I look for my friends. They’re by the yearbook, and Bec is already writing something. Taylor Swift lyrics undoubtedly. Even from up here, Chase’s reaction confirms it. I can almost hear him just by watching his hand gestures. ‘I just thought maybe you’d write something more meaningful.’

I watch her thrust the pen at him. ‘Come on then, Plato, your turn.’

Something about watching them act out this silly little play stings a little. I should be down there with them. I still have FOMO, even if I have done this twice before.

I look around the crowd again. I can’t help but search for Cameron.

‘You really like him, don’t you?’

Kellen must have noticed me staring. I don’t answer.

‘You know it’s not too late, right?’

‘I just don’t wanna get my hopes up again …’ I say. ‘Owen is my secret admirer. And Ethan said Cameron isn’t into me anyway.’

‘Ethan is full of shit.’

‘Then why did he say it?’

‘To get into your head! To ruin your chances with his brother! He hates that me and Rhys are a thing. Imagine how he feels about the idea of you being with Cameron?’

I sigh. ‘I just don’t know what to believe any more!’

‘Well,’ Kellen says, ‘I don’t know what’s going on inside Cameron’s head. But, for what it’s worth, I think you’re a catch. He’d be an idiot not to like you.’

‘Wow,’ I say. ‘I think that’s actually the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.’

‘Well, don’t get used to it!’ He laughs, lying down on the slanted roof.

I lie down next to him, and we don’t say anything more for a moment. We just stay there in companionable silence, looking up at the stars. If you listen carefully, you can just about make out the music from the DJ below. It’s muffled, like someone playing music in the next room.

‘What is this song?’ Kellen says as if reading my thoughts.

‘“Baba O’Riley”,’ I say, air-drumming along with the beat. ‘It’s a seventies song. From one of my all-time favourite movies.’

‘Oh yeah?’ Kellen says. ‘Is it an animated movie by any chance?’

‘I do watch other things, you know.’

‘You could have fooled me!’ he teases, putting on a mock accent to mimic mine. ‘“The Fox and the Hound is the saddest film ever made! Pocahontas deserved more than one Oscar! Avatar ripped off FernGully!”’ He grins. ‘All you ever talk about is animated movies!’

‘Well, this one isn’t animated. The Girl Next Door. It’s about a teenage porn star.’

‘Of course it is,’ he says, rolling his eyes. ‘I’m just surprised it’s not The Boy Next Door. That sounds more up your street, Zach.’