"After that, we were inseparable," Mikayla tells me, grabbing Liz's arm and giving her a bright smile.

"Liz tells me your family just moved here from New York," I mention.

"My dad took a new job this spring at the University of Southern California, which is great for him, but my brothers, sister, and I were upset." Mikayla shakes her head. "Los Angeles is nice and all, but why would anyone want to leave New York City? It's the best city in the world. No offense." She smiles. "Anyway, my dad felt bad and took us on a trip to Maui while our stuff was being moved from New York."

"I'm a native Los Angelean and I adore it," Liz tells her. "You will too. I promise. Los Angeles is amazing."

"Yeah," I pipe up. "Think of the weather. You'll always be tan, your lawn will always be green. You don't have to deal with snow. We have sunshine almost year-round. You can swim in January!"

"You also have mud slides, earthquakes, and wildfires," Mikayla points out. "Not to mention a major obsession with all things Hollywood and who has the most money or the best car. It's pathetic how people worship stars out here." Her cheeks redden when she looks at me, as though she just remembered who she's talking to.

Yep, that would include me, Mikayla. I don't call her on it, though.

"Anyway, I can't wait to get back to New York," she adds.

"Mikayla is a freshman at NYU," Liz tells me for the umpteenth time.

"You'll be one in two years," Mikayla says confidently. "Your SAT scores were really good and with the summer program, you'll be a shoo-in." She looks at me. "What about you, Kaitlin? Where do you want to go to college?"

I open my mouth, hoping something clever and smart will come out, when Liz answers for me. "Oh, Kates isn't sure she's going to college yet. She might get another show or do some films."

"Instead of college?" Mikayla looks surprised. "I thought your show got canceled."

"It wasn't canceled," I bristle. "We're choosing to go off the air."

"Either way, it sounds like a good time to consider college," Mikayla says. "My parents and I have been talking about college since the day I turned twelve. If you want some help looking at schools, I'd be happy to guide you the way I am Liz."

The offer is nice, but if anyone is going to help me in that area, it would be Nadine. "Thanks, but --"

"How did you do on your SATs?" Mikayla interrupts. "A good score is crucial."

I blush. "I haven't taken them yet. I'm taking them for the first time in March."

"You haven't taken them yet?" Mikayla looks like her head is going to pop off. "But how will you have time to take them three times before sending out your college applications?"

"I don't know," I admit. "I'm not sure what I'm doing yet. I may take classes part-time or put college on hold."