While the view from the outside is completely blocked by those trees, hedges, and higher, stronger gates, from the private drive, I can see a little. Things like the shape of the buildings; each one seems to have made a point of picking a different style of architecture, colors, vibes, to differentiate themselves from the others.

I’m glancing across the road when something I see that makes me frown. I’m not sure why at first. A girl’s jumping into what seems to be a full-size Olympic pool outdoors. It’s lit up, both in and out, in front of a gorgeous three-story white Regency manor house—one of the most imposing on the drive. They are bigger towards the entrance of the drive.

At first, I can’t tell what’s wrong. It’s just a girl jumping in the pool. Maybe it’s all the drinks I’ve consumed, but it takes me a while to decide why it seems odd.

She’s completely dressed. Why would she jump in with all her clothes? Even her shoes, I think. It’s hard to tell in the distance.

In the time it takes me to ask myself that question, another odd fact hits me.

She’s not surfacing.

Oh my god, she’s not surfacing. I can see the entire pool, and as I scan it more and more frantically as seconds pass, I realize that she’s not coming up.

“Hey, Lily? How long can someone hold their breath underwater?”

“What?” My roommate looks at me like I lost my mind.

“A few seconds, right? Thirty or so.”

“I mean, that depends on the person. A minute max, for a normal person. But people who train for it can hold it much longer. Why do you ask?”

It’s been a lot longer than a minute since I watched her go down. “A girl jumped in that pool,” I say urgently, pointing to the house. “A while ago. She was all dressed. I didn’t see her come up. Oh my god, what if⁠—”

Lily’s already dashing across the road. Though she made it clear she doesn’t usually party this side of the drive, she doesn’t hesitate at the gate, punching in a code. Moments later, we’re inside.

Immediately, I spot her, all the way at the bottom of the pool.

“Oh my god,” I gasp, thunderstruck and horrified.

She’s not moving. Fuck. I should have told Lily sooner. Why was I so slow? I am never drinking again.

Lily’s already tossed aside her jacket and bag, and dives in without hesitating, swimming underwater at the sort of speed I don’t usually see from anyone outside of watching the Olympics. In no time, she’s dragging the girl to the closest side. I run, making it at the same time they do.