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Lacy

Sixteen Years Old

I walk out of the marshalling area, my heart heavy, my dreams shattered.

I didn’t make the cut.

No matter how hard I worked, how many hours I sacrificed, it wasn’t enough.

Tuck, my coach, will be disappointed—I can already hear the frustration he’ll try to hide.

My parents? They will be shattered.

But no one is as devastated as me.

Because this wasn’t just a race.

This was my race.

And I lost.

Goddammit! I don’t know what happened.

One minute, I was in the pool, ready to conquer it all, and the next, I froze.

My body locked up, muscles refusing to obey.

My mind swarmed with thoughts I couldn’t control—you’re not good enough, you’re going to mess this up—and I couldn’t focus. Couldn’t fight.

I stuffed up.

I failed.

And I only have myself to blame.

But that won’t stop my father from being furious. After all the time, the effort, and the relentless pressure he’s put into my swimming, he won’t see this as a one-off bad race. No, this will be my failure, and he’ll make sure I know it.

Upon walking out to the holding room, I spot them. My father, arms crossed, nostrils flared, mouth set in a grim, silent line. Mum stands beside him, shaking her head, disappointment clear in her narrowed gaze.

My stomach churns.

And then there’s Stacy, my little sister. She winces as soon as our eyes meet—she already knows. They have already told her.

Now, it’s my turn to hear it all.

Every word of how badly I’ve failed.

“Lacy Hannah LaBelle… you get your pathetic arse over here right now !” Dad voice booms, cutting through the air.

Everyone stares at him.

I flinch, heat rising to my cheeks as I slump, trying to shrink into myself.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I—”

“Sorry? That’s all you’ve got?” He glares at me, his face red with frustration. “Do you have any idea how much time, how much money, we’ve poured into this? Your mother drove you to training day after day. I worked my fingers to the bone to get you here, and for what? You couldn’t even damn well qualify? How do you think that makes us feel, Lacy? How selfish can you be?”

My stomach lurches, and my heart pounds wildly as I stare at the floor. “Dad, I tried my—”

“Tried?” He cuts me off, his voice sharp and merciless. “You didn’t try at all! You’re pathetic, Lacy. I should’ve never encouraged this. You’re useless.”

I flinch, his words like a slap to the face.

“I don’t care how much you love swimming,” he continues, his tone colder now. “You’re done. Finished.”

My head jerks up, my vision blurring as tears pool in my eyes. “W-what do you mean?” I stammer, desperate for him to take it back.

“I mean exactly what I said.” His gaze is steely. “You suck at this, Lacy. It’s over. Your swimming days are done.”

“No!” The word bursts out of me, raw and desperate. “Dad, please… no! I can’t stop swimming!”

I regret yelling the moment the words leave my mouth.

Big mistake.

He yanks me toward him, his grip like iron. “If you think you have any say in this, kid, you’re wrong,” he snarls. “I pay for everything, so I decide what happens. And you—” he jabs a finger at me, “you’re finished. Done.”

He shoves me back.

I stumble, sobbing as tears stream down my face.

My best friend’s parents, Trinny and Harry rush over, Trinny’s arms wrapping around me protectively.

“Stay out of this, Trinny,” Dad growls, his tone dark and threatening.

“No, John,” she snaps, her voice shaking with anger. “You’re a fucking bully, and I won’t stand for it.” She turns to me, her touch gentle as she smooths my hair away from my tear-streaked face. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

I shake my head, too choked up to speak.

Trinny glares at Dad, her teeth gritted. “You can’t treat her like this, John. She’s sixteen, for God’s sake.”

“She’s my daughter, and I can treat her how I see fit,” he spits, his face twisted with rage. “I pay for all of this shit, and I’m done wasting my money.”

“But Dad, it’s m-my life,” I cry, desperation cracking my voice.

“Not anymore,” he says, cold and final.

“Dad… no!” My voice rises, but it’s like screaming into a void.

“Don’t be a brat.” He lunges toward me, but I jump back, my heart pounding. “You’re coming home right now . And I swear, I’ll throw out every single one of your awards and medals just so you understand… you’re. Never. Swimming. Again .”

I press further into Trinny’s chest as she pulls me protectively away.

“Jesus, John, do you hear yourself?” Trinny shrieks, her voice cutting through his anger.

“Stay out of this,” Dad snaps.

“Dad, you can’t throw out my stuff. I want to keep swimming,” I plead, tears blurring my vision.

“Oh, you want to keep swimming ?” He laughs coldly. The sarcasm in his tone is not lost on me. “ Fine . Then leave our house and pay for it yourself. That’s the only way you’ll keep swimming, Lacy.”

Fresh tears spill down my cheeks as I whimper, “Dad?”

Mum’s glare could burn through him, but she doesn’t say a word.

Trinny steps in front of me, grabbing my shoulders and gently turning me to face her. “Lacy, listen to me. Would you like to come stay with us? We’ll pay for your swimming. You can’t give up on your dreams.”

My eyes widen, disbelief mixing with hope.

Behind me, my parents gasp.

Life at home has always been a battle. Dad’s rules, his temper—it’s exhausting.

But the Hughes? The Hughes’ house is different.

It’s fun.

It’s safe.

The decision is almost too easy.

“Seriously?” I choke out, tears streaming, a spark of relief breaking through.

“Lacy, if you leave my house, you can never step foot back inside it again.”

“John!” Mum snaps, her voice trembling with disbelief.

Dad sneers, his face cold and merciless.

My eyes dart to my sister, Stacy, who’s crying silently in the corner. My heart twists—I don’t want to leave her with him , but I can’t stay. I need to escape.

“F-fine.” My voice cracks, but I straighten my shoulders, trying to sound stronger than I feel. “Trinny, if you’ll have me, I’d love to stay with you.”

Dad’s face hardens even more. “You’re no daughter of mine, Lacy,” he spits, his words like a dagger. He storms off without looking back.

Mum crumbles, shaking her head as tears streak her face. “I’m sorry, honey,” she whispers, but instead of coming to me, she walks away.

Stacy steps forward, her small arms wrapping around me. She hugs me so tightly like she’s trying to glue the pieces of me back together. She kisses my cheek, sniffs, and runs after our parents.

And just like that, I’m standing on the edge of everything I’ve ever known, wondering if it is safe for me to take a leap of faith.

Trinny pulls me into her arms, holding me close—so close it feels like the first real comfort I’ve ever had. “We’ll take care of you, Lacy,” she whispers, her voice soft but firm. “You don’t have to worry anymore.”

But as I bury my face in her shoulder, my sobs muffled, one thought hammers in my mind.

What happens now?

For the first time in my life, I have no idea where I belong—or what comes next.