Graduation Trip Gone Wrong: The Med Swap

During my graduation trip, my friends and I go on a road trip to the plateau. That's when I get afflicted with altitude sickness.

As dark spots begin to form in my vision, I realize that my anti-sickness medication, which can definitely save my life, has been swapped for ibuprofen instead.

I'm about to start demanding answers from the group when my fiance, Zayden Lowry, stops me.

"Sorry, Noelle. I've given your imported medication to Erica. You should take some ibuprofen and try to ride out your sickness for the time being."

I clutch the box of ibuprofen, already finding it difficult to breathe.

"So, you're just going to make me wait for my death after taking ibuprofen, huh?"

Zayden frowns deeply at me. "How could you say that? Erica is frail, but you shouldn’t curse her like that!

"This trip is meant for us to enjoy Mother Nature's beauty, not an opportunity for you to show off your expensive medication!

"My mom is right. You really need to change that spoiled temperament of yours. If not, I won't be able to afford your expenses, seeing as you're the frail type who collapses over the slightest inconvenience."

I no longer pay Zayden any attention. Using what's left of my strength, I send my dad a text.

"Dad, send someone here to take me home. Also, you can terminate the collaboration between our company and Zayden's."

A low-battery warning popped up on my phone right after I sent the text.

Zayden's face darkened at the message I'd sent my father. A second later, he sneered, "Using the same old threat on me again? Grow up, Noelle."

He tried to snatch my phone, but I kept it out of his reach. I was already nauseous from the wrenching pain in my chest and the struggle to get enough oxygen to my brain.

Going for broke, I swallowed the two ibuprofen pills Zayden gave me, but they didn't help with my altitude sickness. If anything, they made my stomach churn even more.

Nausea and retching were natural consequences of altitude sickness, but the ibuprofen made those symptoms worse.

At that moment, Erica walked over with my bottle of imported medication in hand. She eyed me piteously. "Noelle, don't be so hard on Zayden. I'm just so physically weak that the smell of gasoline makes me nauseous."

Right in front of me, she poured out two pills and slowly swallowed them with water. She deliberately slowed down her movements, exaggerating every gesture, fearing I wouldn't see clearly.

Black spots appeared in my vision.

That bottle of medication had cost me 500 dollars. I'd had it shipped from Gerbane, and it was a specialty drug meant to target altitude sickness.

Each bottle contained ten pills, and each pill cost a small fortune. And yet, Erica was ingesting my life-saving pills like they were candy, deliberately rubbing the act in my face.

Zayden held her steady. His face was full of sympathy.

"You're too kind, Erica,