Second Chance on Honeymoon Island

One blue, one white.

Before I left yesterday, I'd poured half a glass of water into the white cup, meaning to use it for my medicine when I got back.

Now the cup was in Katherine's hand.

She took a sip and wrinkled her nose.

"It's a little cold."

Sebastian took it, poured it out, and refilled it with hot water for her.

Something in my chest went hollow.

Then, slowly, I smiled.

So it turned out that my being understanding was just their reason to move me out whenever they liked.

So it turned out my place, too, could be given away with a single sentence.

Sebastian saw me smile and it only irritated him.

"Don't be snide."

I didn't say anything.

I walked to the wardrobe and took my clothes out one by one.

I unzipped the suitcase, softly.

Katherine watched me.

"Selma, are you really going? I can put up with it, you know."

I put my toiletry bag inside.

"You don't need to put up with anything."

The smile on her face paused.

Sebastian stood where he was, as if it hadn't occurred to him that I would actually leave.

"Selma, is this necessary?"

I zipped the case shut.

"Yes."

His face darkened.

"It's just one night."

I looked up at him.

"Sebastian, last night was one night too."

The room went quiet, and as it happened, I no longer wanted to hear any more excuses.

Later in the night, I ran a fever.

Toward dawn, my dreams were all the ferry-waiting area on Honeymoon Island.

The lights were off, the sea wind blew in, and the plastic chairs were cold as ice.

I sat there hugging my backpack, watching one ferry after another pull away from the shore.

The wake at each stern flashed white, then was swallowed by the dark.

Someone was calling me.

"Selma, open the door."

I opened my eyes. My forehead burned so hot it ached.

The knocking outside came fast and bright.

"Selma, hurry up, we're going diving today."

It was Katherine.

I braced myself on the bed and sat up. The room swayed in front of me.

By the time I reached the door, the floor felt soft under my feet.

The door opened, and there was Katherine in her swimsuit, a sheer cover-up over it, her hair pinned up prettily.

Sebastian stood behind her, a waterproof bag in his hand.

He saw me and his brow creased again.

"Why aren't you ready yet?"

I held onto the door frame.

"I have a fever. I'm not going today."

The anticipation dropped off Katherine's face.

"But diving is so hard to book."

I looked at Sebastian.

"This wasn't on the itinerary before."

His eyes flickered.

"We booked it last-minute yesterday."

Yesterday.

Which was when I'd been alone on Honeymoon Island waiting for them.

They'd been in Maui booking today's dive.

My throat tightened.

"I want to rest at the hotel."

Sebastian's face went dark.

"Selma, can you not make a scene?"

"The thing on Honeymoon Island already wrecked a whole day. Now you're not coming today either. We came here to have fun, not for you to put on airs."

I raised a hand and touched my forehead.

My palm was burning.

"I really don't feel well."

Sebastian glanced at the red swelling on the back of my hand.

"Katherine had an allergic reaction yesterday too, and she was fine after resting a bit. Stop using your health as an excuse."

Katherine said quickly,

"Sebastian, why don't we just skip it? I'll stay with Selma."

But as she said it, her hand tightened around the strap of the dive bag.

Sebastian, sure enough, felt sorry for her.

"You've been looking forward to this so long. Why should you miss it?"

He turned to look at me.

"She's being this understanding, and you still want more?"

I stepped back.

"Then you two go."

Sebastian gave a cold laugh.