45-Witnessing A Sin

Helanie:

I stepped into the shelter, drenched and with my head down. However, sudden cheers erupted, and before I knew it, Lucy was jumping towards me.

"I'm so glad you made it!" She hugged me tightly, and as much as I wanted to share her happiness, I couldn't.

"Congratulations," Gavin called out from across the room, offering me a smile. They had already changed. I guessed Sydney was the last one still in the bathroom.

Salem sat comfortably against the wall, wearing a purple dress, her attention focused on her phone.

"So, Helanie—twenty miles? Seriously?" Salem finally spoke, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She shot me a condescending look before scoffing at Lucy for acting as though I had won a medal.

She wasn't wrong, though. There was no reason for us to be celebrating this. I was last and felt like I had died a thousand times just trying to cross the finish line.

"Don't listen to her," Lucy whispered in my ear.