Chapter 4

An hour later, we got off the plane. On the way to the hotel, Brett and I didn't say a single word to each other. I hauled my luggage into the elevator alone, rode up alone, and ate lunch alone.

Brett said he'd come on this trip for me, but in reality, he spent every minute with Tiana. And I figured that was fine. After all, I had my AI.

The AI had my itinerary for the next few days organized down to the last detail, laid out in a neat little chart. But halfway through reading it, someone snatched my phone out of my hands.

I looked up and saw Tiana, grinning smugly. "Wow, this itinerary is so detailed. Brett, you definitely made this for Mara, right?"

I frowned and reached to take my phone back, but Brett had already taken it from Tiana. He glanced at it and frowned.

"I didn't make this."

Then he looked up at me. "You don't have the patience for something like this, and I would know. Who made this for you?"

I took my phone back, annoyed, and ignored the flicker of unease I'd caught in his eyes.

"That's none of your business. But do you think it's okay to just grab someone's phone and look through it without permission?"

I honestly hadn't meant anything by it. Anyone who'd had those two in their ear the whole trip would've been in a bad mood.

But Tiana took it the wrong way. She stepped back, her eyes welling up.

"Brett, Mara, do you guys just not want me here? I get it. The smart kids only want to hang out with other smart kids. Someone like me, who could barely pass a test, isn't good enough."

She wiped at her tears and turned to leave. Brett stopped her and looked back at me with barely contained rage.

"Mara, don't you think that was a bit much? It's just a stupid itinerary. Was it really worth getting mad over?"

I stared at the two of them, baffled. Then it hit me that Tiana actually had a point.

"Yeah, it was worth it. Even if it's just a 'stupid' itinerary, someone still put time and effort into making it for me. I'll go on my own. You two do whatever you want."

I picked up my things and walked past Brett without stopping.

I'd planned to come by myself in the first place. Brett was right. It was time for me to grow up.

I didn't hesitate. I followed the route the AI had mapped out for me, and after about an hour, I found the beach on my own.

The ocean was beautiful.

It made me think of the very first time the idea of seeing it had crossed my mind. I'd caught a faint scent on Brett and asked him what it was. He tried to play it cool, but the tips of his ears turned red.

"It's what the ocean breeze smells like. Mara, after we graduate, do you want to go see the ocean with me?"

I'd been so happy that day. But now, the only person who'd actually shown up to see the ocean was me.

I snapped a quick photo and sent it to the AI. His reply was instant.

"Turn around."

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest. I spun around, but my view was blocked by two figures, Brett and Tiana.

I got to my feet and looked past them desperately. There was nothing there.