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1
Ozzy
“Who wants to read the first chapter?” Mrs Gimple asks For so us to read aloud, we payto Walker Lewis fu
Lucky for irl I’ for, Kenley Keene, and count the freckles sprinkled on the back of her neck Weeks ago, when school first started, it hich allowed forout layers and skin covering clothes It’s a bummer, at least in AP Lit When we’re alone, she lets me see a little bit more of that creamy, pale flesh
A cough breaks lance over at Ezra Baxter, school rich boy and delinquent He’s also my friend? Ally? Partner in what Kenley would call a “non-traditional, consensual, ethical, non-amous relationship”
His eyebrow shoots up suggestively, revealing that he definitely knohat I’ about
I shift inthe roo the one next to Kenley The name Holloway stretches across the back of his jersey He holds his dog-eared copy of Moby Dick in his hand, glancing over at Kenley every few seconds, like he’s trying to make sure she’s real
It’s a valid reaction He waited years to express his feelings to her and only did after his ex-girlfriend wentI’d be paranoid, too
“It is not down on any map True places never are—” Dave Reynolds reads His next words are cut off by static echoing through the room
“Excuse the interruption, teachers and students,” Mr Russell says over the intercom “Please turn on your televisions for a special live-strealance over and see the empty seat across the room Juliette Chandler didn’t come to class today Seems like she had class president duties to perform
Mrs Gimple flips on the TV and a mo, red hair hangs over her shoulders “Fellow Vikings! Ho will be here in ten days! Our theh, in celebration of our centennial celebration We’ll have our traditional float building, parade, and the big gaht The dance is on Saturday—tickets available in the cafeteria! We do have one i softer, “as you all know, ically no longer with us Rose was a shoo-in for ho queen, and it feels terribly aard to replace her so soon after her death” She takes a deep breath and adds, “Because of that, we’ve decided not to have a court this year and instead dedicate the night to celebrate the past queens of Thistle Cove High”
She continues on, announcing the locations of float building for each class, information about the dance and whatever else she can to do capture the school’s attention for as long as possible One thing catches my attention; I look at Ezra
“Did your dad really volunteer your house for float building?” Float building is a huge Thistle Cove tradition Seven straight days of tissue paper rolling, cardboard cutting, and chicken wire hly competitive, to the point that some years the kids atteo, the seniors' float was doused in gasoline The offending class was disqualified, causing a major upset After that, Principal Russell e would result in suspension
“Yeah,” Ezra says, leaning back in his seat “His faht they clinched region” His eyes flick to Finn “He’s hoping that if we recreate events, the fates will look down on us and we can win again and head to state”
Kenley laughs “I didn’t know your dad was that superstitious”
The guys both shake their heads “Everything about sports is superstition,” Finn says, “froa us nuts the past feeeks Every e have, every good play, he takes notes of the circumstances around it and tries to replicate it”
“I think everyone in Thistle Cove has lost their minds”
Since Rose died, she doesn’t say, but the implication is there
The town has changed since she vanished We’ve changed, which is exactly why people like Coach Chandler and Ezra’s dad and even Juliette will do anything to get it back on track
2
Kenley
It’s been a month since Rose died, but that doesn’t keep everyone in school fro me and Finn walk down the hall
It’s probably fair We didn’t speak for three years, and my “break-up” with Rose ell known What wasn’t as well-known is Finn and Rose’s break-up o days before she vanished and allegedly took her life That information has been kept quiet for Finn and Rose’s sake This is why, even though it’s obvious Finn and I are friends noe keep it like that in public Just friends