I push open the creaky old window, and the smell of summer fills the room. We’re up on the sixth floor, in the east wing of the building, sitting atop a hill with nothing but woodland surrounding us. With just one road in and out, it’s easy to forget that the outside world exists. For two years now, there’s been this and only this. Oakbrook Academy. It really does feel surprisingly like home.

‘I can’t believe we’re about to leave it all behind,’ I say. ‘This time tomorrow we’ll be saying our final goodbyes.’

‘Yeah,’ Chase says, a little softer now. I can tell he’s been thinking about it too. ‘What will you miss the most? Besides me, of course. Obviously you’re gonna be inconsolable when we say our goodbyes. I’ve got tissues ready and everything.’

‘I’ll be weeping for weeks,’ I tease, though secretly I know that will, in fact, probably be the case. Growing up as an only child, sharing a room here took a lot of getting used to, but now I can’t imagine waking up without Chase. ‘I’ll definitely miss our movie nights,’ I finally settle on. ‘I’ll have to find someone new to educate on quality cinema.’

‘Quality cinema?’ He raises an eyebrow. ‘If I recall correctly, I’m pretty sure you said that Ratatouille is the best film ever made.’

‘That’s because it is the best film ever made,’ I say. ‘It’s got romance, drama, an incredible score! And don’t even get me started on the subtext!’

‘I can’t get you to stop on the subtext, Zach. You’ve spoken at length about the subtext. The subtext surrounding a talking mouse –’

‘He’s a rat! We’ve been through this! It’s literally called RATatouille!’

‘Mouse, rat, whatever.’ Chase laughs. ‘It’s still a three out of ten at absolute best.’

‘You’re a three out of ten at absolute best,’ I say. ‘You know, I seriously can’t wait to get to film school and be surrounded by people that actually understand me.’

‘Or ridicule you for describing A Bug’s Life as an “emotional masterpiece”?’

‘It is an emotional masterpiece!’

‘If you say so,’ he replies, further mussing up my bed-head. ‘But what else will you miss? Come on, besides movie nights?’

‘Well …’ My gaze drifts back towards the rugby team. One member of the team in particular. ‘I suppose I am gonna miss seeing Cameron in his kit …’

‘Or without his kit …’ Chase adds as one of the boys slowly peels his shirt off, his body glistening in the morning sun.

‘That’s not even Cameron.’ I laugh. ‘That’s Ethan. You still can’t tell them apart?’

‘I really can’t.’ He looks back and forth between the twins.