Life would be hectic, but then his dad would be president in January, he’d go back to Yale next fall, and eventually people would stop asking about it so much. It would be that story he told at parties, about those wild three days he spent in the Q.

It was easy, that choice.

It was also wrong.

“When I was dropped in the Q, the only thing I wanted was to get out,” he called. The reporters leaned forward. The spectators had gone still, lowering their signs.

“I wanted out, even though I knew that no one gets out. No one ever has. Until now, I guess.”

Everyone cheered, misunderstanding.

“I’m allowed to leave. He just said my test is negative.” He pointed at the man in the hazmat suit, who waved as the crowd cheered again.

The countdown clock showed less than two minutes.

Below it, his parents were both smiling.

“I thought that it was my responsibility to get out, and to tell all of you what it’s like inside. That it isn’t what you think. That it isn’t some scary hellhole full of criminals. And that’s true. It’s not.” He paused. “But maybe that’s not my responsibility here.”

He glanced over his shoulder at Maisie. She was watching him, a tiny smile on her face.

She didn’t look surprised.

A grin spread across his face as he turned back to the crowd. “No one leaves the Q, right? Those are the rules.”

The crowd didn’t cheer this time. The smiles fell from his parents’ faces. His mom shook her head. He couldn’t hear her, but her lips formed the words Lennon, no.

He laughed. He’d heard those words so many times, from both of his parents.

“For years, no one has left the Q. I’m not special. I’m just a guy who got here a little late. But I’m here now, and the rules apply to me, too. So, I’m staying.”

Confused murmurs went through the crowd.

“Lennon, no!” He could actually hear his mom this time. He wished Caroline and Stella were here, so he could see their faces when he did this.

But he was pretty certain they’d be proud.

He took a step back from the fence. He pointed to the countdown clock, which now showed: 00:00:00. He lifted his arms in a shrug.

“Sorry,” he said, smiling as cameras began flashing again. “Time’s up.”

He waved at his parents, who were gaping at him. “Congrats on winning the election, Dad! If you need me, I’ll be in here!”

Laughter rippled through the crowd. A few people started cheering.

He turned. Maisie was grinning now. He ran to her.

“Gate closing!” someone yelled.

The cheers grew louder. Lennon grabbed Maisie around the waist, and they took a few quick steps backward together. The gate banged closed.

“Seriously?” she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “After I worked so hard to get you here on time?”

“Yeahhh.” He put a hand on her cheek. “Sorry about that.”