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Elena

T he night before I left for home, I spent my time doing what I did best—practicing for my ballet tryout before disappearing into books and talking to my best friend, Zara. We’d met at orientation on my first day at Lakewood and became fast friends. I credited her with getting me through the first year.

“God, that bad, huh?” Zara’s voice called out as she rummaged through my fridge for bottled water.

“You have no idea,” I muttered, rubbing my forehead as I sat on my couch. “I had to sit in the same room as them earlier, and I swear, the tension could have crushed me. I don’t even know why we pretend we’re family when we can barely exist in the same space.”

Zara made a sympathetic sound and flopped beside me, her water in hand. “I know it sucks, babe. But at least the view is good.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t argue. Both Adrian and Troy were disgustingly attractive. There was no point in denying it, even if I disliked them both with a passion.

“That’s not the point,” I groaned.

“No, but it helps,” Zara teased. “Like, imagine if they were ugly. At least this way, you have the satisfaction of having a good view while they piss you off. ”

I huffed out a small laugh, shaking my head. “I hate you.”

“You love me,” she corrected. “And I love you, which is why I’ll always remind you that life could be worse.”

“Doubtful,” I muttered.

She laughed. “You’ll survive tomorrow. Just bring your book, ignore them, and enjoy your last hours of freedom before going back to your tragic life.”

I groaned. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

“Anytime, babe.” She grinned at me, her dark eyes lighting up. We shared another laugh about my evil stepbrothers before the conversation shifted to more entertaining things, like new movies, our plans for next weekend, and Zara trying to talk me into attending one of the campus parties.

We chatted a little longer before Zara finally had to go, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I curled up under my blankets in bed, staring at the ceiling.

I dreaded tomorrow.

The long flight home.

Being alone with them.

But at least it was a private jet. A small one. I could sit as far away from them as possible. I’d bring my book. Keep my head down. Pretend they didn’t exist. After all, that’s what they did to me as far as existing went. I was a nothing to them.

Even though I was terrified of flying, I’d get through this and emerge victorious on the other side.

With that thought in mind, I let exhaustion pull me under.

The morning was a mess.

One thing I had issues with was just so happened to be flying, particularly the heights part. Or maybe it was the fall part. It was up for debate. I’d always struggled with heights. I’d been apprehensive about this entire trip since Steve had called. I’d tried not to think about it past simply being a trip. I tried to trick my mind into thinking it was a road trip because that made it easier to cope with.

Knowing I would have issues forcing myself to go, I woke up early, dressed in an oversized off-the-shoulder sweater and leggings, my usual uniform for travel and life in general. Comfortable, casual, and completely uninteresting. I’d need it for the flight. I pulled my hair into a long braid, letting it fall over my shoulder, then grabbed my weekend bag laden with snacks and water for the trip, even though I knew the plane was more than stocked, and headed outside to wait for my dial-a-ride.

Only for it to be late.

I waited, nervously fidgeting as I continued to check my phone for the time. Troy and Adrian were going to kill me. Adrian had a thing with punctuality; at least, he did when it came to anything I did. It gave him more reason to scowl at me.

After thirty minutes of waiting, I had a decision to make.

I had to scramble for the bus. I hated the damn bus, but it was all I had. Steve had offered to buy me a car, but I’d refused. He had already set up a trust fund I’d get once I graduated college. I had a little money left from my mom’s life insurance policy. It had been a small sum, and I hadn’t found anything to spend it on. I kept it in a separate account mostly because it was still tied to her. Spending it made me feel like I was losing the last bit of her I had left.

Stress nestled beneath my skin as I checked the time, my stomach twisting into knots as I boarded the bus. I was going to be late.

I sent a message to our step-sibling group chat explaining the situation. We rarely used the chat. The last message sent before Steve had reached out for us to come home was a year ago.

Elena: My Uber never showed up. I’m taking the bus now. I’ll be there as soon as I can.

Adrian replied almost immediately.

Adrian: If you don’t make it by takeoff, you can stay home and explain it to Dad yourself. We won’t hold up to wait for you. Maybe if you start walking once we leave, you’ll make it to Ohio by the end of the weekend.

I clenched my jaw. Of course. He always had to be an asshole.

His words only piled onto my stress, making my pulse hammer as I checked the time.

But, somehow, I managed to get there just before we were set for takeoff.

I rushed into the terminal, my heart pounding and my breath short. The moment I stepped inside, Adrian and Troy were already there.

And neither of them looked happy.

“You’re late,” Adrian muttered, crossing his arms.

I ignored him, pressing a hand to my chest as I caught my breath. He already knew I was going to be late, so why he needed to remind me irritated me. Plus, it was only three minutes.

Troy didn’t even look up from his phone, his jaw tight, eyes locked on whatever conversation was currently frustrating him.

I opened my mouth to apologize—not because I owed them one, but because I didn’t have the energy to argue.

Before I could speak, a familiar, cheerful voice broke through the tension.

“Elena! There you are.”

I turned and immediately relaxed.

Dean—our family friend and longtime pilot—walked toward me, his face breaking into a kind smile. In his forties, Dean was good friends with Steve. They golfed together, and we even spent a lot of time with Dean and his family for various events, like golf outings and holidays.

“It’s good to see you, kid,” he said warmly, pulling me into a quick hug.

I hugged him back. “It’s good to see you, too.”

“You made it just in time,” he chuckled, stepping back. “But it’s fine. I wouldn’t have left you.” He gave me a wink.

Adrian scoffed. “Yeah, yeah. Can we go now? ”

Dean shot him a look but didn’t comment, instead motioning toward the plane. “Let’s get going, then.”

We boarded, and I made a beeline for the farthest seat from Adrian and Troy, dropping into it with a quiet sigh. I quickly pulled the shade so I couldn’t see outside.

Once that was done, I plugged in my earbuds, cranked up the volume, and opened my book.

The cabin filled with the hum of the pre-flight system checks, and then, finally, the plane took off.

I slumped against the seat, closing my eyes for a moment.

I’d made it.

Now, I just had to ignore them until we landed.