she had no plans to tell Sean, or even Maggie, about it, well, that was a whole new thing.
Except she was leaving. Going to the NDT meant she’d say goodbye to everyone. There was no use planning anything. “We should go,” she said. “I need to meet Sean after school.”
“Yes.” He was already moving on.
The afternoon sun had disappeared behind the trees. The shadows around the boulders looked like puddles. It was easy to imagine the prehistoric flood that had moved them. Maybe that forced movement had been exactly what they’d wanted. After all, it had brought them here, to this safe and quiet place in the woods.
The place she had to leave.
Seventeen
On Saturday, Ria woke to her phone beeping and buzzing.
“What are you doing?” Sean’s voice sounded scratchy with morning.
“Sleeping.” She checked the window, wondering if she’d slept late for the first time ever. But no. It was early. Way too early for Sean. “What are you doing?”
“Wondering why I never see you.”
Her insides flipped. Had he heard something about Cotton? She should have told him where she’d been. There wasn’t any reason for their time caving and hiking to be secret. She just didn’t want to risk him thinking he should come along too. Cotton and Leo would never take her caving again.
Before she figured out an answer, she heard a voice in the background. “Are you with Maggie?”
“Yeah. We’re at the outdoor pool. I’m working on closing it for the season.”
Then Maggie must have grabbed his phone. “Ria. Get over here before I lose my nerve. It’s now or never if you want to see my gainer.”
She was eager to see Maggie dive. It sounded like she’d made real progress. Diving was like that. One step in a hurdle, a hold, a miniscule shift—mere inches could make all the difference.
Fifteen minutes later, Ria stood in the empty parking lot. No echoes of shouts and whistles welcomed her. There was no thunk of the diving board in the distance. And yet, as soon as she spotted deep blue rippling through the bars of the fence, she was hit with a wave of recognition. Home.
Maggie appeared near the side gate.
“Why aren’t you at the gym? What about practice?” asked Ria.
“Benny had other plans.”
Inside the fence, Sean waved to them from across the pool. Barefoot and wearing his official red trunks with a snug white T-shirt labeled in all caps, LIFEGUARD, while holding the long skimming net in one hand, Ria recognized the boy she’d fallen for. She’d forgotten that giddy feeling of knowing Sean was watching her. She’d been shocked when Benny hadn’t minded. He’d teased her about his prettiness, but he’d let them talk after practice. She hadn’t had to hide him.
“Come on, get changed.” Maggie headed for the boards.
“I’m here to watch. I’m not diving.”
“As if.”
“I might not remember how.” But she was already digging through Maggie’s bag, looking for a spare suit. The song of water lapping against the concrete sides, the glitter of early morning sun reflecting below the white boards, the smell of chlorine, all of it called to her.
She didn’t bother with the locker room. She held a towel around her sides. Modesty in diving was a hassle, and pointless besides. There are few secrets beneath wet Lycra.
Except Maggie’s suit wasn’t as tight as she liked. Ria scooched the fabric around, trying to rearrange it.
“You still look ripped.”
Ria looked down, eyed her body. She held out her arms, comparing them to Maggie’s freckled ones, right before she took off her glasses. She’d only been trying to stay busy and tired. Running and caving were keeping her strong. A perfect example of why Benny was such a stickler for cross-training.
She still hadn’t told Maggie about the NDT’s offer. She hadn’t told anyone besides Cotton. Instead, she’d rolled the idea around in her head, trying to imagine all the different ways it could go. It was like she’d hurdled off the diving board, launched higher than she’d ever been—and then discovered the water wasn’t there. The worst part was she still hadn’t landed yet. The longer she went without telling anyone the less real it felt. Besides, if she didn’t go, it was an empty brag. Hollow, and easily popped.
From the very first free fall off the board, letting gravity have its way, the cool whoosh as she broke the surface; Ria felt like she’d slipped back into her own life. Her lift wasn’t as high as it should be, her turns moved a little