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Zora parks in the Blackwell College visitor lot behind a bunch of brick dorms, tugging her phone off the charger.

To text Edith. To tell Edith we’re here . God knows what’s going on in Zora’s head right now. Imagine introducing your girlfriend to the crew after practically six years of dating. I mean, I guess it’s not a full-on introduction, seeing as we’ve had about half a decade’s worth of group video

chats. But it’s still not quite the same as meeting in person. Especially when it’s only their second time meeting each other in person. Honestly, how is Zora still breathing? I, for one, can barely keep myself seated. “Zora, it’s happening!”

“I know!”

“The most distinguished, most notorious Queen Edith Scott, age eighteen—”

“Almost. July second.” Zora rubs the back of her neck, smiling faintly.

“Incredible. Top-tier birthday. We’re talking, like—practically up there with November fifth.”

“So glad you approve—”

“ZORNADO, WHERE IS SHE?”

Zora laughs. “She’ll be out in a second!”

“Is she staying on campus?” Nat asks.

“She did last night, but I think—” Zora tilts her head. “Well—okay. We’ve got two rooms for tonight and tomorrow night. Edith’s friend Lili has a single—she’s cleared out and gone home already. But we’ve got bedsheets and stuff, don’t worry. And then Edith’s sister is giving us her double.”

“Dibs on the double! Me and Nat.” I glance at Natalie. “That okay?”

“Works for me.”

“Okay, but Zoraline—where are you staying? Also, we’re not kicking Edith’s sister and her roommate out onto these mean streets,

right?”

“Roommate’s already gone home,” Zora says, “and I’m sure Imogen’s just crashing with her girlfriend.”

Natalie looks up. “Edith’s sister is queer?”

Zora nods. “She’s been with her girlfriend for over a year, I think?”

“Now that is a parental success story. Absolutely no straights allowed. No offense,” I add, glancing at Mark. He tips his palms up.

There’s a knock on Zora’s window, and even my heart skips a beat.

Actual three-dimensional Edith. Screen not included.

Zora full-on leaps out of the car, and they hug like it’s the end of a movie. Zero space between their bodies. Not even a

millimeter. Even watching through a window, I have to clutch my heart with both hands, just to keep it from floating away.

Natalie’s eyes well up behind her glasses. “Zora’s so happy. ”

“I know.” My throat thickens. “God, Edith’s so pretty in person.”

By now, she and Zora have disentangled just enough that I can finally take her in.

Loose blond curls scooped back into a messy half-bun, and the kind of smile that makes you reapply sunscreen.

She’s dressed simply—a boygenius T-shirt, sweats, and a short stack of beaded bracelets.

But what’s truly wild is how perfectly she fits beside Zora.

Second time meeting in person, but somehow their bodies have already negotiated the space.

“I don’t know if we should interrupt.” I glance out the window again.

But Zora catches my gaze and smiles, leaning in to open the door. “You guys planning on coming, or what?”

I smile sheepishly. “We were letting you have your moment.”

“By watching through the window and giving running commentary,” Mark adds.

I scoot out of the car, smiling at Edith. “You’re real!”

“So are you!” She hugs me. “Can’t believe I’m meeting you guys in person! It’s kind of surreal.”

“ So surreal. In a good way,” I add quickly. “God. You’re—okay, first of all, thank you so much for figuring out our rooms for

tonight.”

“Of course! Easy-peasy.” She shoots Zora a quick sideways smile, and I realize with a start that Zora never answered my question.

Specifically, the one about where she’ll be sleeping tonight. I mean, of course she’ll be with Edith. That was never really

in question. But for some reason, my dumbass brain was imagining some kind of bunk bed situation.

Definitely not getting bunk bed vibes right now, to say the least. But I don’t even know what’s weirder: me sitting here wondering if Zora plans to have sex? Or the fact that it only just occurred to me to wonder about it.

“Okay! This is my sister’s dorm, with the double room.” Edith gestures at the building directly behind us. “That’s just the

back door, though. We can cut through here. I’m supposed to sign you in at the front.”

She steps onto the curb, leading us down a narrow white path and into a bright, grassy courtyard. “Yup,” I say. “That’s a

college.”

“It’s so empty,” Nat says. “I guess everyone’s already gone home?”

“Yeah, I think students were supposed to move out by yesterday, unless they’re staying for graduation weekend. But you had

to specifically request that, so I don’t know how many people are actually still here.” Edith rifles around her bag for a

moment, pulling out a keycard. “Might be more people inside? The grass is kind of gross still from yesterday. You guys had

rain, too, right?”

I blink, and I’m back beneath the arcade pavilion, watching Natalie’s hair dry. The way the raindrops stuck to her eyelashes.

Edith swipes us into the lobby and signs us in. “I figured we could drop your bags off, and then I’ll give you an actual tour

if you want. And Mark, I have keys and stuff for you, too.”

“Different building, though, right?” Zora asks.

“Yup! Not far, though. It’s just across the street, kind of near the scissors.”

Natalie’s eyes widen. “The what?”

“It’s a statue,” says Zora.

Edith nods. “An extremely gay statue. Okay—elevator!” She presses the button, and the doors open instantly.

We pile inside, and my gaze immediately drifts to a small bulletin board mounted near the emergency button.

There’s a single printed flyer tacked to the middle—a plain text schedule of graduation weekend events.

Alumni banquet. Honor Breakfast. Commencement ceremony. Luncheon. Community Dance Party.

The doors slide open, and Edith veers right, tugging a key lanyard out of her back pocket. “So, Imogen’s door is kind of an

asshole. You have to yank the doorknob and sort of hold it in place while you turn the key.” She demonstrates, glancing back

to make sure Nat and I are following. “And you might have to wiggle the key just... a little... okay!” Edith pushes

the door open, flipping on a light switch as we follow her inside.

“Oh, it’s huge!” I peer around the space. “Wow. Okay. Do you think it’s too late for me to ditch East Seneca and apply here?”

Zora’s brow furrows. “Probably.”

“It’s not really that big,” Edith adds. “It just looks big now that it’s empty.”

I mean, it’s not actually empty. First of all, the furniture’s still here—desks, shelves, chairs, and wardrobes, and a pair

of twin beds lined up end to end along the front wall. They’re both fully made: sheets, quilts, and pillows—even a short stack

of folded towels.

I set my bag down, running my hand over one of the towels. “This is so sweet. It’s like a full-service hotel.”

“All Imogen. She said there’s shampoo and stuff for you guys, too, in the bathroom. And I think she left snacks in the top

drawer—let me check.”

“Seriously?” I shake my head. “Okay, please tell her we say thank you. This is so above and beyond.”

Edith glances back, hand grazing one of the desk drawers. “You’ll meet her! She’s here—she’s just at brunch. Everything’s slightly chaotic with graduation stuff.”

“Why did I think she was a freshman?”

“She is—or, I guess she’s technically a rising sophomore now? But her girlfriend’s brother is graduating, so Tessa’s family’s

all here from Philly.”

“Tessa’s the girlfriend,” adds Zora.

Edith nods. “Yes. Imogen’s the sister, Tessa’s the girlfriend. Of, you know. Imogen. Anyway, I think they have dinner reservations

later, but they’ll obviously be at Walter’s show.”

“Obviously.” I shoot Natalie a tiny, smug smile. “I guess the show’s a big deal, huh?”

“I don’t know.” Edith laughs. “I guess—he has a pretty big fanbase, right?”

“No, yeah, he does. I don’t know what it will look like for an in-person event, though. I don’t think he and Hayden have done

one in years. Not since VidCon. Now it’s just Walter’s videos and Hayden’s press stuff for The Odyssey Intergalactic .”

“Yeah, I guess tonight could go either way.” Edith pauses. “Also, that movie looks kind of... not good.”

“Right? That’s what I said!” Natalie reaches out to high-five her.

“Yeah.” I tilt my head. “I know. I feel like I have to see it, but...”

“Trailer was enough for me.” Edith smiles tightly. “I’m not the biggest Hayden fan. Oh, here—let me give you guys the keys.

Okay—onward.”

“What’s your beef with Hayden?” I press the elevator button.

“Oh, it’s not real beef,” says Edith. “I don’t, like, actually know him. I used to watch his channel, but then he was weird online during the whole thing with Kara Clapstone.”

Zora translates. “The actress—she’s from Shop Talk . People were accusing her of queerbaiting, and then—”

“Oh, I remember,” Nat says. “Fuck that whole situation.”

The elevator opens again, releasing us into the lobby.

“Okay! Mark,” Edith says, “let’s get you settled!”