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She pretends to zip her lips and throw away the key. “I knew you were hiding something.”

A lump forms in my throat. “I’m moving.”

Her mouth drops open. “What?”

I nod, not trusting my voice to say anything more.

“When?”

“I don’t know.”

Her face flushes. “You need to graduate with us! They’re ruining your life! How can they do this to you?”

I open my mouth but close it. Can’t exactly tell her my dad is now king of an underwater territory. “His work. He has an opportunity to move up.”

Ivy folds her arms. “Lame. How far? Where is it?”

“Pretty far.”

“Can you still come here?”

I shake my head.

“Remember Liberty Jones? Her parents filled out some paperwork and she was able to graduate with her class, even though she moved a couple cities away.”

“I’m going to be farther away than that. Unless …” Do I dare tell her my crazy idea of living in her closet?

“What? Unless what?” Her eyes widen. “Tell me!”

I take a deep breath. “I was thinking I could live with you. In your closet, if I have to.”

Ivy squeals. “We’d be like sisters!”

Excitement drums through me. Maybe it could work.

Her smile fades. “Sorry. That was insensitive. Your sister …”

My heart aches at the mention of my deceased younger sister, but I don’t let the hurt show on my expression. “No. You’re right. If you and I lived together, we would be like sisters.”

“I’d never try to replace Aria.”

“I know. Do you think your parents would go for it?”

“Totally.” She hugs me. “And even if they don’t, we’ll make it happen. It’ll be like the bunny I hid from them in the sixth grade. Remember?”

“The one they found?”

She gives me a sheepish glance. “I doubt you’ll escape and poop on their duvet.”

I snicker. “You never know …”

Ivy shoves me.

The warning bell rings.

I tighten my hold on my bag. “We’d better go. I can’t be late for Spanish.”

She marches toward the building. “Not to be the bearer of bad news, but I heard Lopez’s test is killer.”