Everest Greene's Guide to Surviving High School

One

For five years, I had lived next door to the most confusing man I have ever met. Although I would suppose "met" isn't the right word to use, now is it. I have never met Enoch Woods.

I have imagined what it would be like to talk to him, but every fairytale fantasy I have ever had about him since I was 11 has ended in a passionate kiss.

Which is crazy of course. Sixteen years old and I still fantasize about my neighbor who I have never even spoke to.

But this could be my year. My junior year is going to be my first year of actual high school since third grade. When I was 9 I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer, doctors didn't think I would make it past 11, once I turned 11 the considered me a miracle and the doctors suggested my mom move the family to Denver so that a childrens cancer research hospital could have a better chance at saving my life. At age 15, I had been to more doctors than the average person would see in there life time, knew every doctor/surgeon/nurse in the hospital by name, and had three rejected lung transplants. Fourth times the charm. I am cured. I can have a life again.

"Everest, mom wants you." My older brother Forrest said through the closed door.

"Okay, be down in a sec."

My mom is a single mother of four, but only three of us live with her: me, Forrest, and Ocean. River is Ocean's twin sister but she wanted to stay in New York with our dad.

My mom named us all after nature and trust me, it doesn't stop at just our first names. Ocean Dagwood, River Primrose, Forrest Tallon, and Everest Linwood.

Ocean's middle name means 'a shining forest'. River's means 'first rose blossom'. Forrest's means 'a claw'. And mine means 'a river in the woods'.

And those are the children from the Greene family.

"Good morning, Ma." I chirped as I skipped into the kitchen and ruffled Ocean's hair and elbowed Forrest in the ribs.

"Cheer up, Forrest. Its my first day of high school."

He glared at me and took a bite of his Apple. The Greene brothers are not morning people. "And my first day of college, Eve, you don't see me dancing around." Ocean huffed

"Boys, be happy for your sister. She hasn't been to a real school since fifth grade. Forrest I expect you to help her out. Joining as a junior is going to be a little rough. She hasn't known these kids since sixth grade like you have."

"Momma," he reached around her and grabbed his bag from the counter and kissed her on the cheek. "She's my little sister, of course I'll look out for her." Forrest ruffled my hair and playfully pushed my to the door. "Let's go nerd."

"Everest Linwood Greene, get back here and hug me." My mother said with her hands planted firmly on her small hips. "I'm sorry, you know I wish I could take you but I need to get to the office. Have a good day, baby."

I skipped to her and kissed her cheek, then hit the back if Ocean's head. "See you tonight!" I called skipping out the door to Forrest's car. To make my first day of high school a memorable one.

••••••••••

"Okay so here's your schedule, here's your map, here's your bag, and here," he pointed to a metal locker near the base of the stairs and right in front of the commons, "is your locker."

"This school is like the movies!" I squealed like a child. I grabbed Forrest by his elbows, my head resting right below his chest, since he himself is almost 6'4 and I am 5'1.

"Forrest!" A tall curvy girl with wavy blond hair and beady green eyes stormed over to us. "You didn't speak to me all summer and then you show up on the first day with this-this slut!" She spat at me.

"Rebecca," his voice dropped and a warning was clear as day in his voice. Enough to shut up the girl. "This is my  sister, and I do not care wether or not you meant it, but god help you if I ever hear you call my sister such a vulgar name like that again." He pushed me away lightly and stepped in front of me protectively.

"I didn't know you had a sister," she squeaked, "I'm sorry Forrest, I won't. Sorry Forrest's sister."

"Becca you should go." She looked Forrest in the eyes pleading for forgiveness without even having to say anything.  I had always knew that Forrest would have a way with ladies.  He is tall and holds a muscular build with a strong prominent jaw line and dark green eyes.  Stubble littered his chin and upper lip and his dark hair added to the mysterious bad boy vibe that Forrest definitely gave off.  

"I'm sorry, Forrest, really I didn't mean it. I was just so upset." She gave him the puppy dog eyes and placed her small hand on his chest then slid it down to his waist as a way, I could only assume, was to seduce him into forgiving her.  "I missed you this summer, come on.  Let's skip first period and we can go to our spot so I can show you how much you want to forgive me."

"No, thank you.  I am going to be with my sister today. I expect to hear of no shit about her being started by you... and you know I always find out."  Forrest's voice got lower yet somehow much more intimidating.  Once she left, I turned to him frantically.

"What the hell was that Forrest?!" I look at my brother with the anger of Becca's words still burning in his chest.  I had always grown up protected, almost as though my life had been a huge science experiment with my brothers, mom, and doctors always looking over my shoulder, constantly giving me the feeling of having no privacy. Always violated.

"It is my job to protect you and I'm just making a first impression that tells everyone that I will  not tolerate any shit towards my baby sister." He ruffled my hair and swung my book bag over his shoulder to carry it for me. "Let's get you to your first day of high school classes."