Eli
“You’re taking up both armrests,” Marina muttered, elbowing me sharply.
I turned my head and gave her my most dramatic pout. “You know, I was told first class came with peace. Luxury. A seatmate who didn’t threaten bodily harm.”
“I was told first class came without washed-up drama magnets who talk through the safety instructions.”
“Wow. So much hostility and we haven’t even taken off yet.”
She smirked and put on her sunglasses like a diva. “If you ruin this flight for me, I will pretend not to know you in Shanghai.”
“Your playlist is trash,” Marina muttered, tugging her hoodie tighter as the plane leveled out. “Who still listens to early 2000s hip-hop remixes?”
“People with taste,” I shot back. “Unlike someone who packed five vitamin shots and no snacks.”
She raised an eyebrow. “My body is a temple.”
“A prison,” I said. “Three face masks, no fun.”
She smirked. “You brought zero boundaries and a portable speaker.”
I leaned closer. “Admit it—you missed me.”
“Keep leaning, I’ll stab you with my metal straw.”
“You brought a weapon on an international flight?”
“No, but I know where the forks are.”
She rolled her eyes, but I caught a flicker of a smile.
***
Shanghai at night was electric — loud, chaotic, alive. Marina belonged here, moving through the city like it had been waiting for her.
We’d just beaten a seeded pair in a match I barely remembered playing. The tennis didn’t stick in my mind — it was her. How she called out every dumb shot, moved like she didn’t need me but synced with me perfectly.
Later, in a narrow alley steamy with food smells, Marina glared at a fried mystery item.
“I don’t know what half this stuff is,” she said.
“That’s the fun. Pick what looks most likely to kill you and trust your immune system.”
“I hate you.”
“You keep saying that, but you’re still walking with me.”
We found a vendor selling bao buns the size of fists. Marina groaned after a bite. I had a moment, the chili oil warm and normal — just two people eating street food at midnight, not two disasters in motion.
Then I joked about her dad’s diet plans, and everything shifted. Her shoulders tensed. I saw it — the panic in her eyes. The same panic I’d seen on the court last week when Vincent stood frozen, watching her break.
I sat beside her as she struggled to breathe.
“You can be strong and scared,” I said softly. And I meant it.
***
Her phone buzzed. Milo.
“Hang on,” I said, stepping aside.
“Yeah, we won. Marina didn’t murder me on court, so that’s progress.”
Pause.
“Did you eat today? Seriously? Nurse said—yeah. I’ll send a video next match, if I don’t double fault.”
Back by her side, Marina watched me with guarded curiosity.
“Was that your brother?”
“Yeah. Milo.”
“You never told me his name.”
“I didn’t think you wanted details.”
“How old?”
“Fifteen. Stubborn, smart. Plays guitar — or used to.”
She tilted her head.
“Chemo messed with his fingers. Makes it hard. Last time, he was learning a metal version of the Pokémon theme. Said he’d play it if I won.”
Her lips twitched.
“That’s sweet.”
“He’s better than me. Always has been.”
She was quiet.
“Is that why you did it?”
I didn’t dodge.
“Yeah. I didn’t throw the match, but I took appearance fees I wasn’t supposed to. Mom lost everything gambling, Milo needed surgery, and I had no one else.”
“No one tells you,” I said, “how lonely it gets when the world calls you a fraud. When friends vanish. When your name turns toxic. I didn’t do it to party. I did it to keep him alive.”
She said nothing.
“You should’ve told someone.”
“Who?” I asked. “Sponsors who dropped me? Federations who pretended I didn’t exist? Your dad?”
She gave me a glare.
Then, quietly: “You remember the kiss?”
“Which one?”
“You know.”
“Oh.” I laughed nervously. “Yeah. I remember.”
“You kissed me, then walked away.”
“I was scared.”
“You always say that.”
“I was. You’re… perfect, polished, terrifying. I was already halfway wrecked. I didn’t want to drag you down.”
She stared, long and quiet.
“I hated you for that,” she said.
“I know.”
Then she leaned in, her knee brushing mine. She grabbed my shirt and kissed me, messy, quick, warm. Her hands trembled. Then she pulled back, eyes wide like she couldn’t believe it.
“I—I have to go,” she whispered.
“Marina—”