But then I spot Katie and her husband, Billy, tight-lipped and paler than normal, on the other side of the restaurant, scanning the empty dining room. They don’t look worried. They look utterly terrified. A chill goes down my spine, and my nervous system starts to feel like it’s gone from still to sparkling, millions of tiny, anxious bubbles floating up my belly. This must be what Parisa feels like all the time, I think to myself. Maybe she’s been right to anticipate doom her whole life. At least one of us will be prepared for what’s coming.

Gabriela

OMG. I’m gonna be AWOL at lunch today. My moms pulled me out of school already. We’re on our way home now.

Parisa

What? NO! School doesn’t officially shut down till tomorrow.

Gabriela

They don’t care. They’re not gonna let me finish out the day if it means I could get Adema.

Parisa

Yikes. Should I go home? Am I just swallowing deadly germs while Mr. Dennery makes us read Wuthering Heights aloud?

Gabriela

No. They’re way overreacting. They have no control over anything in their lives so all they can do is control me.

I really thought this whole virus would blow over before it got here. Principal Jackson told us that we’re going to be closed for two weeks.

Parisa

UGH. I’ve had perfect attendance since kindergarten. I will not let a pandemic screw that up for me.

Gabriela

What do you get for perfect attendance?

Parisa

A certificate.

Gabriela

LOL. I’m sure they’ll make an exception cuz of the virus.

Parisa

Also, I don’t want to go two weeks without seeing Mr. Dennery’s face. He’s wearing a skinny tie today. HAWT.

Gabriela

Lizzy, no joke, burst into tears in Trig when they made the announcement that we were shutting down. She said she doesn’t want our senior year to be shorter. Why does she care? She’s probs gonna spend the whole break making out with Andrew.

Parisa

Gross. Not to mention that people are DYING. And they say the mortality rate is higher for our age group.

Gabriela

Maybe that’s just cuz some of the kids that tested positive went to a Taco Bell?

Parisa

So far 80% of fatalities around the world have been people under the age of thirty.

Gabriela

FUUUUUUUUUUUCK.

Parisa

I should just go home, too. Wes wants to go to Shake Shack for lunch, but it’s probably infested with Adema.

Gabriela

Plus, that boy should avoid dairy at all costs.

Parisa

OMG. You’re so mean. It was freshman year! It’s ancient history!

Gabriela

I know, but sometimes we just have to laugh about it. It’s almost worse to pretend like it never happened.

Gabriela

Speaking of which, my moms are freaking out because we only have five rolls of toilet paper and every grocery store is sold out.

Parisa