Page 19

Moscow, Idaho

A fter the roommates have a rare dinner at home together, Kaylee brings them into the living room.

“It’s time,” says Kaylee, “to memorialize our group, in our house, on TikTok.”

The view through the sliding doors is perfect for stargazing. You can stare at the trees and down the winding road for an ever-present reminder that there’s another world, called reality, beyond the college bubble.

In just a few weeks, Kaylee will graduate and leave to begin her new journey in the real world. In anticipation of Thanksgiving, when Alivea will be back, she’s spending most of her time in Rathdrum and taking many of her classes remotely.

They come up with a commemorative screenplay: “The roommates pretending to be each other.” It’s like charades, with clues drawn from invented scenes that highlight each friend’s character.

“Ready, go!” says Kaylee.

First up is Maddie pretending to be Kaylee: She stomps up the stairs and complains of a “dank” smell. “Murphy, you’ve been a bad boy.” She pretends to chastise the dog for pooping indoors.

Next is Xana pretending to be Dylan. She comes out of her room, backpack on, flustered. “Fuck. It’s nine ten. Guys, can anyone drive me to class? I’m fucking late for my meeting. I was supposed to be there ten minutes ago.”

Next, Kaylee pretends to be Xana. She anxiously grabs a broom and starts to sweep frantically. “Did anyone do their chores today?” She doesn’t wait for an answer. “Ugh. I’m just gonna do it.”

Next up is Bethany pretending to be Maddie. “Shit, you guys, it’s eight. Gotta go, Jake’s calling.” She stands up from the couch where they’re all sitting and heads for the door, repeating, “Jake’s calling.”

Next up is Josie (standing in for Dylan) pretending to be Bethany. She looks at a photo of herself on her phone and grimaces: “Oh my God, you look horrid!”

Xana is now Dylan; she cuddles up to Murphy before realizing the dog smells rank. “Oh my God, Murphy, you are so cute.” And then, putting the dog down, she exclaims, “Oh my God, you’ve gotta get out of here, you’ve seriously got to get out of here.”

Now Bethany is Kaylee. She reads a text in front of the group. “Hey, guys, I know I talk about myself a lot… but, seriously, what would you guys do in my situation?”

Now Maddie is Xana, headed downstairs: “I’ve gotta go do a test,” she says. “I’ve failed two of them already.” And now Maddie is Bethany: “Is anyone doing a wine night? Let’s just do a wine night.”

Dylan being Xana: “Dude, is it okay if I throw a party? Just three or four people… at most.”

They do several takes and several edits before declaring themselves happy with the video that Kaylee then posts.

Whatever happens in the future, she’ll always have this to hold on to, this picture of this house and the five of them in it.