Page 87 of The Beta Test

Braden: Congrats! That’s so great.

Me: Thanks. I got a good scholarship, and I’m excited to go to the East Coast.

Me: What have you been up to lately?

Braden: I’m sure you’ll love it over there.

Braden: I got a job at Vons at the deli counter. My mom insisted I get a job while I pursue acting. I have an audition for a commercial next week that I’m super pumped about.

Braden: It feels like it could really lead to something, you know?

Me: Right. Definitely. Well, I hope that goes well for you.

Braden: Thanks, that means a lot. Maybe we can hang out before you leave for college?

Me: We’ll see.

31415:I have good news.

80085 [Me]: Oh, I love news! Tell me.

31415: My ‘project’ is done.

80085 [Me]: Does that mean what I think it means?

31415: If you think it means that we’re meeting IRL officially, then yes.

80085 [Me]: Now that I think about it… this makes me nervous. Are you sure you don’t need some more healing time?

31415: What?

31415: And no.

31415: I mean yes?

31415: Scratch all that. This app needs message deleting capabilities!

31415: It’s happening. I’m coming to your graduation.

80085 [Me]: Wait, how do you know I’m graduating?

31415: I know a lot of things. It will all make sense.

31415: I hope.

31415: Trust me.

80085 [Me]: Okaaay. But how will we find each other?

31415: I’ll take care of that. You won’t be able to miss it.

Chapter Thirty-One

“I used to believe high school was a straight line. Work hard, get good grades, stay on track, keep your head down, and everything would unfold exactly the way you planned. That was my formula. And, predictably, life did not care.

“Because the truth is: these past four years weren’t straight lines. They were sharp turns, detours, late-night meltdowns, surprising victories, and moments where the people around us—sometimes the very last people we expected—held us up when we couldn’t hold ourselves together.”

The blazing June sun beats down on us in our polyester graduation gowns as we listen to our valedictorian deliver her speech. I can’t help but wonder if I’m “one of the very last people” Analiese expected to hold her together. Even if I’m not, the strangest twist of this year may be that she was that person for me.