band with his brothers and Amber. They had tried to pursuade Everest to join but she defended herself with phrases like "too much homework" or "gotta study for a test".
    "Oh, please, Evy? We worked so hard, we even named our album after you".
    Evy shot them an appalled look.
    "It's called 'Summit'", she explained.
    "I fail to see how that could be named after me".
    "You know, Mt. Everest - peak, summit, igloos-"
    "No, Ryan, I think that's more of a North Pole kind of thing. The igloo bit", Everest interrupted.
    "That's why! You're obviously desperately needed. Please?" Amber begged.
    "Okay! Just stop with the puppy dog eyes. It's killing me!"
    "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Amber squealed and Ryan tossled her hair.
    "Just let me drop my stuff off at home", Evy insisted.
    "You do that. But don't ditch us. Remember, we know where you live".
    "Terrifying. I think I just wet my pants", Evy rolled her eyes and crossed the street onto her road.