“I always like ‘Lucky,’” I say.

“You would,” she says, and I’m not sure what this means. Maybe she means I picked the only Britney song that doesn’t sound like it is made of bubble gum.

The angry-looking dancer leaves for the bar area, and Cinnamon mouths, “Fuck you,” at the closing door.

“What’s up with her?” I ask.

“She’s a fiend,” Cinnamon says. “She literally only works here for the drugs, and she always takes the good ones before anyone else can get them.” She lowers her voice. “One of the moneymakers complained and I think they’re going to fire her soon.” Cinnamon licks a little crystal-y powder off her finger. “I wish they’d do it, like, tonight.” Then she giggles. “I feel good, honestly I don’t even care anymore.”

“Drugs are great,” I say.

“Yeah,” Cinnamon says. “Until they aren’t.”

I am peaking on molly and chatting with lots of dancers, who are now calling me “Ice” to my face, when my dad texts me.

Did you enjoy Solstice? I’m rewatching now.

I am very high, but I find it soooo sweet the way my dad is trying to connect with me. I haven’t seen Solstice, obviously, but I decide to practice my acting and logical deduction, about which I am highly confident at this moment. The summer solstice is the brightest day of the year. A horror movie in the sunlight.

I was inspired by his decision to make a horror movie in the sunlight, I write.

Me too, he writes back. Also, the dyed in the wool academic in me is charmed by all the thesis drama.

I could cry. My dad is so adorable. For most of my life it annoyed me that my parents were academics who had given me neither a trust fund nor Hollywood connections. But right now I am peaking on molly and find my academic father endearing and perfect. He is a brilliant and kind man with excellent taste. He could have done anything, but he decided to invest his time and energy in the youth of Riverside. It’s so honorable. I love him and I love MDMA.

Why did you name me Emily? I type back without thinking. I know the answer. Emily Brontë. But I want to know WHY???

Before he answers, Beau walks in and I almost drop my phone. He is with a crew, per usual. There is the suspected Leo man. Several blondes who are, from my perspective, indistinguishable, but together they look cool and powerful. The patrons of the bar turn to watch them as they enter. For a brief moment, they even take attention from the dancers. It is impressive.