Page 122 of Salto

"Okay," I said, unable to get anything else past the lump in my throat.

"You’re gonna do great, Scar. We both believe in you," Mia said.

We said our goodbyes, and after they left, the apartment felt so quiet and lonely again.

When I climbed into bed for a second time, my eyes drifted to the little porthole in the ceiling. I could see the stars blinking at me. The moon was there too. And seeing the beautiful night sky twinkling and glimmering, it put things into perspective somehow.

My mind wandered to the conversation we'd just had.

He's a piña colada with a pineapple wedge.

I let out a quiet laugh, shook my head, and rolled over.

When I fell asleep, I dreamed about a piña colada with a pineapple wedge riding a motorcycle.

CHAPTER 42

Seeing my best friends may not have left me feeling any more rested, but emotionally, I felt a million times better the next morning.

Zero regrets.

By the time I pulled into the gym parking lot at exactly seven a.m., the bus was already idling and the elite girls were boarding.

I hurried over and joined the entourage.

"Hey, Scarlet," Lexi greeted me. She was sitting in the back, and she didn't have anyone next to her yet. I took the opportunity like a lifeline.

"Hey, can I sit by you?" I asked, already moving in.

Thankfully, she nodded.

"Of course," she said, and her smile helped put me at ease.

"Thanks."

I pulled out my AirPods and put them in my ears, hoping Lexi would understand that I wasn't a huge talker. She seemed to match my vibe because a few moments later she put in her headphones too and gazed out the window.

We would make great bus buddies.

As we waited for the bus to fill up, my rap music blasted in my ears while I watched everyone board.

Sloane and Eva got on ten minutes later, and thankfully, they took seats near the front.

Rove, Vanta, and Hana boarded last, and as Hana and Rove took their seats, Vanta stayed standing to address us.

"Alright, we're heading to the hotel. Once we get there, head straight to your rooms. It'll be two girls per room—we'll sort that out when we arrive. I want everyone resting as much as possible today. If you leave the hotel to grab something to eat, stay close by. Curfew is at nine. I expect everyone bright-eyed and bushy-tailed tomorrow morning."

We all nodded, and there was a chorus of ‘yes coach’ that echoed throughout the van.

"Great. The drive is about three hours.” He didn’t say anything else.

Short and to the point was definitely Vanta’s style.

He pulled out of the lot and we were on our way moments later.

My hand drifted to my lower abdomen out of habit, searching for the familiar ache. It was manageable today.

If my body could just cooperate this weekend, I'd be okay.