EMMITT RAMOS: only A+? I think it deserves A+++ at least

ME: oh my god I can’t stand you

EMMITT RAMOS: <3

ME: dickhead

ME: anyway see you tmrw?

EMMITT RAMOS: hopefully but I’ll keep you updated

EMMITT RAMOS: also the prompt is FLIGHT

ME: I saw! I checked the website lmao

EMMITT RAMOS: oh

EMMITT RAMOS: did you see anything else or...

ME: no...should I have??

EMMITT RAMOS: nope nvm

EMMITT RAMOS: anyway I have to dick into this meeting

EMMITT RAMOS: *duck

ME: freudian slip?

EMMITT RAMOS: who can say?

EMMITT RAMOS: have a good day mina xx

ME: you too dickhead

ME: *duckhead

I start to put my phone away but then pause, wondering what it was on the website Emmitt thought I saw. I open Safari again, clicking into my previous tab.

After nosing around, I finally find a leaderboard. I spy Emmitt’s username immediately—ramostomorrows. He’s ranked third on the list right now, and when I press on his username, it leads me to a portfolio with his contest pictures.

Three photos look back at me. The first is a young girl waving, the ocean in the background, and the Statue of Liberty peeking around the corner. The second is four girls lying on their sleeping bags, gesturing to their phones, though the lighting obscures their faces. The third is a spiderweb on a mausoleum, and in the corner, a family of three kneels at a grave.

His photos are amazing. I guessed as much, but confirming it really puts into perspective how much talent Emmitt truly has. His passions define his life as my passions define mine, and it feels so good to know we’ve grown from the same roots. Almost like his soul echoes mine.

I wonder why he didn’t show me these earlier. Was he nervous?

I’m tempted to text him and tell him I love his photos, but I don’t want to distract him while he’s in a meeting. Especially if his mother is looking over his shoulder. At any rate, I’m sure I’ll have a chance to tell him later.

He’s not going anywhere, and neither am I.

35

The next day is a whirlwind of events. During Nutri Sci, half the juniors weave in and out of the room, taking senior pictures.

As I watch them go, I lean my chin on my hand and reflect on the year that’s passed. It feels like just yesterday that Rosie and I were taking our own photos.

But then the anxiety sets in, festering in the pit of my stomach. This time next year, I’m going to be a freshman again, but in college instead.