I wrap a towel around my waist and go back into the studio space, dripping, to get some clothes. I crouch by my folded shirts and pants and try to figure out what’s the last outfit I’m choosing for myself before I’m fitted in RainBrand clothes for the photo shoot and a hospital gown for the surgery. I’ve only worn this sheer black top once, but it might attract some heat. My sportswear could be comfortable, but what if I die and become a ghost in a tracksuit? That’s not the way to go. I have tees from brands like Supreme and OriginalFake but they’re not setting the mood. I settle on the plain white shirt that really accentuates my shoulders, pecs, and arms, and I’m going to tuck it into my black jeans. I’ll pair that with my white sneakers that haven’t properly seen the light of the day; it’s time to wear them in while I can.

I’m returning to the bathroom to get dressed when I slip on a puddle of water and slam right down on my back.

The fall knocks the breath out of me, but another follows.

I’m not dead.

Orion shouts my name, probably thinking I am dead.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“I’m alive.”

“Great start. But are you okay?”

I have a headache, but I’m suddenly self-conscious that I’m only wearing a towel. In all my modeling gigs I’ve been shirtless once but never had to be in my underwear. Which means this is the most exposed I’ve been in front of another boy. I sit up, my abs squeezing like I’m beginning a crunch, and my towel is thankfully concealing my business.

“You going to lie down there all day?” Orion asks.

“Maybe. It’s my End Day, I’ll do what I want,” I say.

“Respect.” Orion gets down on the floor with me, side by side like we’re back in bed. “How are you feeling?”

The wood planks are cold on my back, but it’s becoming soothing the longer I’m down here. “I should be fine. My head hurt more last night.”

“Good to know. How about with everything else?”

“You mean my End Day?”

“Yeah.”

“This morning has been hard. There was something really final about waking up. Nothing killed me last night, but today is definitely the day. Then I almost just died because I don’t know how to dry myself after a shower. Can you imagine? The first Decker getting taken out by a puddle?”

“Definitely one for the history books, but not how you want to go down.”

I almost find the whole thing funny. “Someone out there is going to start ranking dumb Decker deaths, aren’t they?”