“Delia?” Maddie said with concern. She bent down at her bedside next to Lucy. “I know we’re asking a lot. And I don’t know how we’d even start proving it. But I think we have to.”

“And not for me,” Lucy said. “This is bigger than me and Emma. Pulse changed the world. What everyone who comes here wants to do, and he did it. But what he’s changed it into is . . .”

“Twisted,” Maddie said. “It’s bad enough that he makes eleven-year-olds anxious about their likes, but this, perpetuating the idea that beauty, that perfection, is everything? For profit? I can’t just let him. If we’re right, people have to know.”

Lucy looked at Delia. “I know you’re here on scholarship and—”

“It doesn’t matter. Not anymore. I was doing this for my parents—so they wouldn’t have to worry about putting me through college, but now . . . they sold the theater. I don’t need to win ValleyStart and work at Pulse for them.”

“Oh, Dee, I’m really sorry,” Lucy said.

“I can’t believe they actually did it,” Maddie said.

Moisture glistened in Delia’s eyes. “It seems to be what they want.”

Lucy put a hand on Delia’s. “And what do you want?”

Her eyes traveled between Maddie and Lucy. She knew. She’d always known. Guilt weighed heavy on her chest because her parents selling the theater meant she was free to have it. “To be here. One day. Not at Pulse, but here, doing something good.”

“Showing Pulse as the scam it is wouldn’t hurt,” Lucy said. “Think of it—if you could hack into Pulse’s code . . . only a unicorn could do that.”

“Pink and blue and swirly,” Maddie said. “Or whatever color you want it to be.”

“We want it to be.” Delia inhaled a deep breath.

Breaths raise you from the depths.

And then she stood. If she could hack into the Pulse database and find the secret table, then they’d have real evidence. Usernames and ratings compiled outside the normal system? It’d launch a formal investigation. Into Ryan and Pulse. Would she make enemies?

Maybe. But she cared more about her friends.

“I’ll try,” Delia said. “That’s all I can promise. I’ll start at the Pulse field trip tomorrow . . .” She stopped herself. “But wait . . . can we go? We can’t use Lit anymore. We don’t have an app. Can we even stay here? If we’re not presenting at Demo Day?” Delia’s shoulders slumped. “Which my parents are coming to. They booked tickets already, and all they’ll see is me sitting in the audience beside them.”

“Mine aren’t coming,” Maddie said matter-of-factly. But her eyes lowered when she added, “At least Danny won’t be here to see me sitting in the audience beside you.”

Delia glanced at Lucy. “And yours . . .”