“I totally understand. Sometimes it feels like everything is a lie,” I say, throwing myself into character so I’ll stay in my seat. He’s Eric. A stranger. You can smack him later. Taking a long drag of the herbs, I breathe in rosemary and mint before slowly exhaling. “I have to hide my kidney disease from the Networks. My parents don’t want me to seem sick or weak—it would be bad for Dad’s business. One of his tax shelters sells vitamin supplements, so I need to look like the picture of health and happiness. It’s exhausting. I would so much rather feel alive and be surrounded by genuine friends than look alive in a sea of fakeness, but real connections are hard to make in this world.”

Nicki smiles and takes another hit. “I like you,” she says.

“I like you, too,” I reply, and I’m not lying.

Joanna waves her hand in front of her face, and Berkeley & the Brightside’s “Headshot” fills the room. “This party is way too mellow,” she says, pulling Nicki to her feet.

Nicki hands the herbs off to Adam. “I love this song.” Giggling, she takes my hand and drags me into the dance party.

The three of us girls dance while the guys wordlessly sip their drinks. I wonder if Garrett is nervous about the competition for Nicki’s attention, but most of me doesn’t care. I’m pleasantly buzzed, caught up in a world that spit me out, and I can’t help but wonder if, had we met in another life, Nicki would have been a true friend.

“Nicki.” A voice sounds from across the room, bringing the party to an abrupt halt. “Your father is about to give his speech.”

A stern woman dressed all in black, her mouth set in a firm line, beckons Nicki toward her. She’s flanked by two bodyguard types, and I imagine they’re scanning Garrett and me with the latest in AMP infotech. Expecting them to pounce, to expose me as a dead girl brought to life, I feel my breath catch in my throat.

“Give us five more minutes, Miriam.” Nicki takes the herbs from Adam and inhales a long drag.

“Pull yourself together,” Miriam says. “You know how important it is that you’re at your father’s side tonight. You’re the future face of Simon Technologies. Act like it.”

Nicki sighs and takes Eric’s hand. “Guess we should go.” But before she leaves, she hugs me. “I want you two to be my guests at the Stern Grove Festival this weekend. I have an entire picnic table all to myself, and Berkeley & the Brightside is playing. Will you come?”

“I’d love to,” I say. Truth. “There’s no VR access to Stern Grove, right? My parents hate not being able to check in on me, which is why I’ve always wanted to go.”