Chapter 4 No More Favors

Everett sounded irritated, as if he were scolding a child who refused to learn.

"Do you have any idea how much thought Elara and I put into this gift? A 33-foot diving platform. You think just anyone can get up there?

"So many people on the team want to use that platform for training. Do you know how many people I had to ask to get us that spot? And then you stood up there crying and made a fool of me in front of everyone."

Elara tugged at his sleeve. "Everett, stop. Tessa just woke up—"

Everett shook her hand off and stared at me, his impatience obvious.

"Do you know what the older guys on the team said about me? They said I'd found a girl who was too scared to even get in the water. They said it was embarrassing to be seen with you."

I looked at him and spoke hoarsely. "I never asked you to pull any strings for me. I never asked you to take me up there. You and Elara were the ones who dragged me."

Everett froze. His expression darkened, as if he had not expected me to argue back. "You're talking back to me now? Elara went to all that trouble to help you overcome your fear of water, and you can't even say thank you—"

"I never needed her help." I pushed myself a little straighter against the edge of the bed. My voice was hoarse, but every word came out clearly. "I never asked any of you to help me overcome my fear of water. You were the ones who kept pushing me into the water, again and again."

Elara's eyes immediately reddened. "Tessa, how could you say that?"

Everett's expression darkened, and his voice grew irritated. "Fine. Keep insisting you're right. You really don't know how to appreciate someone who means well. Elara and I are done putting up with you."

He put an arm around Elara's shoulders and walked out of the hospital room without looking back.

The door slammed shut behind them, and their footsteps gradually faded down the hall.

The room fell silent.

I sat up, pulled the IV from the back of my hand, and put on my coat.

On the back of the hospital admission form on my bedside table, I wrote one line. "Thank you for fifteen years of 'kindness,' but I'd rather do without it."

Then, I opened the door and left the hospital. I hailed a cab to the airport.

As the car pulled away, I watched the city rush past outside the window. I took out my phone and blocked Elara and Everett.

Then, I left every swim-team group chat and deleted them all, one by one.

Next, I had someone bring my luggage to the airport. When I arrived, I looked up at the huge flight information screen.

Check-in for the flight to Norridge was already open. A woman's gentle voice came over the PA, announcing the boarding gate.

I stood in line as one passenger after another handed over their passports and boarding passes.

When it was my turn, I handed over my passport. The check-in agent smiled and wished me good morning.

I went through security, found my gate, and took a seat by the window while I waited to board.

Outside, the engines began to roar. The safety announcement began.

The plane started to taxi, picking up speed. Then the nose lifted, and the ground fell farther and farther away.

I didn't look back at the city one last time.

I simply leaned against the window and closed my eyes.