Turning around and making my way towards the door, I feel a rush of something in my chest, something familiar yet completely unknown. I’m trying to keep my cool and not act like her childish, goofy friend Austin, but goddamnit, when she smiles, I feel like that little boy with a crush all over again.
Turning the door handle, I can hear him before I see him. Kash Morgan. My roommate, closest friend, and the cockiest guy on campus.
“What the hell is taking you so long, man? Are you fucking my sister again? On move-in day? Damn, dud?—”
I slap my hand over Kash’s mouth, wishing I had opened the door sooner. Did she hear him? Removing my hand from his face, Kash nods his head in Vix’s direction.
“Oh, hey, Gremlin,” he says to Vix, with a huge grin plastered across his face, and I must look as confused as I feel.
THREE
VIX AGE NINE
“Race you to the big rock!”I shout over my shoulder as I drop my bike into fourth gear to catch some speed.
“No fair, I wasn’t ready, Vix!” Aussy huffs in frustration, pushing himself full speed ahead to catch up. I push my legs as hard as they will let me go, wind blowing in my hair, and excitement building in my chest. I’m gonna beat him this time. I can feel it.
We whip down the road, dirt and rocks kick up behind us from the speed of our tires. I feel him closing the distance between us, so I lower myself to my bike handles, pedalling harder, and faster. I round the final bend, and the boulder marking our finish line comes into view.
A little bit further.
Aussy pulls up beside me, and we’re now neck and neck. He raises his hand, giving me a salute with a smug grin plastered across his face, and then takes off in front of me.
Not again.
He flies past the big rock, raising both hands in the air,claiming his victory, and I come to a complete stop before our invisible finish line. Aussy lets out a huff.
“You know the rules, Vix, you have to cross the finish line!” he lectures, but I don’t give in. I give him a scowl and fold my arms across my chest.
“If I don’t cross, then you haven’t beaten me,” I protest. I couldn’t look more smug if I tried.
“Mavix Brighton, don’t be a sore loser! Cross the darn finish line!”
I shake my head and get off my bike. Lowering it to the ground, I sit beside it in the dirt, chin held high in defiance.
“Make me.”
He storms over, his feet stomping up clouds of dust on his tail.
“I will pick you up and throw you over that finish line if I have to.” He scowls. His threat makes me break out into a fit of laughter.
“We both know you’re not strong enough to lift me, let alone throw me a couple of feet.” I’m holding my stomach, hunched over, laughing with tears in my eyes.
“Well… not yet, but someday I will, and you’ll regret pushing my buttons!”
I laugh harder.
Aussy sits down in the dirt beside me, flicking me on the arm as he does. I flick him back on his forehead.
“You’re infuriating,” he growls and leans back on his hands.
“I know.” I can’t help but beam from ear to ear.
Aussy is my best friend. I couldn’t imagine my life without him. I hope I never have to.
VIX NOW
Fucking my sister.The words echo in my mind, as if my brain is refusing to process what I just heard.My eyes find Leah’s, who is staring directly at me like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar. But why? I mean, sure, I haven’t seen Aussy in five years, and my heart feels like it’s about to explode out of my chest at this newly revealed information, but she didn’t do anything wrong. I have no right to be jealous that my new roommate and my best friend, whom I’ve had feelings for most of my life, have been sleeping together.
