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everestphillips · 19 days

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Love comes in many forms...

TW: Familial Abandonment, Financial Crisis, Homelessness, Sexual Coercion.

Name: LILIAN AKINYEMI Age: 26 Relation: High School Best Friend Last Contact: 9 Years Ago. (3 Months Ago)

"Why are you even doing this?"

"Because you're dumb and tutoring you is extra credit."

Everest first met Lilian in sophomore year of high school, when he was told to go get tutoring because he was lagging behind in some classes and at risk of not being able to be part of the extracurriculars. So, of course, like he usually did, Ev attended these tutoring sessions in hopes of charming someone to do most of the heavy lifting while he focused on literally anything else. However, those plans were immediately thwarted the moment he sat down in front of this girl. Before any introductions, almost if she was able to read him like an open book, this strange girl said to him, "Let's get this out of the way. I will not be doing any of the work for you. I'm here because I want to. You're not. So you better be serious about this." For a good minute or two, Everest just sat there, bewildered by the stranger before finally laughing and responding with a simple, "bet."

From then on, the two of them would meet often for these tutoring sessions. For a very small part, it was due to Everest suddenly being interested in doing good in his classes, and for the most part, it was because he genuinely liked her. Lilian was strong, honest, and once he was actually getting close with her, pretty damn funny. They would begin to meet and hang out beyond the short confines of their after school tutoring, and would begin to eat lunch together, or walk each other to their next classes just so they could talk about the mess that occurred in their last period.

However, as their friendship became more public, people began to talk, and none of it was good. Even though they seemed really close, other students couldn't look past the fact that he was the popular athlete and she wasn't. Assuming that this friendship was from pity, or some long elaborate prank. And despite how strong Lilian was, it was slowly getting to her, where she began to distance herself from him. Everest was really good at flirting, and saying the right things to win the heart of people, but he wasn't so good at actually communicating what he felt, but he wanted to do whatever it took to mend their friendship. So, he picked her up after her speech and debate meeting and decided to treat her to some Whataburger that night. No one talked. It was awfully quiet. Until he was sitting in the parking lot where he decided to say matter of factly, "I think I'm into guys." The same bewilderment he felt when he first met her read across Lilian's face. She didn't even have the chance to question why Ev was telling her before he already answered for her. "I'm bringing this up because I trust you. I know the things that are being said, and you like to pretend to be fine, but I want you to know that you're my friend. So I'm telling you something that I would only tell someone I completely trust."

From then on, it was just smooth sailing. Until what happened to him a week after he graduated. Unfortunately, because of that, he fell off the face of the Earth, and lost contact with Lilian. It wasn't until the call that he decided to send her a friend request on an old Facebook account of hers, unsure if she was even active on it. At least it would give him time to properly think of a way to apologize to her. But he was happy to see how successful of a life she seems to be having.

Name: ADRYAN RHODES Age: 31 Relation: His Old Roommate Last Contact: 7 Years Ago. (3 Months Ago)

"Why would you want to help me?"

"Why wouldn't I want to?"

There were a lot of things that Everest wished he had a better understanding of, and Adryan was no exception. Even now, just like then, Everest just couldn’t seem to wrap his head around why a stranger that he just met would be willing to give him a fighting chance. His family, friends, and pride certainly didn't.

It was only a few months ago that Everest found himself relaxing in his family's mansion, a week away from his 18th birthday. He was babbling on about how excited he was to graduate high school so he could better focus on his racing career. Now, he sat defeated in a beaten down car in the middle of a gym's empty parking lot at night.

At this point, Everest didn't know what to do. He barely had any money to his name, and the only way he was surviving at this point was sleeping around so he could at least have a roof over his head that night before pocketing whatever food he could find as he left before they woke up. And unfortunately, he lacked everything to get hired at any job that he desperately needed at this point. However, he was getting tired of this demeaning song and dance, so with the little bit of money he had, he decided to pay for a membership at this 24 hour gym, so he could use the amenities they had to offer.

It was a lifesaver.

However, he didn't know how much of a blessing that gym was going to be.

That’s where he officially met Adryan. Everest has seen him plenty of times before that day, minding his own business while they both did their own thing. However, it has been some time that he hasn’t seen him at the usual machine. And although it did make Ev wonder about the other man, he didn’t have the privilege to focus on anybody else but himself. At least, that’s what he thought before Adryan startled him with a flier in his hand. “Looking for a roommate.” Everest was quick to reject it but the stranger was adamant on giving him the announcement before he left the gym, leaving Ev confused as to why he would give him someone’s notice. It wasn’t until he arrived at the address and realized that the place belonged to Adryan. “I kind of saw the situation that you were in and wanted to give you a hand.”

Obviously, Everest didn’t want to take the hand-out. How could he? He didn’t have the money to take the room. But Adryan was so kind to Ev as he was assuring him that it would be fine. That he’d help him back on his feet. He wasn’t sure how long they had been discussing how practical this could be for the other man, but Ev would eventually agree to move-in that night. I mean, with how little he had, it was just a matter of moving the stuff from his car to the empty room.

Adryan was there every step of the way. He helped by pitching in to buy him a mattress and some new clothes before getting him a job as a busboy at the bar that he worked at. Ev just didn’t expect it to be at a gay club. What he knew about the other was that he was straight, and he didn’t give him a reason to think otherwise. The money was probably good. And he left it at that.

They would have the same shifts, so the two of them drove to work together. Taking turns in Adryan’s convertible and Everest’s shitty Honda Civic. It should have been embarrassing, but every time Ev drove, he glanced at Adryan enjoying the night, his hand out the window, swaying in the wind like every day was a gift regardless of what was going to happen. Even without speaking a word, the other managed to soothe him.

They practically spent most of their time together, but despite that Everest couldn’t say that he was tired of the other, and he liked to think that Adryan enjoyed his company just as much. However, he wasn’t brave to admit what he felt for him. All he could do was keep quiet in hopes that he didn’t ruin what he had and be tossed back out in the street. So it was his own insecurity that led Everest to act differently around him.

After a few weeks at the bar, Everest asked to become one of the dancers at the club in hopes to make more money for himself. And he got the position, but it was not as easy as he expected. Ev was confident in his body, and in himself, but as he got on top of that tiny stage in the sparkly briefs that he was made to wear, all that conviction was nowhere to be found. But guess who was the one who saved him once more? It wasn’t long into Adryan’s that the man decided to take his break just so he could help Everest in this moment of need. With a drink in his hand, and a bill in the other, Adryan danced through the crowd, making sure to get all the attention he could as he approached his roommate on that stage. Then, he placed his hand on Ev’s body without any hesitation before it began to feel his toned muscles and eventually hooked his fingers underneath the elastic so he could leave the dollar bill behind.

As the other patrons pushed past Adryan, curious by this new dancer, he retreated calmly before flashing a wink of good luck to Everest. From then on, Ev had become one of the most popular dancers at the club, raking in a crazy amount of money, and finding men who was willing to spoil him. Now, he was 20, and with all of the attention he’s received, the young man got lost, becoming content with this new life until Adryan dropped a wad of money on his lap.

“What’s this?”

“My sponsorship.” Everest was confused. Ever since he started dancing, he was able to pay Adryan all of it back, and still have so much left over. So why was he giving him money? “I found out through the grapevine that you were some competitive racer. So this is what I’m putting in to get you back out there.” Was this his way of kicking him out? But before Everest could spiral, Adryan plopped himself on the bed, placing his hand on Ev’s knee. “I think you have so much more you have to show to the world, and I just don’t want you to get stuck here. That’s why I never wanted to give you a reason to stay,” Adryan said as his grip on Ev’s knee tightened. “I’ve liked you for some time now, but I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want you to feel pressured to return the feeling just because I helped you. And now, I didn’t want to tell you because I don’t want to stop you from searching for what’s out there. I–” That’s when Adryan was cut off as Everest’s lips pressed against his, a kiss that the man returned without hesitation.

It was only one night that the two of them spent together, because they then went to pretend like nothing happened. Everest took Adryan’s advice and managed to get back out there, trying to find sponsors to foot the expensive price to compete. It took some time, but he managed to find a group of people interested enough, and he took the offer despite how much they lacked in capability. But anything to get back out there. After Ev told his roommate the good news, they celebrated, only for them to leave one another with a firm handshake. Choosing to go their separate ways.

Of course, like any sane person does, Everest stalked his page a few years later and came to find out that he had a girlfriend. And that they were engaged. After that he left him alone completely. That was until the call, where Ev decided to reconnect one more time by sending a private message only for him to read it promptly, and going MIA soon after.

Name: CELESTE LAMBERSON Age: 29 Relation: PR Girlfriend, Partner In Crime Last Contact: 3 Days Ago

"What's in it for you?"

"If all goes like I predict, a good time."

It was soon after he returned to Formula 2 that he would bump into Celeste. Quite literally. That incident had all of her bodyguards all over him, which she promptly shook her hand to have them back off before offering a drink back in her suite as an apology. Everest knew vaguely about her. He was aware that she was the heiress of some disgustingly wealthy conglomerate, probably there for some business pr. And from this small interaction, he thought she was some sort of ditz. But when they both stepped into the room and the doors closed behind them, her act dropped like a heavy anchor.

“They’re just as insufferable for me to be around as they clearly were with you.” Celeste talked to him as if this was a natural for her, leaving Everest to still reel with everything that was going on. “And don’t worry we can skip the introductions, I’m sure you know who I am. And as surprising as it may sound, I know who you are.” The way she said that would have bruised even the strongest of egos, but for him, the fact that she knew who he was during a time where he was lost in obscurity felt like praise.

Before he could say anything though, the tall blonde woman came up to him and pressed a finger on his lips and passed him a flute of champagne. “I know you have questions. So let me explain,” she said confidently. “You’ve disappeared for almost three years and now that you have returned, you have partnered with quite possibly the least favorable team currently. So it’s no secret that everyone has forgotten you, or worse has just become bored of you. I, on the other hand, think you’re a strange phenomenon, and if I play your cards right, can shoot you beyond the stratosphere,” she said, her words strong with determination but her voice soft and feminine. “Shouldn’t be too hard with your past achievements, but most importantly your natural charms.”

Everything she said left Everest enchanted, but after a brief moment, her statement raised another question that she either was expecting already, or had the supernatural ability to read his mind. “And no, I’m not trying to have you be affiliated with my family’s company. I don’t think it would be beneficial for either of us at the present moment. Just know that these men are playing chess, but I’m playing a game far beyond anyone’s capability.” Finally, she gave herself a moment to take a breath and enjoy the bubbly drink in her own glass. “And… I’ve caught whispers about what happened during your hiatus. It’s not pity what I feel, by the way,” she said, strangely assuring him. “I do believe you would be my most optimal partner, but knowing what I do does give me the resolve to help you, and in turn, help myself.”

This was a woman that he just met, but somehow she knew everything about him. His past, his present, his future. And somehow, all of it made him feel safe? It was a strange feeling to have someone know you better than you knew yourself, but maybe Everest needed someone to take the wheel. At first, he thought their relationship was going to be strictly business, but they found each other becoming close. She would help him navigate through the politics of the upper echelon, while he offered her moments of respite. They were more alike than he initially expected. Although she’s never experienced the fall from grace that Everest had, she did understand the struggles of attempting to impress a father who felt like they loathed them. Or how people had more interest in their beauty and body rather than who they actually were. Which is why she explained to him that she wanted to weaponize Everest’s natural good looks, while making sure he was comfortable every time they did. It was fun conducting these schemes. It felt childish. Pretending to have public relationships, having falling outs, only to pretend to fix it. But people were eating it up, and they always had the last laugh.

However, as much as they planned for everything, there was one incident with one of industry’s higher ups that they couldn’t have expected. A shove. A slam of the door, followed by the sound of the lock closing behind them. A threat. An ultimatum. The rustling of clothes. Then it was over. Everest didn’t disclose the details. He probably never will. Not even to Celeste. However, she wasn’t stupid. She might have been one of the smartest people he knew at the time. So it was obvious to her that if a door closed too loudly, he would flinch. But he assured he was fine, that they still had a game to win. And after a while, everything went back to their perfect little world that they got to create until the fateful call.

Angry did not begin to describe what she felt when she called after a couple of days since he disappeared. However, he expected her to be mad about leaving their little partnership. Instead, she was mad that he didn’t take her to whatever little backwoods he decided to retreat to. Everest promised her that she might not like it here, but after being here a few months, the Aphrodite cabin would be perfect for her to stay. At least, it would be if he wasn’t afraid of her safety. Still, they talk everyday, even have come in contact a few times trying to catch up, which just becomes an interrogation of where he’s been. He's probably sure she can find the camp on her own.

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