“Have you ever thought about how weird San Francisco is?” I say, touching the arm that’s wrapped around me. “Like, I love it here. But it’s expensive for no reason and mostly everyone is poor. Except, like, all the tech bros.”

“Both of my parents are in business.” Miles shakes his head. “Even then, I don’t know how they do it. I won’t be able to be like them.”

“Why not?” I glance up at him. “You’re smart.”

If Miles is worried about surviving in business, of all things, how would I ever survive as a director? How would I even make it to Broadway, in between trying to eat and finding a place to sleep without going completely broke?

“Smart people don’t always have money,” he says. “Black people are smart and we’re, like, all poor because—you know why. Even rich black people have less money than rich white people.”

I wish there were an option for us to turn off racism. I would never want to stop being black, but if I could control the way that society shapes us, I totally would.

“I know,” I say, sighing. “I just—”

“Simone? What are you doing here?”

I glance up and frown. Ralph from Group stands in front of me, surprise in his eyes. Fuck. If I had seen him earlier, I would’ve found a place to hide. The last thing I want is one of his condescending comments while I’m hanging out with Miles.

“Hi, Ralph,” I say between clenched teeth. “This is Miles. We—”

“Miles? Wow,” he says, sticking out a hand. “I’ve never seen you around before.”

There he goes again, interrupting me just like old times.

“Did you two meet at Group?” Ralph asks, pumping Miles’s arm. His eyes lock on me. “I think I would’ve noticed someone new.”

I glare at him. We both know that Miles isn’t from Group.

“No.” Miles glances at me with furrowed brows. I let out a loud sigh. “Uh, Simone and I go to school together.”

“Oh.” He glances over at me, mouth open. I can practically see his gears turning. “You must be who Simone was talking about last time.”

I hate this kid. “Look, Ralph—”

“Well, I hope everything works out.” His smile is as fake as the Christmas tree we’re using in the show. “Nice to see you, Simone. And great to meet you, Miles.”

He walks away before I can get another word in, the stupid jerk.

“Wait,” Miles says, blinking at Ralph’s retreating form. “Who is he? What just happened?”

“He’s only the worst person in the history of the world.” I groan, tossing my head back. “We’re in the same support group together. It’s a long story.”

“You talked about me at a support group?”