Though still uncomfortable with the decision not to report Ryan, Maddie was on board with staying and finishing the program, partly because she didn’t have enough of a reason to return home. But more than enough reason to make it impossible for Ryan Thompson to dismiss them and, specifically, Lit.

Nishi had led a group critique of the beta tests. Lit was the standout.

Maddie let out the barest of smiles as she once again read ValleyStart’s daily message:

ValleyStart: Who enters the penultimate week with their odds of winning mightily increased? Don’t you sit, let’s all stand and give it up for Lit!

Which was why this week saw most of the other teams heavy in reiteration and their team like this:

Maddie drawing pterodactyls.

Delia bugging her own code.

Lucy living inside PowerPoint.

Lit worked. Maddie’s part was basically done. Hence the pterodactyl. Yet as she watched Lucy silently rehearse and Delia try to hack her own code, Maddie wished it weren’t. She could use the distraction.

Her phone rang, and a grin she’d missed feeling scrunched up her cheeks.

She ducked into the hall to answer. “How’s my favorite brother?”

“I’m your only brother.”

“So?”

“I have to be your favorite.”

“Cocky, aren’t you, kid?”

“Maddie.”

“Danny.”

“Did you talk to Mom?” He didn’t pause long enough for her to answer. “I mean, happy birthday, happy birthday to you, did you talk to Mom?”

Eighteen. An adult—as if she hadn’t been one since Danny was born.

She’d decided not to tell Lucy and Delia that today was her birthday. The mood in room 303 was far from celebratory.

“No, I haven’t talked to Mom yet.” Because it was up to the parent to call the kid on their birthday. Scratch that. It was up to the parent’s assistant to dial and then transfer the call.

“Oh,” he said.

“What is it, Danny?”

“I’m not supposed to tell.”

“Which means you have to. What’s up?” She’d been waiting for Danny to send a happy face emoji after receiving a package of Gumberoo socks. He hadn’t.

“Mom called from New York.”

Danny’s voice began to shake, and Maddie’s hackles rose even though this wasn’t unusual. With New York City being home to most of the big publishers, her parents traveled there often.

“From . . .” Danny sniffled. “From an apartment. She said I’d like the view and that it’s got great light for your drawing. Guess it’s near some park.”

“Central Park?”

“Yeah, I think so.”

“That’s not some park, Danny, that’s some park.” She laughed. He didn’t. “Get it?”

He was silent.

“We’ve been through this,” she said. “I can’t see you shrug.”

His voice was weak when he finally spoke. “She said it’s also near my new school.”

“Your what?”

“So you don’t know?”