“Okay, so—” Willa sits back down and takes up her bowl. “I think what’s significant about this clue is that the word ‘ship’ is in quotes, which turns it into a pun. A bad pun, but this is Finley we’re talking about. Maybe she meant for us to do something that would make a difference. Maybe she wants us to give a shit.”

“About what?”

“Not sure,” Willa says. “Do you mind if I use your computer to do a little research?”

“Go for it.”

Before she begins looking for answers to Finley’s clue, Willa logs into her e-mail account, where she finds a note from her mom, her official dorm assignment from Case Western, and an e-mail with the subject line: “Roommates!” Willa opens that one first.

To: Willa Ryan <[email protected]>

From: Olivia Szymanski <[email protected]>

Subject: Roommates!

Hi Willa,

My name is Olivia Szymanski and I’m your new roommate. I just sat here for 15 minutes trying to think of something to say that was clever and cool, so I guess I’ll give you the quick facts instead. I live in Niles, Ohio (near Youngstown), and I’m planning to major in genetics. I’m also the middle kid of three, which means I’m good at sharing. My sister handed down her microwave and dorm fridge when she moved off-campus, so you don’t have to worry about getting those things. If you’re interested in coordinating our bedding and stuff, I made a pinboard of my dream dorm, but if you’d rather do your own thing, that’s fine too. I hope you don’t mind that I already google-stalked you and I’m totally in awe of your sailing trip. I can’t wait to meet you in person and hear all about it!

—Olivia

Willa clicks the link leading to Olivia’s pinboard, which is filled with images of matching headboards, wall monograms, and lilac-colored bedding sets in mixes of florals and stripes. One picture has a chandelier and another has a flokati rug. It’s all very pretty, but Willa’s heart feels heavy because it reminds her of how Finley’s bedroom looked before the hospital bed and round-the-clock nursing care. Before her leukemia returned, Finley had dared to dream about going to college.

“I don’t think I’m smart enough to get into Case Western,” she said once when they were sophomores. “But if I get into Ursuline and you’re at Case, maybe we could get an apartment together in Cleveland.”

Back then, college had seemed so far away, but now the weeks are passing fast and Willa feels a fish of anxiety swimming in her chest.