And I still don’t know whether I’ll be accepted into USC. I’ve been stalking the USC tag on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Tumblr. All I’ve seen is a post of Dr. Stewart and a bunch of other admissions counselors showing up in person to tell Californians about their acceptance.

I feel an ounce of resentment, wishing I lived in California—but then the thought makes me falter. If I lived in California, would USC be an escape at all?

In an alternate universe, am I praying I get accepted into NYU instead?

The thought makes my head spin unnecessarily, and I push it away.

Rosie looks as anxious as I feel, her pencil tapping rapidly against her binder, though I’m not sure why.

I lean forward, nudging her. “What’s wrong, Ro?”

She glances at me through a curtain of auburn hair. “Nothing. Nothing. It’s just—Sofia’s ex-boyfriend, Matt, has been acting really weirdly and I’m just a little worried about her.”

For a moment, I’m not sure how to respond. Rosie’s face starts to close off, so I hurry to say something. “Is she okay?”

Rosie hesitates but then nods. “Yeah. She seemed upset this weekend, but I think she’s better today. Hopefully she’ll be fine by the time film club rolls around.” A bitter smile passes over her face. “After all, we wouldn’t want her performance to suffer for it.”

I blink, not sure how to take that comment, but Rosie turns back to her notes, sighing deeply, so I decide to leave it be. I don’t want to fight with her unnecessarily.

I don’t know much about Sofia’s ex-boyfriend, but I know he’s also in the drama club, and they apparently had a really bad breakup. Kaity has ranted about Matt during statistics class over half a dozen times, and Linli has dragged the shit out of him on her Finsta even more often than that. Sofia has been oddly silent on the topic, but her friends are more than willing to take the lead when it comes to defending her.

I’d do the same for Rosie, so I’m not that surprised. But I am surprised that her ex-boyfriend is still pestering her.

I look at Rosie and nearly open my mouth to tell her to pass my well wishes on to Sofia, but I don’t know if it would be well received.

I match Rosie’s deep sigh, watching as another junior rises and leaves the classroom to take their senior photos.

I arrive to film club first, though Emmitt arrives soon after me. His eyes fasten on my pendant, and he smiles at me warmly.

I smile back, toying with the chain. “You’re back.”

He walks over, taking a seat beside me. “So I am. What’s on the agenda today, sweetheart?”