Page 21 of Beautiful Defiance

“Following the rules is cowardice and boring.”

“If it keeps you alive, then I’d rather you stick with being less reckless and courageous.”

“I’m reckless and courageous?” Her face lights up.

“That’s not what I mean. You’re putting words in my mouth.”

“Go eat crow, Seven.”

“I will after you drop the idea of ever swimming to the other side of the lake. Promise?”

I’ll eat crow. Eat disgusting Brussels sprouts. Eat any goddamn vegetable my mother sets in front of me. I’ll do anything to get Meisa’s promise.

“No can do. I’ll wave to you from the other side.”

She launches herself backward and hits the water with a loud splash. I hurry to the edge of the dock. Meisa glides through the water backward. The sun’s out, but the lake is surrounded by large and tall trees. The shade drops the temperature of the water to ice cold.

“Meisa, get your ass back here,” I call out to her.

She flips me the bird.

Grinding my teeth, I sprint to the boathouse at the other end of the dock. I’m not a great swimmer, but I can float my way to her. I grab a life jacket and strap it on, hurrying back to the edge of the dock. I look for Meisa’s dark head of hair. I don’t see her. Where the hell is she? I call out to her again. Nothing.

My scream of terror lodges in my throat. My gut knots. I dive in after her. My fists punch the water. My legs kick in and out. The life jacket keeps me afloat, but the weight of my wet clothes drags me down.

I swim harder and faster until I’m in the middle of the lake. I spin around in circles, searching for a sign of Meisa. Small hands circle my ankles and drag me underwater. Down. Down. Down.

It’s pitch black. The hands let go. A face floats in front of me. Wisps of long black hair. Eyes wide open. Lifeless amber eyes. Meisa.

“No! No! Don’t die on me. Please. No.” I clasp her face in my palms. Press my mouth on hers. “Breathe, damn it. Breathe.”

Life shines back in her eyes. Her body lights up in this soft glow. She smiles. “Seven. It’s okay. I’m okay.”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I didn’t save you in time.”

“You did save me. Thank you, Seven.”

She leans in and presses her lips to mine. I close my eyes. This isn’t real. Meisa is dead, and nothing, including a different ending to my nightmare, will bring her back to life.

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