Everly's Hope

By Carlie Yates

Hellfire and brimstone

 

Those are the first two words that Hope Jennings can think of when she meets Everly Marsh, and she knows her life will never be the same. As Everly draws her in, Hope begins to quesiton why she should hide who she is from the world. Promised to the preacher's son, Hope is torn between the life she's always known and being true to herself.

 

When a catastrophic event hits their small college town upending their lives, Hope needs to make a choice: Does she go back to her old life, or does she stay for Everly?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carlie Yates
• Release date: Jul 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393970705

Book preview

For Violet. May you always find representation.

TRIGGER WARNING!

The following novel includes potential triggers including but not limited to hate crimes against the LBGTQ community. For a full list of triggers, including spoilers, please refer to the back of this novel.

PROLOGUE

Lights from police cars flashed blue and red.

Blue and red.

Sirens pierced the air from every direction.

Stay with me, she whispered, grasping desperately at the unresponsive hand in hers. Stay with me.

But the words were left unanswered and fell off into the darkness that enveloped her as she slumped to the ground.

CHAPTER 1

Hellfire and brimstone were the two words running through Hope’s mind the moment she first laid eyes on Everly Marsh. It wasn’t due to her fire engine red hair or her barely-there clothing. Her loose-fitting tank top and cutoff blue jean shorts seemed perfect in the sticky, hot August sun, more so than Hope’s modest clothing. It wasn’t her laughter as her trunk toppled off the cart used to bring her belongings into the dorm, or even the string of curse words that came flying from her when she tried lifting it by herself.

It was something that Hope couldn’t quite put her finger on.

I think that’s the last of it, Hope’s brother said as he placed his palm on the bar of the pushcart full of her own belongings.

Thank you, Seth, she murmured with a fleeting smile.

Don’t sweat it, kid. Do you want me to help you bring it up?

Hope pulled her keycard out of her pocket, pondering whether or not to let her big brother do more for her than he already had. Their parents and her boyfriend had refused to help her. College was no place for her, let alone studying art, they had said.

But it was for her.

She was sure of it.

I’ll take that as a yes, Seth said as he began to maneuver the pushcart up the ramp to the dorm that Hope would call home for the school year. She followed closely behind him, her eyes wide as she took in her new surroundings. It wasn’t as if the dorm was lavish, not by any means, but the colorful art displayed about called to her, beckoning her to take her time and examine each piece.

But this was no time for that.

She followed Seth to the elevators that would take them up to the second floor, where many others were doing the same, though they all seemed to have the support of their parents.

Unlike her.

Unlike Everly Marsh, who was two doors down and struggling to get her keycard to work.

Do you need some help? Hope’s heart hammered as she asked the question.

That would be fanfreakingtastic, Everly replied.

And she smiled.

There was a sadness in her eyes that Hope noticed.

One that had been mirrored in her own for as long as she could remember.

It’s just backwards, Hope explained, reaching for the card, inadvertently touching Everly’s hand. She pulled back, laughing nervously as Everly turned the card herself.

The touch burned.

Hellfire and brimstone.

Those were what she’d been promised over years of religious indoctrination, what she’d be facing if she ever acted upon her true nature, the one that drew her to Everly now.

Everly Marsh, the girl said.

I know. Hope could feel her face burn at her admission. Facebook group, she explained.

Ah. Yeah. Everly stood there for a moment, her door now open. You are?

Invisible, Hope wanted to say.

Hope Jennings, she replied instead.

Well, Hope Jennings, Everly smiled, it’s nice to meet you.

Yeah. I mean, same. I mean –

I know what you mean.

Hey, Hope, Seth called from her own room. Some help here?

Sorry, Hope said softly as she turned and walked back towards her brother.

Hey, Hope?

Hope glanced over her shoulder at Everly, who stood in her doorway with her phone in her hand. Hope felt her own phone buzz, and she pulled it out, a notification staring back at her.

A friend request from Everly Marsh.

She accepted, flashing a shy smile back at the vibrant girl.

There, was all Everly said before disappearing into her room, only to reappear with another muttered curse as she maneuvered her pushcart inside.

Anytime now, Seth called out, his tone as light as her heart, and Hope turned back towards him with a smile. A friend already?

Looks that way, she responded, opening her own door to the tiny room she’d be sharing with a nearly complete stranger, the only other person who had sent her a friend request from the group and probably only because she knew they’d be rooming together. Liz hadn’t arrived yet, but they’d already established that Hope would take the left side of the room. She set her backpack on the unmade bed and sighed.

She’d finally made it.

She’d left home for a college that had offered her a full ride based on her grades alone, and her talent had gotten her accepted into the arts program.

I still can’t believe it, Seth muttered.

Neither can I.

No, that. Seth pointed at her left hand where a tiny diamond ring had been placed. You’re 18. What the hell are you doing being engaged so young?

I’m not. It’s a promise ring. She frowned as she twisted the band around her finger.

How soon she’d forgotten.

Her promise to Jameson, the pastor’s son.

Whatever, but you’re still too young. Besides, Seth huffed as he took a suitcase and set it on the floor, I don’t like him.

Mother and Father do. And it was expected of her.

And what does he think of you being in college in a completely different state?

North Carolina isn’t far from home. Besides, she added with a smile, you’re here.

Damn straight I am. So, don’t get any ideas in your head that you’re going to get away with shit. He grinned and tousled her hair, messing it up, pulling strands of it from her ponytail. Seth had left home, left the state at the age of 18, and had never looked back in well over seven years. He’d taken his own path, forged his own way, leaving the strictness of their home and their church behind. It had broken her parents’ hearts and they made her swear she wouldn’t do the same.

And yet here she was, accepted into a college an hour away from her brother, eight hours away from home.

Listen, Seth said as he sat on her bed, its plastic cover crinkling beneath him, I’m not going to dictate your life. I’m glad you’re here. I’m not going to drive all the way over to make sure you’re going to church or whatever they made you promise to do. Just do me one favor.

What’s that?

His dark brown eyes softened. Have fun. Stay out of trouble.

One corner of her mouth lifted in a half smile. Are the two compatible?

I’d say don’t be a smartass, but... His voice trailed off, and he shrugged. You’ve been sullen for so long, Hope, even with your engagement.

I’m not engaged.

Good. Remember that.

With her ring weighing her down, Hope continued unpacking long after Seth had left. Her clothes sticking to her, she pulled out a fresh set of towels and her toiletries to take to the showers. While looking through her suitcase for something to wear, she smiled. She wouldn’t be told to dress more appropriately until at least Thanksgiving. Pulling out her own loose-fitting tank top and shorts, she headed to the showers, which were also keycard activated and thankfully only had one person in them at a time.

The door opened as she approached, steam billowing out into the hallway as Everly Marsh emerged, her bright red hair damp and sticking to her forehead. Hope Jennings.

Yes?

There’s a get together tonight down in the main lobby.

A get together?

Yeah, a bunch of us are getting together and heading off campus for a welcome back party. Everly’s eyes sparkled with her laughter. So, you’re coming with us.

I am?

I insist.

Have fun.

Stay out of trouble.

Let’s all celebrate leaving the nest, Everly shouted down the hallway and was met with cheers coming from various students still bustling about.

I don’t know, Hope began, but Everly shook her head.

Yes, you do. See you at seven.

With that, Everly Marsh turned and walked down the hallway.

CHAPTER 2

Hope sat silently on her bed, its comforter wrinkling slightly beneath her as she shifted. Her eyes remained on her cellphone, willing for a single text to be received. Jameson had read her message but hadn’t responded. She absentmindedly ran her fingers across her chest, where an ache settled that spread up to her throat.

She wouldn’t cry.

With a sigh, she set her phone aside and stood, stretching from side to side. Her eyes settled on Liz’s side of the room, its owner’s contents strewn haphazardly across the bed, untouched before Liz had made her exit, her excitement of meeting up with friends amplifying the silence that now surrounded Hope. Well, sort of surrounded her.

The bustling in the hall seemed never-ending, and another dormmate’s music sent a steady thump, thump, thump through the walls. Would she ever be able to sleep? Her first thought was that it was doubtful, followed quickly by it was only 6:45 so surely it would settle come bedtime.

Her dinner had been satisfying enough, though sitting alone in a large dining hall with many other tables occupied by numerous students amplified what she was feeling even when surrounded.

She’d never been more alone in her life.

A short chime from her cellphone had her smiling and reaching for the device only to have her smile fall when she saw the text from Seth.

How’s your first night?

She blinked back unshed tears as she responded that she was fine, and that the food had been better than she’d anticipated. While that was true, she didn’t add that she was missing her home, her large bedroom, and silence. But did she really miss the silence? Perhaps she’d just grown used to it in the years since Seth had left home. She stared at the door with its posted emergency exit routes and wondered what it would be like to emerge from it in two days, ready for her first classes, mingling with the other students also embarking on the same journey as she.

You’ll be fine, she said aloud, standing taller as she straightened her ponytail and pulled at her oversized tank top. She would be able to wear the clothes she’d chosen without ridicule from her parents. She would be free to be friends with whomever she chose. She wouldn’t have constant criticism meeting her every move, her every choice.

Maybe, she thought, freedom was meant to be lonely.

Two sharp knocks on the door broke her from her thoughts and had her smiling. Liz had only locked herself out of the dorm three or four times. As Hope pulled the door open ready to let her roommate in, she was surprised to see fire engine red hair and a gleeful smile.

Everly Marsh.

Are you ready? You look ready.

I do? Hope again touched her ponytail as Everly’s smile widened.

Come, Everly said as she held out her hand. Let me introduce you to my best friends. So even Everly had friends at this school.

I’m not sure I should –

Of course, you should, Everly cut her off.

Wait! Hope’s quick exclamation, followed by sharply pulling her own hand out of Everly’s reach, had the redhead pausing and examining Hope more closely.

What’s there to wait for?

Everything, Hope wanted to say, but there was something about Everly that made her stop.

Made her rethink her night in alone.

I need my keycard, Hope recovered as she stepped back, turning from Everly who walked the rest of the way into the dorm.

Good call.

As Hope grabbed her phone and her keycard, she looked down at her freshly made bed. She inhaled sharply, going against her first instinct of smoothing out the wrinkles, then turned towards Everly with a smile of her own. Ready.

Try that again, this time with some feeling behind it.

Pardon?

I know you look ready, but are you? Okay, I mean, I don’t want to push if you don’t want to go. I should have asked.

But you did ask, Hope replied.

What can I say? I’m a sucker for consent. So, Hope, I would like your consent to ask you once again to come join me and my best friends tonight.

Okay. Hope drew the word out.

And I should have asked for your consent to come in. Is this okay?

Yeah, sure.

I would sincerely like for you to come.

Hope shrugged. I already said I would.

I just made this awkward, didn’t I? Everly continued. I have a horrible habit of doing that. So, I’m going to apologize now and...did you just say you’d go?

This time Hope’s smile was more genuine. Yes.

There, that’s what I’m talking about. Everly grinned over her shoulder as she turned towards the door. That smile says ‘ready,’ you know what I mean?

Not really, Hope admitted as she followed Everly out the door.

Ah, my curse, not making sense to anyone but myself. Elevator or stairs?

Stairs.

Thought you’d say that. But yeah, I tend to make observations and just blurt them out, and it’s my curse. They took the stairs at a pace faster than Hope was used to, but she followed Everly with ease as the girl continued talking. No one gets me.

You thought I didn’t want to go.

More like I was pressuring you, which I just refuse to do.

Because you’re a sucker for consent, Hope added.

Well, what do you know? Everly again grinned at Hope as they reached the first floor. You just might get me.

One corner of Hope’s mouth lifted in a half smile as Everly took off towards a group of people gathered by the front doors. My besties! She was greeted with several hugs, and again, there was an ache in Hope’s chest. Her own friends hadn’t hugged her like that in years. Was she that unapproachable now?

And who is this you’ve brought with you? the tallest boy asked, his soft voice calming Hope’s racing heart.

Terrance, loves, this is Hope. Hope, this is Terrance, and this is Kenny. Everly gestured toward a slightly shorter man with cropped, dyed black hair. And these are...

Jesse, another boy said.

Michaela.

Shonda.

It’s nice to meet you, Hope said with a shy smile, exchanging handshakes with each of them, even with Shonda’s puzzled look at Hope’s outstretched hand.

Look at you, all formal, Everly commented with a grin. Van ready?

Van is ready, Terrance replied, keys in hand. Everyone ready?

Hope nodded despite her wariness, urging herself on with her internal pep talk. You make friends easily. You deserve to have some fun.

You are not alone.

As Everly locked arms with Terrance, though, Hope felt a dip in her stomach, one that made her check her phone one last time.

Nothing from Jameson.

You coming? Everly said to her as she pushed her phone back into her pocket.

Yes, Hope replied with far more conviction than she felt, and she followed the pack of friends out of the dorm into the balmy summer evening air.

HOPE HADN’T BOTHERED to ask how far off-campus they were going nor when they’d be back. She realized this as they pulled up to the modestly sized, two-story duplex bustling with activity on both sides.

They saved my spot, Terrance commented before shutting off the engine.

No, someone just left, Kenny replied.

Same difference.

Boys, boys, Everly said as she exited the van, her hands to the sky as she twirled around.

What? Terrance asked, and Hope observed Everly turning towards them, her arms now to her sides.

What, what?

You said ‘boys, boys.’ So, what’s the rest of the statement?

It must have slipped my mind. Hope! Everly approached her with a smile and held out her hand. May I? Just so I don’t lose you in the crowd.

Hope smiled, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Sure.

I know it looks intimidating, Everly began as she took Hope’s hand in hers, but it’s fun. Trust me.

Hope’s heart picked up pace at the contact, and just that quickly, she was being ushered into the left side of the duplex, the home of Terrance and possibly Kenny, Everly wasn’t quite sure, she explained. She made introductions like a whirlwind, everyone saying their hellos as they passed by. The close proximity of so many people made the air conditioning obsolete, but at least this early in the evening, there wasn’t the smell of sweat hanging in the air, only the strong scent of beer and other assorted alcohols. When they reached the kitchen in the back of the house, Everly released Hope’s hand, and Hope rubbed her arms in the sudden temperature change of the room.

First pass-through is the hardest. Beer? Everly held the beer out, and Hope accepted in her still-tingling hand.

Thank you.

Who turned the music off? someone yelled followed by a chorus of cheers when Rob Zombie began to play, bringing the noise level even higher. Everly stepped closer to Hope, her own beer in hand, and had to yell above the music.

Are you from around here?

No, Hope yelled her reply, so don’t leave me. I’d be forever lost.

Everly’s head tilted back as laughter unheard above the music left her. Yeah, I like you.

Someone walked through the kitchen towards the back door commenting something about ‘private stash’ and Terrance killing them, then they paused. Everly! Never mind, I didn’t know it was you. Love the hair!

And Hope’s with me, so. Everly shrugged, then turned to Hope with a grin. "Everyone else has to get theirs from the