Q’s eyes flutter but don’t open, like flicking a lighter that won’t stay lit.

He sits up, turns his head toward me, eyes still closed, his mouth opening and shutting, but soundless.

Like watching Frankenstein wake with the volume muted.

And then Q suddenly falls backward, head thudding against his pillow, arms falling to either side, all ten fingers twitching.

He does this several times.

Rising, falling.

Like he’s installing a new update, rebooting after each cycle.

I remember another video line: “Likely, there will be false starts. Several,” she’d said. “Don’t be alarmed.”

Don’t be alarmed when your dead best friend tries to come back to life, sputtering like an old mower.

The third time it happens, Q doesn’t stay upright, just snaps up and back like a tripped mousetrap, and, startled, I fall out of the chair, bump into his desk, his laptop waking.

Which is symbolic, right?

Or at least kinda ironic.

I pull myself up, ready to resume my focus on Q’s bed routine, except the cursor’s blinking at me from the password screen. Almost like it’s talking to me. Like it’s saying, try-metrymetryme.

And I wonder if he changed it.

Not that I’m gonna know, because I’m not even gonna try it.

Breaking into my ex–best friend’s laptop, even for a semigood reason, is still an invasion of his privacy. Another betrayal to add to the list.

I look back at Q, waiting for him to spring to life any minute.

If he woke up and saw me . . .

But I have to know. Because if it’s still JAUNCY19, that means something, yeah?

I slide the laptop closer, my hands hovering over the keys.

I have to know.

I type.

Press Enter.

The screen flashes.

The browser comes into view, and there are a hundred open tabs, because Q can’t let anything go. But the current tab is what gets me.

Q’s vlog. I read the description beneath the video, and I can’t resist.

I click.

61

JAUNCY IN THE STREETS	TuberOne
1,812 views 192 9 | JAUNCY COMEDY DUO | SUBSCRIBE 272

Quincy: Hey guys! We’re back with your new favorite segment here at Jauncy.

Jamal: That’s right! It’s time for . . .

Q and J: Jauncy innnn the STREEEEEETSSSS!

J: The segment where we take Jauncy to the streets . . .

Q: Uh, J, that’s kinda why it’s called Jauncy in the Streets. Kinda feels . . . self-explanatory.

J: Umm, maybe if you’d let me finish, friend. The segment where we take to the streets AND ask people questions about things they apparently know nothing about.

CUT TO: a skateboard park

Q: Hey, man, mind if we ask you a question?

Sixteen-Year-Old Skater: Sure. You’re not gonna make me look stupid on camera, though, are you?

*Q looks straight into camera and grins*

Q: I promise you, man, we’re not gonna make you look stupid on camera.

Skater: Good.