“I know we’re probably not going to the same school after this and I’m technically leaving,” Gem said, “but I’m not leaving you.”

“I know,” Lia whispered.

“Do you?” Gem asked. “Because you’re being weird about this.”

“I just…” Lia leaned her cheek against Gem’s shoulder. “Everything is about to change, and I know you haven’t decided yet, but wherever it is, I’m not going. And that’s fine, but we’ve not been apart since third grade. It’s weird. I don’t like it.” Lia rolled her eyes. “I mean, I like you going to college. That’s great. I don’t like not knowing when we’ll next spend time together. This is it, and this was it on spending time with Devon.”

Gem’s eyes narrowed. “I have another idea.”

Devon’s parents, though skeptical, agreed to let Devon spend the night at Gem’s with Lia so long as all of them were in the living room and their hands were in sight at all times. Gem assumed Devon was joking about that. Lia wasn’t so sure.

“What?” Gem asked as they sat in the car and finished off the last of their snacks. “Like you’re going to go at it while I’m right there?”

Gem fake heaved, and Lia forced herself to smile. She knew she should have laughed. If it were any other day, she would have, but it was today and she felt like happiness was a dream. Maybe if she faked it, she would be happy. There’d been a moment with Gem after Nora was out that she felt vaguely happy. It had faded as fast as it had come, though.

“Ask your mom,” Gem said. “I want to get home.”

Lia’s mom was easier to convince; Lia had spent enough time at Gem’s over the last decade, but Devon’s presence was just a new wrinkle between her mom’s brows. Gem’s mom worked in security and promised to keep an eye on the three. Ben’s killer was still on the loose anyway. Gem’s house was safer.

They agreed to it, Devon texted them midway through their parents’ three-way phone call. Now they’re just talking about Ben.

Lia pushed open the car door. “Let’s clean up before we head back, then.”

The last few days of driving everyone around had tracked in dead leaves and mud. Gem tossed several empty cans to Lia and pulled the floor mats out of their car. Lia bent over the back of the car and gathered up every piece of junk she could find. Arms full, she stood and looked for the trash can. It was bolted to a post at the edge of the parking lot. Behind it stood a hooded figure.

Lia froze, but the figure didn’t. They were short and hooded, and their hands were tucked into their pockets. Lia couldn’t make out their face. Gem shook out another floor mat.

“Lia, just toss it.” Gem looked up at her. “What are you doing?”