“Phones off,” Mrs. C says way too cheerfully. And even though I think that’s a dumb rule, I hit the power button anyway. I suck in my lips and make a big show of dropping my phone into my bag. She’s right; I have to focus. I have to get in the right headspace. I am infusing my music with passion. I am calculating exactly what it needs. I am exceeding expectations always. I am getting that scholarship.

CHAPTER TWELVE

BATS: Distract me. I’m begging you.

PEAK: What’s wrong?

BATS: I just gotta get outta my head for a minute and I think we’ve exhausted every bat meme in existence.

PEAK: Want to talk about it?

BATS: No? Yes? I have to do something tomorrow. I can’t tell if I’m dreading it or excited.

PEAK: I get it. I feel like that before some performances.

BATS: Are you going to finally tell me what you’re performing? Or are we sticking with “a thing”?

PEAK: Two guesses.

BATS: Tap dancing?

PEAK: No. It’s an instrument.

BATS: Okay, I got it.

PEAK: Yeah?

BATS: It’s the kazoo. It’s definitely the kazoo. I can tell. The moment I saw you in the elevator, I said there’s a girl that knows how to blow.

PEAK: Yeah . . . um.

BATS: That . . . came out wrong.

PEAK: Right.

BATS: I didn’t mean it like that. I swear.

PEAK: Moving on . . . Cello.

BATS: Cello?

PEAK: The thing I perform.

BATS: Are you good?

PEAK: Yes.

BATS: How good?

PEAK: Principal in the all-state orchestra good.

BATS: I have no idea what that means.

PEAK: It means I beat all the other cellists in the state.

BATS: Holy shit, Peak. Send me something.

PEAK: What???

BATS: Do you ever record yourself playing?

PEAK: Mostly just for auditions.

BATS: Can I see?

PEAK: I’m totally going to regret this. MVMT 1 Final Final For Real It’s not a video, but . . .

BATS: Wait. Was part of that the ringtone from prom?

PEAK: Maybe. You like it?

BATS: I fucking love it.

PEAK: It’s Beethoven.

BATS: I have to go.

PEAK: You do?

BATS: I’m intimidated by your amazingness, so.

PEAK: You’re a huge dork, you know that?

BATS: I do, actually? And I’m sorry, but it’s a chronic condition. So yeah. Get in or get out on that front. Except please do not get out.

PEAK: Here I was worried you were luring me in with your awkward dorkiness, only to later prove yourself a dashing trust fund playboy or something.

BATS: Dashing trust fund playboys can be dorks.

PEAK: Yeah?

BATS: I could be both.

PEAK: Sure.

BATS: I could!

PEAK: I said sure!

BATS: No you said “Sure.” Totally different.

PEAK: You caught me.

BATS:

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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