Ruby and I did the only thing we could think of—went in deep on every comment between Logan and Elle. Which calmed me down. It was all there for everyone to see—they were all over each other.

Although it sucked for Fred—he was going to be gutted. Ruby said she’d let him know on the d-low to save him getting even more hurt later on.

Eurgh. Why couldn’t liking people not be completely rubbish?

We decided there was only one way I could handle Woody—by ignoring him entirely.

But after ignoring him for at least twelve minutes, we figured he might not know he was being ignored, so I decided I should send something that showed how over him I was (now wasn’t the time to mention to Ruby the technicality that I wasn’t).

This is what we went for.

Yup. She’s great. I’m having the best time out here. Think Elle might be into someone else though. Soz. Have a good Christmas and New Year.

Ruby wanted me to put “and life” at the end. But after I put the phone down to her, I felt at least half as brave, so I went with:

Yup. She’s great. Think she’s into someone else though… Soz. And I’m having the best time out here.

My finger shook as I sent it. I immediately headed downstairs to try to stop thinking about it. Pete was on the phone, I think to Elle, and Jess was on her laptop in the kitchen.

When she saw me, she stopped and snapped her fingers. “I KNEW there was something I had to tell you.” She slid a thick, cream-colored card over across the table. It had posh gold writing on it. “Nick told us you were a fan of Twenty One Pilots?”

“Who isn’t?” I blurted before I could think of something better.

“Well, we got this…” She nodded me to open it. Out popped a 3D version of the band, and loads of other musicians all in Santa hats, gold writing underneath.

“Oh wow.” I realized what I was holding. THE SNOW BALL. December 24. Madison Square Garden. The one Nay and I watched every year on YouTube, and this year Twenty One Pilots was playing! And so were SO many amazing people?! Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles. Everyone! “Killer lineup!”

“Turn it over…” Jess stepped beside me. I flipped to read the scrawly black handwriting.

Scrawly black handwriting inviting Jess, Pete, and family to a VIP box and after-party.

Whyyyyy did this have to be the day after I left?!

Jess rested her hand on my arm. “It’s a thanks for all the work getting the decorations for the dressing rooms.”

“Elle is going to DIE.” I said it so forcefully, Jess looked a little alarmed. “But in a good way.”

“It says family, Hol—and while you’re here, we hope you very much feel like that.”