Before we were 'US'

Chapter One The alarm sounded for the fifth time. I slapped my hand across the screen without even opening my eyes. “f**k off.” The alarm stopped. For about three seconds. Then it started again. I groaned and shoved my face deeper into my pillow. Today was supposed to be important. Very important, actually. Today was my first physical screening for Westbridge University, the college I had spent the last few months obsessing over. And I was already late. “Millie!” I froze. Mum. “Millie, get your ass out of that bed!” “I’m awake!” “You've been saying that for ten minutes!” “I’m literally awake!” “You are shouting that from under your blanket!” I pulled the blanket off my face and looked at the time. 7:12. My eyes widened. “Oh, shit.” I jumped out of bed so fast I nearly fell over. “Today of all days?” I grabbed my phone, rushed into the bathroom and started brushing my teeth while trying to fix my hair with one hand. My reflection looked like someone who had lost a fight with sleep and was still considering a rematch. By the time I ran downstairs, Mum was standing in the kitchen with her arms crossed. “You’re late.” “I know.” “You knew you had the screening.” “I know.” “You said you'd wake up early.” “I know, Mum.” Adrian walked into the kitchen, already dressed, holding his car keys. He looked at me once and shook his head. “You look terrible.” “Good morning to you too.” “I’m just being honest.” “Keep your honesty.” Mum pointed at him. “Adrian, you're taking her.” His head snapped towards her. “What?” “You're taking Millie to submit her form and do her screening.” “No.” “Yes.” “Mum, I have somewhere to be.” “And I don't care.” Adrian sighed. “I have to pick Duke up from the airport.” I stopped moving. Duke. For some stupid reason, my brain suddenly forgot what it was doing. I hadn't heard that name properly in a while. Duke Hayes. Adrian's best friend. The boy who had practically grown up in our house. The boy who used to steal food from our fridge, argue with Adrian over video games and annoy me whenever I tried to mind my business. Except he wasn't exactly a boy anymore. He is twenty-two now. And I'm eighteen Which meant my tiny, completely harmless crush from years ago was something I had successfully buried and planned to leave six feet underground. I looked down at my phone before anyone could notice the weird expression on my face. “Okay,” I muttered. Adrian looked at me. “Okay what?” “Nothing.” Mum was still talking. “You can pick Duke up after you drop her off.” “I said I have to pick him up.” “And?” “And I don't want to drive her around first.” “Adrian.” He sighed. That sigh meant he had lost. “Fine.” I smiled. He pointed at me. “Don't smile.” “I wasn't.” “You were.” “Maybe you should stop looking at my face.” “Get in the car, Millie.” “Yes, sir.” “Don't call me sir.” “Okay, sir.” He rolled his eyes. A few minutes later, we were in the car. I had my laptop bag on my lap, my phone in my hand and approximately seventeen different thoughts fighting inside my head. Adrian drove in silence for about two minutes. Then he said, “You know, if you actually woke up when your alarm rang, we wouldn't be rushing.” “Thank you, motivational speaker.” “You're welcome.” “I hate you.” “You'll survive.” I looked out the window. “Do you think they'll accept me?” He glanced at me. There was a pause before he answered. “You've got the grades.” “Barely.” “You've got the grades.” “That's not the same thing.” “Millie.” “What?” “You'll be fine.” I looked at him. He was still focused on the road. Adrian wasn't exactly the emotional type. He would rather insult me than tell me he cared, so I knew that was probably his version of encouragement. “Thanks,” I muttered. “Don't get emotional.” “I wasn't.” “You sounded emotional.” “Drive.” He laughed. We finally got to Westbridge University, and I hurried inside with Adrian complaining behind me about how he was going to be late for the airport. The screening had two forms, online and physical.The online screening went better than I expected. I still checked every answer about five times because apparently my brain had decided that one wrong click would destroy my entire future. When I finally submitted it, I stared at the screen. Submitted. I let out a breath. Done. At least for now. Then came the physical screening. Thankfully, it wasn't nearly as dramatic as I had imagined. There were forms, document checks, a few questions, and the usual back-and-forth before they finally told me everything was in order. When I walked back outside, Adrian was leaning against the car, staring at his phone. “Well?” he asked. “I survived.” “That bad?” “No. I'm just dramatic.” “I know.” I opened the passenger door. “Wait.” I looked at him. “You're coming with me to the airport.” I groaned. “Why?” “Because Mum said so.” “Mum is becoming a dictator.” “She already is.” We got back into the car. As Adrian drove towards the airport, I started playing with the sleeve of my top. “Duke is actually coming back today?” I asked, trying very hard to sound normal. Adrian glanced at me. “Yeah.” “For how long?” “A few days.” “Where was he again?” “London.” “Oh.” Silence. Then Adrian smirked. “What?” “Nothing.” “Why are you smiling?” “I didn't say anything.” “You're thinking something.” “I'm always thinking something.” “Adrian.” He laughed. “Relax. Duke hasn't changed that much.” “I didn't say he did.” “I know.” “Then why are you saying that?” “Because you asked.” “I was just asking.” “Sure.” I turned towards the window. Idiot. I wasn't thinking about Duke. Okay, maybe I was. Just a little. My phone buzzed. Adrian's phone started ringing at almost the same time. He glanced at the screen. “It's Duke.” My stomach did the tiniest, most embarrassing flip. Adrian answered. “Yo.” I tried not to listen. I failed. Duke's voice came through the speaker, deeper than I remembered. “Where are you?” “Almost there.” “You said that twenty minutes ago.” “I had to pick up my sister.” There was a pause. Then Duke laughed. “Millie?” I stared at the window. Why did hearing my name in his voice suddenly feel so weird? “Yeah,” Adrian said. “She's here.” “Tell her I said hi.” Adrian looked at me. “Duke says hi.” I turned around. “Hi.” There was another laugh from the phone. “Still shy?” I rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see me. “Not really.” “Good. You've grown up.” I looked away quickly. Adrian ended the call. I immediately said, “He sounds different.” Adrian smirked. “Everyone sounds different after five years.” “I wasn't saying anything.” “Again?” “Shut up.” By the time we reached the airport, I had convinced myself I was completely normal. Then I saw him. Duke was standing near the entrance with a suitcase beside him, one hand in his pocket and his phone in the other. He looked older. Obviously. Taller too. His hair was slightly messy, and he had that relaxed confidence people got when they knew exactly where they were going. Adrian parked and got out. Duke spotted him and smiled. The two of them walked towards each other and pulled each other into a quick hug. “Bro,” Adrian said. “Missed you too.” “You look terrible.” Duke laughed. “You haven't changed.” “Unfortunately.” Then Duke's eyes moved towards me. For a second, neither of us said anything. I suddenly became very interested in the floor. “Hi,” I said quietly. He smiled. “Hey, Millie.” I looked up. “You remember me?” He laughed. “Of course I remember you.” Adrian grabbed Duke's suitcase. “She used to follow us everywhere.” “I did not.” “You did.” Duke smiled. “You were tiny.” “I was not tiny.” “You were.” “I was normal-sized.” Adrian laughed. “You were literally this tall.” He held his hand somewhere around his waist. “f**k you.” Duke laughed again. And just like that, it felt slightly less awkward. We walked towards the car. I opened the passenger door and started getting in. Adrian immediately shook his head. “Back.” I frowned. “What?” “You're sitting at the back.” “Why?” “Because Duke's sitting here.” I looked at Duke. He shrugged. “Your brother's car, his rules.” “You're enjoying this.” “A little.” I rolled my eyes and slammed the passenger door shut. “Fine.” I walked around to the back and opened the door. Adrian got into the driver's seat. Duke dropped into the front passenger seat beside him, pulling the door shut. I climbed into the back, shoved my bag beside me and crossed my arms. Adrian started the engine. I looked at the back of Duke's head for approximately two seconds before looking away. He had no idea I was staring. At least, I hoped he didn't. “Everyone ready?” Adrian asked. “No,” I muttered. Duke laughed from the front. I narrowed my eyes at the back of his seat. Great. He heard me.