"Dad, do you think Mom's already reached the other side?"

"Is there a chance she might forget us?"

My dad paused, his eyes instantly welling up. He bowed his head, continuing to pack my suitcase with milk cartons, just like Mom used to do.

"No way, kiddo. Mom loved us too much to ever forget."

"Sometimes I wish she would forget, just so she wouldn't be in pain anymore."

"...Stop thinking about it, alright? Everything's packed. We'll head back to school after dinner."

I'd only been home for a day, but Dad was already pushing me to head back to school.

With finals looming, he was adamant that I soldier through this tough time.

With a heavy heart, I returned to the classroom.

In just two days, my desk had become buried under a pile of test papers.

I forced myself to focus on the exams, but images of Mom kept invading my thoughts.

The harder I tried to suppress my sorrow, the more overwhelming it became.

After two evening study sessions, not a single answer was written on my papers.

Overwhelmed, I crumpled, hiding my face in my arms as I started to cry.

"What's this, a sob fest? You love crying so much, why not stay home and mourn a few more days?"

"She's barely cold, and you're back here bawling? Have some decency!"

"Your mom was clueless! In this era of influencers, she didn't even snag the chance to go viral."

"All publicity is good publicity. She couldn't even make a dime from lying down—what a dunce!"

I clenched my fists and stood up sharply, but the class president immediately pushed me back into my seat.

"Megan, cut the drama. Use that energy for some extra problem sets instead!"

He glared at Megan Maxwell, his duty as class president to keep order, especially during this critical prep time for finals.

Those words somehow were a trigger that made Megan bristle, "Listen up! I'm the victim here!"

"I'm just speaking the truth. Did I say anything wrong?"

"Her mom's death—You think she's not even a little to blame?"

"Are you defending her because you like her or something?"

After hearing this, the class president's face hardened, "We have just twenty days till finals. Every minute counts."

"Nobody's got time for your conspiracy nonsense."

"Study or don't—that's on you, but keep your drama away from everyone else."

As he finished, several students who had been studying looked up, their expressions filled with irritation at Megan.

Megan huffed dismissively and turned back, flipping through her English textbook resentfully, then shot me another angry glance.

The class president turned back to me, offering a quiet word of encouragement, "Just twenty more days. You can do it."

I sank back into my seat, my tears circling in my eyes before finally spilling over.

Megan wasn't wrong—it was my fault Mom died.

If it wasn't for me, she'd still be here.

If only I hadn't gone to the East Lake that day.

If I had just stayed home, none of this would have happened—no accident, no cyberbullying, no tragic leap by Mom.

During the Memorial Day break, the peonies at East Lake were in peak bloom.

Seeing the perfect weather, Mom wanted to drag both Dad and me out for a flower-viewing day.

With a pile of fresh exam papers to get through, I initially wanted to stay home but decided to let them have their day out.

Mom wasn't pleased, pouting as she spoke, "You know, science shows that taking breaks can boost your study efficiency. We're finally off for a day—let's enjoy it. Too much studying can dull the brain."

"Sure, finals are crucial, but so is your health. It's just half a day; I promise, you won't fall behind on your exams."

"Those exams will still be there tomorrow, but these peonies won't last forever."

"You've always loved peonies, haven't you?"

"Oh come on, my darling, let's go—please~"

Mom gently nudged me, her voice coaxing. I couldn't help but smile, "Mom, who's the parent here? You're too old to act this cute."

Turning to Dad, who was trying to stifle his laughter, "And you, it's all your doing. You spoil her rotten, every single time."

My parents had a deep bond; they hadn't argued once in their twenty years together.

At forty-something, Mom still looked as youthful as someone in their late twenties or early thirties.

Whenever we went out, people mistook us for sisters rather than mother and daughter.

"Love keeps you young," they say, and it was truly evident in Mom.

Unable to resist Mom's persistent charm, I put my pen down and joined them for a trip to East Lake.

It was my first leisure outing since the start of my senior year.

Mom was all animated, sharing the latest gossip she'd heard, even dancing a little as she spoke.

Dad and I played up the mood, laughing along with her.

Indeed, stepping out for a bit really did help to lift our spirits.

We were leisurely walking by the lake when suddenly, cries for help pierced the air:

"Help! Someone help! There's someone in the water!"

Dad reacted instantly, tossing his backpack to me and sprinting towards the pier.

Before Mom and I even reached him, he was already diving into the lake.

There, a girl in a yellow dress was desperately struggling, gasping, and coughing as she began to sink.

Dad reached her just in time, pulling her back to the surface and swimming back to shore.

The onlookers helped as Dad lifted her onto the dry ground.

As people moved away, I peered forward for a better look.

Shocked, I realized it was Megan, my class rival!

Both of us being top students, the rivalry between Megan and I had always been intense.

While I usually came out on top, she was consistently a close second.

She'd been always striving to outdo me, yet her every attempt failed her, and it pissed her off so much.

Seeing her struggle in the water was unexpected, but luckily, my dad was there just in time to save her life.

Before he opened his restaurant, Dad had spent two years as a lifeguard.

The waters of East Lake are known for their depth, a place where few would dare to venture in for a rescue.

Dad knelt down, immediately starting CPR on Megan.

She coughed up water for a moment, and the crowd around breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks... Ugh..."

She started to thank him, but upon seeing me, her expression changed to one of discomfort.

The crowd inquired if she felt pain anywhere.

Megan paused, then hesitantly spoke, "I felt someone touch me..."

She stopped, her eyes tearing up, "It hurts... down there."