I lost my virginity to Josh last summer. I wouldn’t exactly describe it as romantic, but I don’t mean that as a bad thing. I was so nervous about sex, but he took the pressure off and made me feel safe. It feels weird to describe it this way, but it was kind of like facing my fears and having my friend there to hold my hand. I’m genuinely so grateful to him for that, but we are just friends. That’s all it is. We mutually decided it was a one-time thing. So why would he suddenly change his mind? It can’t be Josh. Chase has definitely got that wrong.

‘So if not Josh, then … Cameron?’ Chase wiggles his eyebrows as he says the name.

‘Honestly, someone probably just chose me by mistake.’

‘Oh, whatever!’ he says. ‘Someone likes you, Zach! And I bet you tonight’s the night you’re gonna find out who it is. Before the clock strikes midnight!’

‘So I’m Cinderella now, am I?’

‘If the glass slipper fits! I’ll be your fairy godfather.’ Chase snatches a pencil and waves it like a wand. ‘You will go to the ball, young Zachary! Your pumpkin carriage awaits!’

I can’t suppress a grin. I really am going to miss him. ‘Maybe you’re right.’

‘And if it goes wrong, at least you’ll be able to say you gave it a shot!’

‘I suppose I do wanna leave this place with at least one crazy story.’

I think about all those movies where the hero goes off the rails for one chaotically joyous day. Why can’t I be the Ferris Bueller? I’ve always wanted to be that person. Even if it’s not who I really am.

‘We’re talking about kissing a boy, Zach, not stealing a car. But yeah … I mean … that’s what the last day is all about, right? Everyone wants a crazy story. Everyone wants it to be memorable. That’s why people are more likely to take chances. Besides, I reckon we’ll look back on our time here very differently anyway. Do you really think we’re gonna remember Mr Draper’s maths lessons? Or do you think we’ll remember … this?’

I glance around our dusty old dorm room. ‘This?’

‘This!’ Chase says. ‘Peering out of the window on a hot summer’s day. Gossiping about our classmates. Watching cute boys get all sweaty! Everyone is so worried about missing the “high-school experience” they forget they’re already living it.’

‘Maybe you’re right.’ I look back out of the window.