But he was different with me. One time in third grade, I was in the library, eating lunch by myself. Jennie Byun had told me I couldn’t come to her birthday party—it was for “real” gifted kids only—and as usual, I’d burst into tears and run away. I was sitting in the corner, trying to hide my red face behind a book, when someone dropped a Ziploc bag of chocolate-chip cookies into my lap. I looked up to see Emmett quietly taking a seat next to me. He didn’t say a word that first day—I don’t think he even looked at me—but from then on, we ate lunch together every noon, like it was an unspoken rule. He was always there for me, making sure I never felt alone.

Not much has changed since then. When everything went pear-shaped after Hattie’s ceremony, Emmett stepped up without hesitation. He put his own beliefs about magic and the gifted community aside to help me get what I wanted. He put himself in danger for me. Because that’s the type of friend he is.

Before I even know what’s happening, tears are running freely down my cheeks and dripping onto Emmett’s face. I dragged him into this mess. I am a horrible best friend.

“Seriously, what is with you and your leaky-bladder eyeballs? Repeat after me—emotions are bad for your health.” Emmett rubs his eyes and tries to sit up. “Holy shirtballs, did you sit on my head with your big butt? My brain feels like it’s about to explode.”

“You’re alive!” I hug him and kiss him and rub my happy snot all over him.

“Ew! You’re disgusting, Rye. Get off me!”

I wipe my nose with the bottom of my sweater and give Emmett a big, toothy grin. My BFF is back, and I couldn’t be happier.

“Wait, how did we end up in the laundromat again?” he asks. “What happened?”

I help him to his feet. “I’ll explain everything later, but first, we need to get out of here,” I say. “The bearded man might come back for us.”

“The bearded man? Who’s he?” Emmett mumbles. “And where are we gonna go next?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know,” I admit. “But for now, I need to get you to safety, and it’s not safe in here. So stop asking questions and move your butt. Let’s go!”

He raises his eyebrows at me, surprised by my new assertive vibe. But he doesn’t argue. Instead, he picks up Boris—with only a slight shudder—and rises to his feet. “Lead the way, boss.”

We run to the elevators, only to find that they’re out of order.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I cry.

Emmett points to the fire exit to our right. “I guess we’re walking.”