Episode 4 ~ Known Unknowns

<a href="javascript:void(0)" data-passage="nice1"> # **Known Unknowns** ## episode four: forbidden magic </a>

<% portrait("anja2","kaz2"); leftportrait("nadia2"); %> #### **Anja's Bedroom** — Late Morning ##### **Saturday, 24 September 2016** *(You awake the next morning to the sound of Kaz knocking at the bedroom door.)* KAZ: Hey, I lost my toothbrush! Have you seen it? ANJA: *(squinting)* Mwuh...? KAZ: I know I've never brushed my teeth in your room but— *(They open the door.)* Gaaaaaahhh!! *(You scream and dart under the covers. Kaz runs back out, slams the door and starts banging on the wall.)* ANJA: *(groggy)* I don't think it's in here. KAZ: God damn it! Already?! You guys hated each other like a week ago!!! YOU: *(muffled by sheets)* ...Sorry! *(They stomp down the stairs. Anja stretches)* ANJA: Mmph. You alright down there? * [[Are they going to be upset?|morning4]] * [[I think I'm just going to hide forever.|morning2]] * [[I'm not quite sure why I just did that.|morning3]] <% chapter(11) %>

#### **Front Gates** — After School <% portrait("summer1") %> YOU: Ready? SUMMER: Yep. *(You set off down the road. The two of you walk in silence for a while.)* YOU: Oh! Hold on. *(You pull a Big Turk bar out of your backpack and hand it over. She takes it and stares at it.)* SUMMER: Oh wow. * [[That's your favourite, right?|candy2]] * [[Apology candy.|candy3]] * [[I hope you still like them.|candy4]]

YOU: That is the right one, isn't it? SUMMER: Yeah. I can't believe you remembered. YOU: Of course. How could I forget? You're the only person in the world that likes Big Turk. *(She opens up the top.)* <%= display("candy6") %>

YOU: Apology candy. SUMMER: Big Turk. YOU: Your favourite. SUMMER: *(nodding)* You remembered. YOU: I also considered a Mars bar because you love planets, but this seemed more appropriate. *(She opens up the top.)* YOU: Look, I know one apology candy isn't enough for years of being the worst person ever. So I was thinking this one candy bar could represent like a promise to buy you apology candy whenever you wanted it? For a certain amount of time anyway. Four years would probably be fair but I'd be open to longer if you wanted. Ten years maybe. Or forever. SUMMER: I don't know what I'd do with forever candy. YOU: ...Eat it? SUMMER: I guess. Want some? * [[It's for you.|candy5]] * [[I never had a taste for it.|candy17]]

YOU: I hope you still like Big Turk bars. SUMMER: Of course I do. YOU: Good. SUMMER: They're delicious. *(She opens up the top.)* YOU: They're... um. They're something. <%= display("candy6") %>

YOU: No thanks. It wouldn't be right for me to eat some of your apology candy. *(She takes a bite and chews silently.)* YOU: Is it okay? SUMMER: It's nice. YOU: I really am sorry. SUMMER: You don't have to keep saying sorry. I'm not looking for sorries. * [[I can't help it.|candy26]] * [[I wish I could undo everything.|candy28]]

<% portrait("sherbourne"); s.uncomfortable = true; s.uncomfortableroom = s.room; %> SHERBOURNE: Nadia! Hi. How are you doing? YOU: Um. I'm okay... SHERBOURNE: Listen. I heard some of the... issues you've been having. The rumours going around school and all that. I just wanted to see how you were holding up under the circumstances. * [[You *heard* that?|uncomfortable2]] * [[I don't really want to talk about this.|uncomfortable3]] * [[I'm completely fine.|uncomfortable14]] * [[I was actually just going|uncomfortable12]]

YOU: You *heard* that? SHERBOURNE: Us teachers aren't quite as "out of the loop" as you kids think. YOU: Oh my God. SHERBOURNE: Believe me, I get it. Being a teenager is complicated. Lots of stuff to "figure out". *(He puts his hand over his heart.)* I just want you to know, if you ever want someone to talk to — a shoulder to cry on or an outlet for venting or whatever — I'm here. * [[Right.|uncomfortable5]] * [[Uh, thanks.|uncomfortable6]] * [[No offence...|uncomfortable7]] * [[I have to go.|uncomfortable12]]

YOU: I'm not sure I feel super comfortable talking about this... <%= display("uncomfortable13") %>

SHERBOURNE: I understand completely. Believe me. YOU: Uh-huh. SHERBOURNE: You take care, Nadia. And if you change your mind, you know where to find me. <%= display("uncomfortable8") %>

YOU: Right. Okay. I'll keep that in mind I guess? SHERBOURNE: Do that, Nadia. You know where to find me. <%= display("uncomfortable8") %>

YOU: Um... thank you, I guess? SHERBOURNE: Of course, Nadia. I'm here for you. <%= display("uncomfortable8") %>

YOU: Look, Mr. Sherbourne... SHERBOURNE: Marc, please. YOU: ...Mr. Sherbourne. No offence, but you're not really the person I'd want to talk to about this. <%= display("uncomfortable13") %>

*(He makes the finger gun gesture at you and walks away.)* YOU: ...Man. <%= next() %>

YOU: Uh... <%= display("uncomfortable4") %>

YOU: Well... <%= display("uncomfortable4") %>

YOU: Not really, no. <%= display("uncomfortable4") %>

YOU: Actually, sir, I was just on my way to meet somebody and I should really be going. *(He holds up his hands.)* SHERBOURNE: Hey, it's after school! You're free! Don't let me keep you. But if you ever want to talk my door is always open. YOU: Uh, yeah. Great. <%= display("uncomfortable8") %>

SHERBOURNE: Don't want to talk to your "old man" teacher, huh? *(He laughs.)* * [[Uh...|uncomfortable9]] * [[Well...|uncomfortable10]] * [[Not really.|uncomfortable11]]

YOU: I'm actually totally fine. Don't really need any help. SHERBOURNE: Oh, I see! Don't want to talk to your "old man" teacher, huh? *(He laughs.)* * [[Uh...|uncomfortable9]] * [[Well...|uncomfortable10]] * [[Not really...|uncomfortable11]]

SUMMER: What's not to like? They've got the chocolate, they've got that weird smooshy thing in the middle. YOU: Turkish delight. *Bad* Turkish delight. *(She shakes her head.)* SUMMER: The best part about moving here when I was a kid was getting to try all your weird Canadian snacks. *(She takes a bite of the bar.)* I used to eat these and think of the ocean and cry. * [[That's very you.|candy18]] * [[Aw. That's sad.|candy19]] * [[Do you miss Hawaii?|candy20]]

YOU: I could have... I don't know. Reached out to you more? I could have thought about it for a second and realized you'd never treat me like that. I could have put my discomforts aside and stuck with you. I keep going over the list of what I could have done in my head and there's a *thousand* things on there. <%= display("candy29") %>

YOU: I think I have to hide under here forever now. ANJA: Does that mean I never get to see your face again? *(You poke your face back up through the sheets.)* YOU: Well, I guess I will need to come up for air on occasion. But that's it. *(She pulls the sheet away. You climb back up and flop your head on a pillow.)* <%= display("morning5") %>

*(He smiles.)* SHERBOURNE: You know what the most annoying thing about teaching teenagers is? You're smart — you're *very* smart — but you don't realize the *limits* of your smartness. You think you have an answer for everything. Well, you don't. That's why you're still in school. And when you're in your early-to-mid 20s like me you'll start to understand how the world *really* works. *(You try to avoid looking at Anja as she crouches down and slowly reaches for one of the raccoons.)* SHERBOURNE: You're a sharp writer, Nadia. So I'm not surprised you can churn out some lines that sound good on the surface like that. But believe me, it's very clear you don't know what you're talking about. * [[I know grave robbing is a dick move.|ritual2]] * [[I know you're in serious trouble.|ritual3]] * [[I know panic when I see it.|ritual4]] * [[I know you should turn around.|ritual5]] * [[You're right.|ritual6]]

YOU: I know grave robbing is a dick move. SHERBOURNE: Ha! You know what? Yeah. It probably is. *(Anja gingerly picks up the raccoon.)* ANJA: *(whispering)* Sorry... SHERBOURNE: But I don't regret it. YOU: I get the sense you're about to. *(Sherbourne scrunches his face in confusion as Anja winds up behind him.)* ANJA: HEY, FUCKER! <%= display("ritual7") %>

YOU: I know you're going to get in serious trouble for this, Mr. Sherbourne. SHERBOURNE: Marc, Nadia! My name is Marc! *(Anja gingerly picks up the raccoon.)* YOU: Your name is Mr. Sherbourne! You are a *teacher*! Although probably not for much longer! SHERBOURNE: Are you threatening me right now? YOU: No. *(You point over his shoulder.)* YOU: But my girlfriend is. <%= display("ritual7") %>

YOU: I know a panic face when I see one. SHERBOURNE: Oh please. *(Anja gingerly picks up the raccoon.)* ANJA: *(whispering)* Sorry... YOU: You're trying to be cool but inside you're freaking out. You have no idea what to do right now. If you let us leave we're screwed, but you can't stop us from leaving either. SHERBOURNE: You've seen me in class, Nadia! If there's one thing I know how to handle it's a room full of rowdy teens. Now what could I possibly have to panic about? YOU: For one thing? The raccoon that my girlfriend's about to throw at your face. SHERBOURNE: The—? ANJA: *(winding up)* HEY, FUCKER! <%= display("ritual7") %>

YOU: I know you should probably turn around now. *(Anja gingerly picks up the raccoon.)* SHERBOURNE: Come on Nadia. Why on *earth* should I do that? YOU: Because my girlfriend is about to throw a raccoon at your face. <%= display("ritual7") %>

YOU: You're right. I don't. *(Anja gingerly picks up the raccoon.)* ANJA: *(whispering)* Sorry... YOU: ...But I do know that my girlfriend is about to throw a raccoon at your face. SHERBOURNE: Your—? ANJA: *(winding up)* HEY, FUCKER! <%= display("ritual7") %>

<% portrait("sherbourne666","kaz1","anja1") %> *(He whips around. Anja tosses the raccoon at his head.)* SHERBOURNE: GhaahaaAAAAAAH!!!! ANJA: *(grabbing your hand)* Let's go!!! *(The three of you run out of the room. Sherbourne flails around and knocks over his ritual equipment, causing a huge plume of purple smoke to fill the room.)* <%= next("ritual20") %>

YOU: I don't know what exactly you're doing here, but if this is about your grief you can't just deal with it alone like this. You need to actually talk through it. *(He flips the pamphlet over in his hands.)* YOU: Like, okay. I had a friend once who I was very very close with. And we both went through some huge difficulties at the same time. It wasn't the same as someone dying, obviously, but it was still really hard. And rather than talk to each other about it we withdrew and we tried to figure stuff out on our own. And that just made things *so* much more miserable for us. Sometimes you need to actually, you know, open up to people. Talk your problems out. SHERBOURNE: Get a therapist, is that it? YOU: ... <%= display("ritual1") %>

*(She takes a bite of her candy bar.)* SUMMER: Did, uh, *you* ever have a girlfriend or...? YOU: Oh. Um. No. You know, with... SUMMER: Oh. Allen. Right. YOU: Allen, yeah. SUMMER: That was a dumb question. *(You smile.)* SUMMER: ...Sorry. I'm still not used to talking to you yet. Is that weird? * [[I don't think so.|candy9]] * [[Maybe a little.|candy10]] * [[It's weird for both of us.|candy11]]

YOU: I don't think so. <%= display("candy12") %>

YOU: Maybe a little. But I don't blame you. <%= display("candy12") %>

YOU: I think it's weird for both of us. <%= display("candy12") %>

SUMMER: You remember how we used to just talk forever and it was totally easy? YOU: Yeah. You used to talk about science stuff for hours and make it interesting. SUMMER: It *is* interesting. YOU: Uh-huh. *(You get to the top of Yellow Creek.)* SUMMER: We should talk more often. For practice. YOU: Hey, we've got all year to get back into form. <%= next("mall37") %>

<% s.sushi = true; s.aftersushi = true; portrait("olivia1"); s.time += 1; %> OLIVIA: ...Just the perfect amount of umami there, bud. TIBOR: Mm. OLIVIA: Tellin' ya. YOU: Hey Olivia Kwon. OLIVIA: Hey! Welcome back, girl. TIBOR: Yo. OLIVIA: Teebs and I was just talking sushi restaurants. You got a fave? * [[Sushi Deluxe.|sushi2]] * [[Sushi Go.|sushi3]] * [[Sushi King.|sushi4]] * [[The other Sushi King.|sushi5]] * [[Eat!Sushi.|sushi6]] * [[Japan House.|sushi7]] * [[The basement one.|sushi8]]

<% s.favesushi = "Sushi Deluxe" %> YOU: I like Sushi Deluxe down on Queen. OLIVIA: With the all you can eat there? YOU: Yeah, it's amazing. The only thing is they try to wear you down with really bad service so you have to be prepared to spend three hours there. TIBOR: Dedication. YOU: One time I was down there and we got too much food and no one could eat it so we smuggled it piece by piece to the bathroom so we wouldn't have to pay the charge for ordering too much food. OLIVIA: Bud, there have got to be better ways to order fish. YOU: Actually I've run the numbers and this is literally the best way. *(She chuckles.)* <%= display("sushi9") %>

<% s.favesushi = "Sushi Go" %> YOU: This is going to sound lame but I like Sushi Go. OLIVIA: It is the place for sushi on the go. TIBOR: *(nodding)* Ain't judgin'. *(Olivia claps you on the shoulder.)* <%= display("sushi9") %>

<% s.favesushi = "Sushi King" %> YOU: I like Sushi King down on Bloor. OLIVIA: King of sushi, that guy. No question. YOU: They do this "King Bento" thing? Which like, two people can share one and feel full. They're amazing. TIBOR: I could go for two of those right now. OLIVIA: Fuckin' animal! You just ate breakfast. TIBOR: Breakfast sucks. Bring on dinner. *(She laughs. You smile.)* <%= display("sushi9") %>

<% s.favesushi = "the other Sushi King" %> YOU: I like the Sushi King on College. TIBOR: There's another Sushi King? OLIVIA: Yeah, it's a whole chain or something, eh? YOU: No, that's the thing. They're totally unrelated. Two claimants to the Sushi throne. OLIVIA: No way. TIBOR: *(shaking his head)* Cutthroat. YOU: ...But yeah the one no one goes to is actually way better. *(She nods.)* <%= display("sushi9") %>

<% s.favesushi = "Eat!Sushi" %> YOU: I like Eat!Sushi. OLIVIA: 'Cause of the exclamation mark? YOU: ...Yes. OLIVIA: *(laughing)* Girl. *(You smile and shrug.)* <%= display("sushi9") %>

<% s.favesushi = "Japan House" %> YOU: I like Japan House, over in Koreatown. OLIVIA: You know that place is entirely Korean, eh? YOU: I know! That's why it's so good. OLIVIA: Like a hundred percent. YOU: Two cuisines for the price of one. *(She nods.)* <%= display("sushi9") %>

<% s.favesushi = "that weird basement food court place" %> YOU: I like that one in the basement? TIBOR: What. YOU: You know, that mall under that condo. At like Yonge and Gerrard. They have like a basement food court that's totally empty except for one sushi restaurant and it's honestly like actually the best sushi in town. OLIVIA: Bud, I am not eating in a fuckin' murder basement. YOU: It's not a murder basement! Nobody's been murdered there. TIBOR: Yet. *(Olivia laughs. You smile.)* <%= display("sushi9") %>

OLIVIA: So hey, how you holding up there? YOU: I'm... okay. I think. Took a mental health day. TIBOR: Mmm. YOU: Technically I guess I took *two* mental health days... OLIVIA: Can't have enough mental health dude. Shit's important. That's why they's got hashtags about it. * [[Hopefully everyone's cool about it.|sushi10]] * [[I think I'm handling myself okay.|sushi12]] * [[Not thrilled to be in the same building as Allen.|sushi11]]

YOU: Hopefully everyone's... cool about it. OLIVIA: Aw, I ain't worried for ya. Decent bunch in there. No one's gonna give you trouble. Fuckin' better not anyway. TIBOR: I think it's kind of rad. Wish I was bi. OLIVIA: Goof piece of shit. *(She punches him in the shoulder.)* TIBOR: It'd be sick! All sucking dick like, "oh this is good actually." OLIVIA: Well shit, try it why don't ya? Might actually be your thing. TIBOR: Nah, Liv. I'm ride or die for the ladies. You know this. OLIVIA: *(laughing)* Casanova over here. * [[Thanks Olivia.|sushi19]] * [[Thanks Tibor.|sushi18]]

YOU: I'll be honest, I'm not thrilled to be heading into the same building as Allen today. OLIVIA: So it *was* him that spread it. TIBOR: Told you. OLIVIA: Fuckin' swine. TIBOR: *(nodding)* Creep. OLIVIA: Buddy needs to get knocked around a bit, you know what I'm saying? * [[I think you would actually kill him.|sushi13]] * [[Trying not to think about it.|sushi14]] * [[Wouldn't change anything at this point.|sushi15]]

YOU: I don't know, I think I'm handling it okay? OLIVIA: Fuckin' warrior princess there, bud. Hundo percent. TIBOR: *(nodding)* "Nadia: Warrior Princess" man. You should make that your brand. YOU: My brand? TIBOR: Yeah! Walking around all Xena cosplay and whatnot. OLIVIA: *(punching him in the arm)* Dipshit. TIBOR: I'm just saying!! * [[Think that's a uniform violation.|sushi16]] * [[Think I'll stick with my current brand.|sushi17]]

ANNETTE: *(sighing)* It's obvious that *something* is going on. You and Kaz have constantly been asking about ghosts and bone magic, you've been going off every Tuesday to god knows where... YOU: We write the newspaper on Tuesdays. ANNETTE: The point is I'm concerned about you, and not just because any curse you trigger on yourself could easily spread to me via physical proximity. We're locker neighbours. We have a special bond. *(You flip the pamphlet open and scan the section headings.)* * [[1. Magic is not a substitute for grief counselling.|pamphlet2]] * [[2. It is impossible to bring the dead back to life.|pamphlet3]] * [[3. Stealing bones is profoundly disrespectful and illegal.|pamphlet4]] * [[4. Bone magic by-products are hazardous to your health.|pamphlet5]]

YOU: *(reading)* Magic is not a substitute for grief counselling. When tragedy strikes it is tempting to look for easy relief in the world of the supernatural, but magic alone will not help you process your emotions. In postponing an actual reckoning with grief, illegal bone magic ultimately prolongs it. <%= display("pamphlet10") %>

YOU: *(reading)* It is impossible to bring the dead back to life. The apparitions summoned by bone magic are psychic *echoes* of past life — the aggregate patterns of everyday behaviour made temporarily manifest. They are not alive, they cannot speak words the living person never spoke, and they cannot truly recognize or communicate with you. Many have pursued bone magic in the hopes of bringing a deceased loved one back to this physical plane, but no spell can ever accomplish that. <%= display("pamphlet10") %>

YOU: *(reading)* Stealing bones is profoundly disrespectful and illegal. The person whose grave you desecrate might be long dead, but their descendants and their culture still exist, and they can still be deeply hurt by your actions. Unearthing a burial is considered sacrilegious by most faiths, including all denominations of Mainstream Witchcraft. Penalties for disturbing graves include a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years in prison. ANNETTE: This is serious stuff, Nadia. Even if you don't care about the moral implications, you could go to *jail.* YOU: I'm not going to jail! I'm not doing anything! <%= display("pamphlet6") %>

YOU: *(reading)* Bone magic by-products are hazardous to your health. The noxious gasses released during these spells have been known to cause hallucinations, reduced motor function, and amnesia, sometimes lingering for days or weeks after initial exposure. There is no equipment that can fully prevent these symptoms, and repeated inhalations can even lead to death. ANNETTE: This is serious stuff, Nadia. People get hurt when they don't know what they're doing. And you're a rookie. YOU: I'm not a "rookie" at bone magic. I'm not *anything* at bone magic. I promise you. <%= display("pamphlet6") %>

ANNETTE: We've got a coven meeting on Tuesday. Why don't you come in? It's all very welcoming and we've got loaner hats at the door. You could talk to the pastor about all this. YOU: That's seriously not— *(She holds up her hands.)* ANNETTE: She's very nice, and she's not going to like try and convert you anything. I just think she might be able to steer you away from some darker magic stuff. * [[I'm just investigating.|pamphlet7]] * [[I'm not going over to the dark side.|pamphlet8]]

YOU: I'm just investigating this stuff, alright? I'm not performing it. ANNETTE: That's how it starts. But magic can escalate quickly. First you're reading spellbooks, then you're trying a little incantation, then before you know it — BAM! *(She snaps her fingers. A little bit of glittery dust poofs out.)* You're communing with demons and doing blood rituals. <%= display("pamphlet9") %>

YOU: I'm not going over to the dark side. ANNETTE: We all have our youthful indiscretions. Back in grade 10 I used to ingest salamander eggs during exams. YOU: That's not— Wait, what? ANNETTE: And sure it seemed glamorous at the time. But the reality is that kind of stuff changes you. I don't want to see you go down that same dark path. <%= display("pamphlet9") %>

*(The bell rings. You sigh and slip the pamphlet into your jacket.)* YOU: Alright, alright. You win. I'll read it after school, okay? ANNETTE: Good. Pamphlet reading is the first step to recovery. <%= next("fail1") %>

ANNETTE: Whatever you're going through, there are better ways to cope. YOU: I'm not "going through" anything. ANNETTE: Uh... YOU: Okay, yes. Fine. I'm going through several things. But nothing that could be solved by bone-burning rituals. <%= display("pamphlet6") %>

<% portrait("annette1") s.pamphlet=true; %> ANNETTE: Oh, Nadia! Fancy running into you here. YOU: ...At my locker? ANNETTE: I wanted to give you something. *(She rummages around in her satchel and pulls out a pamphlet. You take it from her.)* YOU: "Say 'No!' To Forbidden Bone Magic." Annette— ANNETTE: Cheesy, I'll admit. But you need to read this. * [[Where did you get this?|pamphlet12]] * [[I am not saying "Yes" to forbidden bone magic.|pamphlet13]]

YOU: Where did you even get this? ANNETTE: Oh, they have a whole rack of them down at the coven hall. There's other ones too, so if you're involved with *other* forbidden magic stuff let me know because there's probably a pamphlet about it. YOU: I'm not involved with *any* forbidden magic stuff. <%= display("pamphlet1") %>

YOU: I have not been saying "Yes" to *any* kind of magic, forbidden or otherwise. <%= display("pamphlet1") %>

<% s.analytical = true; portrait("miles1"); %> YOU: Hey. MILES: Nadia. *(You sit down next to him. He doesn't look up.)* YOU: You're an analytical guy, Miles. MILES: That's a reductive analysis, but sure. YOU: Why do *you* think I can't get anyone to show up for the newspaper? *(He puts down the book.)* MILES: ...Based on the zero amount of information I have? * [[Humour me.|analytical2]] * [[Yeah, yeah...|analytical3]]

YOU: Humour me. MILES: Uh, alright I guess. It won't be very specific though. <%= display("analytical4") %>

YOU: Yeah, yeah. I get it. You have no idea. MILES: No. ...I mean, yes. I have some idea, just not one that actually pertains to how you're running your newspaper. YOU: Try me. MILES: Are you sure? You probably won't be helped by it. <%= display("analytical4") %>

YOU: I'll take what I can get. MILES: Okay. Sometimes people just act the way they do. YOU: ... MILES: I did warn you. YOU: What does that even mean? MILES: Well, every person has some specific set of preferences — likes, dislikes, hobbies, that sort of thing. And those preferences govern what behaviours they're likely to do. Which means by extension every *group* of people exhibits different *group* behaviours. * [[You think I've just got a bad group?|analytical13]] * [[What does that have to do with me?|analytical14]] * [[Not really telling me anything new here...|analytical15]]

MILES: You know what I mean, right? Way, way too much. They were all so enthusiastic about their houses, and who was going to win the Emerson Shield and all that other crap. This year though no one cares. I barely remember what house I'm in. YOU: You're in Roxton. MILES: Sure. YOU: We're both in Roxton. MILES: I know. I was exaggerating for effect. The point is it was a drastic change in behaviour for one year to the next. And it's possible that you just had the misfortune of being editor in a year when no one really gives a shit about the newspaper. * [[So I'm screwed.|analytical6]] * [[So what do I do?|analytical7]] * [[That doesn't make me feel better.|analytical8]]

YOU: So I'm screwed. MILES: Maybe? I don't know. Maybe not. There's a lot of unknowns on my end. YOU: Hmm. MILES: But as a general principle, you're not going to be able to force people to do what they don't want to do. They'll either do it or not do it, and there's only so much you can worry about controlling that. * [[I guess...|analytical9]] * [[That doesn't make me feel any better.|analytical8]] * [[I don't know if I can be that passive.|analytical11]]

YOU: So what do I do? MILES: Uh nothing I guess. YOU: Well great. MILES: Or you reset your expectations. YOU: You mean just stop caring? MILES: No, stop holding yourself to impossible standards. If people want to come, they will. If they don't, they won't. All you can do is deal with that. * [[That doesn't make me feel any better.|analytical8]] * [[I guess...|analytical9]] * [[That's it?|analytical10]]

YOU: Well that doesn't make me feel better. MILES: You didn't ask me to make you feel better. YOU: It was kind of implied, wasn't it? MILES: I mean you might have implied it but I don't think it was implied. YOU: Uh-huh. Thanks Miles. <%= display("analytical12") %>

YOU: I guess... MILES: You guess? YOU: I mean if that's true I'm not thrilled about it. MILES: Yeah, the thing about the world is it doesn't really care about your thrill level. Or anyone else's. Or anything at all, really. It's a big dumb thing that does what it does. *(He goes back to reading.)* YOU: ...Great. Thanks for the cheery advice. <%= display("analytical12") %>

YOU: ...That's it? MILES: You asked for analysis. That's my analysis. *(He goes back to reading.)* YOU: *(sighing)* Alright, well... thanks. I guess. <%= next() %>

<% s.nose = true; portrait("kaz1"); %> KAZ: *(precariously balancing a mechanical pencil on their nose)* Hey. YOU: Hey. Nice moves. KAZ: Oh, you think *that's* impressive? Well get a load of this! *(They kind of jerk their entire head up and to the side. The pencil rolls off of their nose and onto the floor. You clap.)* KAZ: ...Okay well for the full effect you have to imagine me *not* fucking that up. * [[Any more signups?|nose2]] * [[I'm gonna try.|nose4]]

YOU: Any more signups? KAZ: Let's see... *(They spin the sign-up sheet around on the table and look down at it.)* ...No. YOU: Hmm. KAZ: We'll try something else next time. YOU: Ugh. If it wasn't for all my dumb drama I might actually be able to run the paper properly. KAZ: Hey, you're still publishing every week. * [[Not exactly our best work.|nose8]] * [[And how long can we keep that up?|nose9]]

YOU: I'm gonna try! KAZ: Okay, but you have to supply your own pencil. *(You pull one out of your pocket.)* YOU: Come on, who do you take me for? *(You look up at the ceiling and carefully balance the pencil on your nose. You slowly lower your hands.)* KAZ: We're here with Nadia Nazari, who is moments away from performing her famous "Big Thing With The Fling" routine. Ms. Nazari, how are you feeling right now? * [[Confident.|nose5]] * [[Anxious.|nose6]] * [[I'm just going to give it my all out there.|nose7]]

YOU: *(perfectly still)* Confident. I have no idea what this trick is but I'm pretty certain I can pull it off effortlessly. KAZ: An unorthodox strategy. Let's see if it pays off. <%= display("nose3") %>

YOU: *(perfectly still)* Nervous. Honestly I'm not even sure what it is I'm supposed to be doing. KAZ: It's a high risk trick. Possibility of a full pencil drop, or worse. YOU: Let's hope it doesn't come to that. <%= display("nose3") %>

YOU: *(perfectly still)* I'm just going to give it my all out there. It's like whats-his-face said: you miss 100% of the nose pencils you don't flick. KAZ: Inspiring words. Let's see if they ring true. <%= display("nose3") %>

YOU: The last issue was four pages long, and one of those pages was just an opinion piece about how sleepy you were. KAZ: It got the people talking. YOU: Relatable, I'll admit. But not to the highest journalistic standards. KAZ: Look, the important thing is we're getting it done. And once we publish our ghost investigation everything's going to take off! YOU: It's not that I don't *like* our ridiculous ghost plan. I'd just also enjoy having a more... plausible plan. KAZ: You can't control where the story leads you, Na. Now shoo. You're supposed to be socializing. <%= next() %>

YOU: And how long can we keep that up? KAZ: With the power of love and friendship on our side? Forever. YOU: Uh-huh. KAZ: We can keep making this paper on our own until we're a thousand years old. It'll be hover cars and flying anime robots and us in a journo-pod, toiling away on field hockey scores and cafeteria scheduling changes. YOU: Don't get me wrong, I'd love being imprisoned in a future pod with you. I'd just *also* love having some coworkers. KAZ: No room in the pod, Na. Now shoo. You're supposed to be socializing. <%= next() %>

KAZ: All the ones that had phone numbers anyway. YOU: Wait, there were graveyards without phone numbers? KAZ: A bunch of them yeah. YOU: Like what? *(They pull up a list of cemeteries and start scrolling through it.)* KAZ: Like, uh... "Christie's Methodist Cemetery." YOU: Never heard of it. Where is it? KAZ: I'm assuming it's on Christie? *(You look it up online.)* YOU: No, it's up in Scarborough. *(You zoom in on the map.)* ...Wait, is it in the middle of a *parking lot*? KAZ: Oh that can't be right. YOU: Seriously, look. *(They roll their chair up next to you and look over your shoulder.)* KAZ: Holy shit. That's Bridlewood Mall. YOU: See? It's literally right in the parking lot! KAZ: This is wild! Look, there's a goddamn *Price Chopper*. * [[Who takes care of this?|mall2]] * [[Why would you build a mall here?|mall3]] * [[You said there were more of these?|mall4]]

YOU: Who takes the care of this? The mall? KAZ: The city maybe? I don't know.... YOU: No, if it was the city it'd be a city thing. It'd be on the website or something. But there's not even a number. And no number means no caretaker. KAZ: ...Which means no one guarding the bones. <%= display("mall5") %>

YOU: Why would they build a *mall* on top of a *graveyard*? That's like something the hapless bad guy does in a horror movie. KAZ: Around, right? Not on top of. YOU: I guess. Still though... KAZ: Yeah. YOU: Like, that must mean the land isn't being maintained. KAZ: Which is why there's no number. YOU: And probably no caretaker. KAZ: ...Which means no one guarding the bones. <%= display("mall5") %>

YOU: And you said there were more of these? KAZ: A bunch, yeah. YOU: So what, there are just *abandoned* cemeteries all over the city? Just hanging around with no one in charge of them? KAZ: I guess so? YOU: That's so weird. KAZ: ...Wait. So then who's responsible for the bones? No one? Is there anyone guarding them or making sure they aren't stolen? * [[I don't know.|mall32]] * [[I don't think so.|mall33]] * [[Are they all like this?|mall28]]

YOU: Oh god. How many of these did you say there were? KAZ: A bunch. * [[Could they be the source of the bones?|mall27]] * [[Are they all like this?|mall28]]

<% s.mall6 = true; %> YOU: Alright, let's dig a bit deeper on the parking lot one. KAZ: Okay, so. Christie's Methodist. Parking lot of Bridlewood Mall. Finch and Warden. Opened 1849, closed 1950. Forty-seven burials. What do we think? YOU: Hmm... * [[The mall probably has a security guard.|mall7]] * [[Warden's a busy street.|mall8]] * [[How long has it been like this?|mall9]] * [[How big is it?|mall10]]

YOU: Okay well, if I was trying to get bones this wouldn't be my first choice. The mall probably has a security guard for one thing. KAZ: Guarding the *stores*, sure. But this is pretty far from the entrance. YOU: Hmm. I guess it probably wouldn't be on the patrol route. KAZ: And like there are trees and stuff in the way. I bet you wouldn't even be able to see into it at night. * [[Warden's a busy street.|mall8]] * [[So it's like a park.|mall34]] * [[But as soon as the sun comes up...|mall35]]

YOU: It's right on Warden. That's a busy street. KAZ: Suburbs at night get pretty dead, dude. YOU: Yeah but not *that* dead. There's giant apartment towers right across the street. People probably coming and going at all hours. KAZ: Yeah, you're right. YOU: Way too high profile. *(They nod and open up another tab.)* <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: So how long has it been like this? KAZ: Not sure... YOU: You said it closed in 1950. Was that when they built the mall? KAZ: No, the mall's from the '70s. Before that it was just farmland and a church. And if I'm reading this right, the church was actually dismantled and rebuilt in Markham in the '30s. YOU: In other words, no one's touched any of the burials in decades. KAZ: Yeah. The mall set off this little green space here and that's kinda it. * [[So it's like a park?|mall34]] * [[Warden's a busy street.|mall8]] * [[Wait, so it's not closed off, right?|mall36]]

YOU: How big is it? Is it like normal graveyard sized? KAZ: It's not huge. Looks like... a hundred-ish graves maybe? YOU: What are you basing that on? KAZ: I feel like I'm pretty skilled at knowing what a hundred of something looks like. YOU: Well regardless. That's still a decent number. KAZ: Yeah, lots of bones for the picking. Nice little pocket of green, actually. * [[Warden's a busy street.|mall8]] * [[Wait, so it's not closed, right?|mall36]]

<% s.mall11 = true; %> YOU: ...Whoa. This one's weird. KAZ: Yeah it's just like... where a house should be on York Mills Road. Only it's a cemetery. * [[How would you even get in there?|mall12]] * [[It's literally surrounded by houses.|mall13]] * [[York Mills is a busy street.|mall14]] * [[Barely any bodies.|mall15]]

YOU: How would you even get in there? There's no front gate. KAZ: Guess you'd have to jump a fence. YOU: While carrying like a shovel and a bag full of bones? KAZ: Hmm. YOU: There's like trees and stuff in the way too. Seems really impractical. KAZ: Yeah... I think we can cross that one off. <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: It is literally surrounded on all sides by houses. Imagine if someone just started digging a hole in your backyard. KAZ: Shit, yeah. They'd definitely be caught. YOU: Like if it was one house, maybe. But five houses? You could never count on them being all empty at once. KAZ: Agreed. Let's move on. <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: York Mills is a pretty busy street. KAZ: I mean, there are trees blocking the graves. You can barely tell it's there on street view. YOU: Okay, but it's not just cars speeding by. It's people. This is a residential neighbourhood. They'd *hear* the digging, you know? KAZ: Yeah, you're right. This can't be it. <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: It's so small. Barely any bodies there, right? KAZ: I think you only really need one though. YOU: Yeah, I guess. And fewer bodies means fewer visitors. KAZ: There may not be any visitors at all. * [[How would you even get in there?|mall12]] * [[It's literally surrounded by houses.|mall13]] * [[York Mills is a busy street.|mall14]]

<% s.mall16 = true; %> KAZ: Pffffffffftttt!!! YOU: Oh, grow up. KAZ: *(giggling)* It's literally spelled CUMMER! With a U. YOU: Okay no this one is *on Yonge Street.* Surrounded by condos. KAZ: *(wiping away a tear)* Seriously, it's like the least appropriate name imaginable. YOU: There's a grocery store, a church, that 24-hour Korean place.... No way you could dig a body up there without being seen. KAZ: Do you think we're putting too much emphasis on not being seen? What if this person is doing a hiding in plain sight kinda thing? Some kind of ingenious disguise? * [[What disguise could possibly cover digging up a body?|mall17]] * [[The fewer eyes on them, the better.|mall18]]

YOU: Okay but what possible disguise could you have to make grave robbing seem normal? Like we're not talking about a... burglar pretending to be a chef or whatever. KAZ: A chef? YOU: Or whatever! There's no like alternate explanation for why you'd be there. KAZ: What about a gravedigger? That's a good disguise. YOU: They put bodies *in*, not take them out. KAZ: Oh yeah... YOU: Wherever the mysterious person got their bones, they can't have done it where they would have been seen. We need somewhere completely isolated. <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: Look if you're *secretly removing a corpse* you don't want thousands of eyes on you. Even if no one thinks you're doing anything wrong they're still going to notice you. KAZ: But will they *care*? If they think just think you're a gravedigger... YOU: Okay but what happens if the theft gets reported to the police or something? Then suddenly all those people are like "oh yeah, I totally did see someone digging around." KAZ: Hmm. Yeah. And I guess they could be filming it too, eh? YOU: Exactly. What we're looking for is a graveyard that's totally out of the public eye. <%= next("mall46") %>

KAZ: Jeez, this one's pretty out of the way. YOU: Looks like it's out by Highway 427? KAZ: Looks like it's *in* Highway 427. YOU: Oh my god, you're right. It's in the middle of an interchange! KAZ: How in the hell...? * [[This is the least peaceful cemetery I've ever seen.|mall20]] * [[How long has it been abandoned?|mall21]] * [[How did a graveyard end up surrounded by highways?|mall22]] * [[Do you think there's anyone in charge of it?|mall23]]

YOU: This has to be like the least peaceful cemetery in history. It's got the 401 *and* the 427 going by it. KAZ: I bet those floodlights are on like 24/7. YOU: And it's right by Pearson. Probably under a flight path. * [[Who would ever go to this place?|mall31]] * [[How long has it been abandoned?|mall21]] * [[Does the province run it?|mall30]]

YOU: How long has it been abandoned? <%= display("mall48") %> * [[I think you're right.|mall24]] * [[Worth investigating at least.|mall25]] * [[Let's say it is. What next?|mall26]]

YOU: How does a graveyard end up surrounded by highways? KAZ: Kind of efficient when you think about it. Not like you're going to use the land for anything else. YOU: You figure there'd be some respect for the dead though. KAZ: I think the respect is that they didn't bulldoze it. YOU: Hmm. KAZ: Anyway, it's been abandoned for years at this point. * [[How long?|mall29]] * [[Does the province run it?|mall30]]

YOU: Who do you think's in charge of this place? KAZ: Let me check... Hmm. *(You look over their shoulder. They point at the screen.)* KAZ: Apparently there actually was a caretaker. But he died ten years ago. YOU: So who's running it now? KAZ: *(shrugging)* Nobody. The guy died and that's it. YOU: So it's a totally unguarded cemetery in the middle of nowhere that no one knows about. KAZ: Dude, this is the place. * [[I think you're right.|mall24]] * [[Worth investigating at least.|mall25]] * [[Let's say it is. What next?|mall26]]

YOU: I think you might actually be right. If there *is* a place that is. The idea that someone's actually doing this, though... *(You shake your head.)* KAZ: So what do we do? YOU: I doubt we'll get any more information online. We need to check it out in person. KAZ: It's not super far. We could probably go after school tomorrow. *(You exhale heavily.)* YOU: Well, we found a lead. Now it's time to follow it. <%= next("mission1") %>

YOU: It's worth investigating. I don't know what we'll find, but... KAZ: But it's our only lead. YOU: Exactly. KAZ: We can go after school tomorrow. It's not that far. I'll drive. *(You nod.)* KAZ: What do you think we're actually going to find? YOU: I honestly have no idea... <%= next("mission1") %>

YOU: Okay. Let's say you're right. Let's say it is the source of the bones. What then? KAZ: We investigate, right? We drive out there? It's not that far. We could go after school tomorrow. This could be the break. *(You stare at the screen.)* KAZ: We've got our lead, Na. Now we need to follow it. YOU: ...Alright. Let's do it. <%= next("mission1") %>

YOU: Could that be where the ghost summoner got their bones? One of these abandoned cemeteries? KAZ: That might be the easiest way to do it... YOU: Right. Let's get a list of every graveyard we overlooked. We need to go through and figure out which ones may have been targeted. KAZ: On it. <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: Are they all the same as this one? KAZ: Well they're all in different places and stuff, but I think they're all abandoned. YOU: Damn, okay. We need to check them all out. Let's get a list together of every graveyard we overlooked. KAZ: Got it. YOU: If someone is stealing bones, it could be from one of these places. We just need to figure out which one... <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: How long? <%= display("mall48") %> * [[I think you're right.|mall24]] * [[Worth investigating at least.|mall25]] * [[Let's say it is. What next?|mall26]]

YOU: Does the province run it? They must own the highway land, right? KAZ: They might own the highways but they're not running the cemetery. Although they did apparently use it as a parking lot. YOU: What? KAZ: Seriously, look at this article. The transportation ministry was using it to store construction equipment. And no one noticed for months. YOU: Unbelievable. KAZ: Think of how abandoned a graveyard has to be for that to happen. Dude, this has to be the place. * [[I think you're right.|mall24]] * [[Worth investigating at least.|mall25]] * [[Let's say it is. What next?|mall26]]

YOU: Who would ever go to this place? KAZ: Nobody. Like *nobody* nobody. It's not on a walking path, it's not like a park, it's not easily accessible from the street... YOU: And it's in this weird dead-end highway thing! People barely walk under overpasses if they can help it, and this one is completely surrounded on all sides. KAZ: Exactly! Dude, this is the place. * [[I think you're right.|mall24]] * [[Worth investigating at least.|mall25]] * [[Let's say it is. What next?|mall26]]

YOU: I don't know. They could be. KAZ: But they could also be totally abandoned. YOU: *(nodding)* Which would make them easy targets. KAZ: So what we do? YOU: We need to make a list. Every graveyard we overlooked last time. One of them might be the key to figuring this whole thing out. KAZ: Alright. <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: I don't think so. I think they might be totally abandoned. KAZ: Which would make them ideal targets for bone thieves. YOU: Let's get a list together. We need to look up every graveyard we skipped over last time. One of them might be the source of the bones. KAZ: You got it. <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: So it's like a park, basically. KAZ: Hmm. I guess. YOU: Right? It's not closed off at night like an active graveyard. KAZ: Meaning people are probably there all the time. YOU: And like what would happen if you tried *digging a hole* in a local park? Someone in the neighbourhood would see you and call the cops. KAZ: So the graveyard we're looking for can't be like... a well-used feature. YOU: *(shaking your head)* I don't think so. <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: Yeah, but as soon as the sun comes up the *giant hole* they dug is going to be extremely visible. People start coming in and out... KAZ: Yeah you're right. Even if you got away with it at night you'd be discovered immediately. YOU: It's just too high profile. <%= next("mall46") %>

YOU: So it's not closed off, right? KAZ: What do you mean closed off? YOU: I mean most cemeteries have fences and opening hours and stuff. This one, anyone can just show up whenever. KAZ: Easy access. YOU: *Too* easy. If you were digging up a body there'd be no way to stop someone from walking in on you. You'd be totally exposed. KAZ: Right. So this probably isn't it then. YOU: Probably not. <%= next("mall46") %>

<% portrait("kaz1") %> #### **Newspaper Office** — After School ##### **Tuesday, 20 September 2016** *(The next day. You and Kaz are alone in the newspaper office. Kaz stares intently into their monitor as you watch the door with your head in your hands.)* KAZ: Hey, do you want me to make the "FUCK YOU ALLEN" ad a quarter page or a half page? YOU: For the last time, we're not putting a half-page rant against my ex-boyfriend in there. KAZ: *(nodding)* Quarter then. *(You check the time on your phone and sigh.)* YOU: Guess the recruitment ads in last week's issue didn't work. KAZ: Well look at it this way. If no one shows up, we can spend the time we *would have* spent on orientation on something else. Like, say, more ghost investigating? * [[I'd forgotten all about the ghost thing.|mall42]] * [[Not sure I can handle more investigating.|mall43]] * [[I think the investigation is dead.|mall38]] * [[Or we could spend that time on the paper.|mall44]] <% chapter(5) %>

YOU: I don't know, Kaz. I think the investigation might be kind of dead. KAZ: What? No way! We've got so much evidence! YOU: Circumstantial. Unconnected. Dead ends. KAZ: We've got someone *on video* sneaking into the North Wing at night to burn human bones. YOU: Yes, but— KAZ: We've got the purple smoke, the raccoon, your weird ghost visions... YOU: I know, but— KAZ: All we have to do is figure out who this person and where they got their bones and what their deal is! That's a totally doable investigation! * [[I'm not going to confront this person.|mall39]] * [[We're out of leads to investigate.|mall45]] * [[We can't tie anything to anything.|mall41]]

YOU: Please don't. I think you might actually kill him. TIBOR: Got you there, Liv. OLIVIA: Aw, c'mon. Would that be so bad? YOU: ...You're really tempting me here, you know that? *(She gives you a shove.)* OLIVIA: Just saying, buddy. Juuust saying. <%= next() %>

YOU: I'm... trying not to dwell on it. OLIVIA: Good. Don't let the fucker get you down. TIBOR: Fuckin' right. YOU: Honestly just thinking about him makes me sick. OLIVIA: Well listen. If that dude comes up to you in the hall, fuckin' makes you think about him or whatever? Just call me over and I'll do the thinkin' for ya. TIBOR: *(smirking)* She'll think the fuck out of him. OLIVIA: Think him right into a fucking locker is what I'll do. YOU: I don't know if he'd fit... OLIVIA: Oh he'd fit. You'd better believe. <%= next() %>

YOU: Not sure it would change anything at this point. OLIVIA: Maybe not. ...It'd feel fuckin' good as hell though. *(You laugh.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: Think that'd be a uniform violation. Among other things. TIBOR: Warrior queens don't care about dress codes. YOU: Princesses. TIBOR: Them either. <%= next() %>

YOU: I... think I'll stick with "Warrior Newspaper Editor." OLIVIA: Damn right. TIBOR: *(shrugs)* Your loss. OLIVIA: Ha. Your loss is more like it! Fuckin' degen. *(You chuckle and shake your head.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: I don't know if I'm cut out to be that passive. MILES: Yeah well, there's not much you can do about *that* either. YOU: Great. Thanks Miles. MILES: I know you're being sarcastic, but you're actually welcome. <%= next() %>

YOU: So what. You think I've just got a bad group? MILES: *Exactly.* Remember how last year all the Grade 12s had far too much school spirit? YOU: Oh yeah... <%= display("analytical5") %>

YOU: And what does this have to do with me exactly? MILES: It's like— Hmm. Okay. Remember how last year all the Grade 12s had far too much school spirit? YOU: Yeah... <%= display("analytical5") %>

YOU: So people have preferences. Not exactly giving me new information here... MILES: I'm going somewhere with this. Remember how last year all the Grade 12s had far too much school spirit? YOU: Uh-huh... <%= display("analytical5") %>

<% portrait("allen1") %> YOU: What do you want? ALLEN: Just, uh... I don't know. *(You look at him, waiting for him to say something else. He doesn't.)* YOU: ...Well. I'm going to go then. ALLEN: Hey. Um. *(He scratches his neck.)* Do you... hate me? * [[Yes.|hateme2]] * [[Sometimes.|hateme3]] * [[I don't know.|hateme4]] * [[Not completely.|hateme5]] * [[My feelings aren't your business.|hateme6]]

YOU: Yes. *(He nods.)* ALLEN: I guess I deserve that. YOU: Yeah. You do. *(The two of you stare at each other in silence. His jaw tightens a little.)* ALLEN: ...Okay. Bye. *(He walks away.)* * [[...|hateme7]]

YOU: Sometimes, yeah. ALLEN: So... sometimes you don't? *(You look at him.)* YOU: No, sometimes I just don't care. ALLEN: ...Wow. YOU: Sorry. That's just how it is. ALLEN: Yeah. *(He walks away.)* * [[...|hateme7]]

YOU: Honestly? I don't know. I'm not sure I can put into words how I'm feeling right now. ALLEN: Okay... YOU: But it's pretty much all bad. ALLEN: Wow. Alright. *(You stare at him. He looks down at the ground.)* YOU: I'm not going to forgive you, if that's what you're hoping for. ALLEN: No. I guess not. *(You cross your arms.)* YOU: Anything else? ALLEN: ... YOU: Okay. Bye. *(He walks away silently.)* * [[...|hateme7]]

YOU: Not completely. I can't hate you completely. Even though I want to. ALLEN: ...Wow. YOU: I don't know what you're expecting. You want me to forgive you? ALLEN: ... YOU: Well I don't. *(The two of you stare at each other in silence. His jaw tightens a little.)* ALLEN: Fine. Bye. *(He leaves.)* * [[...|hateme7]]

YOU: My feelings aren't your business anymore. ALLEN: Wow. Okay. *(You stare at him.)* ALLEN: ...I don't know how to respond to that. YOU: Then don't. *(The two of you stand there in silence. Finally, he just shakes his head and walks away.)* * [[...|hateme7]]

<% portrait("anja1") %> *(You let out a loooong breath as Anja comes up next to you.)* ANJA: How'd that go? YOU: ...I do not even know anymore. <%= next("late1") %>

<% portrait("anja1","allen1") %> *(You turn the corner to find Allen is standing in front of your locker. Anja looks at him and then back at you.)* ANJA: Come on. *(She tugs on your blazer. You put your hand on her shoulder.)* YOU: Stay right there, okay? *(She exhales and nods. You walk over to Allen.)* YOU: You're blocking my locker. ALLEN: I didn't realize you and her were on speaking terms. * [[What do you want?|hateme1]] * [[Still can't drop it, huh?|hateme8]]

<% portrait("allen1") %> YOU: God, you still can't drop it. ALLEN: I— whatever. That's not what I... *(You stare at him. He trails off.)* YOU: That's not what you what? ALLEN: Look, I— I just have to know. Do you hate me? * [[Yes.|hateme2]] * [[Sometimes.|hateme3]] * [[I don't know.|hateme4]] * [[Not completely.|hateme5]] * [[My feelings aren't your business.|hateme6]]

AUBREY: Oh my god! Nadia! Hello! *(She runs up and gives you a hug. You take a step backwards in shock.)* YOU: Uh—! AUBREY: *(releasing you)* Oh my god, I am so sorry. I am such a sweaty mess. *(Amy waves hello.)* ANJA: You know Aubrey and Amy, right? * [[Kind of?|sidelines2]] * [[Yeah. Hey.|sidelines3]]

YOU: Kind of. I'm not sure we ever actually talked though. AUBREY: You know what? I do not think we have. AMY: I borrowed your Geography textbook once. YOU: Oh yeah. AMY: Thanks for that. AUBREY: Well it is nice to speak with you now. YOU: Yeah, same. AMY: Are you enjoying the game? * [[Totally.|sidelines14]] * [[Isn't this just a practice?|sidelines15]] * [[I haven't been watching.|sidelines16]]

YOU: Yeah. Hey. AMY: What's up. AUBREY: It is so nice to see you! YOU: Oh! That's— Wow, okay. Thanks. AMY: You enjoying the game? * [[Totally.|sidelines14]] * [[Isn't this just a practice?|sidelines15]] * [[I haven't been watching.|sidelines16]]

YOU: Yeah. He really is. <%= display("sidelines19") %>

YOU: I'd like to see them sometime. AMY: The skulls? YOU: Yeah. AMY: On a locker or on paper? ANJA: Either. AUBREY: *Both.* Then you can tape the paper one over the locker one, so when he pulls the first skull down *there's a second, even meaner skull underneath.* <%= display("sidelines7") %>

YOU: I appreciate the gesture, but I think I'm good. ANJA: *(nodding)* Don't kick the hornet's nest. AUBREY: Okay, for that metaphor to work he would have to be a hornet, as opposed to a sad pile of worms that you could easily step on. <%= display("sidelines7") %>

*(Amy laughs.)* AMY: God, you have such a hate-on for this guy. AUBREY: Okay, actually? I am extremely mad at him, on Nadia's behalf, and on Anja's behalf, and also because of my personal opinion. AMY: Ever since Anja told her, she has not shut up about it. AUBREY: Like, what he did is hugely rude, first off? But also, very stupid of him. Because I'm sorry but you are beautiful and he is not. AMY: For real. * [[That's putting it a little strongly.|sidelines9]] * [[That's nice of you to say.|sidelines8]] * [[Evidently he doesn't think so.|sidelines10]]

YOU: Oh wow. *(She smiles shyly and brushes her hair back.)* * [[I had no idea.|candy15]] * [[Who was she?|candy13]] * [[That makes me glad to hear.|candy16]]

YOU: Who was she? Er, is she? SUMMER: She lives in Canada. You wouldn't know her. YOU: Oh. SUMMER: ...That was a joke. We all live in Canada. YOU: Right. Ha. Okay. SUMMER: But you really probably wouldn't know her. Her name's Casey. She's an artist. She draws stuff. YOU: That's cool. SUMMER: We broke up after four months, so it wasn't... you know. But— yeah. <%= display("candy8") %>

YOU: Wow, I had no idea. SUMMER: Yeah. Just for like four months. Not as long as you and Allen or anything. YOU: Nobody dates for as long as me and Allen. We were always a weird outlier. Also our relationship was built on a total lie so there's that. SUMMER: There is that. <%= display("candy8") %>

YOU: Well, um. That makes me glad to hear? SUMMER: Yeah? YOU: Just... I guess I'm kind of relieved I didn't completely destroy your entire life, you know. SUMMER: Me too. *(She takes a bite of her candy bar.)* YOU: God, sorry. That's a dumb thing for me to say, isn't it? SUMMER: I'm not sure. I kind of don't know what the best thing to say is. YOU: Neither do I. SUMMER: I feel like I have to learn to talk to you all over again. Is that weird? * [[Only a little.|candy10]] * [[I don't think so.|candy9]] * [[It's weird for both of us.|candy11]]

YOU: Look, we can't physically confront this random person! All we can do is investigate from the sidelines, and that's obviously going nowhere. We had one idea for a lead and it was a bust — we couldn't find a single instance of missing bones and we called every graveyard in the city! <%= display("mall1") %>

YOU: The trail has gone cold. We're out of leads to investigate. We couldn't find a single instance of missing bones and we called every graveyard in the city. <%= display("mall1") %>

YOU: Nothing that we've found ties to anything else. There are dots, but I don't know what else we can do to connect them. Like we couldn't find a single instance of missing bones and we called every graveyard in the city. <%= display("mall1") %>

YOU: God, you know what? I had completely forgotten about the ghost thing. KAZ: You forgot that you're haunted? YOU: *I'm* not haunted. The *school* is haunted. KAZ: I don't know, based on your last *three* ghost visions, you sound pretty haunted to me. YOU: Okay— KAZ: Which is all the more reason we need to unmask that mysterious ghost summoner! This person is burning human remains in our school and innocent students are being cursed! YOU: I'm not *cursed*, Kaz! KAZ: Okay well a haunting is a kind of curse, but either way this is exactly the type of story that the Middleman needs to investigate. And you know it. * [[We can't just confront this person.|mall39]] * [[The story is at a dead end.|mall40]] * [[We can't tie anything to anything.|mall41]]

YOU: I'm not sure I can handle any more investigating at this point. KAZ: So what, you're just going to keep being cursed? YOU: I'm not cursed. KAZ: You're haunted at the very least. And you're going to *keep* being haunted until we unmask our mysterious ghost summoner. YOU: Kaz, I've got so much on my plate right now. I have to run this whole paper by myself. I can't justify running off every week to chase down visions and weird stuff! KAZ: That's what being a journalist *is*, Na. Investigating. * [[We can't just confront this person.|mall39]] * [[We're out of things to investigate.|mall40]] * [[We can't tie anything to anything.|mall41]]

YOU: Or we could spend that time actually making the newspaper. Unless you want to keep working stupid late hours every week that is. KAZ: In the long run it's just going to be more late nights if we don't get this ghost thing off the ground. YOU: There's no story there, Kaz. We're at a dead end. KAZ: How are we at a dead end?? We saw someone sneak into the North Wing late at night to *burn human bones for the purposes of ghost summoning!* That's a major scoop! YOU: And we have nothing at all to back it up. KAZ: We have the perpetrator. We track them down and we're golden. * [[We can't just confront this person.|mall39]] * [[We're out of leads to investigate.|mall40]] * [[We can't tie anything to anything.|mall41]]

<% s.room = "greathall" %> #### **Great Hall** — Before School The rain continues to pick up in intensity, battering against the large bay windows and putting a damper on the atmosphere inside. <% if (!s.speaking) { %> <%= link("Summer","speaking1") %> sits at a table by herself, doodling in a notebook. <% } %> <% if (s.uncharitable) { %> Jayden thumbs through his phone and pretends not to look at you. <% } else { %> <%= link("Jayden","uncharitable1") %> awkwardly waves at you from across the room. <% } %> <% if (s.time === 2 && !s.phonebuzz) { %> Your phone <%= link("buzzes in your pocket","supportive1") %> <% s.phonebuzz = true; } %> A large staircase leads up to the second floor here. Your [[locker|lockers]] is down a hall to the west and the [[front of the school|foyer]] is to the south.

<% s.room = "lockers" %> #### **Lockers** — Before School With the rain beating down outside, the over-capacity locker hallway is even busier than normal. You gently work your way through the crowd, trying to avoid catching anyone's eye. The <% if (s.clever) { %> dramas <% } else { %> <%= link("dramas","clever1") %> <% } %> are all clustered up in front of the side exit. <% if (s.speaking) { %> <%= link("Annette","pamphlet11") %> stands in front of your locker, mumbling something to herself. <% } %> <% if (s.time === 2 && !s.phonebuzz) { %> Your phone <%= link("buzzes in your pocket","supportive1") %> <% s.phonebuzz = true; } %> A stairwell leads up to the second floor here. The [[Great Hall|greathall]] lies to the east and the [[front of the school|foyer]] is off to the south.

<% s.room = "foyer"; %> #### **Foyer** — Before School The tacky brown decor looks especially fitting in this stormy weather. <% if (s.happened) { %> Miles <% } else { %> <%= link("Miles","happened1") %> <% } %> sits on a particularly ugly chair, slowly making his way through his giant economics book. <% if (s.time === 2 && !s.phonebuzz) { %> Your phone <%= link("buzzes in your pocket","supportive1") %> <% s.phonebuzz = true; } %> The main hallway leads north from here to the [[Great Hall|greathall]], while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards [[your locker|lockers]]. Soaking wet students run in through the [[front door|frontsteps]] to the south.

<% s.room = "frontsteps"; %> #### **Front Steps** — Before School <% if (!s.firstfront) { %> You quickly duck under the awning as the rain picks up. Those caught outside shield themselves with whatever they have handy as they dash towards the entrance. <% } else { %> <% if (!s.aftersushi) { %> You poke your head out the door. <% } %> The rain is still beating down fast and heavy. <% } %> <% if (s.sushi) { %> Olivia and Tibor <% } else { %> <%= link(" Olivia and Tibor","sushi1") %> <% } %> are shooting the breeze at the top of the wheelchair ramp. <% if (s.time === 2 && !s.phonebuzz) { %> Your phone <%= link("buzzes in your pocket","supportive1") %> <% s.phonebuzz = true; } %> The [[school entrance|foyer]] is to the north and the <% if (s.flee) { %> front gates <% } else { %> <%= link("front gates","flee1") %> <% } %> lead off campus to the south. <% s.firstfront = true; s.aftersushi = false; %>

YOU: We're out of things to investigate though. We couldn't find a single instance of missing bones and we called every graveyard in the city. <%= display("mall1") %>

*(You calmly breathe in and out. The pencil jiggles a little bit.)* YOU: Okay. Three... two... one... KAZ: Fling!! *(You lower your nose for a split second and then jerk it back up. The pencil flies forward, sails through the air in a tight spin, lands on the desk, and rolls to a stop in front of Kaz.)* KAZ: ...Holy crap. *(You do a dramatic bow.)* <%= next() %>

*(He looks back and forth between you and Kaz then laughs and shakes his head.)* SHERBOURNE: You know what? Can I be "real" for a second? I'm proud of you kids. KAZ: Alright— SHERBOURNE: Really, I am! You saw something out of place in your school and you investigated. You took on a civic duty. That's not something a lot of students would do. And I think that is worthy of some extra credit. YOU: Um. What? SHERBOURNE: What do you say we call this an independent study credit and give you an A. It'll look great on your university applications. *(He winks.)* And what the heck, I'll throw in an A in history too. * [[Are you trying to bribe us?|ritual10]] * [[...What's the catch?|ritual11]] * [[What if we say no?|ritual12]] * [[I think we're going to go...|ritual13]]

YOU: Are you trying to bribe us? SHERBOURNE: Hey, hey, hey. "Chillax." Who said anything about a bribe? All I'm saying is that I prefer to encourage your academic development rather than "snitch" on you, even if you were abusing your newspaper privileges to trespass in a dangerous construction zone. <%= display("ritual21") %>

YOU: ...What's the catch? SHERBOURNE: Catch? There's no catch, Nadia. As far as I'm concerned this whole situation is wrapped up for everyone. As long as you don't bring this up to anyone else, I won't "snitch" on you for abusing your newspaper privileges to trespass in a dangerous construction zone. Sound fair? <%= display("ritual21") %>

YOU: What if we say no? SHERBOURNE: Then I'd have to write you up for abusing your newspaper privileges and trespassing in a highly dangerous construction zone. <%= display("ritual21") %>

YOU: I think we're just going to go.... SHERBOURNE: Hey now. I am a teacher. I don't want to have to write you up for abusing your newspaper privileges to trespass in a highly dangerous construction zone. <%= display("ritual21") %>

<% portrait("sherbourne666","kaz1") %> *(As the person on stage turns to face you, you realize it's Mr. Sherbourne. You quickly dart behind a nearby pillar and take out your phone. There's no signal.)* SHERBOURNE: *(laughing)* Alright, Nadia. Come on out. YOU: *(whispering)* Crap. *(You step out from behind the pillar.)* SHERBOURNE: And Kaz, I know you're in here too! *(Kaz slowly stands up with their hands raised from behind the chair. Anja stays out of sight.)* SHERBOURNE: Now come on. You two know you aren't supposed to be in here. * [[Neither are you.|ritual15]] * [[We were just leaving.|ritual16]] * [[Our bad.|ritual22]]

YOU: Um, neither are you. SHERBOURNE: I'm a teacher, Nadia. KAZ: I didn't realize creepy satanic rituals were on the curriculum. *(He laughs.)* SHERBOURNE: You are a riot. Why don't you two come down here for a second? <%= display("ritual18") %>

YOU: We were just leaving. Weren't we? KAZ: Yep. *(They take a step backwards)* Juuuust heading out. SHERBOURNE: Actually, could you two hang back for a second? I want to have a chat. <%= display("ritual18") %>

<% portrait("anja1","kaz1"); %> #### **Newspaper Office** — Evening ##### **Tuesday, 27 September 2016** *(The next night. You and Kaz type away silently, while Anja slowly spins around in a rotating chair.)* ANJA: You guys just do this all night, huh? *(You laugh.)* YOU: Yeah. What'd you expect? ANJA: I don't know. YOU: You can't write a newspaper without writing the actual newspaper. ANJA: I'm just amazed they let you stay this late by yourselves. * [[It's been this way for decades.|late2]] * [[We're very trustworthy.|late3]] * [[We don't normally go this late.|late4]] * [[You bored?|late5]] <% chapter(13) %>

YOU: It's been this way for decades. Since the paper started, probably. I'm sure you could never get away with setting it up this way now, but it's the status quo. KAZ: You can basically get away with anything at this school as long as you call it "tradition." ANJA: What about your parents though? Like our mom obviously doesn't care what Kaz or I do, but I thought yours were like... strict? * [[They're not strict exactly.|late8]] * [[It's good on a university application.|late9]] * [[My dad appreciates hard work.|late10]]

YOU: We're very trustworthy. ANJA: Well, that's half true. KAZ: I'm not going to dignify that character assault with a response. ANJA: Alright fine. The school trusts you. What about your parents? Like obviously *our* mom doesn't care we do, but weren't you saying your parents were like kinda strict? * [[They're not strict exactly.|late8]] * [[It's good on a university application.|late9]] * [[My dad appreciates hard work.|late10]]

YOU: We don't normally go this late. KAZ: We literally always go this late. YOU: Okay fine. *The paper* doesn't. Didn't. You know what I mean. ANJA: You two really need some more people, huh? * [[Desperately.|late6]] * [[Want to join?|late7]]

<% portrait("anja1","kaz1") %> #### **North Wing** — Evening *(The three of you make your way through the North Wing. Anja puts her phone away.)* ANJA: Okay, I just texted Summer. I'm going to check in every ten minutes, and if she doesn't hear from me in fifteen she's going to call the police. YOU: That's... a very smart plan, actually. ANJA: I'm not taking any chances. *(You reach the auditorium. Pulses of purple light and thin wisps of mist escape from under the doors.)* YOU: Looks like they're already here. KAZ: Alright. I'm going to open the door and we'll slip in. Ready? * [[Let's go.|ritual37]]

YOU: I never acquired the taste. SUMMER: They're so good, Nadia. *(She opens up the top.)* YOU: That's, uh... one way of putting it. <%= display("candy6") %>

YOU: You might the only person in history that has ever done that. SUMMER: Maybe. YOU: Definitely. SUMMER: I suppose when you cry as much as I do you're bound to set some world records. YOU: ...Yeah. <%= display("candy25") %>

YOU: Aw. That's sweet. And kinda sad. *(She smiles and shrugs.)* SUMMER: I cry about a lot of stuff. YOU: I remember. <%= display("candy25") %>

YOU: Do you still miss Hawaii as much as you used to? SUMMER: Not as much. I do remember being a lot happier there. Things were simpler, you know? But also I was just a little kid, so what do I know? Maybe if I was still there I'd be desperate to leave. YOU: Maybe. *(She takes a bite of her candy bar.)* SUMMER: There's this one short story by Ray Bradbury that I still think about a lot. It's about this girl who moves from Earth to Venus, and on Venus it rains all the time and she gets really depressed about it and no one understands why. It gets really, really sad. I identified with her *a lot* when I was younger. * [[That's such a you thing.|candy30]] * [[And now?|candy31]]

*(Fifteen minutes later. You and Summer cross over Yellow Creek and start climbing up out of the Vale of Avoca. She stumbles over her shoes in front of you.)* YOU: Careful! *(You grab her arm.)* SUMMER: I'm fine. I'm okay. YOU: *(letting go)* I got worried you were going to fall into the ravine again. SUMMER: Huh? Oh— right. I forgot about that. I forgot that happened in front of you. YOU: Eleven days ago. *(She shakes her head.)* SUMMER: God, so much has changed so quickly. I'm still having trouble keeping track of it. YOU: Yeah, no kidding. SUMMER: Three months ago I was at public school. * [[I can't imagine going somewhere else.|candy22]] * [[What was it like there?|candy23]] * [[Did you switch because of me?|candy24]]

YOU: I can't even imagine what it'd be like going to a new school at this point. SUMMER: It did take some getting used to. YOU: Learning where everything is, talking to strangers, having to choose my clothes every morning... SUMMER: There's a freedom to that though. Choosing your clothes, I mean. You get to sort of define what you want to look like to other people. It felt good walking around in a Kuiper Belt shirt, you know? YOU: What's a Kuiper Belt shirt? SUMMER: It's a shirt with "KUIPER BELT" written on it. YOU: Makes sense. SUMMER: I really ended up liking Moore Park Collegiate after a while. I had a girlfriend for a while there even. <%= display("candy14") %>

YOU: What was it like over at Moore Park Collegiate anyway? SUMMER: Uh, different. Way different. Tons of people, for one thing. Everyone in normal clothes... YOU: That must have been an adjustment. SUMMER: It was. But I kind of liked it over there. I kind of got into my own thing, you know? ...I had a girlfriend even. <%= display("candy14") %>

YOU: I guess we haven't talked about this yet. But... did you actually... switch schools because of me? SUMMER: ...I guess so. YOU: I assumed, but... yeah. SUMMER: You know, it wasn't just— I was having a hard time for a lot of reasons. You were just a big one. YOU: I'm sorry. SUMMER: It's okay. *(You sigh.)* SUMMER: No, I mean it is. Kind of. Being at Moore Park Collegiate was good for me. I came into my own a bit, you know? Less pressure, more people to blend in with... I had a girlfriend for a while even. <%= display("candy14") %>

#### **Cemetery Gate** — After School <% s.room = "driveway"; portrait("kaz1"); %> *(That evening. Kaz pulls their car onto a tiny gravel path between the two lanes of Highway 427.)* KAZ: Okay, let's go. *(Kaz walks towards the gate. You get out and look around.)* * [[Is this really it?|gate2]] * [[This is so shady.|gate3]] * [[I don't like this...|gate4]] <% chapter(7) %>

YOU: Is this it? This can't be it. KAZ: I think it's it. YOU: It looks like a maintenance road. <%= display("gate5") %>

YOU: This is so shady. KAZ: I know right? I feel like I'm about to do a drug deal. Or an arms deal. Any kind of cool illegal deal really. <%= display("gate5") %>

YOU: Eugh. I don't like this. It feels wrong. KAZ: Cemeteries are meant to be visited. YOU: They're also meant to be maintained. *(The two of you walk up to the closed gate. Kaz crouches down and squints at it.)* YOU: See? They closed it off. They don't want us here. <%= display("gate7") %>

*(The two of you walk up to the closed gate. Kaz crouches down and squints at it.)* KAZ: Hmm... YOU: Guess it makes sense that they'd fence it off. They probably don't want troublemakers running around. <%= display("gate6") %>

KAZ: There's no "they" anymore. It's an abandoned cemetery. This is like *anti*-trespassing. Now come on. *(Kaz grabs onto the fence and stars hoisting themself up.)* YOU: Kaz. KAZ: I'm going to jump over. Give me a boost. * [[I'm not climbing a fence.|gate7]] * [[Wait.|gate8]] * [[...Fine.|gate9]]

YOU: I'm not climbing a fence. KAZ: *You* don't have to. Prepare to be amazed. <%= display("gate10") %>

YOU: Kaz. Wait. KAZ: *(scrambling)* You can't stop me, Na! I'm getting us past that fence whatever the cost! YOU: No, I mean *wait until you try the normal way.* *(You push on the gate. It glides open.)* KAZ: ...Oh. *(They slide back down.)* Well, my way would have worked too. <%= next() %>

YOU: ...Fine. *(You give them a little boost up the fence.)* KAZ: Now, watch a master infiltrator at work. <%= display("gate10") %>

*(They scramble over the top and fall into the dirt on the other side)* YOU: Aaah! KAZ: *(getting up)* I'm fine, I'm fine. *(They dust themself off.)* YOU: Careful! God. KAZ: Aaaaand... *(They push open the gate.)* Voilà! YOU: ...Wait, was that gate even locked? KAZ: Hmm? YOU: *(pointing)* You just opened it without doing anything. Was it unlocked the whole time? KAZ: Huh. *(They open and close it a few times.)* Look at that. *(You roll your eyes and walk past. They continue messing with the fence as you head down the path.)* KAZ: *(calling after you)* Well it was still a good infiltration regardless!! <%= next() %>

YOU: Uh... Kaz? *(They run over.)* KAZ: What? YOU: Is this recently disturbed? KAZ: Oh shit. YOU: It is, isn't it? KAZ: ...Wow. Jeez. Okay. Um. YOU: This grave is a hundred and fifty years old and someone *just* dug it up. KAZ: I'm going to be honest, I'm not quite sure what to do here? I didn't really plan this far ahead. *(You run your fingers through the dirt and start breathing faster.)* KAZ: Na? What do we do? * [[...|earth2]] * [[...|earth2]] * [[...|earth2]]

YOU: ... *(You grab a fistful of soil.)* KAZ: ...Nadia? YOU: *(wavering)* I, uh... KAZ: What's happening? Are you okay? *(You stand up. The dirt slips out of your hand.)* KAZ: Did you just have another ghost vision? YOU: No. I— My chest feels tight again. KAZ: Oh god. Okay. *(They grab your arm.)* Breathe. YOU: I'm trying to breathe but it feels weird. It feels weird when I breathe. It doesn't— KAZ: I think you're hyperventilating again. *(You pull away and start pacing.)* * [[I don't know what's wrong with me.|earth9]] * [[I don't know what to do.|earth10]]

YOU: Oh. Well that's nice of you to say. AUBREY: Like you have a very classic look and your hair alone is better than everything on his entire face. YOU: I don't know if— AUBREY: Trust me. Anja, wouldn't you say Nadia is very attractive? <%= display("sidelines11") %>

YOU: Well, I don't know if I'd go that far... AUBREY: Oh my god. Do not even try and deflect like that. You are absolutely very hot. YOU: Oh, uh— AUBREY: Anja. Wouldn't you say Nadia is very attractive? <%= display("sidelines11") %>

YOU: Apparently Allen doesn't agree. *(You shrug.)* AUBREY: Okay, if he doesn't? Then he is an idiot who is wrong about everything. Which he is. YOU: Haha. Well— AUBREY: Anja. Wouldn't you say Nadia is very attractive? <%= display("sidelines11") %>

ANJA: I literally cannot believe you. *(Amy grins. Aubrey shrugs and drinks from her water bottle.)* YOU: *(coughing)* Anyway. I should probably... ANJA: Right. Yeah. *(She gets up.)* AMY: *(looking over her shoulder)* We should probably get back to practice too. AUBREY: Oh, you're right! Goodbye you two! *(Amy and Aubrey run back to the field.)* * [[This was fun.|sidelines12]] * [[See you tomorrow.|sidelines13]]

YOU: Are you bored? ANJA: Nah, I'm enjoying myself. YOU: If you're bored you can go. I won't mind. We've got a while left. ANJA: Seriously, I'm not bored. I like cheering you on from the sidelines. <%= display("late12") %>

YOU: So bad. You have no idea. ANJA: Nah, I think I've got a pretty good idea. KAZ: We've tried everything at this point but people just aren't interested. YOU: Well, we haven't literally tried *everything.* KAZ: No, but we've tried the most obvious things. Like yelling and ghost hunting. *(Anja chuckles and spins her chair around again.)* <%= display("late11") %>

YOU: You wanna join? ANJA: Journalism isn't really my thing. YOU: Doesn't seem like anyone's thing nowadays... ANJA: I'm happy to cheer you on from the sidelines though. <%= display("late12") %>

<% portrait("kaz1","anja2") %> #### **Kaczmarek Residence** — Evening *(You sit on a couch and sniffle as Kaz rubs your back. Anja pinches the bridge of her nose)* ANJA: God damn it. You got her high, didn't you? KAZ: What? No! ANJA: Don't say "no" like it's a thing you wouldn't do! KAZ: Just because I would doesn't mean I did! ANJA: Well what were you doing for two hours if you weren't out smoking up? KAZ: I can't tell you that. ANJA: *(crossing her arms)* Uh-huh. * [[Don't worry about me.|high2]] * [[We were in a graveyard.|high3]] * [[I'm not high.|high4]] <% chapter(8) %>

YOU: You don't have to worry about me. I think I'm feeling better. ANJA: You don't look like someone who's feeling better. YOU: What *do* I look like? ANJA: Uh... <%= display("high5") %>

<% s.high3 = true; %> YOU: We were in a graveyard. ANJA: Okay, that is not disproving my theory. <%= display("high5") %>

YOU: I'm not high. And if this is what it feels like I'm never going to be. KAZ: See? Straight-laced as ever. ANJA: Hmm. <%= display("high5") %>

KAZ: Look, can you just help me get her calm so I can drop her off at home without her parents freaking? ANJA: Me? What do you want *me* to do? KAZ: I don't know, you calmed her down last time! What'd you do then? * [[She told me my life wasn't over.|high6]] * [[She came out of the closet.|high7]] * [[She was nice to me.|high8]]

YOU: She told me my life wasn't over. KAZ: See? You're a natural. <%= display("high9") %>

YOU: She came out of the closet. KAZ: Okay, well that's a little hard to replicate. <%= display("high9") %>

YOU: She was nice to me and spoke in a calm and friendly tone of voice. KAZ: Okay, well that doesn't sound like her but still— <%= display("high9") %>

*(Anja sighs.)* ANJA: Fine. Let's at least splash some water on your face so it doesn't look like you've been crying. * <% if (s.high3) { %> [[Okay.|high10]] <% } else { %> [[Okay.|high11]] <% } %>

<% portrait("anja2") %> *(You nod and walk with her into the kitchen. She leans against the counter as you wash your face.)* ANJA: A graveyard, eh? YOU: It's an extremely long story. ANJA: Uh-huh. YOU: It's not that I don't *want* to tell you, it's just— ANJA: Hey, whatever. *(She holds up her hands.)* I'm not going to push. YOU: ...Thanks. ANJA: *But.* If it's giving you panic attacks that's probably not a good sign. * [[Just one panic attack so far.|high16]] * [[No. I guess it's not.|high17]]

<% portrait("anja2") %> *(You nod and walk with her into the kitchen. She leans against the counter as you wash your face.)* ANJA: This happen to you a lot? YOU: Didn't use to. ANJA: You might want to get that checked out. YOU: Ugh. ANJA: If it keeps happening. *(She shrugs.)* * [[I think it's circumstantial.|high13]] * [[I don't know if I can handle that.|high14]] * [[It seems to resolve itself.|high15]]

YOU: Eh, they're not strict exactly. They could be way stricter. Like they were okay with me having a boyfriend and *none* of my cousins got away with that. ANJA: Interesting. KAZ: You should test it. YOU: I definitely should not do that. KAZ: See how much you could get away with. Walk in the front door smoking a big joint. YOU: Well, they would definitely kill me for one thing. Also I don't want to smoke weed. KAZ: Not even for the sake of a scientific experiment? *(Anja chuckles and spins her chair around again. After a few seconds of silence it comes to a stop.)* <%= display("late11") %>

YOU: "Editor-in-Chief of Canada's oldest student newspaper" looks pretty good on a university application. Kind of an easy sell actually. ANJA: Huh. YOU: If anything, the more hours I work the better it looks. Dedication and industriousness and all that stuff. *(She nods and spins around in her chair again.)* <%= display("late11") %>

YOU: My dad built a nation-wide chain of eyewear stores from scratch. He likes it when I'm working. ANJA: You going to take over one day? YOU: Oh god no. That is my living nightmare. KAZ: His too, probably. YOU: No, Dad's plan for me is to single-handedly save the newspaper business through my brilliance and industriousness. ANJA: Oh, easy. YOU: Downright trivial. *(She spins the chair around again.)* <%= display("late11") %>

<% portrait("anja2","kaz1") %> *(You're both silent for a moment.)* YOU: ...Um, Kaz and I think that someone has been stealing human bones and performing some kind of weird ritual with them in the North Wing late at night. We think they might be trying to summon a ghost, or create some kind of weird hallucinogenic smoke, or both. But whatever they're doing, they don't want anyone to know. We've seen them enter the school late at night when they thought everyone had gone home. We just came from the cemetery where we think they've been getting their bones. *(Anja raises an eyebrow. Kaz walks into the kitchen checking their phone.)* KAZ: Alright, Cinderella. Time to turn you back into a pumpkin. YOU: Okay. *(You turn and wave to Anja as you walk out of the room.)* YOU: Uh, see you tomorrow. ANJA: Right... <%= next("comesayhi1") %>

YOU: I think it only triggers under circumstances. Rare ones. ANJA: Like being outed. YOU: Like that. ANJA: And was this mystery activity another rare circumstance, or...? YOU: *(sighing)* Look, it's not that I don't want to tell you what we were doing. I just... it's very complicated. ANJA: Uh-huh. <%= display("high12") %>

YOU: I don't know if I'm equipped to handle this being a full-time thing. It was bad enough the first time. ANJA: Mm. What do you think triggered it? YOU: I don't even know. *(You dry your face.)* How do I look? ANJA: Better. YOU: Cool. <%= display("high12") %>

YOU: I don't know if I need to. It seems to resolve itself. ANJA: After what? An hour? Half an hour? YOU: Not so long that I can't manage. *(She rolls her eyes.)* ANJA: That's not a good reason to subject yourself to unnecessary suffering. YOU: No. Maybe not. *(You dry your face.)* How do I look? ANJA: Resolved. For now anyway. <%= display("high12") %>

YOU: ...Just one panic attack so far. The one before was unrelated. ANJA: You've had two of these in the span of a week and you think they're unrelated? YOU: Maybe? I don't know. ANJA: Well, has this ever happened to you before? YOU: ...No. ANJA: Uh-huh. *(You dry your face.)* ANJA: Just... be careful. Whatever's going on, it can't be more important than your health. <%= display("high12") %>

YOU: ...No. I guess it's not. ANJA: I wouldn't leave it unchecked, that's all. *(You dry your face off.)* YOU: How do I look? *(She walks closer and takes a good look at your face.)* ANJA: Better. <%= display("high12") %>

#### **Driveway** — Late Afternoon The access road for Richview Memorial Cemetery seems to be doing double duty as a parking lot for <% if (s.equipment) { %> heavy machinery. <% } else { %> <%= link("heavy machinery","equipment1") %>. <% } %> The gravel path curves around and stops by a second, smaller fence which hems in the tiny graveyard. The <%= link("inner gate","secondgate1") %> is closed, but there are no signs indicating when or if it is ever open. <% if (s.equipment) { %> A plane flies low overhead on its way to Pearson Airport. <% } %>

#### **Richview Cemetery** — After School <% if (!s.floodlight && !s.tree && !s.highway) { %> You and Kaz step through the gate and take in the unusual scenery. <% } %> Even though the sun hasn't fully set yet, the giant <% if (s.floodlight) { %> floodlight <% } else { %> <%= link("floodlight","floodlight1") %> <% } %> at the edge of the graveyard is already on full blast, illuminating the cars that speed down <% if (s.highway) { %> Highway 427 <% } else { %> <%= link("Highway 427","highway1") %> <% } %>. The graveyard itself is a flat and featureless square of grass. A <% if (s.tree) { %> lone tree <% } else { %> <%= link("lone tree","tree1") %> <% } %> stands among the hundred or so <%= link("graves","earth3")%> that are scattered around the tiny cemetery.

<% s.room="richview" %> *(You walk up to the second gate and pull on it. It doesn't open. Kaz rubs their hands together in excitement.)* KAZ: Alright! *This* time— *(You slip your hand through the chain link and pull up a small latch. The door swings open.)* KAZ: Aw, man. What's even the point of sneaking into somewhere with a fence if you don't get to climb it? YOU: I promise you can climb it on the way out. <%= next() %>

<% s.tree = true %> *(You walk up to the lone tree in the centre of the graveyard and put your hand on the bark.)* YOU: How strange. KAZ: One tree all by itself, eh? * [[It's kind of pretty.|tree3]] * [[It's kind of sad.|tree4]] * [[It's like a grave.|tree2]]

YOU: It's kind of pretty on its own. KAZ: *(nodding)* Poetic. YOU: I love trees. KAZ: Tress are great. YOU: You ever climb them when you were a kid? KAZ: All the time! Did you not? YOU: Never. KAZ: Wow. How did I never know you were so anti-climbing? * [[I tried once...|tree5]] * [[It always scared me.|tree6]]

YOU: It's so sad, eh? KAZ: I don't know, I think it's nice. YOU: Yeah it's a nice tree. But it's all cut off from nature and surrounded by dead people. KAZ: Dead people are pretty natural. YOU: Yeah, but not like this. KAZ: Hmm. YOU: I don't know, there's just something about it. Like imagine if a person had to just go live around a bunch of dead trees. KAZ: That already happens and it's called "a house." YOU: ...Oh yeah. <%= next() %>

YOU: It's like a grave, isn't it? It's a tree grave. KAZ: Like a grave *for* a tree or a grave that *is* a tree? Or both? YOU: Well it certainly wouldn't be both. Like a tree wouldn't use a tree as a gravestone. That'd be like a person using a person as a gravestone. KAZ: That would be an incredible power move for a billionaire though. Like, "Oh I'm dead and here's the guy I hired to stand where my body is, forever." YOU: Literally just a guy holding a sign? KAZ: Yeah, exactly. In a suit, and it's a nice classy sign. Maybe they like update the little message on it every once in a while. YOU: Can you imagine the shift change? The one guy solemnly hands off the sign to the other. Maybe there's like a salute? KAZ: Okay but what if instead of being super solemn the night shift guy was like one of those sign twirler dudes you see out on the street? And he's like tossing it around and doing loop-de-loops and shit? YOU: *(laughing)* Well that guy'd get fired obviously! KAZ: By who???? His boss is dead! <%= next() %>

YOU: I tried. Once. Scrambled up a little bit but then I just slid back down. Honestly I don't even know how people do it. KAZ: I guess it helps to have a big wingspan. YOU: Did Anja ever climb with you? KAZ: Oh god no. She'd just stand at the bottom with her arms folded. YOU: Adorable. <%= next() %>

YOU: Climbing always spooked me. And you know me, I'm a total wimp. KAZ: Hey now. Would a wimp be here investigating this spooky graveyard? YOU: You mean the wimpiest graveyard on earth? Yeah I think so. KAZ: It's not that wimpy! YOU: You'd probably have a spookier time investigating the Hockey Hall of Fame. KAZ: That's a bad example. Stanley Cup's *gotta* be haunted, right? <%= next() %>

<% s.floodlight = true %> *(You stare up and squint.)* YOU: Super bright lighting twenty-four hours a day. It's like being out on a football field. KAZ: So much for resting in peace. * [[Guess it doesn't matter underground.|floodlight2]] * [[I wonder what the families think.|floodlight3]] * [[It just doesn't feel like a graveyard.|floodlight4]]

YOU: Guess it doesn't matter underground. The light's not going to reach them down there. KAZ: Also, they're dead. YOU: Also that. Yes. <%= next() %>

YOU: I wonder what the families think of all this. KAZ: Hey, they knew what they were getting into when they picked out the plot. YOU: Did they, though? These graves are all ancient. The highway must have come in after people were already buried. KAZ: Oh yeah... YOU: Imagine back in the 60s or whatever and your parents are buried here. Imagine coming back the *first time* after they put the highway in. Opening that chain link fence, standing under that big floodlight... That must have been... KAZ: Shitty. YOU: Surreal. KAZ: Yeah. <%= next() %>

YOU: It just doesn't feel like it should, you know? *(You spread your arms out.)* It feels like a parking lot. It feels more like a parking lot than the actual parking lot cemetery. KAZ: It's friggin' weird, dude. It makes it feel *more* haunted. YOU: You think? KAZ: Yeah. It's haunted in the way that like... if you tore down an old haunted mansion and built a mall over it. It's haunted in the way that mall would be. *(You shake your head.)* YOU: It feels even less like that to me. It feels like... nothing. A place full of dead people and it feels like nothing. KAZ: ...Jeez. <%= next() %>

<% s.highway = true %> *(You step towards the edge of the graveyard and watch the cars rush by on the northbound lanes of Highway 427. Kaz walks up next to you and stretches.)* YOU: Heck of a view. KAZ: Look at all those cars. * [[They're so loud.|highway2]] * [[They're so close.|highway3]]

YOU: God, they're so *loud.* I've never been in a graveyard this loud before. KAZ: I know, right? There's not even a sound barrier. Just a little guardrail. YOU: I guess why would there be? They don't usually put barriers *between* highway lanes. KAZ: This whole thing... *(They shake their head.)* Cemeteries are supposed to be moody places where goths hang out and get all handsy with each other. This is not moody. YOU: No, it's not. It's like... *aggressively* moodless. KAZ: Think of all the unfondled goths... <%= next() %>

YOU: Those cars. They're so *close*. The highway is like right there. KAZ: I know, right? It would be so easy to just like... get there. There's no sound barrier, no big tall fence. YOU: You are absolutely *not* climbing onto the highway. KAZ: I know, I know! YOU: I will literally hold you down with my body. I'm not kidding. KAZ: Alright, Jeez! *(You cross your arms.)* YOU: I must have driven past this place a bunch of times. How did I never notice it? KAZ: Hiding in plain sight. *(They shake their head.)* You could totally get away with digging up a corpse in here. *(You look over your shoulder and frown.)* YOU: Yeah... You could. <%= next() %>

*(You look down at your feet. Summer looks over at you and then sighs.)* SUMMER: I didn't say that to make you feel guilty. * [[I can't help it.|candy26]] * [[I know.|candy27]] * [[I wish I could undo everything.|candy28]]

YOU: I can't help it. SUMMER: ...You didn't do anything. It's not your fault. <%= display("candy7") %>

YOU: I know. SUMMER: Seriously. I didn't come out here just to make you feel bad. YOU: I still feel guilty anyway. SUMMER: Don't. There was nothing you could have done. <%= display("candy7") %>

YOU: I just wish I could undo everything. SUMMER: There's nothing to undo. YOU: Are you kidding? Of course there is. I could have reached out to you at the very least. I could have thought about things critically for a second and realized you'd never treat me like that. I could have swallowed my fear instead of letting it dictate how I treated you. There's so many things! <%= display("candy29") %>

SUMMER: I could have done all that too. We could have done the same things. YOU: Maybe. I feel like I was worse though. SUMMER: Maybe. A little. But it's not a competition. YOU: Yeah... <%= next("candy21") %>

YOU: That's... such a you thing. A planetary metaphor. I mean, it's really sad, but it's you. SUMMER: Well, I'm me and I'm really sad. *(You stop walking.)* YOU: Are you? SUMMER: No. Well... sometimes. I'm not sad to be here right now, you know? YOU: Well that's something at least. SUMMER: Yeah... <%= next("candy21") %>

YOU: And now? SUMMER: Now things make more sense here. I've got my bad Turkish delight, and I've got my friends, and I even got used to the weather. YOU: Am I one of those friends? SUMMER: I'd like you to be. YOU: Me too. *(She smiles and takes another bite.)* <%= next("candy21") %>

<% s.equipment = true; %> *(You and Kaz walk over to the heavy machinery parked outside the inner fence.)* YOU: What do you think it's for? KAZ: It's— You know. It's for doing... heavy duty... construction... stuff. *(You knock on the side of it.)* KAZ: ...I think it might be a road surfacer? * [[What are you basing that on?|equipment2]] * [[Feels a bit disrespectful.|equipment3]] * [[See if they left the keys inside.|equipment4]]

YOU: What on earth are you basing that on? KAZ: Look at it. It's next to a road and it's got a big thing. It could *totally* surface. YOU: Hm. It does have a big thing. KAZ: Yeah, definitely a surfacer. Probably. <%= next() %>

YOU: Is it me, or is it a bit disrespectful to park this outside a cemetery? KAZ: I'm sure the dead would understand our need for well-surfaced roads. YOU: ...I guess that makes as much sense as anything else. <%= next() %>

YOU: Hey, you're tall. See if they left the keys in. KAZ: Ooh, delinquency! Good thinking. YOU: No, not to take it for a joy ride! I just always wondered, like— do they treat these things like you would a regular parked car, or do they just assume that nobody would bother to steal it because they don't know how to drive it? You know what I mean? *(Kaz gets up on their tip-toes and look into the cab.)* KAZ: ...I can't even tell where the keys would even go. YOU: Well I guess that kind of answers that... <%= next() %>

<% portrait("rouille","jayden1","anja1"); %> #### **French Class** — Mid-Afternoon ##### **Wednesday, 21 September 2016** *(The next day. Your entire French class stares straight ahead in total silence, waiting for the bell to ring. Docteure Rouillé sits with her arms folded across her desk, staring back at her students.)* JAYDEN: *(raising his hand)* Docteure Rouillé? *(She doesn't respond. Your phone buzzes on the table.)* JAYDEN: ...Bonjour? ROUILLÉ: *(sigh)* What is it, Monsieur Finch? JAYDEN: Are we ever going to talk again? *(Your phone buzzes again. Anja clears her throat.)* ROUILLÉ: Non. You have already proven that your speaking is a total disrespect to the French language. JAYDEN: Oh. ...Can we at least *read* French, then? Rather than doing literally nothing? ROUILLÉ: If you read French, you may begin to speak it. I cannot take such a risk. *(Your phone buzzes a third time. Anja clears her throat louder. You look over at her and she points at your phone. You grab it and check it under the table.)* <%= next("mission9") %> <% chapter(6) %>

<div class="phonename">Anja Kaczmarek</div> <div class="themtext">hey</div> <div class="themtext">Nadia</div> <div class="themtext">I am writing you a third text message so your phone buzzes again</div> * [[Hey.|mission10]] * [[Sorry.|mission11]]

<div class="youtext">hey!</div> <div class="youtext">hi</div> <div class="youtext">I'm here</div> <div class="themtext">Took you long enough.</div> <div class="themtext">So what's this I hear about you and kaz stealing my car this evening?</div> <%= display("mission12") %>

<div class="youtext">Sorry!!</div> <div class="youtext">Sorry</div> <div class="youtext">Sometimes it takes me a while to put two and two together</div> <div class="themtext">You don't say. <%= emoji("stuck_out_tongue") %> </div> <div class="youtext">haha... <%= emoji("grimacing") %> </div> <div class="themtext">So</div> <div class="themtext">What's this I hear about you and kaz stealing my car this evening?</div> <%= display("mission12") %>

<div class="youtext">uh</div> <div class="themtext">Some kind of "top secret mission"</div> <div class="youtext">Ohhh. That. Yeah.</div> <div class="youtext">We're just going somewhere.</div> <div class="themtext">...how specific.</div> * [[It's a journalism thing.|mission2]] * [[It's personal.|mission3]] * [[It's complicated.|mission4]] * [[Don't you share the car?|mission5]]

<div class="youtext">It's a Middleman thing.</div> <div class="themtext">right.</div> <div class="youtext">journalism stuff. I'm sure you'd find it boring.</div> <div class="themtext">I thought school journalism was mostly confined to the school</div> * [[We go where the story is.|mission17]] * [[It is about the school.|mission16]]

<div class="youtext">It's just sort of a personal thing. That's all.</div> <div class="themtext">Oh god.</div> <div class="themtext">Should I be worried?</div> <div class="themtext">Your personal issues have a way of exploding rather dramatically.</div> <div class="youtext">Ha ha.</div> <%= next("mission8") %>

<div class="youtext">It'd take a long time to explain</div> <div class="youtext">like a VERY long time</div> <div class="themtext">Well this class seems to literally be lasting forever, so you've got plenty of time to get started.</div> <div class="youtext">RIGHT???</div> <div class="youtext">GAH <%= emoji("skull") %></div> <div class="youtext">This must be what it feels like to be in jail</div> <div class="themtext">hahaha</div> <%= next("mission8") %>

<div class="youtext">Wait I thought it was kaz's car too?</div> <div class="themtext">ha.</div> <div class="themtext">I mean, yes. technically. but they prefer being driven to doing the actual driving</div> * [[So do I.|mission6]] * [[We'll be careful.|mission7]]

<div class="youtext">Same here honestly. I'm a born passenger.</div> <div class="youtext">Don't even have my license.</div> <div class="themtext">What?? Why?</div> <div class="themtext">Not even your G1?</div> <div class="youtext">I don't even know which one that is</div> <div class="themtext">The one that's extremely easy to get.</div> <%= next("mission8") %>

<div class="youtext">We'll be careful with it.</div> <div class="themtext">As long as your secret mission doesn't involve driving into ditches</div> <div class="youtext">haha</div> <div class="themtext">I'm serious. Don't drive it into a ditch.</div> <%= next("mission8") %>

<% portrait("anja1","rouille") %> *(The bell rings.)* ROUILLÉ: You may leave. Remember, your apologies to the French language are due on Monday. Any group which does well enough at this basic task, I will consider reinstating your speaking privileges. D'accord? Bon. *(You and Anja gather your books and walk out of class together.)* ANJA: So, what are you doing on Friday? * [[Why do you ask?|mission13]] * [[Nothing.|mission14]]

<% portrait("anja1") %> YOU: Why do you ask? ANJA: I figured since our last French project strategy crashed and burned, we should try actually working together this time. YOU: Ohhh. Gotcha. ANJA: So, Friday night work? Like, my house? 7? YOU: Yeah! Totally. Sure. <%= display("mission15") %>

YOU: That was fun. ANJA: Thanks for hanging out. Hope those two didn't, uh— YOU: Oh! No, no, no. They're great. Your friends are great. I'm just kind of not a very talkative person around new-ish people. Even though I know they're not technically new and we've known them for years. It's just, you know... ANJA: You did totally fine, Nadia. Don't worry. YOU: Cool. *(You exhale.)* ANJA: Alright. Have a good night. YOU: You too. *(She starts to walk away and then turns around.)* ANJA: Hey, don't forget! French project tomorrow. YOU: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Er, as much as one can look forward to homework, I mean. ANJA: No, I am too. We're going to crush it. <%= next("work11") %>

YOU: See you tomorrow? ANJA: Absolutely. French project. YOU: Oh, right, yeah! I almost forgot. ANJA: Good thing I reminded you. You might have stood me up by mistake. YOU: Ha. I probably would have remembered once I was already a few hours late and then gone into full panic mode about it. ANJA: Well I'm sure I would have forgiven you. But now we get to save ourselves the trouble and have a nice productive evening of French homework instead. YOU: Great. It's— er, sounds like a plan. ANJA: *(smiling)* Sounds like it. <%= next("work11") %>

MILES: I can tell you're being sarcastic, but you're welcome. <%= next() %>

YOU: Yeah. *(You look over at Anja.)* This is fun. ANJA: Mm-hmm. <%= display("sidelines17") %>

YOU: Wait, is it a game? *(You look at Anja.)* I thought it was just a practice. ANJA: It is. YOU: Oh god, is it rude to say "just" a practice? I'm sure you're working super hard. AMY: It's really just a figure of speech. <%= display("sidelines17") %>

YOU: Um, I kind of wasn't watching. Sorry. AMY: Ha. It's cool. YOU: It wasn't a deliberate slight or anything. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it if I had been watching. <%= display("sidelines17") %>

AUBREY: Oh my god. Nadia. We have *got* to talk about your situation. I have so many opinions? YOU: Oh. Well— ANJA: God, Aubrey. She's been dealing with this shit for a whole week. I'm sure she doesn't want to keep talking about it over and over. YOU: Oh... It's fine. Really. AUBREY: Okay, good. Because I have to say. That guy you were dating? Who — no offense — I do not know his name. He is such an ass. *(Amy laughs.)* AUBREY: He is, though! * [[He really is.|sidelines4]] * [[Thanks.|sidelines18]]

YOU: I genuinely appreciate you saying that. Thank you. <%= display("sidelines19") %>

AMY: Want me to paint a skull on his locker? YOU: Uh... AUBREY: Oh my god you totally should. *(She puts her hand on your shoulder.)* She's a-ma-zing at it. YOU: At painting skulls? AUBREY: So good. ANJA: Mm-hmm. YOU: Wow. I had no idea. AMY: I'm not that good. AUBREY: She is going to be like a famous skull artist. AMY: Okay. Stop. AUBREY: Amy, I'm sorry? And I love you? But you will absolutely be a famous skull artist. * [[I'd like to see them sometime.|sidelines5]] * [[I appreciate the gesture.|sidelines6]]

<% portrait("anja1") %> ANJA: Hey. Have a seat. *(You sit down on the bench, half in the sun and half in the shade. A nice little autumn wind blows across your face.)* YOU: Mm. ANJA: Nice afternoon, eh? YOU: Yeah. This is a good little spot. ANJA: Secret best place on campus. *(The two of you sit and watch the team in silence for a bit.)* YOU: Do you sit out here for like every practice? ANJA: Basically. YOU: Why? You're not on the team. ANJA: Yeah but my friends are and I like to support 'em. Plus it's fun to watch. * [[Why aren't you on the team anyway?|sidelines21]] * [[I am impressed by your sportiness.|sidelines22]] * [[That's pretty nice of you.|sidelines23]]

YOU: Why aren't you on the team, anyway? I feel like you'd be super good at it. ANJA: Possibly. YOU: Definitely. You're like a super jock. ANJA: *(laughing)* That's right. I've got superpowers and everything. *(You playfully shrug.)* ANJA: Anyway. I'm more of a lacrosse person. It's way more fun. YOU: I guess I'll have to watch some games when the season starts. *(There's a whistle on the field and the play breaks up. Aubrey and Amy start jogging towards you.)* * [[Will they think it's weird I'm here?|sidelines24]] * [[Should I leave you with your friends?|sidelines25]]

YOU: I am so impressed by your sportiness. ANJA: *(laughing)* My "sportiness"? YOU: Yeah! You know, your ability to do sports things well. I don't have that at all. I'd make such a terrible jock. ANJA: It's not like there's some kind of amazing secret to it. YOU: There is. And I don't have it. ANJA: It's fine. You have other strengths. *(A whistle blows out on the field. Aubrey and Amy start jogging towards you.)* * [[Will they think it's weird I'm here?|sidelines24]] * [[Should I leave you with your friends?|sidelines25]]

YOU: That's really, really nice of you. ANJA: Oh, you make it sound like a whole thing. I'm just sitting on a bench. YOU: Seriously though. I bet they super appreciate it. ANJA: Well, I guess you could ask them yourself. *(You look out on the field. The play has broken up and Aubrey and Amy are jogging towards you.)* * [[Will they think it's weird I'm here?|sidelines24]] * [[Should I leave you with your friends?|sidelines25]]

YOU: Are they going to think it's weird that I'm over here? ANJA: What? No. It's fine. YOU: I just— Will they wonder if...? Uh. Do they...? *(Anja raises an eyebrow.)* <%= display("sidelines1") %>

YOU: Oh. Um. Should I go? I should probably go, right? Leave you with your friends? I wouldn't want to— ANJA: What? No. *(You look around anxiously.)* <%= display("sidelines1") %>

ANJA: Yes, yes... KAZ: I'm serious! Burger Zone is my favourite zone and I don't want it tainted with memories of a double homicide. YOU: You don't even like the burgers at Burger Zone. KAZ: Well duh. Everyone knows you go to Burger Zone for the chicken strips. *(Anja puts her hand over her heart.)* ANJA: As god is my witness, we will not murder each other in your absence. YOU: What she said. KAZ: I'm holding you to that! Love love! *(You wave goodbye. They leave and shut the front door. Anja nods towards the kitchen.)* ANJA: Ready to go to work? * [[Let's do it.|work3]] * [[If we must.|work2]]

<% portrait ("anja2") %> YOU: I guess there's no more putting it off. <%= display("work4") %>

<% portrait ("anja2") %> YOU: Let's do it. <%= display("work4") %>

*(The two of you walk into the kitchen. Anja sits down at the kitchen island and flips open her laptop. You take a seat on the other side.)* ANJA: So, an apology to the French language. Sounds pretty straightforward. YOU: You think? ANJA: Oh yeah. We talk about how much we suck at French, how much we've let everyone down, we beg for mercy, we promise to do better. It's just— Hmm. YOU: What? ANJA: Well, she didn't specify: is this supposed to be in French or in English? * [[French?|work5]] * [[English?|work6]] * [[Both?|work7]]

<% s.project = "french" %> YOU: Gotta be French, right? Isn't that the whole point of the class? ANJA: You would think, yes. *(Your phone rings. It's your dad.)* * [[Shoot.|work16]]

<% s.project = "english" %> YOU: I think English, right? ANJA: You think? YOU: Yeah, because like — it's like if you're apologizing for something but then you do the same thing while you're apologizing, that's not really a proper apology is it? ANJA: Huh. I wouldn't have even considered that. YOU: I spend a lot of time thinking about apologizing. *(Your phone rings. It's your dad.)* * [[Shoot.|work16]]

YOU: Both? We should probably do both just to be safe, right? ANJA: Ugh. That'd be the smart thing. YOU: Or I guess we could do a neutral third language. ANJA: Ha. Just hand in some Spanish? YOU: Or wait, actually that's more insulting, isn't it? ANJA: Oh you mean like hey we couldn't take the time to learn to speak one of our national languages but we got super good at Japanese? YOU: Right! It'd be very rude. ANJA: Alright. So we hedge our bets then? * [[We hedge our bets.|work8]] * [[Actually let's do English.|work9]] * [[Actually let's do French.|work10]]

<% s.project = "both" %> YOU: I guess so. Means you'll be stuck with me a bit longer though. ANJA: I suppose I can manage. *(Your phone rings. It's your dad.)* * [[Shoot.|work16]]

<% s.project = "english" %> YOU: Actually know, you know what? I just realized. We should do English. ANJA: You think? YOU: It's an *apology* for the butchering the language, right? And part of the deal with an apology is that you actually have to stop doing the thing you're apologizing for. ANJA: Riiight. And since we're not going to magically get better at French any time soon... YOU: Exactly. ANJA: Wow, you're kind of an expert on apologies, huh... YOU: You could say I've put some thought into the subject. *(Your phone rings. It's your dad.)* * [[Shoot.|work16]]

<% s.project = "french"; s.dangerously = true; %> YOU: No, you know what? Let's live dangerously. French only. ANJA: Wow. *(She raises an eyebrow.)* "Dangerously" is not a word I associate with you. YOU: The new Nadia is dangerous. *(Your phone rings. It's your dad.)* * [[Shoot.|work16]]

<% portrait("anja2","kaz2"); leftportrait("nadia2"); %> #### **Kaczmarek Residence** — Evening ##### **Friday, 23 September 2016** *(The next night. You take a deep breath and knock on the front door. Anja opens it.)* YOU: Hi. ANJA: Hello. KAZ: *(from upstairs)* NADIAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! *(They bound down the stairs, shove Anja out of the way, and give you a big hug, slowly pulling you across the threshold.)* ANJA: ...Come in, won't you? KAZ: Aaaaaa. * [[I love you and please stop hugging me.|work12]] * [[Excited to see me?|work13]] * [[It's so weird that you're both here.|work14]] <% chapter(10) %>

YOU: Kaz, I love you dearly and also please stop hugging me. KAZ: *(releasing you)* Sorry! Just had to show my appreciation. <%= display("work15") %>

YOU: Jeez, buddy! Excited to see me? KAZ: *(releasing you)* Just showing my appreciation. <%= display("work15") %>

YOU: It's so weird that you're both here. ANJA: In our house? YOU: I just mean I almost never see both of you in here at the same time. It always used to be me and Kaz in the basement, and you... uh... somewhere else. ANJA: Eh, that wasn't on purpose. KAZ: It was entirely on purpose. ANJA: ...Okay fine it was entirely on purpose. KAZ: Anyway, this is just temporary. I'm heading out to Burger Zone with Miles. And you two are under *strict orders* not to kill each other while I'm gone. <%= display("work1") %>

YOU: Noted. *(They give you a wink.)* KAZ: Alright. I'm going to Burger Zone with Miles. You two are under *strict orders* not to kill each other while I'm gone. <%= display("work1") %>

<% portrait("anja2") leftportrait("nadia2") %> *(An hour later. The front door opens behind you.)* YOU: Is Kaz back already? ANJA: At this hour? No, more likely... *(Anja's mom marches into the room, still taking on her cellphone.)* YOU: Oh. Hi Ms. Andersen. *(Anja's mom waves at you and puts her bag down on the kitchen counter.)* ANJA'S MOM: Well obviously I'm concerned, Tad. I'm not an idiot. *(She points at you and Anja and mouths the word "pizza." Anja gives her a thumbs up.)* ANJA'S MOM: Uh-huh. ...Right. *(She puts a couple of twenties on the table.)* ANJA: *(quietly)* Thanks mom. ANJA'S MOM: Of course that's what I said. I just said that I said that. No, Tad— *(She walks over and kisses Anja on the top of the head. Anja squirms away a little bit.)* ANJA'S MOM: *(walking upstairs)* Well Christ, it's the middle of the night in Qatar. What do you *expect* them to say? *(You look over your shoulder and then back at Anja.)* * [[Think she noticed I was with the other twin?|order2]] * [[Do we have to use that money for pizza?|order3]] * [[Pizza time???|order4]]

<% s.oldest = true; %> YOU: ...Think she noticed I was hanging out with the other twin? ANJA: Doubtful. She still gets us confused all the time. YOU: Seriously? You and Kaz are the least confusable people on the planet. ANJA: We're talking about a woman who doesn't even remember which one of her children is older. YOU: Oh shut up. ANJA: I'm serious. We asked her a bunch of times when we were younger but she kept switching it around. Eventually we got her to admit she forgot. YOU: How do you *forget* something like that? ANJA: Listen. If you're in a certain mindset it becomes a fairly minor detail. *(She takes out her phone.)* ANJA: Anyway, pizza? * [[Let's do it.|order5]] * [[Actually...|order6]]

YOU: Hey, do we *have* to use the pizza money for pizza? <%= display("order7") %>

YOU: Pizza time? Is it pizza time? ANJA: Oh my god you sound so excited. YOU: How could I *not* be? <%= display("order15") %>

YOU: Let's do it! <%= display("order15") %>

YOU: Actually, do we *have* to use this money for pizza? <%= display("order7") %>

ANJA: Uh, no I think it's just money. We can kind of spend it on whatever. Do you want to get something else? YOU: I wouldn't object to it. ANJA: ...Is that your way of saying "yes"? YOU: ........Yes. *(She smirks.)* ANJA: Alright. What should we order? * [[Chinese!|order8]] * [[Sushi!|order9]] * [[Thai!|order10]] * [[Indian!|order11]] * [[Greek!|order12]] * [[Mexican!|order13]] * [[Wings!|order14]]

<% s.pizza = "chinese" %> YOU: Chinese food! ANJA: Alright, yeah. I'm down for that. Got a go to place? YOU: Any restaurant that does General Tao. ANJA: ...So, all of them. YOU: Basically. <%= next("tv1") %>

<% s.pizza = "sushi" %> YOU: Let's get sushi! ANJA: Oh, good idea. YOU: Do you think <%= s.favesushi %> delivers? <% if (s.favesushi === "that weird basement food court place") { %> ANJA: I'm sorry, what? YOU: ...Or we could order from a normal restaurant I guess. <% } else if (s.favesushi === "the other Sushi King") { %> ANJA: Wait, there are multiple Sushi Kings? YOU: Oh man. Prepare to have your mind blown. <% } else if (s.favesushi === "Sushi Go") { %> ANJA: I think that is literally their entire raison d'être. YOU: ...Well that explains why they always look at me weird when I ask to eat in. <% } else { %> ANJA: They better. I could *devour* a Rainbow Roll right now. <% } %> <%= next("tv1") %>

<% s.pizza = "thai" %> YOU: Thai food! ANJA: Ooh, good choice. What should we get? YOU: Either Pad Thai, or Green Curry, or Red Curry, or Yellow Curry, or Panang Curry, or Masaman Curry, or Pad See Ew. Ooh, or Khao Soi. ANJA: ...Well that narrows it down. <%= next("tv1") %>

<% s.pizza = "indian" %> YOU: Indian food! ANJA: Ooh, good choice. What should we get? YOU: Either Butter Chicken, or Chicken Korma, or Chicken Biryani, or Chicken Tikka Masala, or Bhendi Masala, or Chana Masala, or Aloo Gobi, or Daal, or Daal with Spinach. Ooh, or Mater Paneer. ANJA: ...Well that narrows it down. <%= next("tv1") %>

<% s.pizza = "greek" %> YOU: Greek food! ANJA: Like greek salad? YOU: No. Like... uh... *(You make a little rotating hand motion. Anja raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: Ugh, I never know how this word is pronounced. Jee-ros? Gee-ros? Yi-ros? G-Y-R-O-S. ANJA: *(nodding)* However they're pronounced we'll order some. <%= next("tv1") %>

<% s.pizza = "chinese" %> YOU: Let's get Mexican instead. ANJA: Nope. No Mexican food. YOU: What?? You don't like burritos? ANJA: They're delicious, but this is not a burrito evening. Hard veto. YOU: Fine. You pick. ANJA: Chinese it is. <%= next("tv1") %>

<% s.pizza = "chinese" %> YOU: Let's get wings! ANJA: *(raising an eyebrow)* Chicken wings? YOU: Is there another kind? ANJA: Veto. YOU: What? Why? They're delicious. ANJA: And stupidly messy. *(She pulls up a Chinese food menu on the laptop.)* If we're going to eat deep-fried chicken tonight, I want it to at least be the kind you eat with a utensil. YOU: Hmm. As long as it's still covered in sauce... <%= next("tv1") %>

ANJA: Alright, what fla— YOU: *(slamming your fist on the table)* Barbecue Chicken! Barbecue Chicken!! ANJA: Oh god. That's right. Kaz told me about this once but I didn't believe it. YOU: Name *one* better flavour than Barbecue Chicken. ANJA: I don't know, all of them? I usually get a Veggie Deluxe. * [[I am not budging on this.|order16]] * [[Fine. Veggie Deluxe.|order17]] * [[Let's go half and half.|order18]]

<% s.pizza = "pizza" s.toppings = "bbq" %> YOU: I refuse to budge on this. We are getting a Barbecue Chicken pizza. I will convert you. ANJA: Will you now? YOU: One slice and you'll never want to go back to your chickenless ways. ANJA: I think this is literally the most confident I've ever heard you be about anything. YOU: It's called finding your passion, Anja. ANJA: *(smirking)* Uh-huh. <%= next("tv1") %>

<% s.pizza = "pizza" s.toppings = "veggie" %> YOU: Fine. Veggie. We'll do it your way. ANJA: Perfect. *(She grabs her home phone off the counter.)* YOU: But don't blame me when you're lying awake in bed tonight, wondering about that chicken, *longing* for the pizza that could have been... ANJA: *(smirking)* I'll take my chances. <%= next("tv1") %>

<% s.pizza = "pizza" s.toppings = "half" %> YOU: Fine. We'll compromise. Your pizza on one half, and my superior pizza on the other. And because I'm such a good person I'll even let you trade me for one of my precious slices. ANJA: *(smirking)* Wow. How generous of you. YOU: I'm telling you. One slice and you'll be converted for life. <%= next("tv1") %>

<%= sidelink("Nadia","profile-nadia") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Kaz","profile-kaz") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Anja","profile-anja") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Summer","profile-summer") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Allen","profile-allen") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Annette","profile-annette") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Miles","profile-miles") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Olivia","profile-olivia") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Jayden","profile-jayden") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Kipling","profile-kipling") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Sherbourne","profile-sherbourne") %> **·** <%= sidelink("Rouillé","profile-rouille") %>

* <%= sidelink("Nadia","profile-nadia") %> * <%= sidelink("Kaz","profile-kaz") %> * <%= sidelink("Anja","profile-anja") %> * <%= sidelink("Summer","profile-summer") %> * <%= sidelink("Allen","profile-allen") %> * <%= sidelink("Annette","profile-annette") %> * <%= sidelink("Miles","profile-miles") %> * <%= sidelink("Olivia","profile-olivia") %> * <%= sidelink("Jayden","profile-jayden") %> * <%= sidelink("Kipling","profile-kipling") %> * <%= sidelink("Sherbourne","profile-sherbourne") %> * <%= sidelink("Rouillé","profile-rouille") %>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Anja Kaczmarek <img src="img/anja1.png" /> **Relationship:** <% if (s.chapter < 11 && !s.bed) { %> Friend? <% } else if (s.chapter < 11 && s.bed) { %> Ummmmmm????? <% } else { %> <%= emoji("heart") %> <%= emoji("heart") %> <%= emoji("heart") %> <% } %> **Born:** 31 March 1999 Toronto, Ontario **Gender:** F **House:** Montrose **Demeanor:** <% if (s.chapter < 11) { %> ...Nice, Actually? <% } else { %> Extremely Warm <% } %> **Height:** <% if (s.anjaheight) { %> 5 ft. 11¾ in. <% } else { %> 6 ft. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter < 11 && !s.bed) { %> Anja used to hate me. A lot. But turns out that was only because my asshole ex-boyfriend made her think that I had stopped talking to our mutual friend Summer because she was gay. Now that the truth is out and she knows I'm bi she actually seems way more... nice? Like *way* more. I'm still adjusting, but it's a good change. <% } else if (s.chapter < 11 && s.bed) { %> UMMM I AM SITTING IN ANJA'S BED RIGHT NOW AND OUR LEGS ARE LITERALLY TOUCHING RED ALERT WHAT DO I DO oh god oh god oh god okay you're cool Nadia play it cool just be casual hey no big deal just sitting here in a normal bed watching normal television like a normal person who knows exactly what to do with her body at all times ha ha yep no definitely not freaking out why do you ask oh god my shoulder itches so much what do I do if I move my arm is she going to think I'm pushing her away is there some way to do the exact opposite of that maybe I can ask her to scratch it for me WHAT NO OF COURSE YOU CAN'T NADIA WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU JUST THOUGHT ABOUT THAT nope nope nope nope you know what your arm just itches forever now sorry yeah you're the itchy arm girl try to focus on something else instead like the show oh my god there are SO MANY CHARACTERS why have I not been paying attention what if there's a test what if she asks you what you thought what is going on is this blonde girl a different person from the blonde girl a few scenes ago or is she just wearing a different hat or wait was the last blonde girl even wearing a hat GHHH DID SHE JUST SHIFT HER WEIGHT A LITTLE SO HER LEG IS TOUCHING ME MORE I CAN'T TELL IF THAT WAS A DELIBERATE ACTION OR JUST HOW SHE NORMALLY SITS god why didn't I do more research on how people sit before I came here if I go for my phone now she's going to think I'm bored wait where even is my phone WHO CARES THERE'S NOTHING FOR YOU THERE ANYMORE focus on the screen focus on the screen focus on the screen do not look at her or wait no actually do look at her so you can see her emotional state okay get ready quick glance aaaaaaaaaaaand okay she looks completely neutral that didn't help at all except that I got to look at her face for a second and that was pretty nice NO STOP THIS IS THE TRAIN OF THOUGHT THAT LEADS TO YOU STARING AT HER LA LA LA LA LA LA SEE YOU JUST GLANCED AGAIN WHAT ARE YOU DOING ALSO SHE WAS SMILING SLIGHTLY MORE THIS TIME WAS THAT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING HAPPENING IN THE ROOM OR SOMETHING HAPPENING IN THE SHOW is this a happy scene or a sad scene is she happy you're looking don't be ridiculous you've looked at her a thousand times in your life and she barely ever smiles about that aaaaaaaaugh now is not the time to catalogue all the times you ever looked at Anja Kaczmarek in your head Nadia god I haven't said anything in a long time is this an awkward amount of silence or the right amount of silence for the circumstances if I start talking will she shhhh me or worse will she NOT shhh me out of politeness even though she really wants to is all of this just out of politeness is her kindness just out of politeness is this whole night just out of politeness is HER LEG TOUCHING MINE OUT OF POLITENESS ARE WE SITTING CLOSER THAN WE EVER HAVE IN OUR LIVES OUT OF POLITENESS WHY ARE WE TOUCHING WHY ARE WE TOUCHING WHY ARE WE TOUCHING WHAT IS GOING ON OH GOD pull back pull back just because she likes girls doesn't mean she likes you just because she likes girls like you like girls doesn't mean she likes you like you like her okay so fine you like her a lot so what who cares what does that even mean it means nothing remember what happens when you like people remember what happens when you touch people remember what happens when you fuck everything up NO DO NOT REMEMBER ANY OF THAT yes no yes no stop it you are SPINNING OUT here Nadia stop it stop it stop it STOP IT oh my god my heart is going to fucking explode. <% } else { %> It's kind of hard to believe that Anja pretty much hated me a couple of weeks ago. Let's just say our relationship is now better. Much, much, much, *much* better. <% } %> <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Nadia Nazari <img src="img/nadia1.png" /> **Relationship:** Self **Born:** 27 August 1999 Richmond Hill, Ontario **Gender:** F **House:** Roxton **Reporting Style:** Plucky **Family Business:** Nazari Eyewear Solutions That's me! I'm the Editor-in-Chief of the *Middleman*, Middle Canada College's 103-year-old student newspaper. Unfortunately for me, the entire staff graduated last year, meaning my best buddy Kaz and I have to run the entire thing by ourselves. Also, I'm bisexual and when I told my now-ex-boyfriend he completely flipped out and *outed me to the entire school.* So that's great. ...Oh yeah, and I saw a ghost. Several times. One summoned by a mysterious person who I'm pretty sure is stealing human bones to perform some kind of forbidden dark magic ritual. I've got a lot going on this year is what I'm saying. <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Kaz Kaczmarek <img src="img/kaz1.png" /> **Relationship:** Best Friend **Born:** 31 March 1999 Toronto, Ontario **Gender:** X **House:** Montrose **Interests:** Weed **Job:** Senior Layout Editor Gosh, how do you even sum up someone like Kaz? "Loveable goofball pothead genderqueer graphic design genius" is a start, but I feel like that doesn't even cover the half of it. We never really hung out before they came out to everyone in Grade 10, but by total coincidence we both started working at the paper that same week and we've been basically inseparable ever since. I kind of love them more than anyone else in the entire world?? <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Summer Okamura <img src="img/summer1.png" /> **Relationship:** Ex-Estranged Friend **Born:** 21 August 1999 Hilo, Hawaii **Gender:** F **House:** Shaw **Favourite Planet:** Neptune **Favourite Emotion:** Panic Back when we were kids, Summer and I were inseparable. Then one afternoon in the summer before Grade 9 I tried to kiss her and she freaked out and ran away. At the time I thought she was straight, but it turns out she's totally gay and she just happened to be super super nervous. Anyway, I sent Allen to try and repair things and she told him everything, but he came up with this elaborate lie to keep me and her apart. So for years I've been thinking she hated me while she was thinking I hated her. Now that everyone knows the truth, we're starting to become friends again. Slowly. <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Allen Rhodes <img src="img/allen1.png" /> **Relationship:** Ex-boyfriend **Born:** 3 June 1999 Coquitlam, British Columbia **Gender:** M **House:** Crawford **Dating Since:** <s>Grade 9</s> **Known Since:** Forever I trusted Allen. I really did. God, how stupid am I? I always thought he was the one who had my back when things fell apart with Summer, but it turns out he was the one who made things fall apart in the first place. Whatever, I'm done with this creep now. I'd probably be fine if we never spoke again. <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Annette Dupont <img src="img/annette1.png" /> **Relationship:** Locker Neighbour **Born:** 28 January 1999 Winnipeg, Manitoba **Gender:** F **House:** Roxton **Orientation:** Asexual **Hat Game:** On Point You know how teen movies always have those stereotypical archetypes? Like the jock, the cheerleader, the goth? Well Annette's the witch. Specifically she's a member of the Reformed Coven of Canada, the world's largest mainstream witchcraft denomination. She's a bit of a keener on that front too, which makes her the go-to information source for all matters supernatural. And unfortunately for me there are a lot of matters like that these days... <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Miles Golden <img src="img/miles1.png" /> **Relationship:** Buddy **Born:** 6 August 1999 Toronto, Ontario **Gender:** M **House:** Roxton **Intellect:** Annoyingly Large **People Skills:** Nearly Adequate Miles is a pretty okay dude. He and Kaz share a deep love of graphic design and literally no other personality traits or interests whatsoever. Somehow though they're still pretty good friends. <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Olivia Kwon <img src="img/olivia1.png" /> **Relationship:** Buddy **Born:** 20 February 1999 London, Ontario **Gender:** F **House:** Shaw **Position:** Enforcer **Nationality:** Canadian (Extremely) Oh, Olivia Kwon. How can anyone not love this girl? She's like the textbook definition of "rough and tumble". Her ability to completely obliterate her fellow skaters has helped the MCC Girls' Hockey Team win the Southern Ontario Independent School Championships three years running. (Admittedly, not the fiercest competition in the world.) <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Jayden Finch <img src="img/jayden1.png" /> **Relationship:** Extremely Strained **Born:** 8 July 1999 Toronto, Ontario **Gender:** M **House:** Crawford **Determination:** High **Chill:** None Well, Jayden finally made his move on me and I turned him down and now we're basically not talking. Which honestly is for the best. He always kind of creeped me out a bit. Frankly I'm kind of mad at myself for not putting a stop to things sooner. <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Christopher Kipling III <img src="img/kipling1.png" /> **Relationship:** Host **Born:** 21 November 1999 Toronto, Ontario **Gender:** M **House:** Shaw **Hospitality:** Legendary **Square Footage:** 21,000 (!) Kip's parents live on a yacht ten months out of the year, which should give you a pretty clear picture of his entire situation. I don't think there's anyone at MCC who doesn't love this guy, and not just because he throws the most amazing parties ever. He's also charming and friendly and generous and pretty much just everything you could ask for in a human being. <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Marc Sherbourne <img src="img/sherbourne.png" /> **Relationship:** Teacher **Born:** 13 November 1991 Kapuskasing, Ontario **Gender:** M **Subject:** History **Routine:** Cool Hip Teacher **Convincingness:** Low I don't know how old Mr. Sherbourne is, but he's clearly extremely interested in demonstrating that he's down with the teens. As a history teacher he's mostly fine. When he's not trying to get too, you know, chummy. <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### D<sup>re</sup> Thérèse Rouillé <img src="img/rouille.png" /> **Relationship:** Teacher **Born:** 1 November 1946 Montreal, Quebec **Gender:** F **Subject:** French **Doctorate:** Earned **Disdain:** Limitless Docteure Rouillé is Middle Canada College's most notorious hard-ass. She loves the French language more than anything on this Earth, so I have no idea why the administration continues to torture her by making her teach the worst French speakers in the entire school. Being in her class *can* get weirdly relaxing after a while though — there's not much pressure to perform for someone when you know you're guaranteed to disappoint them. <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

YOU: Shoot, sorry. One sec. *(You stand up and answer the phone.)* YOU: Hi. ... I'm at Anja's. We just sat down to work. *(You start pacing.)* ... I don't really know. Could be— ... No, of course we're not "hanging out in her room." *(Anja raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: Yes, Dad. *Yes*, Dad. The lights are on. ... Well no, not literally all of them. It isn't even dark out. ... Well when it gets dark— *(You sigh in exasperation and go flip a light switch. A brighter overhead light comes on.)* YOU: Happy now? ... *(You hold the phone up to the switch and click it on and off again.)* How about now? ... Okay. ... Yes, we will. Don't worry. ... *(You lower your voice a bit.)* Love you too. Bye. *(You hang up.)* ANJA: Wow. * [[Dad is serious about eyesight.|work17]] * [[Sorry about that.|work18]] * [[Anywaaaaaaaaaaaaay.|work19]]

YOU: My father is kind of serious about eyesight. ANJA: Yes, I've heard the jingle. YOU: Anyway. Work? ANJA: Work. <%= next("order1") %>

YOU: Ugh, sorry about that. ANJA: Hey, don't worry about it. Now can I turn these lights back down or will that alert the Nazari Eyewear Solutions spy drones? *(You groan and pinch the bridge of your nose.)* <%= next("order1") %>

YOU: Anywaaaaay. Where were we? ANJA: Toiling in darkness, I believe. *(You pinch your nose and groan. Anja chuckles.)* <%= next("order1") %>

<% leftportrait("nadia2") portrait("anja2") %> <% if (s.pizza === "chinese") { %> *(Two hours later. Anja rummages through the delivery bag as you work on the laptop.)* ANJA: Hey, there's an extra fortune cookie in here. Want it? YOU: Nah, one fortune's enough for me. *(She cracks it open.)* ANJA: "You are known to have a personality." *(You stop typing.)* <% } else if (s.pizza === "sushi" && s.favesushi === "Sushi King") { %> *(Two hours later.)* ANJA: Oof. *(She leans back.)* How am I still so full? YOU: I told you those things can feed two people. The optimal number of King Bentos really would have been around one and a half. ANJA: I don't regret over-estimating. Better to have and not want. *(You stop typing.)* <% } else if (s.pizza === "sushi" && s.favesushi !== "Sushi King") { %> *(Two hours later. Anja casually picks up a dollop of wasabi and pops it into her mouth.)* <% } else if (s.pizza === "thai") { %> *(Two hours later. Anja casually grabs a cold noodle and slurps it into her mouth.)* <% } else if (s.pizza === "indian") { %> *(Two hours later. Anja casually runs her finger along the inside of an empty curry container and then licks off the sauce.)* <% } else if (s.pizza === "pizza" && s.toppings !== "veggie") { %> *(Two hours later. Anja picks a chicken piece off a cold slice of pizza.)* ANJA: Barbecue Chicken... actually delicious. Who would have thought? YOU: Me. I would have. *(She chuckles. You stop typing.)* <% } else if (s.pizza === "pizza" && s.toppings === "veggie") { %> *(Two hours later. Anja picks a mushroom off a cold slice of pizza and pops it in her mouth.)* <% } else { %> *(Two hours later. Anja stretches in her chair.)* <% } %> YOU: ...Alright, I think I'm done my pass. *(You turn the computer around to let her read.)* ANJA: This is... good. YOU: Yeah? <% if (s.project === "english") { %> ANJA: Yeah. Contrite, respectful, flattering, meek. This is like the most apologetic apology I've ever read. YOU: What can I say? I'm a natural. ANJA: Clearly. *(She pushes out from the table and picks up the laptop.)* Let's print it out and call it a night. <% } else if (s.project === "both") { %> ANJA: The English version, anyway. I don't really speak French well enough to judge that version. YOU: Neither do I. But as long as *one* of them is okay, I think we're safe. ANJA: Sounds good. *(She pushes out from the table and picks up the laptop.)* Let's print it out and call it a night. <% } else { %> ANJA: At least I think it is. I don't really read French that well. YOU: I mean, same? But it feels at least somewhat closer to right than normal. ANJA: Works for me. *(She pushes out from the table and picks up the laptop.)* Let's print it out and call it a night. <% } %> * [[Make sure you print duplicates.|tv2]] * [[That went by fast.|tv3]] * [[Yay for teamwork.|tv4]]

*(The two of you head upstairs.)* YOU: You should print two copies for me and two copies for you. Then next week we can each bring in two copies and if one person forgets theirs at home the other person has them covered. ANJA: Isn't that a lot of paper? *(She leads you into her room and places her laptop down on the bed. You look around.)* YOU: In my line of work you get very desensitized to using up a lot of paper. ANJA: Well, if it'll put your mind at ease. <%= display("tv5") %>

*(The two of you walk upstairs.)* YOU: Wow, that went fast. ANJA: We've been working for hours. *(She leads you into her room and places her laptop down on the bed. You look around.)* YOU: Hmm. Felt fast then. <%= display("tv5") %>

*(The two of you walk upstairs.)* YOU: Teamwork! Yay for teamwork! ANJA: Ha. Yay for teamwork. *(She leads you into her room and places her laptop down on the bed. You look around.)* YOU: We should, like, um, collaborate more often. ANJA: Hey, we'll probably be stuck together on a bunch more French projects if nothing else. <%= display("tv5") %>

*(She hits a button and then walks over to the printer on her desk. You casually glance at her desktop.)* YOU: Hey, what's this video here? ANJA: Hmm? YOU: "Passiondale.S10.E03.WEBRip.1080p"? You watch this show? You *torrent* this show? ANJA: What's your point? * [[I never knew you liked this show.|tv6]] * [[Why don't you just stream it?|tv7]] * [[It just doesn't seem like your thing.|tv8]]

YOU: I had no idea you liked this show. ANJA: Why shouldn't I? It's fun, and the plotlines are interesting, and I'm attached to the characters, and the writing is a lot more sophisticated than people usually think, and being in the fandom is kind of fun. When it's not completely stupid. <%= display("tv9") %>

YOU: I don't understand... why don't you just *stream* this? ANJA: Well it's not going to be on Canadian Netflix for another six months so obviously that's unacceptable. And the Dailymotion uploads tend to have around 5% speed-up on the already low-quality audio, which I know some people say they can't hear the difference but trust me — you can hear it. And don't get me *started* on that weird washed out distortion stuff they have to pull on YouTube. This is just the best way. <%= display("tv9") %>

YOU: I don't know. A cheesy teen drama? It doesn't seem like your thing. Like at all. ANJA: Okay, first off? It's not cheesy, it's actually very sophisticated and deals with a lot of real issues. Also, I like it. It's fun. And I'm attached to the characters, and the writing is a lot better than people say, and being in the fandom is kind of fun when it's not completely stupid. <%= display("tv9") %>

*(You try to stifle a laugh.)* ANJA: Oh, what's so damn funny? YOU: I don't know! Sorry. It's like... it's just a surprising side of you, that's all. Anja the Passiondale fangirl. ANJA: Hmmph. Well, you should try it sometime. You might actually enjoy it. YOU: *(looking back at the screen)* How about now? ANJA: Excuse me? YOU: Can we watch one? I want to watch one. ANJA: Uh... * [[You said I'd like it!|tv10]] * [[You've already downloaded it.|tv11]] * [[Please??|tv12]]

YOU: You did say I'd like it. ANJA: Yeah, if you started from the beginning. This is the middle of the tenth season. YOU: I don't care. ANJA: You wouldn't even know what was going on. YOU: I'm a very observant person! *(She pinches the bridge of her nose.)* ANJA: ...Fine. One episode. YOU: Yes!! ANJA: But don't ask too many dumb questions. I want to actually hear what's going on. YOU: I promise! You won't even know I'm here. ANJA: Uh-huh. <%= display("tv13") %>

YOU: You've already downloaded it, right? ANJA: Yes, but— YOU: You were going to watch it eventually! What's the difference if I'm here? *(She pinches the bridge of her nose.)* ANJA: Alright, look. This is a weekly ritual I get a great deal of enjoyment out of. *If* you can behave and be quiet— YOU: I love behaving! It's my favourite thing! ANJA: ...Fine. You win. Let's watch it. YOU: Yes!! ANJA: *(pointing at you)* Don't make me regret this. <%= display("tv13") %>

<% s.puppydog = true %> YOU: *(puppy-dog eyes)* Please?? ANJA: ...Fine. YOU: Yes!! ANJA: *On the condition* that you behave yourself and let me actually enjoy the episode. YOU: I promise! I love behaving, it's my favourite thing! ANJA: Uh-huh. <%= display("tv13") %>

YOU: I'm going to go get snacks. Do you have potato chips? ANJA: ...We *just* ate <% if (s.pizza === "pizza") { %> an entire pizza. <% } else { %> dinner. <% } %> YOU: I'll get a small bowl. You get everything set up here. *(You run out of the door.)* <%= next("tv14") %>

*(You run down, get a bag of chips out of the cupboard, and start pouring them into a small bowl.)* YOU: *(muttering)* Okay, Nadia. Calm down. Keep it together. Juuuust putting some potato chips in a bowl. Totally normal activity, nothing to be extremely nervous about for some reason. *(You inspect the bowl, think for a second, and then take a single chip off the top and put it back in the bag.)* <%= next("tv15") %>

*(You walk upstairs and creak the door open. Anja adjusts her braid and sits up slightly straighter as you enter. The only light in the room is coming off of the laptop screen.)* * [[Told you I'd get a small bowl.|tv16]] * [[Ready to watch?|tv17]] * [[It's dark in here.|tv18]] * [[Where should I sit?|tv19]]

YOU: *(holding up the chips)* Told you I'd get a small bowl. ANJA: Wow. That is practically dainty. *(She pats the bed next to her. You sit down.)* YOU: We'll have to ration. ANJA: I can control my cravings if you can. * [[I have very good impulse control.|tv20]] * [[We can get more later.|tv21]] * [[...|tv22]]

YOU: Ready? ANJA: All queued up. *(She pats the bed next to her. You sit down.)* YOU: I'm excited. ANJA: You should be. This will be life changing. *(She leans forward and presses play.)* <%= next("tv23") %>

YOU: Whoa. ANJA: Problem? YOU: It's just uh, dark in here. ANJA: Well we're not going to watch with a bright overhead light on. *(She pats the bed next to her. You sit down.)* ANJA: It's an event, Nadia. Soak it in. *(She reaches forward in and presses play.)* <%= next("tv23") %>

YOU: So... where should I sit? *(Anja glances down at the space next to her.)* ANJA: Uh, on the bed? YOU: Right. Yeah. Of course. *(You awkwardly sit down next to her.)* ANJA: Is that okay? * [[Yes.|tv24]] * [[Just surprising.|tv25]] * [[Sorry. I'm being weird.|tv26]]

YOU: I have very good impulse control. ANJA: We'll see. *(She reaches over and starts the video. You stare straight ahead.)* <%= next("tv23") %>

YOU: We can always get some more if we run out. ANJA: Oh yeah? How long do you intend to be here exactly? *(She reaches forward and presses play. You cough.)* <%= next("tv23") %>

*(You stare straight ahead. You think you catch the faintest hint of a smirk in your peripheral vision as she reaches over and presses the play button.)* <%= next("tv23") %>

<% s.bed = true %> EXT. PASSIONDALE HIGH - DAY SLOANE barks orders into a megaphone as a couple of SOPHOMORES clumsily hang up a "[[HOMECOMING WEEK|tv28]]" banner above the school entrance. Around them, people move fall-themed decorations into place. <div class="spk">SLOANE</div> <div class="dlg">Higher! Okay, a little to the left... little more... Perfect!</div> She steps back and surveys her work. POPPY walks up with a clipboard, diligently taking notes. <div class="spk">POPPY</div> <div class="dlg">Gosh, I am so glad you're running the Homecoming Committee now.</div> <div class="spk">SLOANE</div> <div class="dlg">Me too. Now that I'm [[finally student council president|tv29]], I can organize a truly legendary Homecoming. This is going to be one for the history books.</div> A beat. Poppy smiles and nods. <div class="spk">SLOANE</div> <div class="dlg">...Well? What are you waiting for? Go get the history books! We have to start updating them now.</div> <div class="spk">POPPY</div> <div class="dlg">Right! Ha ha. Of course, Sloane. [[Anything you say!|tv30]]</div> ...

YOU: Just... a little unexpected. That's all. ANJA: It's not as if I'm going to make you go sit in the corner. YOU: Right. <%= display("tv27") %>

YOU: Sorry. I'm just being weird. ANJA: *(smirking)* Yeah, but what else is new? *(She leans forward and starts the video.)* <%= next("tv23") %>

YOU: Oh. Yeah, no. Of course. ANJA: Relax, Nazari. I'm not going to kill you. YOU: Ha ha. Right. <%= display("tv27") %>

ANJA: ...not as long as you're good, anyway. *(She reaches over and starts the video. You stare straight ahead.)* <%= next("tv23") %>

<% s.homecoming = true; %> <%= display("tv54") %> YOU: Also, who's coming home? ANJA: Well based on the teaser from last week, Kayla's older brother is coming home from Morocco. But I'm pretty sure that's a coincidence. YOU: What was he doing in Morocco? ANJA: *No one knows.* YOU: *(softly)* Whoa... <%= next("tv37") %>

<% s.ty = true; %> YOU: Wait, who is that? Why did she sound so sinister when she was talking about being the student council president? ANJA: That's Sloane. She's the super evil rich kid? She tried to buy votes in the election last season but it didn't work and Ty won instead. So this year she had him impeached on false charges and now she's taking over the whole school. * [[Why does she care so much?|tv31]] * [[What were the charges?|tv32]] * [[Sucks to be Ty, I guess.|tv33]]

<% s.poppygay = true; %> YOU: Wow, what is her deal? ANJA: Poppy? YOU: Maybe? Which one is she? ANJA: The one in the sweater. YOU: Yeah, her. What's her deal? ANJA: Well she's always been Sloane's lapdog. Sloane's the mean one who was yelling? But *also* since the boathouse episode it sort of seems like she might actually be gay. So there's a lot going on there. * [[I didn't know this show had queer characters.|tv34]] * [[What happened in the boathouse?|tv35]] * [[I think I'm rooting for her.|tv36]]

YOU: Why does she want to run student council so bad? Who even cares? ANJA: The main thing about Sloane is that she wants power. Doesn't matter what form it comes in. YOU: Being on student council hardly gives you a lot of power. ANJA: Gives you more than *not* being on student council. <%= next("tv37") %>

YOU: What were the charges? ANJA: Embezzlement, racism, and having sex in the student council president's office. All false. Well, more or less. He *was* caught naked in the office, but it was a setup. YOU: That is a wide array of fake crimes. ANJA: When Sloane comes at you, she comes with all guns blazing. <%= next("tv37") %>

<% s.evilty = true; %> YOU: Damn. Sucks to be Ty. ANJA: That's just it. He's had a total fall from grace, and now he wants revenge. He's turning into *Evil* Ty. YOU: Okay, you actually sound kind of gleeful about this. ANJA: Honestly? I am. I enjoy watching people get tossed around by fate. YOU: Wow, you must enjoy watching me then. ANJA: I mean, I wouldn't put it *quite* like that... <%= next("tv37") %>

YOU: I had no idea this show had queer characters. ANJA: I will have you know that Passiondale is very progressive and diverse. Back in season 4 they showed the first interracial same-sex high school kiss on network television. YOU: Wow. Any bisexuals? ANJA: Technically Kayley was I guess? She was a cheerleader. She's off the show now though. YOU: Technically. ANJA: Yeah. I mean, they didn't really make it a plot point or anything, but she had a boyfriend one season and then she hooked up with Morgan the year after that. YOU: ...Did she ever actually *say* the word "bisexual"? ANJA: Uh... she might have referred to herself as "open-minded"? YOU: Uh-huh. <%= next("tv37") %>

YOU: What happened in the boathouse? ANJA: Oh my god, *so many things* happened in the boathouse. It was a whole episode. YOU: In a boathouse? ANJA: Oh yeah. Time passed, a bunch of people came in and out, there were different areas around and behind the boathouse... Point is there was fallout and there were implications. YOU: Lesbian implications. ANJA: Precisely. Poppy has this mysterious journal she writes in that we never get to see. But this time she left it in the boathouse, and it was open, and Tanner came in and started reading it, and he didn't know whose it was, but it was *love poetry*, and one of the lines mentioned a yellow scarf, which is exactly what Sloane was wearing at the campfire the previous night, which was the *same campfire* where Poppy got really high on pot brownies and almost admitted some "big secret" she had never told anyone, but then she tripped and fell into a ditch, and Sloane had to take her back to the cabin in what by all accounts was a very cute scene that was cruelly interrupted by Trey, who is a total dick. YOU: Ah, okay. So that was like, a reveal to the audience but not the characters? ANJA: Yes. And people did already sort of think that before? Like there are people online whose usernames are like "pansexualpoppymatthews" or "poppy-is-a-lesbian". But it was all just innuendo and wishful thinking before. YOU: And now it's not. ANJA: Now we're on like full-on love confession watch. YOU: Wow. <%= next("tv37") %>

YOU: I think I'm rooting for her now. ANJA: Team Poppy, huh? YOU: I just want her to be happy! I want everyone to be happy. ANJA: Yeah, this might be the wrong show for you... <%= next("tv37") %>

... <div class="spk">SLOANE</div> <div class="dsc">(smugly)</div> <div class="dlg">*Nothing* can stop me now.</div> Sloane walks into the school. We pull back to see that <% if (s.evilty) { %> [[TY|tv40]] <% } else if (s.ty) { %> [[TY|tv41]] <% } else { %> [[TY|tv42]] <% } %> has been watching her from behind a bush. Dramatic music swells as we move into... [[OPENING CREDITS|tv38]] <div class="dlg">*If you believe in me Then I can believe in you As long as we just believe There's nothing that we can't do*</div> <div class="dlg">*Oh, whatever the weather We'll surely find a way You and me together I know [[I know it'll be okay|tv39]]*</div> INT. CAFETERIA - DAY ...

YOU: Oh my god, look at all those people. How do you keep them all straight in your head? ANJA: It's not *that* many. YOU: It's so many! Look how long this credit sequence is! *(You squint at the screen)* Wait, is that actor actually named "Lincoln Washington"? ANJA: Eh, they're Americans. It's what they do. YOU: Okay. Okay, so wait. Is this the same show that Drake was on? The one where the dog ate the heart? ANJA: You're joking, right? * [[Um, yes?|tv44]] * [[Um, no?|tv45]]

YOU: Oh my god, what even *is* this song? ANJA: I'll have you know it's a very modern arrangement of the original Passiondale High theme song from the '80s. YOU: "Very" modern might be pushing it. ANJA: Well the reboot's been on since 2006. Give it a break. YOU: Right. Okay. So like... is this the same show that Drake was on? The one where the dog ate the heart? ANJA: ...Are you kidding? * [[Um, yes?|tv44]] * [[Um, no?|tv45]]

YOU: Oh my god, is that Evil Ty??? ANJA: That's Evil Ty. YOU: Wow! You weren't kidding. ANJA: I can already tell this episode is going to get completely wild. <%= next("tv43") %>

<% s.evilty = true; %> YOU: Who is that? ANJA: That's Ty. YOU: *That's* Ty? Why is he hiding in a bush? ANJA: I told you. Sloane ruined him. Now he's got a revenge plot coming up and he's kind of turning into Evil Ty. YOU: That's so sad though! Like, it's not *his* fault that he got ruined! Why can't he be Good Ty?? ANJA: I mean he might still be Good Ty in the end. We don't know. YOU: *(shaking your head)* Messed up... <%= next("tv43") %>

<% s.evilty = true; %> YOU: Uh, who was that dude in the bushes? ANJA: That would be Ty. YOU: Why does Ty look like a complete creep? Is he like a murderer or something? ANJA: No, that's the thing. He was the student council president, and he was this super nice character that everyone loved. But then Sloane had him impeached on false charges, and now he's turning into Evil Ty. YOU: Whoa. People turn *evil* on this show? ANJA: Amazing, right? <%= next("tv43") %>

... <div class="spk">IGGY</div> <div class="dlg">...What exactly did I just witness?</div> <div class="spk">DJ</div> <div class="dlg">Uh, a [[homeposal|tv46]], obviously? Where have you been?</div> <div class="spk">IGGY</div> <div class="dlg">What the heck's a "homeposal"?</div> <div class="spk">COLE</div> <div class="dlg">Exactly what it sounds like — a promposal but for <% if (s.homecoming) { %> Homecoming. <% } else { %> [[Homecoming|tv55]]. <% } %></div> <div class="spk">IGGY</div> <div class="dlg">Sounds idiotic.</div> <div class="spk">PETRA</div> <div class="dsc">(heavy sigh)</div> <div class="dlg">[[Sounds beautiful.|tv47]] I wish someone would homepose to me.</div> <div class="spk">DJ</div> <div class="dlg">Did you forget? [[We're freshmen|tv48]], and freshmen don't get promposals.</div> <div class="spk">IGGY</div> <div class="dlg">And even some of us did, you would not be among them.</div> <div class="spk">PETRA</div> <div class="dlg">Shut your flaps, dinguses. [[I'm going to get a homeposal if it kills me.|tv47]]</div> ...

YOU: Yes. Kidding. That's what I was doing alright. ANJA: ...Drake was on Degrassi, Nadia. And the completely different show where the dog ate the heart is One Tree Hill. YOU: I know that. I totally know that. ANJA: Mm-hmm. YOU: I know all the cool facts. I'm very in touch with everything that's going on here. *(She chuckles and shakes her head.)* <%= next("tv43") %>

YOU: Um. No. Should I have been? ANJA: Drake was on Degrassi and the dog ate the heart on One Tree Hill. Neither of which are the same show as this. YOU: Oh. So.... what's the difference? ANJA: I honestly don't even know how to *decide* to start explaining that to you. YOU: ...You know what, I'll figure it out. *(She smirks and shakes her head.)* <%= next("tv43") %>

YOU: Okay is that real or a thing the show made up? ANJA: I kind of don't know. A lot of times they'll talk about something on this show and I'll be absolutely sure it's fake, but then I google it and a bunch of people are doing it in like Texas or California or something. YOU: In other words you wouldn't be surprised. ANJA: At this point, I am never surprised by weird straight person stuff. * [[Dating isn't straight person stuff!|tv56]] * [[Would you ever want to be homeposed to?|tv53]] * [[Are you comfortable right now by the way?|tv49]]

YOU: So wait, she's never heard of a... "homeposal" before this scene, and now she desperately wants one? That doesn't make any sense. Is she even seeing anyone? ANJA: Don't think so. YOU: So who is she planning on going with? ANJA: I don't know. Isn't the whole point that it's supposed to be a surprise? YOU: I mean the timing of it maybe, but you're at least supposed to know the person's identity. ANJA: Oh, whatever. I can't keep track of all this straight person stuff. * [[Dating isn't straight person stuff!|tv56]] * [[Would you ever want to be homeposed to?|tv53]]

YOU: Freshmen are Grade 9s, right? ANJA: Yeah. Freshman story lines are kind of like the minor leagues. They put in a bunch of new characters every year and the ones that click with the audience move on to more interesting things in the later years. YOU: And the ones that don't? ANJA: They disappear into a vortex, never to be seen or heard from again. YOU: Uh...? ANJA: A metaphorical vortex. Not a real one. *(You nod.)* <%= display("tv49") %>

YOU: Um. By the way, are you comfortable right now? ANJA: Yes, very. YOU: Okay. *(Silence.)* YOU: ...I meant physically, in case that wasn't clear. Like muscles and stuff. ANJA: I figured. YOU: Okay. ANJA: Are you asking because you're *un*comfortable? * [[A little.|tv50]] * [[Who, me?|tv51]]

YOU: Uh, well. Just a little. My arm's a bit sore, and my shoulder. Also my back, kind of. My general neck area... I could probably do with stretching my legs... ANJA: Relax. Here. *(She gets up and pauses the video. You sit up and stretch as many muscles as you can.)* YOU: Phew, okay. *(You sit back down next to Anja.)* ANJA: Better? YOU: ...Yeah. Way better. *(She presses play.)* YOU: ...Sorry. ANJA: I think I'm figuring out the pattern with you. <%= next("tv52") %>

YOU: Nope. Juuust checking. *(You make a concerted effort not to shift any part of your body.)* <%= next("tv52") %>

... [[KAYLA|tv57]] continues following the [[trail of colourful string|tv58]] through the hallway, ducking in and out of classrooms. It leads her to a giant woven heart, hanging over the corridor. <div class="spk">KAYLA</div> <div class="dlg">Oh my god.</div> She clutches her own heart. <div class="spk">TANNER</div> <div class="dsc">(o.s.)</div> <div class="dlg">[[Babe?|tv57]]</div> She turns around. Tanner is there, holding the end of a spool of string. He takes off his sunglasses. <div class="spk">TANNER</div> <div class="dlg">Will you go to Homecoming with me?</div> <div class="spk">KAYLA</div> <div class="dlg">Tanner!!! Obviously!</div> He throws down the spool and puts the sunglasses back on. She leaps into his arms. They [[kiss|tv124]], passionately. The assembled crowd whoops and awwws. We cut to Sloane, who has been filming the entire thing on her phone. <div class="spk">SLOANE</div> <div class="dlg">Amazing. This is going to get me major likes on [[Quickstagram|tv111]].</div> ...

YOU: Would you ever want to be homeposed to? ANJA: I've honestly never considered it, but it feels like it would be extremely embarrassing. YOU: Haha, I was just about to say. ANJA: Don't get me wrong. On some level I'm sure a public declaration of love would be validating. But whenever you hear about promposals it's always like in front of a huge crowd of people, or it involves some kind of giant arts-and-crafts thing out in the open. Not sure I'd want a relationship put up for public consumption like that. * [[I never hear you talk about dating.|tv169]] * [[It's not good, believe me.|tv170]] * [[What about a private declaration?|tv151]]

YOU: Okay, what *is* Homecoming? Is it an American thing or a public school thing or what? What is it? ANJA: I think it has something to do with football? YOU: It's a football dance? ANJA: Maybe?

<% s.homecoming = true; %> <%= display("tv54") %> *(You nod.)* <%= display("tv49") %>

*(You laugh.)* ANJA: What? YOU: Dating isn't "straight person stuff!" I did it for years. ANJA: Fine. But you have to admit that weird tacky proposals are. YOU: Ha. Maybe a little. *(You go back to watching the show. A minute or two later, Anja turns away from the screen to face you directly.)* ANJA: Hey, can I ask you a question? * [[Okay...|tv175]] * [[Is this a bad question?|tv176]]

YOU: Wait, what's up with the string? ANJA: It's like a callback. A really sweet one actually. Kayla and Tanner started dating in middle school and the way he told her he liked her was he made her a little heart made out of string. YOU: That's sounds cute. ANJA: It was adorable. They're like your standard endgame best friend soulmates. YOU: Aww... <%= display("tv59") %>

YOU: Who are they? ANJA: That's Kayla and Tanner. They've been dating since middle school. They're like best friends and soulmates and all that stuff. YOU: Aw, that's cute... <%= display("tv59") %>

*(You watch quietly. She looks over at you.)* ANJA: Hey, I didn't get a chance to say this when it was all happening but I am sorry about you and Allen. * [[Thanks.|tv60]] * [[You don't have to say that.|tv61]] * [[He's a jerk.|tv62]] * [[It sucks.|tv63]]

YOU: ...Thanks. ANJA: Seriously. I know it must have been hard losing that on some level. *(You sigh.)* <%= display("tv114") %>

YOU: You don't have to say that. ANJA: Wasn't out of obligation. YOU: Seriously. I know you hate him. ANJA: Well duh. I'm not saying it for him though, I'm saying it for you. * [[I don't deserve your kindness.|tv122]] * [[Well, thanks.|tv60]] * [[You've really come around on me.|tv123]]

YOU: He's a scumbag, remember? It was a mistake to even be with him. ANJA: Well, yes. But clearly you wouldn't have been dating him for six years if you had *known* he was a scumbag. YOU: Three years. ANJA: Same difference. * [[I *should* have known, though.|tv112]] * [[It was just total whiplash.|tv113]]

YOU: It just sucks. I knew this guy *forever,* you know? I trusted him. And then all of a sudden it was like... ANJA: He betrayed you. <%= display("tv114") %>

... Ty pushes his way past the other students. <div class="spk">TY</div> <div class="dlg">Sloane.</div> Silence falls on the crowd. Sloane looks around anxiously. <div class="spk">SLOANE</div> <div class="dlg">This is official homecoming committee business, Ty. What do you want?</div> <div class="spk">TY</div> <div class="dsc">(stepping closer)</div> <div class="dlg">You stole something from me.</div> He stops short of Sloane. There is a dramatic pause, and then he gets down on one knee. Gasps from the assembled crowd as they begin to realize they are witnessing a homeposal. <div class="spk">TY</div> <div class="dlg">...[[My heart|tv129]]. Will you go to homecoming with me?</div> She kneels down next to him. <div class="spk">SLOANE</div> <div class="dlg">...[[Absolutely|tv129]].</div> [[They kiss passionately.|tv128]] Poppy discreetly <% if (s.poppygay) { %> [[runs off down the hall|tv131]]. <% } else { %> [[runs off down the hall|tv239]]. <% } %> ...

... Poppy slams the bathroom door and pulls a small pill bottle from her bag. She fumbles with it, hands shaking, unable to get it open. Camera pans to reveal TREY [[stepping out from the shadows|tv72]] behind her. <div class="spk">TREY</div> <div class="dlg">Having trouble?</div> Poppy jumps back in fright. <div class="spk">POPPY</div> <div class="dlg">This is the girl's room! [[You're not supposed to be in here.|tv72]]</div> <div class="spk">TREY</div> <div class="dlg">And you're not supposed to be taking those.</div> <div class="spk">POPPY</div> <div class="dlg">They're... prescription.</div> He snatches the bottle out of her hands. <div class="spk">POPPY</div> <div class="dlg">Hey!</div> <div class="spk">TREY</div> <div class="dlg">Oh these are *somebody's* prescription, alright. [[Just not yours.|tv74]]</div> <div class="spk">POPPY</div> <div class="dsc">(grabbing at it)</div> <div class="dlg">Give it back!</div> <div class="spk">TREY</div> <div class="dlg">[[Heh. Sure thing, junkie.|tv73]]</div> He tosses the pills to her. She quickly jams them back into her bag. ...

... <div class="spk">POPPY</div> <div class="dlg">Look, please just don't tell anyone, okay?</div> <div class="spk">TREY</div> <div class="dlg">Oh! You want a favor, do you?</div> [[She glowers at him.|tv79]] <div class="spk">TREY</div> <div class="dlg">Well, I suppose I could be persuaded. ...All I need from you is a bit of information.</div> He tosses his apple in the garbage and takes two steps closer. <div class="spk">TREY</div> <div class="dsc">(menacing whisper)</div> <div class="dlg">Tell me everything you know about [[Hannah's baby|tv67]].</div> Hold on Poppy's distraught face. [[END CREDITS|tv68]]

YOU: Wait, I'm confused. Who's Hannah? ANJA: Oh, she wasn't in this episode. She's pregnant. YOU: She's *pregnant*??? In high school? ANJA: Uh, people get pregnant in high school. YOU: Why is she pregnant?? ANJA: Because she had unprotected sex with a boy, which is even grosser and dumber than having regular sex with one. *(She coughs.)* No offence. * [[None taken.|tv69]] * [[Which boy?|tv70]] * [[This show is amazing.|tv71]]

YOU: That's it? ANJA: That's it. YOU: Aw, but it was over so fast! ANJA: We've been watching for 42 minutes. YOU: Wait, really? ANJA: Mm-hmm. * [[It flew by.|tv171]] * [[This show is amazing.|tv71]] * [[So what now?|tv83]]

YOU: None taken. I mean... I haven't, uh... It's not like I ever... have done that. Particular thing. Either. *(Anja raises an eyebrow.)* ANJA: Oh? You and Allen never...? YOU: *No.* ...No. Not because I wouldn't ever want to. Or because it's a thing I wouldn't... Like, I still— I mean, eventually, sure. I probably would have. Maybe. But I was definitely not... ANJA: Ready to have sex. YOU: *(blushing)* Oh my god why am I telling you all this. ANJA: It did come up in conversation. YOU: Can we just maybe change topics please? ANJA: Sure. *(You sit there silently.)* ANJA: ...Are you okay? What's wrong? YOU: I'm fine. ANJA: You sure? Your leg is literally trembling. * [[It's nothing.|tv189]] * [[I'm sorry.|tv190]]

YOU: Which boy did she have sex with? ANJA: Zak. Well Zak's the father anyway. She was also sleeping with Kyle. YOU: But Kyle's not the father? ANJA: For the kid's sake I sure hope not. * [[Can we watch another?|tv71]] * [[So what now?|tv83]]

YOU: This show is amazing. Is there more? Can we watch another? <%= display("tv188") %>

YOU: Eugh. Has he just been hanging out in there the entire time? ANJA: Probably. Fucking Trey... <% if (s.evilty) { %> <%= display("tv76") %> <% } else { %> <%= display("tv130") %> <% } %>

YOU: God, what's his problem? ANJA: Ugh. Trey. This fucking guy. <% if (s.evilty) { %> <%= display("tv76") %> <% } else { %> <%= display("tv130") %> <% } %>

YOU: Whoa. ANJA: *(gasping a little)* I knew it. YOU: You knew this was going to happen. ANJA: Well not this exact scene. But I had a pretty good guess. She had a "something's going on" plotline all season and this is the something. Pills. * [[What kind of pills?|tv77]] * [[What's a "Something's going on" plotline?|tv78]]

YOU: Is he like a bad guy? I thought Evil Ty was the bad guy. ANJA: No, it's looking like Evil Ty was a misdirect. Trey on the other hand is rotten to the core. His sole purpose since he transferred to Passiondale has been to spread chaos. YOU: Why? Is he just a dick? ANJA: Motives still unclear. Let's see what he says. <%= next("tv66") %>

YOU: What kind of pills? ANJA: I don't know. School pills? Like the pills you take if you're really stressed out and want to do good at school? YOU: Well yeah but there are lots of different kinds of pills. What kind specifically? ANJA: Not sure the showrunners entirely what kind. They've kind of done this plot in the past and they sort of just handwave it. YOU: How can they not care?? It's so relevant! ANJA: Wait, hold on. Maybe they'll say more here in a second. <%= next("tv66") %>

YOU: What's a "something's going on" plotline? ANJA: Oh, you know. It's like when a character on a TV show acts strange, sneaks off to places, looks really nervous and shifty all the time. You can tell they've got a secret that's going to drop for maximum drama later on in the season. YOU: Wait, did I just live through one of those? ANJA: Ha. Maybe. <%= next("tv66") %>

YOU: That guy's a dick, huh? ANJA: Ugh I just hate him so much! He's like a full-on villain now. I hope he gets hit by a truck. YOU: Do people get hit by trucks in this show? ANJA: One time a guy was texting while crossing the street and a motorbike hit him so hard that he fell off a cliff. *(You burst out laughing.)* YOU: What? Oh my god! ANJA: *And* it was his ex-girlfriend's new college boyfriend driving it. * [[What happened then?|tv80]] * [[This show is amazing.|tv71]]

YOU: What happened to him? ANJA: The guy who fell off the cliff? He died. YOU: Holy crap. ANJA: I told you you'd like this show. YOU: Are there more? Can we watch another one? Like right now? <%= display("tv188") %>

YOU: Okay... *(You shut your eyes and put your hand over your face.)* ANJA: No peeking. I'll know if you're peeking. <%= display("tv84") %>

YOU: Close my eyes? ANJA: Or look away. ...Actually do both. YOU: Um. *(You close your eyes and look away.)* ANJA: And no peeking! <%= display("tv84") %>

<% s.blushing = true; %> YOU: ...Is there something in there you don't want me to see? ANJA: *(blushing a little)* No. I just— Close your damn eyes, Nazari. *(You nod and put your hand over your eyes.)* ANJA: And no peeking. I'll know if you're peeking. <%= display("tv84") %>

YOU: So... ANJA: Hmm? YOU: What now? ANJA: Uh, are you okay? YOU: Huh? ANJA: Your leg is literally trembling. * [[It's nothing.|tv189]] * [[I'm sorry.|tv190]]

YOU: I'm not! *(You hear her clicking on some things.)* ANJA: ...Okay. *(You open your eyes again.)* ANJA: You're in luck. Looks like we had the whole last two seasons in there. * [[Ready when you are.|tv85]] * [[How long would that take to watch?|tv86]] * [[Don't clean that out much, do you?|tv87]] * [[What was in there?|tv88]]

YOU: Ready for the next episode? ANJA: Previous. YOU: Right. Previous. ANJA: I'm up for it if you are. *(She starts the episode.)* <%= next("tv92") %>

YOU: How many hours is that, would you say? ANJA: God, I don't even know. Ten at least? YOU: Gotcha. ANJA: Why? YOU: Just wanted to make sure we weren't going to run out. ANJA: *(chuckling)* That would be a genuine accomplishment. <%= next("tv92") %>

YOU: Wow, you don't clean that thing out very often, eh? ANJA: <% if (!s.blushing) { %> *(blushing)* <% } %> If I had known I was going to have someone on my bed scrutinizing my laptop habits... YOU: Just kidding. ANJA: Hmmph. *(You bump her shoulder.)* YOU: Next episode? ANJA: Previous. YOU: Right. Yeah. *(She plays the video.)* <%= next("tv92") %>

YOU: Soooo.... what was in there? ANJA: Documents. YOU: Documents? ANJA: Yes. Innocent documents. Moving on. YOU: ... *(You put your finger on the trackpad and slowly move the cursor towards the recycle bin.)* ANJA: *(swatting your hand away)* Hey! YOU: *(impishly)* You said they were innocent! *(You go for the trackpad again. She grabs your wrist.)* ANJA: You little snoop! Don't you *even.* *(You reach over with your other hand and she grabs that one too.)* YOU: *(laughing)* I'm a journalist! Snooping is in my job desc—aaaahh! *(You start squealing as Anja tightens her grip and tries to shove you away from the computer.)* YOU: Stop! Stop! ANJA: If I let you go, do you *promise* not to touch the laptop? * [[I promise...|tv89]] * [[Never.|tv90]]

YOU: I promise. *(She slowly lets go.)* YOU: ...THAT I'M GOING TO TOUCH THE LAPTOP!!! *(You dive for the trackpad. She grabs your arms again and wrestles you down onto the bed.)* <%= display("tv91") %>

YOU: The press will never be silenced!! *(You try to yank yourself free from Anja's grasp. She holds tight and wrestles you down onto the bed.)* ANJA: Wrong answer! <%= display("tv91") %>

YOU: Aaaaaah noooooo!! *(She gets on top of you and pins you down by your wrists.)* ANJA: *(panting)* Surrender. * [[........okay.|tv93]] * [[Anyway ha ha enough of that, back to television!|tv94]]

*(Two episodes later. You're slumped down further in the bed with your arm resting against Anja's leg, struggling to keep your eyes open. You yawn.)* ANJA: Bored? YOU: Not even. This show's *amazing.* *(You yawn again and lean into her a little.)* YOU: I'm just tired. A bit. ANJA: We can stop watching if you like. * [[I'm still enjoying it.|tv102]] * [[What time is it?|tv103]] * [[Do I have to leave?|tv104]]

YOU: .......okay. *(You lock eyes with each other, the two of you still breathing heavily.)* ANJA: ... *(Keeping her hands on your wrists, Anja slowly lowers her face down until it's just barely above yours. She holds there and you feel the heat of her breath on your lips.)* YOU: ..... *(You give an almost imperceptible nod. She closes the rest of the gap. You shut your eyes and kiss her back. Finally, she gently pulls away. You blink and look up at her.)* * [[That was nice.|tv96]] * [[That was different.|tv95]] * [[I was hoping you'd do that.|tv97]] * [[Why'd you stop?|tv98]]

*(The two you look at each other, flustered and panting a little.)* YOU: *(clearing your throat)* Okay. Uh. Next episode? *(Anja seems to catch her breath. She gets off you and sits down next to you on the bed.)* ANJA: Previous episode. YOU: Right. Yeah. ANJA: ...Can you see from down there? YOU: Oh, uh. *(You push yourself up on your arms.)* No. Not really. *(She chuckles as you sit up a bit straighter and brush your hair out of your eyes.)* YOU: There we go. *(She starts the episode.)* <%= next("tv92") %>

YOU: ...Wow. That was different. ANJA: Good different, I hope? *(You grab the back of her head and pull her in towards you, pushing yourself up a bit at the same time. The two of you kiss again.)* YOU: Extremely good. *(She closes the laptop with her foot, beaming uncharacteristically. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: ...That was nice. *(She beams uncharacteristically.)* ANJA: Yeah. It was. YOU: *(flushed)* So uh... *(She raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: What do you think about... making things... *more* nice? *(She looks down and shuts the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: I was hoping you would do that. *(She beams uncharacteristically.)* ANJA: Oh yeah? YOU: ...Yeah. ANJA: For how long? * [[All night.|tv99]] * [[All week.|tv100]] * [[A long time.|tv101]]

YOU: Why'd you stop? ANJA: Just wanted to get a good look at you. *(She lets go of your arms.)* ANJA: And also, you know, wanted to make sure you're okay. I know things have been— *(You grab the back of her head and pull her in towards you, pushing yourself up a bit at the same time. The two of you kiss again.)* YOU: ...I'm *very* okay. ANJA: *(exhaling)* Excellent. YOU: Now uh... *(You pat her braid.)* How do I... get this thing...? *(She laughs and closes the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: ...Pretty much since I stepped in the door. ANJA: Well. Sorry to keep you waiting. *(You grab the back of her head and pull her in towards you, pushing yourself up a bit at the same time. The two of you kiss again.)* YOU: I extremely forgive you. *(She looks down and shuts the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: I haven't *exactly* been able to think of anything else all week? ANJA: All *this* week? *(You bite your lip and nod.)* ANJA: Wow. Sounds like I'm one hell of a distraction. *(You reach up and put your hand on the back of her head.)* YOU: ...I like being distracted. *(She smiles and shuts the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: In retrospect? Kiiiind of a long time. ANJA: Oh? YOU: I was trying not to. Then I... uh... ANJA: Stopped trying. *(You bite your lip and nod.)* ANJA: Well. Let's not keep you waiting any longer. *(She shuts the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: I just said the show was amazing. ANJA: I know. *(You look up at her.)* ANJA: I was just thinking, you know, if you wanted to... You could like, sleep over. YOU: Oh. ANJA: *(blushing)* ...In here. With me. YOU: *Oh.* ANJA: Only if you want. * [[I'd like that.|tv105]] * [[Not tonight.|tv106]] * [[Seriously?|tv107]]

YOU: *(rubbing your face)* What time is it? ANJA: Around quarter to two. YOU: Are you serious? Oh man, I should really— ANJA: Wait. Before you tell me you have to leave. Um. *(She takes a deep breath.)* I was just... I was thinking, you know, if you wanted to... You could like, sleep over. YOU: Oh. ANJA: *(blushing)* ...In here. With me. YOU: *Oh.* *(She looks away slightly.)* ANJA: Clearly I'm not very good at smooth transitions. But I just wanted to make that offer even I couldn't find the perfect moment for it. So... uh... yeah. * [[I'd like that.|tv105]] * [[Not tonight.|tv106]] * [[Seriously?|tv107]]

YOU: Do I have to leave if we stop? ANJA: Not if you don't want to. YOU: Okay. *(You hesitate for a second and then lie down and cuddle up next to her. She puts her arm around you. You shut your eyes and lay there quietly for a while, feeling her breath against your cheek.)* YOU: *(softly)* Is this okay? ANJA: *(whispering)* Yeah. *(After a few minutes you open your eyes and see that she's staring right at you. You smile.)* YOU: ...Thanks for this. *(She leans in and kisses you on the lips.)* ANJA: You're very welcome. *(You take her hand and intertwine your fingers. The two of you kiss again. She closes the laptop with her foot and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: I'd like that. ANJA: Yeah? *(You lean over and kiss her on the lips.)* YOU: ...Yeah. ANJA: *(sighing)* Excellent. *(She goes in to kiss you again. You clumsily close the laptop with your foot and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: Look, it's been... a weird week? ANJA: Of course. YOU: Not that I... I mean, thank you. And I'm flattered. And in general I think yes but right now... ANJA: The guest room, then. I had it made up just in case. YOU: Just in case...? ANJA: Well I'm obviously not going to let you Uber home by yourself at this time of night. YOU: I was just going to call a cab. ANJA: *(She scoffs.)* Even worse. *(She leads you down the hall to the guest room. You step in the doorway and turn around.)* * [[Goodnight.|tv108]] * [[On second thought...|tv109]]

YOU: Seriously? ANJA: Yeah. YOU: ...Wow. ANJA: I mean you can say no. I just thought... maybe you might be... having feelings for me? I realize that's kind of presumptuous for me to say, but— *(You abruptly lean over and kiss her.)* ANJA: ...Holy shit. YOU: Not presumptuous. Just perceptive. ANJA: *(smiling)* Well okay then. *(She reaches down and closes the laptop. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: Goodnight. ANJA: I'll be down the hall. If you need me. YOU: Okay. Cool. *(You walk backwards into the room. Anja gives you a small wave and heads back to her own.)* YOU: ... *(You fall face-down on the bed.)* <%= next("tv110") %>

YOU: You know... uh... on second thought... maybe I would be... uh... *(Anja raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: *(blushing)* ...more... comfortable. Over with... uh... in your... *(She grabs your hand and drags you back down the hall.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

*(Twelve minutes later. You lay in the guest bed, and type "how long to fall asleep average person" into the search bar on your phone.)* YOU: ...Damn it. *(You slip out of the room and walk back. You raise your hand to knock on the door, then hesitate, then lower your hand, then raise it again. Finally, just as you're about to knock Anja opens the door.)* ANJA: ... YOU: ... *(You grab her by the shoulders and kiss her in the doorway. She pulls you inside.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: "Quickstagram"? ANJA: Oh yeah they have fake everything on here. Their version of Snapchat is Bammchat. YOU: What? That one doesn't even keep the snap pun. ANJA: I know. YOU: What's their Facebook? ANJA: FaceRoom. YOU: Ew. Oh my god. ANJA: Yeah. But no one uses FaceRoom anymore anyway. <%= next("tv64") %>

YOU: I *should* have known, though. I should have and I didn't. I went for years just blindly accepting his version of events because he was being nice to me. ANJA: Okay, it's not *just* because he was being nice to you. YOU: It is. I've thought back on it and I've ruled everything out. He was nice to me when I was sad and that was as far as my critical thinking went. I made Summer's life a living hell, all the while feeling *sorry* for myself, because I was too gullible and too stupid to actually know the right thing to do. ANJA: ... YOU: You were right to not like me. I don't deserve your kindness. *(You start to get up. She grabs on your arm.)* ANJA: Nadia. Wait. *(You stop. You let her pull you back down onto the bed.)* ANJA: Okay. Do you know how Summer and I met? * [[No.|tv115]]

YOU: I mean we were drifting apart a bit, sure. Sometimes. But this was just like total whiplash. I expected we'd break up eventually, but I didn't expect the earth to open up under my feet. ANJA: Mm. <%= display("tv114") %>

YOU: It's like. Ugh. I know this is going to sound like the biggest cliche in the world. But he was literally my best friend. For years. I loved him, and I trusted him, and all the hard stuff I was going through, he made me feel better. It was *real*, you know? Those feelings were real feelings. *(She shakes her head.)* ANJA: I can't even imagine what that must have felt like. * [[You should have heard how he was talking about me.|tv140]] * [[He still doesn't think he did anything wrong.|tv141]] * [[I'm such an idiot for not seeing through him.|tv142]]

*(You shake your head.)* ANJA: Okay well one day after school I ran into her and she was openly weeping in the street. Just bawling on the sidewalk. We'd never like talked before or anything but when I saw her it was— well, I'd never seen anything like that. What can you even do, right? So I asked her what was wrong and she told me everything. It practically fell out of her. *(You look down at your legs.)* ANJA: You were in that conversation, of course, but you were hardly the only thing. Summer was having a lot of problems. She was depressed, she was anxious, she was having a brutal time with her schoolwork... You must have noticed at least some of this. *(You nod.)* ANJA: Your little fuck-up came at a bad time, I won't deny that. But she was completely conflicted about being gay well before any of that. When she and I first talked it was the prospect of you *wanting* to be with her that was causing her the most anguish. Then Allen pushed her away and she got all confused... *(She sighs.)* No matter what, that situation was going to end with sadness. You have to believe me on that. * [[We can't know that.|tv116]] * [[I could have been supporting her.|tv117]] * [[But I created that situation.|tv118]]

YOU: We can't know that. ANJA: I can. I was there the whole time. YOU: But— ANJA: We all would have acted differently if we'd known better. But that doesn't make us bad people. <%= display("tv119") %>

YOU: She could have had her best friend supporting her though. I abandoned her when she needed me most. ANJA: She had me. And I helped her and she cried on my shoulder and it was still extremely hard for her. You couldn't have changed that either. <%= display("tv119") %>

YOU: Yeah, but there wouldn't have been any situation to begin with if I didn't try to kiss her. I set everything in motion. ANJA: All you did was try and kiss the girl you had a crush on who also liked you back. That's not bad. <%= display("tv119") %>

YOU: ... ANJA: Okay? *(You put your head on her shoulder.)* YOU: *(softly)* ...Okay. *(After a little while, Anja reaches over and puts her arm around you. You nestle into her slightly. The two you lay there for a few minutes, quietly breathing.)* * [[Thank you.|tv120]] * [[We kind of missed the show, huh?|tv121]]

YOU: *(whispering)* Thanks. ANJA: *(softly)* Don't mention it. *(You lay there silently, not looking in her eyes. She presses her forehead against yours.)* ANJA: Are you tired? *(You shake your head.)* ANJA: Seriously. I don't mind if you want to go home or go to sleep or... YOU: I don't. <%= display("tv174") %>

YOU: We kind of missed most of the show, huh? ANJA: We did. YOU: We can rewind if you want. ANJA: We don't have to. * [[...|tv172]] * [[What should we do instead?|tv173]]

YOU: I don't deserve your kindness. ANJA: Excuse me? YOU: I *don't.* I'm a bad person. I let my best friend go through hell because I was too gullible and stupid to know how to do the right thing. ANJA: You weren't being stupid. YOU: Of course I was. I actually felt *sorry* for myself! The entire time. If I had been even a little empathetic or considerate I might have actually been able to put things in perspective. And instead I just let everything get completely ruined. *(She sighs.)* ANJA: Nadia, do you know how Summer and I met? * [[No.|tv115]]

YOU: You've really come around on me, huh? ANJA: I always suspected you had some good qualities. <%= next("tv64") %>

YOU: Is there, uh, a lot of kissing on this show? ANJA: When it's good, yeah. YOU: Huh. ANJA: Do you mind? YOU: What? ANJA: Do you mind that we're watching a kissing show? * [[I just wasn't expecting it.|tv126]] * [[Why are you asking if I mind?|tv125]] * [[I kind of like it actually.|tv127]]

YOU: Why are you asking if I mind? ANJA: Oh. Uh... after your huge breakup and all... *(You sigh heavily.)* ANJA: Yeah, sorry for even bringing that up. I just figured you might not be in the mood, given the circumstances. * [[The whole situation just sucks.|tv63]] * [[Well I'm enjoying it anyway.|tv200]]

YOU: I just wasn't expecting it. I never really hear you talk about relationships or anything like that. <%= display("tv213") %>

YOU: I kind of like it, actually. Makes a nice distraction from the complete terribleness of my actual love life. <%= display("tv166") %>

*(You watch the screen, trying to remain as still as possible during the kissing parts. Eventually the scene ends and Anja awkwardly shifts around and clears her throat. You drum your fingers on your thigh for a couple of seconds then turn to look at her.)* YOU: Sooooo... question. *(Anja raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: Um, have you ever— How many times have you kissed a girl before? In the past? <%= display("tv218") %>

YOU: Whoa! Did you see that coming? ANJA: No. Are you kidding me? YOU: Did they ever like each other before? ANJA: No! *(She grips your arm.)* They should hate each other! What the hell! YOU: ....... <%= next("tv65") %>

YOU: Is he a bad guy? ANJA: He is the worst guy. Hands down. YOU: So what does he want? What is he doing? ANJA: I think he's about to say. <%= next("tv66") %>

YOU: Oh no! Poppy! ANJA: *(gripping your sleeve)* Oh god. *(You tense up and stare straight ahead.)* <%= next("tv65") %>

YOU: Well kissing a boy is less impressive. ANJA: Oh, what does that even mean? YOU: Just statistically speaking! It's like 18 times easier to find a guy to make out with. ANJA: Uh-huh. Okay. YOU: That said even if we factor that in I'm still way way ahead of you. But... ANJA: See?! This is what I'm talking about. * [[Can you tell me about it?|tv134]] * [[We don't have to talk about it.|tv135]] * [[Don't be embarrassed!|tv136]]

YOU: I don't have the exact figures on that. It might actually be closer to a thousand? ANJA: Oh for god's sake. YOU: I guess it depends on how you define a kiss? ANJA: See? This is what I'm saying. * [[Can you tell me about it?|tv134]] * [[We don't have to talk about it.|tv135]] * [[Don't be embarrassed!|tv136]]

YOU: So when did it happen? With who? Can you tell me about it? ANJA: Ughhh. YOU: ...Please? ANJA: *(sighing)* Alright, fine. <%= display("tv137") %>

YOU: We don't have to talk about it. ANJA: *(sighing)* No, no. It's fine. Whatever. I'll tell you. <%= display("tv137") %>

YOU: Don't be embarrassed! ANJA: Urgghhh. YOU: I'm just curious, that's all. I'm not like judging you or anything. Swear. *(Anja pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs heavily.)* ANJA: Alright, alright. Fine. We can talk about it. <%= display("tv137") %>

*(You clap your hands excitedly.)* ANJA: You're not allowed to laugh. YOU: I won't! I promise. ANJA: It was truth or dare at Lindsay Cassano's sleepover. I was 12. *(You bite your bottom lip and pull your shirt up over your nose.)* ANJA: What are you doing? YOU: *(muffled)* I promised not to laugh. ANJA: God damn it. YOU: *snrrrk.* ANJA: I legitimately hate you. * [[Your first kiss was at a *slumber party*?|tv138]] * [[Sorry! Sorry!|tv139]]

YOU: Your first kiss was at a *slumber party*?? ANJA: Sleepover. YOU: Were you wearing jammies??? ANJA: Yes. Shut up. *(You openly giggle.)* ANJA: Ugh. Never mind! YOU: No, no! Wait. ...Wait. Sorry. It was just a cute image. <%= display("tv181") %>

YOU: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! It's just very adorable. ANJA: Gah, never mind. YOU: No! Wait wait wait wait wait. It's out of my system. See? *(You point to your face.)* <%= display("tv181") %>

YOU: You should have heard how he tried to turn that conversation around on me. Like as soon the bisexual stuff came up that was all he wanted to talk about. Never mind the huge bombshell he dropped on our relationship. <%= display("tv143") %>

YOU: You know what's amazing? He *still* doesn't think he did anything wrong. ANJA: Still? YOU: Our whole last conversation was just him trying to turn it around on me. Like as soon the bisexual stuff came up that was all he wanted to talk about. Never mind the huge bombshell he dropped on our relationship. <%= display("tv143") %>

YOU: God, I am such an idiot for not seeing through him. ANJA: No you're not. YOU: Are you kidding? Of course I am. I treated it like this whole big mystery for years, and I could have solved it in a second if I had just tried to talk to Summer like a normal person instead of a complete piece of shit. ANJA: Nadia. YOU: And what happened? My best friend went through hell for years while I sat back feeling *sorry* for myself! I am a complete failure as a person in every way. *(She sighs.)* ANJA: Okay. Do you know how Summer and I actually met? * [[No.|tv115]]

ANJA: God, this fucking guy. Like somehow he thinks that you being bi is the same thing as lying and manipulating you for three years. YOU: Not even "the same as"! *Worse*. It's like we were together all this time and it didn't buy me a single bit of understanding! It's like, I wouldn't have flipped out on him if *he* had been the one telling *me* that, you know? ANJA: Well of course not. You understand what it's like from the other side. YOU: Yeah... ANJA: I mean, do you think if you'd been straight you would have taken that kind of news well? * [[I hope so.|tv144]] * [[I don't know.|tv145]] * [[Maybe not.|tv146]]

YOU: I... I hope so. *(Anja stares at you for a second. Then nods.)* <%= display("tv147") %>

YOU: Honestly? I don't know. Maybe, but... *(Anja stares at you for a second. Then shakes her head.)* <%= display("tv147") %>

YOU: Maybe not... *(Anja stares at you for a second. Then shakes her head.)* <%= display("tv147") %>

ANJA: I think you would have. * [[What about you?|tv148]] * [[You've really come around on me, huh?|tv123]]

YOU: What about you? ANJA: What if I was straight? YOU: No, I mean. In that situation. Like pretend you're dating a girl and she tells you she's bisexual. How would you react to her telling you that? Would you be cool with it? *(She looks at you.)* <%= display("tv235") %>

YOU: Lots of people are hypocrites. ANJA: Well I'm not. If this entirely hypothetical person likes me and I like her, then it doesn't really matter what else she is. * [[Good.|tv153]] * [[What about a non-hypothetical person?|tv154]] * [[...I would like to kiss you now.|tv155]]

YOU: So... is that a yes? *(She raises an eyebrow.)* ANJA: That would depend on what the question is. * [[No particular question.|tv157]] * [[Just a hypothetical.|tv156]] * [[What question do you want?|tv160]] * [[...|tv161]]

YOU: What about a private declaration? *(Anja raises an eyebrow.)* ANJA: Not really a promposal at that point, is it? YOU: Uh. I guess not. *(She shrugs.)* ANJA: I mean, whatever. As long as there are no dioramas or art projects or whatever then it's probably fine. <%= next("tv52") %>

YOU: I didn't realize you felt so strongly. ANJA: Well... yeah. Of course. The way he hurt you... How else should I feel? YOU: "Despise" is just a very strong word, that's all. I guess I didn't think you, uh, liked me enough to be that angry. ANJA: I don't know if you remember, but I genuinely liked you a lot when we first met. Maybe you didn't even notice — that wouldn't surprise me. But I was charmed by your awkwardness and your niceness and your weird, endearing energy. *(You laugh a little and scratch the back of your neck.)* ANJA: I've been going over the past three years a lot. And what I really regret more than anything else is letting those feelings fade away. I do like you, Nadia. And I really am angry about all the crap you've had to deal with. * [[I like you too.|tv236]] * [[I am really glad that you like me.|tv237]] * [[I didn't know you liked me back then.|tv238]]

<%= display("tv224") %>

YOU: What if... this person was... less than hypothetical? *(She raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: Like what if this person was right here on your bed, right now? And she really, really wanted to kiss you? *(She stares straight in your eyes.)* ANJA: I would probably tell her to go for it. YOU: ... ANJA: ... *(Suddenly, you leap up and kiss her. She slides back down onto the bed, pulling you down with her.)* ANJA: *(exhaling)* That answer your question? YOU: Uh-huh. *(You kiss her again. She clumsily closes the laptop with her foot and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: That's... um... I... I really really really want to kiss you right now. *(She turns to face you directly.)* ANJA: Is that so? *(You nod. She raises an eyebrow and a tiny smile crosses her lips.)* ANJA: Okay. YOU: Okay? ANJA: Okay. YOU: ...Was that an acknowledgement "okay" or an affirmative "okay" or— *(She grabs your neck and kisses you.)* YOU: .................Okay. *(She closes the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: Oh. Uh. This is purely a hypothetical. ANJA: If this purely hypothetical person likes me and I like her, then it doesn't really matter what else she is. * [[Good.|tv153]] * [[And a non-hypothetical person?|tv154]] * [[...I would like to kiss you now.|tv155]]

YOU: Oh, I mean. There's no, you know, *particular* question. ANJA: Oh no? YOU: No, I was just... uh... talking in an inquisitive tone. ANJA: Ah. *(She leans back on the bed a bit and smirks very slightly.)* ANJA: Never mind then. * [[Not that I'm not...|tv159]] * [[Is there a question you want?|tv160]] * [[Actually, now that you mention it...|tv158]]

YOU: Um, actually, now that you mention it... ANJA: Hmm? YOU: *(stammering)* I just mean, if, you know, hypothetically, uh... I'm not *not*, uh... That is, you... *(She looks at you expectantly.)* YOU: ...I completely don't know what I'm saying right now. <%= display("tv242") %>

YOU: Um... I mean... Not that I'm not... you know. ANJA: I'm sorry? YOU: *(stammering)* I didn't mean that you weren't the type of the person that, I uh— I mean, you're extremely... *(She looks at you expectantly. You put your head in your hands.)* YOU: Oh god I have no clue what I'm saying right now. *(She chuckles.)* <%= display("tv242") %>

YOU: Is there... a particular question you wanted? ANJA: Yes. *(You stare into her eyes.)* ANJA: But you have to actually ask it. YOU: ... ANJA: ... *(Without warning you jump up and kiss her. She slides back down onto the bed, pulling you down with her.)* ANJA: *(exhaling)* Yep, that was the one. *(The two of you kiss again. Anja clumsily shuts the laptop with her foot and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: ... ANJA: Did I just overload your brain? *(You nod.)* ANJA: Is there something I can do to *un*-overload it? *(You nod again.)* ANJA: *(leaning in)* Is it this? *(She slowly leans in, hesitating for just a moment before she kisses you on the lips. You kiss back, cupping the side of her face with your hand.)* YOU: ...mmmhmm... ANJA: *(smiling)* Thought so. *(She closes the laptop with her foot and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

*(You take a breath.)* YOU: ...Maybe you need to get kissed by someone who really means it. *(Anja stares silently ahead for a few seconds, then turns and looks you in the eye.)* YOU: ......I mean. If that's the kind of thing you'd... uh... ANJA: Who did you have in mind? * [[Me.|tv163]] * [[No one in particular.|tv164]] * [[Who did *you* have in mind?|tv165]]

*(You lean over and kiss her. For a second she seems frozen in place, but then she closes her eyes and relaxes into it. Eventually you pull away and let her catch breath.)* YOU: ...So. Second kiss. ANJA: Second kiss. YOU: Better than the first? ANJA: *(pulling you towards her)* Much better. *(She kisses you again. You clumsily shut the laptop with your foot and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: *(blushing)* It... uh. I mean, anyone, really. I wasn't— uh. ANJA: Ah. *(She leans back, smirking a little.)* ANJA: Never mind, then. * [[Um, on second thought...|tv167]] * [[Are you toying with me right now?|tv168]]

YOU: That, um, depends. Who did *you* have in mind? *(She leans in towards you.)* YOU: ...Oh. *(She kisses you. You close your eyes and grab her by the sleeve. A few seconds later she pulls away. You catch your breath and let go of your grip.)* <%= display("tv234") %>

ANJA: Okay. If decide you want to stop... YOU: I don't. But thanks. ANJA: Cool. <%= next("tv64") %>

YOU: Um, on second thought, there is *one* person... *(She chuckles.)* ANJA: Is there now. *(She reaches over and pulls you closer towards her.)* YOU: ...mm-hmm— *(She closes the distance and kisses you on the lips, tightening her grip on your arm. A few seconds later you pull away and catch your breath.)* <%= display("tv234") %>

YOU: ...I feel like you're toying with me right now. ANJA: Actually, I was trying to give you an opening. YOU: Oh. ANJA: It would have been very smooth. Very unlike you. YOU: Um. Okay. Could we maybe take that from the top? *(She leans over and kisses you.)* ANJA: I'd rather skip ahead. YOU: ...That works too. *(She closes the laptop. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

<% s.happened = true; portrait("miles1"); s.time += 1; %> YOU: Uh, hey Miles. MILES: Hello. YOU: Hi. MILES: Did you want something? YOU: No, just saying hi. MILES: Ah, that's fine then. *(You tap your foot.)* YOU: Sooo... did you... hear what happened? MILES: Um, I don't think so? What happened? * [[I'm bisexual.|happened2]] * [[I dumped Allen.|happened3]] * [[My universe imploded.|happened4]]

YOU: Um, I'm bisexual. MILES: Is that something that *happened* or something that just is? YOU: Well, the news happened. MILES: Gotcha. YOU: Yeah. MILES: So, I'm not sure if there's something I'm supposed to say here, or... YOU: Heh. Don't worry about it, Miles. MILES: Cool. Okay. *(He looks down at his book and then back up.)* ...Congratulations? <%= next() %>

YOU: I dumped Allen. MILES: That's your boyfriend, right? YOU: I mean not since I dumped him. MILES: What happened? YOU: Um, he'd been lying and manipulating me for the last two and a half years. MILES: *(nodding)* Pretty good reason to break up with someone. * [[Oh, and then he outed me.|happened5]] * [[How did you not hear about this?|happened6]]

YOU: Well, my social universe imploded and everything I thought I knew about the last three years turned out to be a lie perpetrated on me by the person I thought I trusted most. MILES: Jeez. YOU: Yeah. MILES: I mean I don't really know anything about your personal history so that kind of doesn't register for me. But still, yikes. YOU: ...Is it weird that I find your total lack of interest in me kind of reassuring? <%= display("happened7") %>

YOU: Oh, and also he totally outed me as bi. So that was fun. MILES: Wait, really? YOU: Yeah, to the entire school. Were you not paying attention? MILES: Not even a little bit, no. YOU: Huh. Is it weird that I find your total lack of interest in me kind of reassuring? <%= display("happened7") %>

YOU: It was kind of a public breakup. How did you not hear about it? MILES: Oh, probably because I have absolutely zero interest in anything that sounds even remotely like this. YOU: Huh. Is it weird that I find that kind of reassuring? <%= display("happened7") %>

MILES: Eh, take what you can get. <%= next() %>

### Kaz's Extremely Accurate And Exhaustive List Of Unmaintained Cemeteries in the City of Toronto <% if (s.mall6) { %> <s>***Christie's Methodist Cemetery***</s> <% } else { %> **[[Christie's Methodist Cemetery|mall6]]** <% } %> — 2900 Warden Avenue. Bridlewood Mall parking lot. <% if (s.mall16) { %> <s>***Cummer Burial Grounds***</s> <% } else { %> **[[Cummer Burial Grounds|mall16]]** <% } %> — 5337 Yonge Street. a.k.a. Willowdale Methodist Cemetery. Unregistered. <% if (s.mall47) { %> <s>***Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery***</s> <% } else { %> **[[Lakeshore Asylum Cemetery|mall47]]** <% } %> — 231 Evans Avenue. Next to the Gardiner Expressway in an industrial zone. **[[Richview Memorial Cemetery|mall19]]** — Eglinton Avenue West. No street number. Out near Pearson Airport. <% if (s.mall11) { %> <s>***York Mills Baptist Church Cemetery***</s> <% } else { %> **[[York Mills Baptist Church Cemetery|mall11]]** <% } %> — 104 York Mills Road. Tiny plot in a residential neighbourhood.

<% s.mall47 = true; %> KAZ: "Asylum". That's never a word you want to hear. YOU: Closed in 1979. I guess this is where they put the bodies? KAZ: How many bodies could they have had? It was a mental hospital, not a... deathly disease hospital. YOU: Enough to fill a graveyard, apparently. KAZ: So nobody's been looking after this place since the '70s? The government just abandoned it? *(You click around a bit.)* YOU: ...Wait, no look. It totally is being maintained. See? There's like a volunteer website thing. KAZ: Better than nothing I guess. YOU: If it's being cared for, it's probably safe from grave robbers. Let's try somewhere else. <%= next("mall46") %>

<% portrait("anja1") %> #### **Anja's Car** — Before School ##### **Monday, 19 September 2016** *(Three years later. You're sitting in the backseat of Anja's parked car, waiting for Kaz to come out of a coffee shop. The car is silent except for the sound of squeaking windshield wipers. You lightly drum your fingers on the seat beside you. Anja looks up at you in the rear view mirror.)* ANJA: How's it going back there? YOU: ...Fine. ANJA: Mm. * [[Thanks for being nice.|nice2]] * [[Thanks for the ride.|nice3]] <% chapter(2) %>

YOU: Um. Thank you for being nice. *(She raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: I just. Uh. You don't have to be... if you don't want. And like I understand if you don't. So like. Don't feel like you have to force yourself to be nice. Not that I don't appreciate it if that's what you're doing. ANJA: That's not what I'm doing. YOU: That's... I mean, I'm glad but— ANJA: I mean in the absence of a reason to hate you, I don't really see why I *shouldn't* be nice. YOU: ...Right. Sorry. Was I just being rude? ANJA: Somewhat. YOU: Sorry. ANJA: *(shrugging)* I'll allow it. Not like we've never been rude to each other before. * [[That's sort of our defining emotional state, huh?|nice4]] * [[I could handle changing that.|nice5]] * [[Sorry.|nice6]]

YOU: Thanks for driving me to school. ANJA: Of course. What else was I going to do? YOU: I could have walked. ANJA: For twenty minutes in the pouring rain? Yes, I suppose you could have. YOU: I'm just saying, I appreciate it. ANJA: Well, you're welcome. *(Silence.)* ANJA: You know, it's funny? Last time I gave you a ride you weren't exactly thrilled at the prospect. * [[A lot's changed.|nice13]] * [[Sorry about that.|nice14]]

YOU: That's kind of our whole thing, huh? ANJA: Pretty much. That and seething unspoken resentment. YOU: *Un*spoken? <%= display("nice7") %>

YOU: Yeah. I'd be fine with mixing that up a bit though. ANJA: Hmm. Probably not the worst idea you've ever had. YOU: I mean I think you've seen firsthand that I can have *way* worse ideas. <%= display("nice7") %>

YOU: Sorry. ANJA: You realize you already said that, right? Twice? YOU: Right, sorry. I know. It's very hard for me to stop saying sorry once I get going. Yeahh... ANJA: ...How much do you want to say "sorry" right now? Scale of one to ten. YOU: Um. Eight. <%= display("nice7") %>

*(She chuckles and shakes her head.)* YOU: ...Kaz has been in there a while, huh? ANJA: Getting Kaz to school on time is more art than science. YOU: Mm. *(She turns around in her seat.)* ANJA: So, hey. Are you okay? YOU: Am I okay? ANJA: Just, with your unplanned four-day vacation and everything... * [[Were you worried about me?|nice8]] * [[I'm fine.|nice9]] * [[That's a complicated question.|nice10]]

YOU: Were you worried about me? ANJA: Concerned, slightly. For a while. But Kaz was checking in and they said you were okay, so. YOU: Ah. ANJA: Still though, felt like I should get an update straight from the horse's mouth. YOU: ...Did you just call me a horse? ANJA: Only in the most metaphorical sense. * [[I'm fine.|nice9]] * [[It's complicated.|nice10]] * [[Good to know someone's got my back.|nice11]]

YOU: I'm fine. ANJA: Yeah? YOU: ...I think. Maybe. ANJA: Honestly I'd be completely losing my shit if I was in your shoes right now. The fact that you're holding it together at all is pretty impressive. YOU: We'll see how long that lasts. There's a lot of days left in the week. ANJA: Well, my offer to talk about everything still stands. So if you ever feel like you need it... * [[Thanks.|nice12]]

YOU: That is a very complicated question. ANJA: Yeah. YOU: Everything in my social life just exploded all at once. The guy I thought I trusted turns out to have been completely screwing me over. The people I thought hated me either don't hate me anymore or never hated me in the first place. And now I'm out to the entire school and I can't even begin to decide what kind of criteria I would need to use to decide how I feel about that. ANJA: Mm. YOU: ...So yeah. It's a lot. ANJA: I get that. Anyway. My offer to talk about everything still stands. If you're feeling up to it, I mean. * [[Thanks.|nice12]]

YOU: Well, metaphors aside it's good to know someone's got my back. ANJA: You actually do have a pretty decent social standing, you know. You haven't made any enemies. YOU: I can think of one or two. ANJA: Still. There's probably more people that have your back than not. YOU: Yeah. Maybe. ANJA: Anyway, my offer to talk about everything still stands. If you ever feel up to it. * [[Thanks.|nice12]]

<% portrait("anja1","kaz1") %> YOU: Thanks. I probably will at some point. ANJA: The sooner the better, eh? We've seen what not talking gets us. *(Kaz jumps back into the car and triumphantly brandishes a pair of breakfast sandwiches.)* KAZ: Ha ha! Mission accomplished. YOU: Oh, Kaz, no. I told you I didn't want one. KAZ: *(between alternating bites of both sandwiches)* Whuh? *(Anja starts the car up.)* <%= next("handle1") %>

YOU: Yeah. A lot's changed since then. ANJA: That might be putting it mildly. <%= display("nice15") %>

YOU: Yeah, uh. Sorry about my attitude that night. ANJA: I'm just kidding. It's fine. YOU: I don't really have a good excuse or anything. ANJA: I get it. *(She shrugs.)* More or less. <%= display("nice15") %>

<% portrait("kaz1"); s.room = "frontsteps"; %> #### **Front Steps** — Before School *(You and Kaz are running in from the parking lot. You slow down and stop as you get to the front of the school. Kaz turns around.)* KAZ: Come on, dude! You're going to get drenched. YOU: ...I don't think I can do this, Kaz. KAZ: You absolutely can. YOU: I should have stayed home another day. Or week. Or year... KAZ: You had to come back sooner or later. Today is the day. * [[Everybody knows.|handle3]] * [[Allen is in there.|handle4]] * [[Summer is in there.|handle5]] * [[I just want to hide in a ditch.|handle6]] <% chapter(3) %>

YOU: If I say yes, will you know that I'm lying? *(They rub your shoulder.)* KAZ: Text me if you need, okay? I'll be sending you supportive emojis all day. YOU: Thanks, buddy. *(They run ahead into school.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: Everyone *knows* stuff, Kaz. KAZ: I know. YOU: Like it's literally all over the school. Everyone is going to look at me and say "Oh, there goes Bisexual Nadia, the bisexual girl who is bisexual." You know? KAZ: Mm. YOU: Ugh! I just feel so exposed. KAZ: Alright. I'll be real here. That's not the best feeling in the world. But you know what *is?* *(You shake your head.)* KAZ: Being queer. It's the most powerful and good thing on the entire planet, and now you get to radiate it out into the universe like a spectacular bisexual supernova. *(They take your hands.)* The awkwardness and the anxiousness and all bad shit — all of that's going to get easier, alright? It won't go away, but it'll fade into the background like an annoying little itch that you can barely feel. And the only thing left after that will be your magnificent cosmic gayness, beaming out perfectly into infinity. YOU: Heh. *(sniff)* Thanks... KAZ: Now today is simple. You go in, you make the rounds, you say hi to Summer, and then you get your books out of your locker and go zone out in class for seven hours. Think you can do it? *(You nod. They wink.)* KAZ: That's my girl. Text me if you need, okay? I'll be sending you supportive emojis all day. YOU: Okay. *(They run ahead into class.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: Allen is in there. KAZ: Yeah he is. But fuck him. YOU: I haven't seen him since it all went down. I don't think I'm ready. KAZ: You don't have to be. You're not in any of the same classes. If you see him just avoid him. Run the other way if you have to. YOU: Oh yeah, that'll look normal. KAZ: Look, I know it's scary going back in that building. Believe me, I *one thousand percent* get that. But everyone in there is totally on your side. All you have to do is walk in, get some nice words of encouragement from your friends, say hi to Summer, and then go to your locker like you do every day. Can you handle that? <%= display("handle2") %>

YOU: Summer's in there. KAZ: That's good, right? YOU: I don't know. KAZ: You've already talked with her on the phone. This doesn't need to be a huge thing. You just go in there, find her, and say hi. And then you just go to your locker like always and look at the rest of your day. Think you can manage that? <%= display("handle2") %>

YOU: I would like to crawl into a hole and never show my face to anyone ever again. KAZ: I promise you it's not going to be as bad as you think. Everyone's on your side. YOU: Okay but what if I just crawled into a hole anyway? *(They take your hands.)* KAZ: Look at me. YOU: Okay. KAZ: ...You're looking at the ground right now. YOU: Uh-huh. KAZ: Na. *(You look up.)* KAZ: You're going to go in there, you're going to realize that all your friends still like you, you're going to say a quick hello to Summer and acknowledge that you two are on speaking terms again, and then you are going to go to your locker like always. Can you handle that? <%= display("handle2") %>

<% portrait("kaz1"); s.room = "greathall2"; %> #### **Great Hall** — After School ##### **Thursday, 22 September 2016** *(You and Kaz are sitting at a table with an empty sign-up sheet on it, watching as people file by on their way out of school. A handwritten banner reading "THE MIDDLEMAN: CANADA'S OLDEST CONTINUALLY-PUBLISHED STUDENT NEWSPAPER" is pinned to the wall behind you.)* KAZ: Come join the paper!! Work with two very friendly and cool people who support you and think you're great!! YOU: *(head in hands)* Mrhhhhhh... KAZ: Na, you're kind of bringing down the energy here. YOU: Mhhh. *(They rub your back.)* * [[I have no energy.|comesayhi2]] * [[This is pointless.|comesayhi3]] * [[They didn't even let us do this at lunch.|comesayhi4]] <% chapter(9) %>

YOU: I have no energy, Kaz. I am a total energy void. KAZ: Did you get any sleep last night? YOU: Does lying in bed and worrying count? KAZ: You're going to fry your brain at this rate. You need to actually rest. *(You put your head down on the table.)* KAZ: ...I didn't mean right now. YOU: *(incoherent groan)* <%= display("comesayhi5") %>

YOU: I just don't see the point. We're never going to get anyone to help run the paper. KAZ: Aw come on. You don't know that. YOU: It'll be you and me alone for the rest of the year and then we'll graduate and the newspaper will die and they'll put it up on the memorial wall: "The Middleman — Killed at the ripe old age of 103 because its last editor was an incompetent drama vortex." KAZ: You are a highly competent drama vortex. <%= display("comesayhi10") %>

YOU: They didn't even let us do it at lunch, Kaz. We had to wait until after school, the time when everyone just wants to get away from the building as fast as possible. KAZ: I know. YOU: "Don't want to cause a distraction." It's *lunch.* What are we distracting from? KAZ: Maybe they were worried we'd get everyone too excited while they were eating and a bunch of people would choke? <%= display("comesayhi10") %>

KAZ: Would you feel better if I got you some chips to take solace in? YOU: ...All Dressed please. *(They pat you on the head and head over to the vending machine. A few seconds later your phone buzzes.)* <%= next("comesayhi6") %>

<% s.speaking = true; portrait("summer1"); s.time += 1; %> YOU: Um. Hi. SUMMER: You're back. YOU: Yeah. Couldn't stay away forever. SUMMER: That makes two of us, I guess. *(You nod.)* SUMMER: So. * [[So...|speaking2]] * [[Thanks for calling last week.|speaking3]] * [[It's okay if you're still uncomfortable.|speaking4]]

YOU: So... SUMMER: So. I just figured... since we're talking on the telephone now and everything, we could probably also be talking in real life. You know? <%= display("speaking5") %>

YOU: Hey, um. Thanks for calling. Last week, I mean. SUMMER: Oh. Yeah. YOU: Listening to my big long rambling explanations without hanging up on me. I appreciated it. SUMMER: About that actually. Since we are talking on the telephone now and everything, I was thinking we could probably also be talking in real life. You know? <%= display("speaking5") %>

YOU: Hey, um. It's okay if you're still uncomfortable. And everything. SUMMER: Oh. No. I mean— YOU: I know we talked on the phone for a while, but, obviously, it's— well. I just get it. SUMMER: Actually, I was kind of thinking the opposite. YOU: Oh? SUMMER: Yeah. Like, if we're talking on the phone then we can also be talking in real life. You know? <%= display("speaking5") %>

YOU: Good idea. SUMMER: Thanks. *(She scratches her forearm.)* The rain's supposed to stop later. Do you want to like, walk home after school? * [[Okay.|speaking6]] * [[It's been forever.|speaking7]] * [[You sure?|speaking8]]

YOU: Okay. SUMMER: As a friendship thing. <%= display("speaking9") %>

YOU: Wow. Feels like it's been forever since the last time we did that. SUMMER: I know, right? But I figured it'd be a nice, um... friendship thing. <%= display("speaking9") %>

YOU: You sure? SUMMER: Yeah. As, like, a friendship thing. You know? <%= display("speaking9") %>

YOU: I like friendship things. SUMMER: Cool. I'll meet you out front? YOU: Sounds good. SUMMER: Great. See you then. *(She grabs her notebook and walks upstairs to her homeroom.)* <%= next() %>

<% s.flee = true; s.aftersushi = true; %> *(You stare longingly at the front gates.)* YOU: ...Shoot. I guess it's too late to flee. <%= next() %>

<% s.uncharitable = true; portrait("jayden1"); s.time += 1; %> YOU: Jayden. JAYDEN: Nadia, hi. Do you have a minute? YOU: Like *a* minute, yes. JAYDEN: Okay, well. I just wanted you to know, I did some soul-searching while you were gone... * [[Okay.....|uncharitable2]] * [[Can we talk about this later?|uncharitable3]] * [[Let's just forget everything.|uncharitable4]] * [[I'm still not interested.|uncharitable5]]

YOU: Okay......? JAYDEN: I was... uncharitable. Towards you. YOU: "Uncharitable." JAYDEN: When I heard about you being a lesbian I was upset, and that was unfortunate. I do hope we can preserve our friendship. * [[I'm not a lesbian.|uncharitable6]] * [["Friendship" might be too strong a word.|uncharitable7]] * [[Let's just forget everything.|uncharitable4]] * [[What right did you have to be "upset"?|uncharitable10]]

YOU: Can we talk about this... later? JAYDEN: Um, oh. YOU: I just have a *lot* going on right now and I just... don't have the room for this. JAYDEN: Oh. Yeah... It wasn't... I mean... <%= display("uncharitable8") %>

YOU: You know what, let me just stop you there. We really don't need to dwell on any of this. JAYDEN: We don't? YOU: Let's just put everything behind us and be two people who politely go to the same school. Okay? *(He sighs.)* JAYDEN: Sure. <%= display("uncharitable8") %>

YOU: Look, I realize I'm single now but I'm still not interested. JAYDEN: Wait, aren't you a lesbian? YOU: I'm bisexual. <%= display("uncharitable9") %> YOU: You know what? I think maybe I'm just gonna go. *(You point over your shoulder with your thumb.)* Bye. *(You walk away before he has a chance to respond.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: I'm not gay. JAYDEN: You're not? YOU: No. I'm bisexual. <%= display("uncharitable9") %> YOU: And honestly, I'm not super comfortable talking about this with you. JAYDEN: You don't— YOU: So I think I'm gonna go. *(You point over your shoulder with your thumb.)* Bye. *(You walk away before he can respond.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: I think, maybe... friendship might be too strong a word. JAYDEN: Wow. Okay. YOU: I just, I really think you maybe over-estimated how close we were before, and that led to some problems, and I just— I think it's best if we keep a bit of distance. You know? JAYDEN: Uh-huh. YOU: Cool. Well, see you round. *(You walk away before he can reply.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: It's not personal. Just... yeah. Sorry. JAYDEN: Right. YOU: Anyway, I gotta go. JAYDEN: Me too. Have a good day. See you in French tomorrow, I guess? YOU: See you. <%= next() %>

JAYDEN: Oh. ....Ohh. YOU: ...And again, definitely not interested. JAYDEN: Uh, Y-Yeah. No... I... wasn't...

YOU: Well, um. Thank you Tibor for the... support, I guess? *(He gives you a nod.)* TIBOR: Solidarity. OLIVIA: Ha! Is that what they call it! <%= next() %>

YOU: Well, thank you for the implicit offer to beat people up on my behalf. Hopefully I won't have to take you up on that. OLIVIA: Implicit, fuck! <%= next() %>

*(You and Kaz look at each other and then walk down towards the stage. Anja doesn't budge from her hiding space.)* SHERBOURNE: Now before I let you go, I need you to tell me exactly what you were doing back here. * [[We were investigating some strange noises.|ritual26]] * [[We were investigating the source of the smoke.|ritual27]] * [[We were investigating strange raccoon behaviour.|ritual28]] * [[We were keeping tabs on the construction.|ritual29]] * [[We saw you breaking in.|ritual30]] * [[You tell us what you're doing first.|ritual32]] * [[We don't have to tell you anything.|ritual33]]

KAZ: Dude, you are trespassing too! You'd be in just as much shit as us. SHERBOURNE: The whole staff has keys to the North Wing, Kaz. I just came in to retrieve some personal effects from the old teacher's lounge. A small lapse of judgement on my part, I'll admit, but it's a good thing I was here to catch you two before you hurt yourselves. * [[Hurt ourselves?|ritual34]] * [[Personal effects like bones?|ritual35]] * [[You summoned the wrong ghost.|ritual36]]

YOU: Let them go! SHERBOURNE: *(backing up)* Whoa whoa whoa! Let's all just calm down and talk about this, alright?! Just talk! No one needs to do anything they're going to regret! *(Suddenly, a police car pulls into the front driveway, sirens blaring. Sherbourne abruptly lets go of Kaz, almost shoving them away, and waves down the police car. A couple of cops step out and he starts walking towards them.)* SHERBOURNE: Officers! Thank god you're here. I was just trying to prevent these vulnerable teens from committing self-harm. YOU: *(climbing down)* That's a lie! ANJA: He was chasing us through the goddamn school because we saw his weird bone ritual!! OFFICER #1: Alright. *(She puts a hand on her holster and points at Sherbourne.)* Stay where you are and show me your hands. SHERBOURNE: *(still walking forward)* They were on the roof of the school! It's a good thing I was here to find them. They might have jumped. OFFICER #1: Sir, please don't move forward again. SHERBOURNE: Hey, Officer, I *totally* get it. You see— *(She pepper-sprays him.)* SHERBOURNE: AAAhhhaAaahaAAAhaAAAA!! OFFICER #1: *(casually handcuffing Sherbourne)* I'm arresting you for forcible confinement. It is my duty to inform you that you have the right to retain and instruct counsel in private without delay. Do you understand? SHERBOURNE: *(sustained moaning)* OFFICER #1: Sir, I understand the pepper spray makes it tough to focus but it'll really make my job a lot easier if you try to pay attention. *(She leads him back towards her patrol car.)* You may call any lawyer you want. There is a 24-hour telephone service... *(The other officer crosses his arms and shakes his head.)* * [[What's going to happen to him?|arrest2]] * [[Holy shit.|arrest3]] * [[...|arrest4]]

YOU: What's going to happen to him? OFFICER #2: Oh, we're going to put him in our car and then drive it to a jail with the big blinking lights on. It's pretty cool, actually. You want to take a video with your phone? YOU: ...Uh, no. that's okay. OFFICER #2: Suit yourselves. *(He hitches up his belt.)* You kids have a nice night, eh? <%= display("arrest5") %>

YOU: Holy shit. OFFICER #2: I know, right? *(He hitches up his belt.)* Anyway, you kids have a nice night. <%= display("arrest5") %>

*(You watch Sherbourne getting shoved in the cop car in silence.)* OFFICER #2: Alright, well. *(He hitches up his belt.)* You kids have a nice night. <%= display("arrest5") %>

<% portrait("anja1","kaz1") %> YOU: Um... do you not want us to give statements? *(The officer stares blankly at you for a second, then snaps his fingers)* OFFICER #2: Right! Yeah. Statements. *(He fumbles around for his notebook.)* And I guess we should call your parents, too, huh? ANJA: Probably. OFFICER #2: Jeez, I gotta make some kind of to-do list... *(He flips open his notebook and clicks his pen.)* Okay, let's go frommmmm.... <% if (s.oldest) { %> oldest to youngest. <% } else { %> tallest to shortest. <% } %> *(Kaz and Anja look at each other.)* <%= next("arrest6") %>

*(You walk a few feet away from Kaz and Anja and pace back and forth as they give their statements. You look up and see a raccoon with empty white eyes making its way out of the school. It stops in front of you.)* YOU: Are you... Osgoode Terauley? *(The raccoon stands up on its hind legs. It stares at you. You stare at it.)* YOU: Um. I don't know if you know that I'm the one editing your newspaper now, but I am. So thank you for starting that. And sorry that I'm running it into the ground. And sorry that you died in the First World War. And sorry that you're a raccoon now. Unless you like being a raccoon. In which case, uh, congratulations. *(The raccoon stares at you for another second and then scampers off.)* * [[...Bye.|arrest7]]

<% portrait("summer2") %> YOU: <%= emoji("wave") %> *(Summer walks up beside you.)* SUMMER: Hi. YOU: Hey. You're here. SUMMER: Yeah. I, uh, kinda panicked and called the cops before the fifteen minutes were up. YOU: Good call. *(She nods.)* SUMMER: So... What happened, exactly? YOU: Um. A lot. Among other things I think the ghost of the kid who founded my newspaper is trapped in a raccoon now. SUMMER: Trapped? YOU: Or maybe he wants to be there. SUMMER: Mmm. That makes sense. It's probably pretty good to be in a raccoon body in Toronto. Lots of trash to eat. No predators. People throw you funerals. YOU: *(smiling)* I think once the funeral happens the ghost is back out of the raccoon body again. SUMMER: Oh yeah. Well the trash thing anyway. *(You hang back and watch as Anja gives an extremely animated statement.)* * [[By the way...|arrest8]]

<% portrait("anja1") %> YOU: Oh! I, uh... nothing. Nothing going on. *(She raises an eyebrow.)* ANJA: I sense some hesitation. YOU: Sorry, I was never really free on Fridays before because I was always hanging out with Allen. So reflexively I almost said I was busy, but I'm not actually busy at all. And I would very much like to, do, uh, whatever it is you were about to ask me about? ANJA: I was going to say you should come over that night so we can work on our French project. YOU: That. Yes. I'd like to do that. <%= display("mission15") %>

<% portrait("anja1") %> *(She smiles.)* ANJA: Perfect. Friday it is. Enjoy your secret mission. <%= next("gate1") %>

<div class="youtext">It is about the school.</div> <div class="youtext">Sort of</div> <div class="youtext">Once we actually break it it'll make more sense.</div> <div class="themtext">I'm on the edge of my seat.</div> <div class="themtext">see look</div> <div class="youtext">Oh wow you literally are.</div> <div class="themtext">I know right? This close to just not being seated at all.</div> <%= next("mission8") %>

<div class="youtext">We go wherever the story is</div> <div class="youtext">This time the story's off campus.</div> <div class="themtext">Intriguing</div> <div class="themtext">Mysterious</div> <div class="themtext">Tell me more.</div> <div class="youtext">You'll have to wait for the issue! <%= emoji("wink") %> <%= emoji("newspaper") %> </div> <%= next("mission8") %>

<div class="phonename">Anja Kaczmarek</div> <div class="themtext">hey</div> <div class="youtext">Hi!</div> <div class="themtext">you left yet?</div> <div class="youtext">Not yet. Running a newspaper recruitment thing with Kaz.</div> <div class="themtext">Ah okay.</div> <div class="themtext">How's that going?</div> * [[Not great.|comesayhi11]] * [[I don't know yet.|comesayhi12]]

<div class="youtext">Okay yeah that sounds great</div> <div class="youtext">I'll try and get away</div> <div class="themtext">Awesome. Good.</div> <div class="themtext">I'll see you momentarily.</div> <div class="youtext">Agreed!</div> <div class="youtext">I mean, I'll also see you. Momentarily.</div> <%= next("comesayhi9") %>

<div class="youtext">Wish I could.</div> <div class="youtext">Can't abandon Kaz though.</div> <div class="themtext">Oh come on Kaz will be fine.</div> <div class="themtext">they LOVE sitting</div> <div class="youtext">Hmmmmm. You're not wrong.</div> <div class="themtext">I'm never wrong.</div> <div class="themtext">Mostly never.</div> <div class="youtext">Alright, fine you win. Be right over.</div> <div class="themtext"><%= emoji("star2") %></div> <%= next("comesayhi9") %>

*(Kaz returns and throws a bag of All Dressed chips on the table.)* KAZ: Dinner is served. YOU: You are the best person in the world. *(You open the bag and munch on a chip.)* YOU: So, uh... can I ask for one more favour? KAZ: Chips *and* a second thing? Getting greedy! YOU: Can you run the table for a while? Anja asked me to come say hi, and I figured that'd be a nice thing to do? Because she's been so nice to me lately, and, you know, I figure, right, it's probably a good move to be friends with my best friend's twin sister, and— KAZ: It's fine. YOU: Wait, seriously? KAZ: Yeah, dude. I've got a ton more slogans I want to try out here anyway. YOU: Awesome. Thank you. *(You stand up.)* Wait, should I be worried about these slogans? KAZ: Only if you hate really effective recruitment techniques! <%= next() %>

YOU: I guess we should start examining this place for clues? KAZ: You got it, boss. *(They glance around and scratch their head.)* Uh, what are we looking for? * [[I don't know.|earth4]] * [[Maybe something on the graves?|earth8]] * [[Some kind of physical evidence.|earth7]] * [[Anything.|earth5]]

<% s.earth4 = true %> YOU: I don't know, honestly. Just keep your eyes open. KAZ: Remain conscious. Got it. <%= display("earth6") %>

<% s.earth5 = true %> YOU: Anything. Anything at all. If it's noteworthy, just shout it out. KAZ: I can do that. <%= display("earth6") %>

*(You start checking out some of the graves. Kaz splits off and looks in the row next to you. The two of you walk in silence for a minute or so.)* <% if (s.earth4) { %> KAZ: Ha. This guy's name is "Jack Dixon." <% } else if (s.earth8) { %> KAZ: Hey I found something interesting on one of these graves. YOU: Yeah? KAZ: Yeah! This guy's name is "Jack Dixon." <% } else if (s.earth7) { %> KAZ: Hey, does this count as physical evidence? There's a guy here named "Jack Dixon." <% } else { %> YOU: You said "anything", right? YOU: Yeah. Did you find something? KAZ: Yeah. This guy's name is "Jack Dixon." <% } %> YOU: Could we at least *try* respecting the dead while we're here? KAZ: I mean I'll try but I just found a person named "Garbutt" so no promises. *(You trip over a chunk of earth.)* YOU: ...Damn it. *(You look down. The plot you're standing over doesn't have any grass growing on it. You look at the death date: 1862.)* * [[Uh, Kaz?|earth1]]

<% s.earth8 = true %> YOU: I think we need to read all the gravestones. There might be something on there that points us in the right direction. KAZ: Literacy. I can do that. <%= display("earth6") %>

<% s.earth7 = true %> YOU: We're looking for some kind of physical evidence. Something that proves someone was here taking bones out of the ground. KAZ: Evidence. Got it. <%= display("earth6") %>

YOU: I don't know what's wrong with me. My body isn't working right. KAZ: It's a panic attack. It'll pass. Let's just get back to the car, okay? YOU: *(tears welling up)* This never used to happen and now it's happening all the time... <%= display("earth11") %>

YOU: I don't know what to do! KAZ: You don't have to do anything, okay? Let's just get back to the car. YOU: *(tears welling up)* I don't know what to do about *any* of it! Everything got all confused all at once and I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing, or why, or, or... <%= display("earth11") %>

YOU: I'm sorry, what right exactly did you have to be "upset" about my sexual orientation? JAYDEN: I know. It was emotional. *(You rub your forehead)* YOU: Okay, I don't know what your deal is right now? But I really don't want to be involved. JAYDEN: That's— YOU: Whatever shitty thing you're feeling, you just go ahead and feel it. Somewhere else. Alright? JAYDEN: ...Fine. YOU: Great. <%= next() %>

<div class="phonename">Kaz Kaczmarek</div> <div class="themtext"><%= emoji("revolving_hearts") %> <%= emoji("revolving_hearts") %> <%= emoji("whale") %> </div> <%= next() %>

YOU: If we had a do-over I'd be much more appreciative. ANJA: Uh-huh. YOU: Get you a thank you card, maybe? <%= display("nice7") %>

KAZ: I know. Come on. *(They reach out and grab your hand again.)* <%= next("high1") %>

<% portrait("sherbourne","olivia1") %> #### **History Class** — Morning *(Mr. Sherbourne sits on his desk, watching the video that he's projecting on the whiteboard. He pauses it.)* SHERBOURNE: Okay. Now wait, wait. You need to watch what this guy does with the skateboard. *(He presses the play button again. Olivia leans over and whispers to you.)* OLIVIA: Yo I'm not crazy, right? None of this is actual history stuff? Dude's just been showing us vines all class? YOU: Technically he's been showing us vine compilations on youtube, but yes. OLIVIA: Fuckin' what is this guy? SHERBOURNE: Ha! *(He slaps his knee.)* Classic "fail"! * [[I think he's literally the worst teacher.|fail2]] * [[This is actually more boring than normal.|fail3]] <% chapter(4) %>

YOU: I think he's literally the worst teacher I've ever had. Just in terms of his ability to teach me things, he's completely failing. OLIVIA: I swear to god I know less about the First World War than I did when I started. <%= display("fail4") %>

YOU: This is actually more boring than a normal class. I mean, I like watching videos, but man. This is just... OLIVIA: It's out of control. <%= display("fail4") %>

*(The video comes to an end.)* SHERBOURNE: Phew, that was the best one yet. Any requests? How about something with baby animals? OLIVIA: I'm gonna fuckin' say something. *(She shoots her hand up.)* Yo, Mr. S! SHERBOURNE: Marc. OLIVIA: Sure. What are we doin' right now? What's going on here? SHERBOURNE: Ha. I guess you could say this is a bit of an "untraditional" lesson, huh? *(She shrugs.)* SHERBOURNE: Here's the thing. I know you kids are real overworked these days and I figured you could use a bit of a break from all this "school stuff". You've got a lot on your plates. Academically, socially. Some of you more than others. *(He makes eye contact with you. You do a small double-take.)* OLIVIA: Riiiight. Can I at least use my phone, then? SHERBOURNE: Ha. No. <%= next("candy1") %>

<% s.october = true; portrait("kipling1") %> YOU: You look deep in thought. KIPLING: Aha! Just the woman I wanted to see! YOU: How've you been, Kip? KIPLING: Busy. I've been hard at work planning my next big party, and I think I've made a breakthrough. YOU: Ooh, spill! KIPLING: It's a new tradition. The October 1st Party. We kick off Thanksgiving-slash-Halloween month in style. Rustic, fall colours, the smell of pine, a pile of freshly-chopped wood by the old hearth, pumpkin spiced hors d'oeuvres. I'm thinking maybe I rig it up so there are maple leaves falling from the ceiling all night. We suggest the coming of the holidays but keep our powder dry. The guests *smell* turkey but there's no turkey being served. A tasteful skull on the mantelpiece gives off the faintest hint of death without descending into full-on spookiness. It'll be an affair to remember. * [[Sounds amazing.|october2]] * [[How are you going to create a Turkey smell?|october3]] * [[You're not talking about a real skull, are you?|october4]] * [[So what do you need me for?|october5]]

YOU: Sounds fun! Am I invited? KAZ: But of course! In fact, invitations are precisely the subject I came to discuss. I want to buy an ad in your most fine publication. <%= display("october6") %>

YOU: How are you going to make a turkey smell without cooking turkey? KIPLING: Oh, I have a scent guy. But that's not what I came to talk about. I want to purchase some ad space in your fine publication. <%= display("october6") %>

YOU: ...You're not talking about a real skull, are you? KIPLING: Oh no, strictly a facsimile! What would make you think I have a real human skull at my disposal? YOU: Don't ask. KIPLING: Well, regardless. I came to ask for your services. I want to purchase some ad space in your most fine publication. <%= display("october6") %>

YOU: Sounds like you've got it all figured out. What do you need me for? KIPLING: Why, I want to buy an ad in your prestigious publication! <%= display("october6") %>

YOU: You sure, Kip? Circulation's down. KIPLING: It's the paper of record, Lady N. I will not accept substitutions. Now how many words do I get? YOU: Depends. We talking eighth-page? Quarter? KIPLING: Full page. Top placement. Can I take over the cover? YOU: No, but I can give you page 3. Or the back. KIPLING: Excellent. I'll take them both. I'm picturing calligraphy — lavish but tasteful. Sparkling gold ink if you can get it. YOU: We definitely cannot. KIPLING: The prose will have to sparkle, then. I'll get someone working on the copy toute suite. *(He takes out a huge wad of cash and starts counting out hundred dollar bills in his palm.)* Now, how many thousand dollars is this going to cost? *(You stop his hand.)* YOU: You know what? Let me send you an invoice. Friend prices. *(He winks and slips the cash back into his blazer.)* KIPLING: Magnificent. This'll be legendary, mi amigo! <%= next() %>

KAZ: I mean, decades at least. ...Looks like there's a caretaker though. YOU: Okay, well— KAZ: No, wait. There *was* a caretaker. But he died like ten years ago. YOU: And now there's nobody looking after it? KAZ: Doesn't look like it. YOU: In other words, it's a totally unguarded cemetery in the middle of nowhere that no one knows about. KAZ: Dude. I think this is the place.

*(You put your head down on the table.)* KAZ: Are you just going to stay down there all night? YOU: I don't have a choice, Kaz. This table is the last bit of comfort I have in this cold uncaring universe. <%= display("comesayhi5") %>

# <a href="javascript:void(0)" data-passage="gone1">November 2013</a>

<% chapter(1) %> *(Three years ago. The day after mid-term break, three months after you and Summer stopped talking. You walked into the North Wing holding Allen's hand.)* ALLEN: You really think we should tell her? YOU: I don't think we have a choice. ALLEN: But she'll just find out, right? By seeing us. Why do we have to tell her? * [[We owe it to her.|gone2]] * [[She'll be happy.|gone3]] * [[Why shouldn't we?|gone4]]

YOU: We owe it to her. Deep down she's still our friend. She deserves to know. ALLEN: She's not going to like it. YOU: How do you know? ALLEN: I just— I don't think it's a good idea, that's all. <%= display("gone5") %>

YOU: Summer will be happy to see us together. ALLEN: You think? YOU: She has to be. Why wouldn't she? ALLEN: I just— I don't know. I'm not saying, uh... *(You gave him a confused look.)* ALLEN: ...I just don't see why this would make her start talking to us again. That's all. <%= display("gone5") %>

YOU: Why shouldn't we? ALLEN: She made it really clear she didn't want to talk to us. YOU: Don't be so nervous. ALLEN: I'm not. YOU: Your hand is sweating. ALLEN: I just... I think it's a mistake, that's all. <%= display("gone5") %>

*(You held his hand a bit tighter.)* YOU: It'll be okay. <%= next("gone6") %>

*(You walked up to Summer's locker. It was completely empty, with no lock on the door. You opened the door a crack.)* YOU: What's going on? ALLEN: I dunno. YOU: ...Oh gosh, you don't think she dropped out, do you? ALLEN: Summer? Come on. YOU: Okay, but what if she transferred? ALLEN: Maybe she just moved lockers. *(You looked around. Anja was at her own locker down the hall, scowling at you. She slammed the door and stormed off to class.)* ALLEN: I'm sure she's around. * [[You're probably right.|gone7]] * [[I don't think she is.|gone8]]

YOU: ...Yeah. Right. Probably. *(You closed her locker and stared down the hall. Allen awkwardly patted your shoulder.)* <%= display("gone9") %>

YOU: ...I don't think she is, Allen. ALLEN: Oh. *(You slowly closed her locker.)* <%= display("gone9") %>

ALLEN: Well, hey. It probably wasn't a good idea to talk to her this morning, anyway. ...Right? YOU: ... <%= next("title") %>

<% s.room = "lockers2" %> #### **Lockers** — After School <% if (!s.uncomfortable) { %> <%= link("Sherbourne","uncomfortable1") %> is walking down the hall towards the front office. He flags you down as you pass by. <% } else { %> School's been out for a good twenty minutes already, so the intense rush hour crowds have already dwindled down to basically nothing. <% if ((s.uncomfortableroom === s.room) && !s.october) { %> One of the last people around is <%= link("Kipling","october1") %>, who's pacing back and forth across the hall. <% } else if ((s.uncomfortableroom === s.room) && s.october) { %> Kipling feverishly taps some notes into his phone. <% } else if ((s.uncomfortableroom !== s.room) && s.stare) { %> Allen stares intently at his locker. <% } else { %> <%= link("Allen","stare1") %> slowly packs up his bags down the hall. <% } %> The [[Great Hall|greathall2]] lies to the east and the [[front of the school|foyer2]] is off to the south. The side door at the end of the hall is propped open, providing a shortcut out to the [[field|field2]]. <% } %>

<% s.room = "greathall2" %> #### **Great Hall** — After School One reason the sign-up drive might be going slow is that the entire Great Hall has basically been vacated after the end of school. Only small clusters of students remain, most waiting either for an extra-curricular activity or for an after-school detention. <% if (s.nose && s.uncomfortable) { %> Kaz sits with their feet up on the recruitment table. <% } else if (!s.nose && s.uncomfortable) { %> <%= link("Kaz","nose1") %> sits at the table, staring straight ahead in silence. <% } else { %> Kaz drums on the recruitment table with their hands. <% } %> Your [[locker|lockers2]] is down a hall to the west and the [[front of the school|foyer2]] is to the south.

<% s.room = "foyer2" %> #### **Foyer** — After School The lights in the front office are off and the staff are already locking up for the night. <% if (!s.uncomfortable) { %> <%= link("Sherbourne","uncomfortable1") %> walks out and flags you down as you walk towards the front door. <% } else { %> <% if ((s.uncomfortableroom === s.room) && s.october) { %> Kipling feverishly taps some notes into his phone. <% } else if ((s.uncomfortableroom === s.room) && !s.october) { %> <%= link("Kipling","october1") %> paces back and forth across the foyer. <% } else if ((s.uncomfortableroom !== s.room) && s.stare) { %> Allen stares down at the ground. <% } else { %> <%= link("Allen","stare1") %> sits on one of the ugly brown chairs, tying his shoes. <% } %> The main hallway leads north from here to the [[Great Hall|greathall2]], while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards [[your locker|lockers2]]. The [[front steps|frontsteps2]] are just outside. <% } %>

<% s.room = "frontsteps2"; if (!s.yougoaheadroom) { s.yougoaheadroom = s.room }; %> #### **Front Steps** — After School It's a beautiful day outside. The weather's almost enough to make you want to hang around campus for longer than you absolutely have to. Almost. <% if (!s.yougoahead && (s.yougoaheadroom === s.room)) { %> <%= link("Summer","yougoahead1") %> checks her phone by the front gate. <% } %> <% if (s.analytical) { %> Miles <% } else { %> <%= link("Miles","analytical1") %> <% } %> works on a chemistry assignment at one of the picnic tables. The [[field|field2]] is off to the west and the [[school entrance|foyer2]] is back north.

<% s.room = "field2"; if (!s.yougoaheadroom) { s.yougoaheadroom = s.room }; %> #### **Field** — Before School The girls' field hockey team is out running drills on the old football field. At least, you think they're drills. Visually speaking you don't really know the difference between a practice and an actual game, so it could kind of be either. <% if (!s.yougoaheadroom) { %> s.yougoaheadroom = s.room <% } %> <% if (!s.yougoahead && (s.yougoaheadroom === s.room)) { %> <%= link("Summer","yougoahead1") %> stands checking her phone on the path to the parking lot. <% } %> <%= link("Anja","sidelines20") %> sits on a bench by the sidelines, watching the practice. The [[front of the school|frontsteps2]] lies back to the east and the [[side door|lockers2]] is propped open at the north end of the field.

<% s.yougoahead = true; portrait("summer1"); %> YOU: Hey Summer. SUMMER: Hey! YOU: Heading home? SUMMER: Yeah, just about to leave. * [[Want to come say hi to Anja?|yougoahead2]] * [[You walk home every night, right?|yougoahead3]] * [[See you tomorrow.|yougoahead4]]

<% s.stare = true; portrait("allen1"); %> *(You stop dead in your tracks and stare at Allen. He looks up, sees you, and stares back. His face is flat and expressionless.)* YOU: ... ALLEN: ... *(You turn around and quickly walk away.)* <%= next() %>

<% s.clever = true; s.time += 1; %> YOU: Hi Dramas. COOL DRAMA: Actually I think the "drama" this week is you. BALD DRAMA: Ooh, clever! COOL DRAMA: I decline to accept that compliment. CORSET DRAMA: Yeah, you wouldn't know clever if it walked in wearing a nametag. BALD DRAMA: Yes I would. I kick ass at reading nametags. I'm an amazing reader. TALL DRAMA: I will give you this loonie right now if you can quote me a single line from any book. BALD DRAMA: Hey, I never said I was an amazing *rememberer.* * [[Glad this is entertaining for you.|clever2]] * [[Is everyone at this school talking about me?|clever3]] * [[...Okay well bye?|clever4]]

YOU: I'm glad my misery is so entertaining for you. <%= display("clever8") %>

YOU: God, is everyone at the school talking about me? BALD DRAMA: Oh, not *everyone.* TALL DRAMA: Probably not the custodial staff. COOL DRAMA: Junior schoolers. CORSET DRAMA: All those Grade 10s that are out with mono. HIPPIE DRAMA: Squirrels. Other wildlife. CORSET DRAMA: Squirrels can't talk. HIPPIE DRAMA: Exactly. YOU: Well that's just wonderful. BALD DRAMA: I don't know, I think a talking squirrel would be pretty sick... TALL DRAMA: Hey, I feel your pain. I know when I came out it caused a major fracture in our friend group. * [[Fractured? You guys?|clever9]] * [[You're gay?|clever10]]

YOU: ...Okay well, bye dramas? <%= display("clever8") %>

CORSET DRAMA: Fuck off. BALD DRAMA: I'd say "pathetically" in love. CORSET DRAMA: *You* fuck off even more. BALD DRAMA: "Embarrassingly." HIPPIE DRAMA: Point is, we got over the drama. I'm sure your girlfriend will too. Or whatever. * [[Isn't drama your whole thing?|clever6]] * [[I don't have a girlfriend.|clever7]]

YOU: I thought drama was your whole thing. BALD DRAMA: Damn, that joke's even cleverer the second time! HIPPIE DRAMA: Life goes on, as you can see. <%= next() %>

YOU: I don't have a girlfriend. COOL DRAMA: *(crossing her legs)* Good to know. HIPPIE DRAMA: Wait I thought that was the whole thing. YOU: Uh, no. I *had* a boyfriend. But I dumped him. Hence the retaliatory outing. HIPPIE DRAMA: Huh. I guess I was only half paying attention. TALL DRAMA: You're always half paying attention. HIPPIE DRAMA: Well then I was *quarter* paying attention. BALD DRAMA: Point is, whatever outcome you want will probably happen eventually. CORSET DRAMA: Unless it doesn't. BALD DRAMA: Right. Unless that. YOU: ...Do you guys talk like this all the time or just when other people are around? <%= next() %>

HIPPIE DRAMA: Hey, sorry if we sound a bit blasé about all this. It's just that we've been there and done that. YOU: Been where and done what? COOL DRAMA: Wouldn't you like to know? BALD DRAMA: Gay drama, that's what. YOU: Wait, is there a sixth one of you I don't know about? TALL DRAMA: See when I came out it caused a major fracture in our friend group. * [[Fractured? You guys?|clever9]] * [[You're gay?|clever10]]

YOU: No way. You guys, fractured? COOL DRAMA: It was chaos. TALL DRAMA: See, certain unnamed female members of our friend group were passionately in love with me. <%= display("clever5") %>

YOU: Wait, you're gay? TALL DRAMA: Mm-hmm. YOU: Since when? COOL DRAMA: *(yawning)* Since he and Aaron Sussman felt each other up at a cast party. YOU: Wasn't he like two years ahead of us? BALD DRAMA: Hell yeah he was! *(He holds up his hand for a high five. Tall Drama leaves him hanging.)* * [[I never heard about that.|clever11]] * [[What was the fracture?|clever12]]

YOU: I never heard about that. HIPPIE DRAMA: You were never at the cast parties. COOL DRAMA: She was never in a cast. BALD DRAMA: Yes she was. She broke her arm back in Grade 10. YOU: That was a sling. I had a dislocated collarbone. BALD DRAMA: *(pointing)* Hey look, she's doing banter! YOU: Also, why do you remember that? TALL DRAMA: Anyway. If you *had* been there you would have seen some legendary fallout. See, certain female members of our friend group were passionately in love with me. <%= display("clever5") %>

YOU: So what caused the fracture? TALL DRAMA: Well, certain female members of our friend group were, shall we say, passionately in love with me. <%= display("clever5") %>

YOU: Hey, I was just going to go hang out with Anja over there. Want to come say hi? SUMMER: Oh! *(She chuckles lightly and brushes her hair out of her face.)* No, that's okay. YOU: You sure? SUMMER: Yeah, I was just over there talking to her actually. You go ahead. YOU: Okay. Uh, I'll see you tomorrow then. SUMMER: Yeah. See you. *(She waves and walks off campus.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: You walk home by yourself every day, right? SUMMER: Pretty much. I like the exercise. Might start taking the TTC once winter hits though. YOU: Well, let me know next time. We should do that again. SUMMER: Sure. We could even like, hang out one day if you want. Get some bubble tea or something? YOU: Oh yeah! Totally. I love those bubbles. SUMMER: I know! *(She grins widely.)* See you tomorrow? YOU: See you. *(She waves and walks off campus.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: Cool. See you tomorrow. SUMMER: Later. *(She waves and walks off campus.)* <%= next() %>

<% portrait("anja1") %> *(Twenty minutes later. You and Anja walk out of French class.)* YOU: Wow. I think that's the least disappointed the Docteur has ever been in me. ANJA: Clearly we complement each other pretty well. * [[Aren't you glad I made you sit next to me?|hateme11]] * [[We should complement each other again.|hateme12]]

YOU: Aren't you glad I physically forced you to sit next to me this year? *(She laughs and gives your arm a little squeeze.)* ANJA: Very. <%= display("hateme9") %>

YOU: We should, uh... complement each other again. *(She laughs.)* ANJA: Oh my god, how did I never know you were this corny? <%= display("hateme9") %>

<div class="youtext">Not great.</div> <div class="youtext">No signups so far.</div> <div class="themtext"><%= emoji("slightly_sad") %></div> <div class="youtext">Plus I'm still feeling like a complete trash fire after last night. <%= emoji("skull") %></div> <div class="themtext">Want to sneak off? I'm out watching the field hockey practice.</div> <div class="themtext">Could use some company</div> <div class="themtext">If you want</div> * [[Okay.|comesayhi7]] * [[Can't.|comesayhi8]]

<div class="youtext">hmm</div> <div class="youtext">I don't know</div> <div class="youtext">hard to tell</div> <div class="youtext">We'll see how many people show up on Tuesday I guess</div> <div class="themtext">Well if you get a chance to sneak away you should come say hi.</div> <div class="themtext">I'm out watching the field hockey practice.</div> * [[Okay.|comesayhi7]] * [[Can't.|comesayhi8]]

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Hallways lead to the <%= link("west",s.room) %> and <%= link("south",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> A broad corridor curves off to the <%= link("southeast",s.room) %>, with rooms to the <%= link("west","escape25") %> and <%= link("north","escape25") %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Exits are to the <%= link("south",s.room) %> and <%= link("west",s.room) %>. You think.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Exits seem to be to the <%= link("north",s.room) %> and <%= link("south",s.room) %>, unless they're to the <%= link("east",s.room) %> and <%= link("west",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Something that looks like a <%= link("classroom door","escape25") %> lies closed to the north. A corridor plunges deep in the fog to the <%= link("south-southwest",s.room) %>. Another corridor plunges <%= link("straight up",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Passages lead <%= link("west",s.room) %> and <%= link("northeast",s.room) %>. They also lead <%= link("south",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> A single hallway leads <%= link("back to the west",s.room) %>, even though you're not sure that's the direction you came from. Doors shoot off from the dead end to the <%= link("north","escape25") %>, <%= link("east","escape25") %>, and <%= link("south","escape25") %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> A spiral staircase winds <%= link("upwards",s.room) %> for dozens of floors. Hallways lined with <%= link("closed doors","escape25") %> branch off to the <%= link("southeast",s.room) %> and <%= link("south",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Open doors lead <%= link("south",s.room) %>, <%= link("east",s.room) %>, and <%= link("west",s.room) %>. Closed doors lead <%= link("southwest","escape25") %> and <%= link("north","escape25") %>. A gaping hole where a door should be leads <%= link("straight down",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> A <%= link("closed door","escape25") %> is tucked off behind some lockers to the east. A long ramp leads <%= link("up",s.room) %> to an entirely different hallway. There are also exits to the <%= link("southeast",s.room) %> and <%= link("north",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Exits are barely visible through the exceptionally dense fog. There's definitely <%= link("something",s.room) %> in one direction and <%= link("something else","escape25") %> next to that.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Hallways lead <%= link("west",s.room) %> and <%= link("north",s.room) %>. There are closed doors to the <%= link("east","escape25") %> and <%= link("southeast","escape25") %>.

<%= display("escape26") %> The corridor you're in stretches on for miles <%= link("ahead of you",s.room) %> and even more miles <%= link("behind you",s.room) %>. <%= link("Various","escape25") %> <%= link("closed","escape25") %> <%= link("doors","escape25") %> line the hallway on either side.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> An old archway frames a dark hallway to the <%= link("north",s.room) %>. A massive staircase leads <%= link("down",s.room) %> in front of you. Directly behind you is a set of large <%= link("double doors","escape25") %> you don't remember walking through.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Foggy passages branch off from here, leading <%= link("southeast",s.room) %> and <%= link("west",s.room) %>. A <%= link("closed door","escape25") %> lies behind a pile of furniture.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> You can see a <%= link("classroom door","escape25") %> three feet off the ground on the eastern wall. A <%= link("tiny crawlspace",s.room) %> leads north, and a cramped staircase leads <%= link("up",s.room) %> and <%= link("down",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> There are closed doors to the <%= link("north","escape25") %>, <%= link("northwest","escape25") %>, <%= link("northeast","escape25") %>, and <%= link("east","escape25") %>. One door to the <%= link("west",s.room) %> is propped open.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Corridors branch off to the <%= link("southeast",s.room) %> and <%= link("southwest",s.room) %>, with just a hint of <%= link("north",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Exits do not lead to the <%= link("west",s.room) %> or the <%= link("southwest",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Passages lead <%= link("up",s.room) %>, <%= link("down",s.room) %>, and <%= link("side-to-side",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Hallways <%= link("curve",s.room) %> <%= link("off",s.room) %> <%= link("in",s.room) %> <%= link("every",s.room) %> <%= link("conceivable",s.room) %> <%= link("direction",s.room) %>, lined with <%= link("countless","escape25") %> <%= link("identical","escape25") %> <%= link("closed","escape25") %> <%= link("doors","escape25") %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> Exits lead <%= link("over",s.room) %>, <%= link("under",s.room) %>, <%= link("around",s.room) %>, and <%= link("through",s.room) %>.

#### **????** — Night <%= display("escape26") %> A <%= link("sloping hallway",s.room) %> leads off to the east. East of that hallway, an <%= link("even more sloping hallway",s.room) %> leads even further east.

<% s.room = "escape"+_.random(1,24); if (!s.escapedoors) { s.escapedoors = 0 }; s.escapedoors += 1; %> <% if (s.escapedoors === 1) { %> *(You try the door.)* YOU: Damn it, locked! KAZ: Just keep trying! One of them's bound to work. <% } else if (s.escapedoors === 2) { %> *(You try to open the door.)* YOU: This one's locked too! What the hell? KAZ: It wasn't like this last week, was it? YOU: No. Something's going on. ANJA: God, where the hell even are we? YOU: I don't know. This smoke is completely disorienting me. <% } else if (s.escapedoors === 3) { %> *(You pull on the door as hard as you can.)* YOU: NNNngh! ANJA: Do we even know where that goes? I am completely lost! YOU: I know it's where Sherbourne isn't! That's kind of all I care about right now! <% } else if (s.escapedoors === 4) { %> *(You pull on the door. Kaz coughs.)* KAZ: This fog is really fucking getting to me, dude! YOU: Rgh, I can't think straight! If we could only clear it out somehow! <% } else if (s.escapedoors === 5) { %> *(You fumble around in the fog for the door handle. You pull on it, but nothing budges.)* YOU: Oh you have got to be *kidding* me! KAZ: Na, we need some kind of plan! YOU: I know! *(You pull on the door handle some more.)* KAZ: Some kind of *non-door-related plan*! <% } else if (s.escapedoors === 6) { %> YOU: Alright. Try *every* door you can see. *(Anja and Kaz start running around trying to open the doors, but they're all stuck.)* YOU: Nothing? ANJA: It's not working! *(She coughs.)* YOU: Damn it. <% } else if (s.escapedoors === 7) { %> *(You get up close to the door. It's the accessible washroom. You pull on the door a couple of times but it won't open.)* ANJA: The bathroom! We can lock ourselves in and wait him out. You have your key right? KAZ: What? No! It's in my locker! ANJA: Why would you leave the key in your locker?! KAZ: It's got like a huge thing on the end! I'm not going to carry that around with me twenty-four hours a day!! ANJA: Don't say it like it's a bad idea! It'd be helpful now!!! KAZ: Well *if I had known*, sure!!! YOU: Guys! It doesn't matter! We can't trap ourselves in a corner. *We need to get out of the building.* <% } else if (s.escapedoors === 8) { %> *(You pull on the door.)* YOU: Damn it! Why is everything locked? ANJA: This is not working. We need some other way out. KAZ: Preferably before we suffocate! <% } else if (s.escapedoors === 9) { %> *(You try the door, but it's also locked.)* KAZ: Na! The doors aren't working! We have to try something else! YOU: Gah! If this smoke was just clear...! <% } else { %> *(You try the door. Locked, like all the others.)* <% } %> <%= next() %>

<% s.room = "escape"+_.random(1,24); if (s.room === window.passage.name) { s.room = "escape13" }; s.escaperooms += 1; %> <% if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 1) { %> You run down the hall, trying to orient yourself in the thick purple fog. <% if (!s.firstescaperoom) { s.firstescaperoom = true; %> But it's impossible to make out where you're going or where you came from. <% } %>Kaz and Anja stumble along beside you. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 2) { %> You are quickly becoming disoriented. Halls and doorways don't seem to be in their usual places. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 3) { %> You flail around for some kind of familiar landmark but nothing here looks the same as it normally does. Kaz trips over their own shoes. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 4) { %> You catch glimpses of ghostly figures in your peripheral vision, slipping in and out of the thick purple smoke. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 5) { %> You hear loud crashing noises from somewhere far in the distance. Anja crashes into you from behind, knocking you over. You pick yourself up off the ground. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 6) { %> The mist coalesces into unusual forms in front of you — a raccoon, a young boy in a military uniform, a corpse face down in the mud. You blink and the images disappear. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 7) { %> The smoke is starting to sting your eyes. You try to wave it out of your face but that only seems to make it come in thicker. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 8) { %> You have a coughing fit. Anja runs over and pats you on the back as you double over. Kaz runs their hand along the wall, feeling for any kind of trap door or secret passage. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 9) { %> The mist seems to be getting thicker by the moment. Anja keeps trying to dial her phone without any success. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 10) { %> You continue running blindly through the fog. You can almost swear you hear the sound of raccoons skittering alongside you, but when you turn to look there is nothing there. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 11) { %> The purple fog is so thick that you can barely see the walls in front of you. Kaz slams into a pillar and curses a blue streak as they stagger backwards. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 12) { %> You trip and bump into Kaz, who has their blazer up over their mouth. Anja holds her hands out in front of her, trying to feel for a wall. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 13) { %> Anja runs ahead of you a bit and you quickly lose sight of her. You call after her and run ahead only to find a solid wall where you thought she was. A few seconds later, she comes from behind you and taps you on the shoulder. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 14) { %> You find yourself marching forward with a group of ghostly soldiers in First World War uniforms. There's another loud crash and they all disperse, evaporating into nothing. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 15) { %> The thick purple smoke is completely blinding. You get the sense that you have not just lost your sense of direction, but that your sense of direction has been *replaced* with a sense of completely different directions. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 16) { %> You take out your phone and try to get a signal, but it's no use. In fact the screen looks almost fogged over, as if you've taken it into a sauna. While your head is down, you trip over a couch. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 17) { %> Kaz knocks over a stack of old textbooks, creating a big pile that blocks the hallway. You clamber over it, noting that it seems to contain a lot more books than the original stack. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 18) { %> After a good thirty seconds walking through a large open area, you realize you've just been walking in a big circle. <% } else if (s.escaperooms % 20 === 19) { %> You round a corner and nearly trip over Anja, sprawled on the ground after tripping on some loose carpet. She groans as you help pull her to her feet. The loud crashing noises from below you (above you?) intensify. <% } else { %> For a second you think you see Mr. Sherbourne ahead of you, arms raised high towards the ceiling. But then your eyes adjust and you realize it's a stack of chairs covered in a tarp. <% } %> <% if (_.random(5,22) < s.escaperooms) { %> Through the fog you can make out a closed [[window|escape27]]. <% } %>

*(You snap your fingers.)* YOU: The window! We can get some fresh air in here and figure out where we are. ANJA: Got it. Stand back. *(She picks up a garbage can.)* YOU: Anja, wait. KAZ: Whoa whoa whoa whoa! ANJA: Graaah! *(She throws it through one of the windows. The purple fog immediately starts pouring out as fresh air rushes in.)* YOU: ....None of the windows in the North Wing lock. ANJA: Oh. Whoops. *(You look around. You're in the old art room on the second floor.)* KAZ: Shit, we're like as far as you can get from the door. * [[We can climb out onto the roof here.|escape28]] * [[There's an emergency exit by the clock tower.|escape29]]

YOU: We don't need the door. We can climb out onto the roof of the first-and-a-half floor from here. ANJA: The *roof*? Are you kidding? YOU: Look, you can see. *(You point out the window.)* It's mostly flat parts. KAZ: She's right. I've actually been out there. There's tons of room to walk around. ANJA: Okay, so then we're trapped on the roof. How is that better? KAZ: There's like little half steps. You can make it off if you circle all the way around to the north entrance. YOU: And there won't be any smoke out there. We can get a signal and call the cops. *(Anja looks around.)* ANJA: Fuck it. Fine. Let's go. <%= next("arrest9") %>

YOU: The front door maybe. But there's an emergency exit down the hall. ANJA: Where does that take us? YOU: I think onto a staircase? Which probably goes down to a lower part of the roof. Once we're out there we'll be able to find a way down. I think. *(Kaz and Anja look at each other uncertainly.)* YOU: It's our best shot. KAZ: *(nodding)* Let's do it. *(The three of you run off down the hall.)* <%= next("arrest9") %>

<% leftportrait("nadia1"); portrait("annette1"); %> #### **Lockers** — Before School ##### **Monday, 26 September 2016** *(You hum faintly to yourself as you open your locker.)* ANNETTE: You're awfully chipper for a Monday. YOU: Hmm? ANNETTE: I had to down an entire thing of vivacity powder just to drag myself out the front door. * [[Just my normal chipperness.|upgrade2]] * [[Keeping a positive attitude.|upgrade3]] * [[Things are looking up.|upgrade4]] * [[Don't mind me.|upgrade5]] <% chapter(12) %>

YOU: Just my normal amount of chipper. Totally regular chipper. ANNETTE: That's a weird way to phrase that, but okay. <%= display("upgrade6") %>

YOU: I am going to keep a positive attitude this week. ANNETTE: You? YOU: Oh, don't sound *that* surprised. <%= display("upgrade6") %>

YOU: What can I say? Things are looking up for me this week. ANNETTE: Is that so? <%= display("upgrade6") %>

YOU: Ha. Don't mind me. Just... doing my stuff. ANNETTE: That's a weird thing to say, but okay. <%= display("upgrade6") %>

<% portrait("annette1","anja1") %> *(Anja comes up and leans against the locker next to yours)* ANJA: Hi. YOU: Hey! ANJA: Ready for the highest-stakes French class of your life? YOU: Just need to grab some stuff first. Save me a seat? ANJA: Ha ha. See you inside. ANJA: See you. *(You watch her walk down the hall to class. Annette looks back and forth between you and her and then clears her throat.)* YOU: What? ANNETTE: That's certainly an upgrade. * [[I don't know what you mean.|upgrade7]] * [[You could say that.|upgrade8]]

<% portrait("annette1") %> YOU: I have no idea what you're talking about. ANNETTE: Uh-huh. *(You give her a serious look. She mimes zipping her lips.)* <%= next("improvement1") %>

<% portrait("annette1") %> YOU: *(sighing)* You could say that. *(She closes her locker and points at you.)* ANNETTE: Details. After class. Or I'm magicking them out of you. *(You raise your hands over your head.)* <%= next("improvement1") %>

YOU: So I don't think I've ever actually heard you talk about relationships and dating and all that stuff. <%= display("tv213") %>

YOU: It's not fun, believe me. ANJA: No, I suppose it's not. *(Neither of you talks for a few seconds. She sighs and turns to face you directly.)* ANJA: I am genuinely sorry about you and Allen, you know. * [[Thanks.|tv60]] * [[You don't have to say that.|tv61]] * [[He's a jerk.|tv62]] * [[It sucks.|tv63]]

YOU: Wow, that just flew by. ANJA: We were talking a lot. YOU: I wish there was more. Is there more? Can we watch another? <%= display("tv188") %>

*(You lay there silently, not looking in her eyes. She presses her forehead against yours.)* ANJA: ...Unless that's what you want. *(You shake your head.)* ANJA: *(whispering)* Okay. <%= display("tv174") %>

YOU: *(softly)* So what should we do instead? *(You lock eyes.)* ANJA: ........ YOU: ........ *(Anja slowly leans in towards you, pausing just before your faces touch. She holds there and you feel the heat of her breath on your lips.)* ANJA: I have one idea. *(You give an almost imperceptible nod. She kisses you.)* YOU: *(out of breath)* Okay. *(She closes the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

*(You scoot a little bit closer to her and raise your face up to meet hers. She runs her hand through your hair. You kiss. And after you pull away, she takes your hand and interlaces her fingers with yours.)* ANJA: Was that okay? YOU: *(breathless)* Yeah. *(She leans in and kisses you again, closing the laptop with her foot as she does. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

SHERBOURNE: Frankly, that's none of your business. And I think this conversation is over. If you're not going to cooperate then I'm going to call your parents and tell them about your very serious violation of school policy. Stay there while I pack up my things. *(He starts turning around. Anja freezes in place behind him.)* * [[Wait!|ritual31]]

### Chapter Select <%= link("**1** ~ Prologue (What's Going On?)","gone0") %> <%= link("**2** ~ Kind Of Our Whole Thing","nice1") %> <%= link("**3** ~ A Spectacular Bisexual Supernova","handle1") %> <%= link("**4** ~ Apology Candy","fail1") %> <%= link("**5** ~ You Sound Pretty Haunted To Me","mall37") %> <%= link("**6** ~ Top Secret","mission1") %> <%= link("**7** ~ Anti-Trespassing","gate1") %> <%= link("**8** ~ A Calm And Friendly Tone Of Voice","high1") %> <%= link("**9** ~ My Own Opinion","comesayhi1") %> <%= link("**10** ~ More Nice","work11") %> <%= link("**11** ~ Already?","morning1") %> <%= link("**12** ~ This Represents An Improvement","upgrade1") %> <%= link("**13** ~ Extra Credit","late1") %> <%= link("**14** ~ Epilogue (Deep Breaths)","epilogue1") %>

<% portrait("kaz1","anja1") %> *(You burst into the foyer and find it already thick with purple mist. You cover your mouth with your blazer and start looking around for an exit.)* ANJA: God damn it! *(She smacks her phone)* Why isn't this fucking thing working?! KAZ: Interference from the mystery smoke?? ANJA: "Interference from the mystery smoke" is not a real thing!! KAZ: Well then why isn't your phone working?!?! YOU: Guys! Let's just find an exit! <%= next("escape1") %>

ANJA: How did you actually realize you were bi? * [[That is a very long story.|tv178]] * [[Back in Grade 6...|tv179]] * [[Define "realize."|tv180]] * [[You mean as opposed to being gay?|tv219]]

YOU: Okay..... ANJA: It's not a bad question, if that's what you're wondering. YOU: I was going to ask but then I decided against it. <%= display("tv177") %>

YOU: Is this a bad question? ANJA: No. YOU: Then yes. <%= display("tv177") %>

YOU: That is an extremely long story. Like a life-long story basically. ANJA: Well, skip ahead a bit. When did it really start kicking in? YOU: Hmm. I guess I was around 11? ANJA: Is that when things started with Summer? <%= display("tv187") %>

YOU: It's hard to pinpoint exactly. I guess it started back in grade 6? ANJA: Was that when things started with Summer? <%= display("tv187") %>

YOU: Depends what you mean by "realize", right? I didn't start thinking of myself as bi until I was in Grade 10, but I had been having those feelings for years before that. ANJA: You mean when things started with Summer. YOU: Hmm? Oh, no no no. I mean way before that. There was this totally different girl back in Grade 6. Her name was Beck. ANJA: Oh yeah? Tell me about her. * [[She was tall.|tv196]] * [[She was cool.|tv197]] * [[She was athletic.|tv198]]

ANJA: Hmmph. YOU: Seriously. I'm sorry. I want to hear about it. *(She sighs and leans back in the bed.)* ANJA: I mean, it's not like a big huge story or whatever. It was a totally normal game of truth or dare. It came around to me, I picked dare, and then Lindsay pointed at this other girl, Grace, who was sitting right next to me and dared me to kiss her. So I did. * [[Just like that?|tv231]] * [[I can't believe you picked dare.|tv182]] * [[Did you like Grace?|tv183]] * [[Grace went along with it?|tv184]]

YOU: I can't *believe* you picked dare. ANJA: Obviously truth was out of the question. YOU: Truth is easy! You just lie! ANJA: Well I know that *now*. Anyway, I realized what I had done as soon as Lindsay opened her mouth. I barely even heard the actual words over the wave of panic and excitement that was rushing over me. I can't even imagine what my face must have looked like in that moment. <%= display("tv185") %>

YOU: Did you like Grace? ANJA: I mean. Not particularly. Not before that instant anyway. But as soon as actually kissing her was on the table I felt... a lot of things. It was so... I don't know, thrilling? Electrifying? Something like that. But also terrifying. The feeling of abstract things becoming inescapably real. Needless to say I was panicking. <%= display("tv185") %>

YOU: And Grace went along with it? ANJA: It was truth or dare. You had to go along with it. Those were the rules. *(She shakes her head.)* Honestly, the only person in danger of refusing was me. I was scared out of my mind. Exhilarated too, don't get me wrong. But the prospect of actually kissing a girl had like barely registered on my subconscious before this point and now it was becoming completely, terrifyingly real. I was this close to just bolting. <%= display("tv185") %>

YOU: I bet. ANJA: But I went for it. I did it. I kissed her. For ten seconds, that was the dare. And as soon as it was over... she laughed. YOU: Oh. ANJA: And like, we all laughed. Silly game, right? Big joke. But deep down I was *feeling* different in a way I hadn't before. I had been up on the edge of this... cliff for a second there. And they hadn't. They weren't nervous, they weren't excited. They were just giggly. YOU: Man. ANJA: I know, some first kiss, huh? * [[Honestly? I dreamed about stuff like that.|tv186]] * [[That must have been tough.|tv232]] * [[You deserve better than that.|tv162]]

YOU: Okay, seriously though? The thing you're describing is literally something I used to daydream about. ANJA: Well, don't feel too left out. It's just pathetic. <%= display("tv233") %>

YOU: Hmm? Oh, no no no. This was a totally different girl. Beck. ANJA: Really. Tell me about her. * [[She was tall.|tv196]] * [[She was cool.|tv197]] * [[She was athletic.|tv198]]

ANJA: I'm afraid that was the last one. YOU: What about... the *second* last one? ANJA: ...But you already know what happens. <% if (s.puppydog) { %> *(You make the puppy-dog eyes again.)* ANJA: ...Ugh, why does that keep working? <% } else { %> *(You make puppy-dog eyes at her.)* ANJA: Fine. I guess we can go backwards. <% } %> YOU: Yes! ANJA: I think the last few are still in my recycle bin. *(She pauses.)* Can you uh... close your eyes for a second? * [[Close my eyes?|tv81]] * [[Okay...|tv75]] * [[Is there something in there?|tv82]]

YOU: It's nothing. *(She puts her hand on your knee.)* ANJA: It doesn't feel like nothing. *(You bite your lip and don't reply. She sighs.)* ANJA: Maybe this is a bit too fast. * [[Too fast for what?|tv193]] * [[I am seriously fine.|tv194]] * [[I'm ruining everything.|tv195]]

YOU: Shoot, sorry. I'm sorry. *(You grab your knees and pull them towards your chest.)* I am completely losing control of my body lately. ANJA: It's just a nervous tick. YOU: It's not just that. It's the panic attacks and the freakouts and the breathing and the crying. I'm actually falling apart. ANJA: Well, look. You've kind of dealt with a lot recently. However much of a shit Allen was, he had also been your friend for years. Whatever emotional support he used to give you is gone, and not just gone but revealed to have been given under false, manipulative pretenses. Your entire social universe has been inverted and you've had to adjust that while being *outed* to the entire school before you were ready. *(You stare down at your legs.)* ANJA: Did I leave anything out? * [[Yourself.|tv191]] * [[I just wish I wasn't such a mess.|tv192]]

YOU: Um... yourself. *(She raises an eyebrow. You take a deep breath.)* YOU: Specifically the fact that I have been letting myself have a crush on a girl for the first time in years, and the enormous crushing wave of anxiety that comes with that is extremely— *(She leans over and kisses you. You slide backwards a little into the bed.)* YOU: ...something. *(She smiles.)* ANJA: If it makes you feel better, I'm nervous too. I just have a better poker face. YOU: Seriously? *(She takes your hand and interlaces your fingers.)* ANJA: Seriously. YOU: Then I guess we can freak out together. *(You kiss her on the cheek. She squeezes your hand, then reaches down and closes the laptop. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: *(sighing)* I just wish I wasn't such a mess. *(She takes your hand.)* ANJA: Hey, I'm not complaining. *(You smile. The two of you hold hands in silence for a while.)* YOU: Hey, uh... I know the episode's over, but do you mind if I stay for a little bit longer? *(She looks into your eyes.)* ANJA: I was actually kind of hoping you would. YOU: Yeah? *(She slowly leans in towards you, pausing just before your faces touch. She holds there and you feel the heat of her breath on your lips.)* ANJA: *(softly)* Yeah. *(You squeeze her hand. She closes the distance and kisses you. You shut your eyes and kiss back. Finally she pulls away. You catch your breath.)* YOU: ...Wow. ANJA: Was that okay? YOU: *Extremely* okay. *(She smiles and shuts the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: Too fast for what? ANJA: For you to be sitting on my bed. *(You look down at her hand and fiddle with your thumbs.)* ANJA: You've had a hell of a week. I don't blame you if you don't want to rush into, um, something. *(You take a deep breath.)* YOU: And... what if I do? *(She gives your knee a gentle squeeze. You look up at her.)* ANJA: That works too. *(You put your hand on hers. She leans in towards you, pausing just before your faces touch. She holds there and you feel the heat of her breath on your lips.)* YOU: ... ANJA: ... *(You give an almost imperceptible nod. She closes the distance and kisses you. After a few seconds she pulls away again.)* ANJA: Was that okay? YOU: Very. *(She kisses you again. You clumsily close the laptop lid with your foot and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: I am completely fine, okay? It's fine. I'm calm. *(Anja raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: Seriously. Feel my pulse. *(She hesitates for a second, then reaches out with two fingers and places them on your neck.)* ANJA: Your heart is beating pretty fast. YOU: ...Is it? *(She cups your cheek. Your breath catches.)* ANJA: Yes. YOU: ......... *(She leans in and kisses you.)* YOU: ...I can't imagine why. *(She smirks. You lean over and kiss her again. She closes the laptop with her foot and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: Oh god, I'm ruining everything, aren't I? ANJA: You're not. YOU: I am. *(You stand up.)* ANJA: Where is this coming from? YOU: I should go. I should probably go. *(She gets up off the bed. You look up into her face.)* ANJA: Look, I won't stop you from leaving if you want. But I don't want you thinking that you have to. *(She takes your hands.)* YOU: ... ANJA: I'm glad you're here. * [[I am too.|tv243]] * [[Do you mean that?|tv244]]

YOU: She was really tall. You know how there was always that one kid in every class who grew up so much faster than everyone else? ANJA: Yes. That was me. YOU: ...Oh. That makes sense. Well, before you and Kaz started at MCC, she was the tall one in our class. Very graceful too — she did parkour. And I wasn't quiiite able to articulate it at time, but I had a major crush on her. ANJA: Aha. <%= display("tv199") %>

YOU: She was super cool. Way, way cooler than me. Like remember how cool parkour was when we were kids? ANJA: Um. YOU: It was! ANJA: Let's move on. YOU: Okay whatever. *I* thought it was cool. And she was like a parkour master. The way she moved around on the playground was just so graceful. Like nothing I had ever seen before. I was captivated by it. ANJA: Ooh la la. <%= display("tv199") %>

YOU: She was extremely athletic. A total jock like you. ANJA: What'd she play? YOU: Hmm. She wasn't into organized sports so much. Her big thing was parkour. She loved it. She would jump around all over the place and I'd just watch her move. I was captivated. I didn't quite realize it at the time, but I had a total crush on her. ANJA: Oooh. <%= display("tv199") %>

YOU: One day we were hanging out together outside of school — which like never happened, to be clear. Honestly I can't really even remember why. You know how sometimes when you're a kid you just end up in situations and it's not really clear how you got there? Anyway, me and her were out by some concrete building near her house. A library or a school or something? I could look it up if I knew her address but I'd have to go back into my old records for that. ANJA: You have records from when you were 11? YOU: *(waving her off)* Point is, we were out there. And she was showing me parkour moves. How to jump, how to land. Super basic like that. So she jumped over this... concrete something, and she told me to try it and I really wanted to impress her... ANJA: Oh boy. YOU: So I jumped. And of course I completely wiped out because I'm the least co-ordinated person on the planet. *(Anja chuckles lightly and shakes her head.)* * [[I hurt myself.|tv201]] * [[I humiliated myself.|tv202]]

YOU: Well, I'm kind of enjoying it anyway. Makes a nice distraction from the complete terribleness of my actual love life. <%= display("tv166") %>

YOU: I completely ate it there. I tumbled down and scraped my knee and I was crying and yelling and it was just a total disaster. <%= display("tv203") %>

YOU: It was seriously humiliating. I scraped my knee and I was crying and yelling and it was just the most embarrassing thing ever. <%= display("tv203") %>

ANJA: Aw. YOU: But here the thing. The *second* that I hurt myself she totally changed. Normally she was so... standoffish and sarcastic and cool, but all of a sudden she became super nice. And she literally scooped me right up and carried me right back to her house. ANJA: Literally? YOU: In my memory she was carrying me but if I'm being realistic she probably just helped me limp back. Once we got to her house she cleaned up my knee and bandaged me up, and the whole time I was just sitting and watching her. She hummed a little bit as she was going and then when she was done I said "thanks" and she winked. *(Anja smiles.)* YOU: No more parkour after that obviously so we hung out in her room for the rest of the afternoon. I remember being so excited when I was walking upstairs but also not understanding why. And then when I got up there it was *so girly*. She was a total tomboy, but her room was actually frilly. And as she was talking and I was looking around, I found this letter on the cabinet. She saw me staring, so she got up and said, "That's from Matt Goldberg." ANJA: Uh-oh. YOU: "We made out in the cloakroom." ANJA: Jeez. Not even a room with a *door*. YOU: I know. ANJA: Why do you think she told you? * [[Maybe she didn't think it was a big deal.|tv204]] * [[Maybe because we were in different circles.|tv205]] * [[Maybe she was trying to warn me off.|tv206]]

YOU: I'm not sure. Maybe she didn't think it was that big a deal. ANJA: Well had she told anyone else? YOU: Not as far as I know. ANJA: So there must have been *something* about you. YOU: Well whatever it was, it wasn't what I wanted. I was totally devastated. Again, I like barely understood it at the time, but looking back... <%= display("tv207") %>

YOU: Maybe it's because we *weren't* in the same social circles. Like, who would I tell? I was friends with Allen and Summer and that was basically it. ANJA: A safe neutral party. YOU: Yeah. Only problem was I wasn't neutral. I put on a brave face for the rest of the day but I was completely devastated. And at the time I was barely processing all these feelings. But looking back on it, that was absolutely the starting point of something. <%= display("tv207") %>

YOU: To this day I don't know. I kinda think she might have been warning me not to try anything. ANJA: Really? You think she knew? YOU: I don't know. I mean, probably not. I barely knew, how could she? But maybe subconsciously she sensed something. *(Anja nods slowly.)* YOU: Well in any case, it worked. I felt really sad about it for reasons I didn't really understand and from then on I kept my distance. <%= display("tv207") %>

ANJA: So you had your little heart broken. YOU: Kind of a pattern with me. ANJA: Guess so. * [[What about you?|tv208]] * [[I've been talking way too much.|tv209]]

YOU: What about you? ANJA: What about me? YOU: Well. I mean. I've told you about my stuff. Can you tell me about yours? ANJA: There's not that much to tell. YOU: Doesn't have to be like a big story or anything. I'm just curious. ANJA: Um. I don't know. What do you want to know? YOU: Well... *(You scratch your forearm.)* How many, uh... girls have you kissed? ANJA: ... YOU: Er, sorry. Is this a sore subject? ANJA: *(sigh)* One. YOU: Oh. ANJA: It's embarrassing, alright? YOU: I mean that's one more than me so... ANJA: That's not the same. You had Allen. You and he must have kissed hundreds of times. * [[Kissing a boy is less impressive.|tv132]] * [[I don't have the exact figures on that.|tv133]]

#### **French Class** — Morning <% portrait("rouille","anja1") %> *(You sit next to Anja in French class, watching the rest of your glass give their presentations.)* ROUILLÉ: *(sighing)* Merci, Ethan and Kyle. Once again, your incompetence has exceeded my every expectation. *(They fist bump each other.)* ROUILLÉ: Next, Nadia and Anja. *(The two of you stand before the class, then turn to Docteure Rouillé and silently hand her the paper. She accepts it with a quizzical look and begins reading.)* <% if (s.project === "english") { %> ROUILLÉ: You did not write your assignment in French. * [[...|improvement4]] * [[We thought it would be inappropriate.|improvement5]] <% } else { %> ROUILLÉ: I count seven mistakes on this document. Your French is, I would say, not quite passable. * [[...|improvement2]] * [[Sorry.|improvement3]] <% } %>

*(You don't respond.)* <%= display("improvement6") %>

YOU: Sorry. <%= display("improvement6") %>

*(You don't respond.)* ROUILLÉ: ...And I must say, I admire your restraint. It is refreshing to not hear my language mangled in this class. <%= display("improvement7") %>

YOU: We, er, thought it would be inappropriate. ANJA: Given our proven lack of French ability. ROUILLÉ: Well. I will not argue with that. *(She puts the paper down.)* In fact, I find it somewhat refreshing. <%= display("improvement7") %>

ROUILLÉ: However. If a small child were to submit this document, they would not be held back in school automatically. This represents an improvement. <%= display("improvement7") %>

*(Anja lightly bumps your shoulder.)* ROUILLÉ: Very well. You have passed this assignment, if only slightly. Félicitations. My faith is restored a very small amount. *(She waves the two of you back to your desks. You hurry back, high-fiving each other on the way.)* <%= next("hateme10") %>

YOU: Oh my god I've been talking forever, haven't I? ANJA: We were both talking. YOU: I was talking way more. ANJA: I mean, I asked you to? YOU: *(breathing faster)* Damn it. ANJA: It's no big deal. YOU: It's a huge deal! I totally ruined the show. We missed a whole bunch of stuff! ANJA: I can rewatch it when you're not around. * [[Let's just go back to the show.|tv210]] * [[Please shut me up if I keep talking.|tv211]] * [[I am ruining everything.|tv212]]

YOU: Let's just go back to the show. Please? *(She nods.)* ANJA: Alright. <%= next("tv65") %>

YOU: Can you just please shut me up if I keep talking? ANJA: Nadia. YOU: No, I'm serious. Because at this point I'm kind of spinning out and I think I'm just going to keep talking and talking and ruining things if there's no one stops me. And since I can't stop me, you have to stop me. Okay? ANJA: ... YOU: ...What? *(She abruptly leans over and kisses you. You leave your eyes open in shock for a second, then close them. Eventually she pulls away.)* ANJA: *(exhaling)* There. That shut you up. YOU: Um. Wow. *(She puts her hand on your shoulder.)* ANJA: I'm glad that you're here, okay? I'm glad you're talking to me. You didn't ruin anything. YOU: I am also glad I'm here. ANJA: Good. YOU: But seriously, if you want to go back to watching the show... *(She chuckles, rolls her eyes, and closes the laptop. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: I am completely messing everything up right now. Oh god. ANJA: Breathe. YOU: I am. ANJA: Breathe slower. *(She puts her hand on your back. You breathe in and out.)* ANJA: Okay? It's just a TV show. * [[It's your favourite show.|tv221]] * [[It's not just about that.|tv222]]

ANJA: We haven't exactly had that many opportunities to discuss the subject. YOU: No, I guess not. ANJA: It just hasn't come up. YOU: Is it the sort of thing you ever would talk about? ANJA: I mean, I guess. Do you *want* to talk about it? *(You shrug.)* ANJA: Well, it really depends on what you want to know. * [[Who else knows you're gay?|tv216]] * [[Are you seeing anyone?|tv214]] * [[How many girls have you been with?|tv215]] * [[Would you ever date a bi girl?|tv217]]

YOU: Are you... um... single, at the moment? <%= display("tv240") %>

YOU: Um, well, have you ever... *(She raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: How many times have you kissed a girl before? In the past? <%= display("tv218") %>

YOU: Who knows you're a lesbian, exactly? Summer, obviously. ANJA: Obviously. YOU: Kaz. ANJA: Double obviously. YOU: Is that it? ANJA: No, there's more. Aubrey, Amy, Ashley... Basically all the Grade 12s on the lacrosse team. Aubrey told Olivia Kwon which I absolutely didn't tell her to do but she only did it because she was stupid so I didn't stay mad at her. Aside from that it never really spread around. Far as I know. YOU: Gotcha. So I guess that means no... uh... girlfriend, or anything? <%= display("tv240") %>

YOU: Okay, um. This is a random question. ANJA: Okay... YOU: Don't read too much into it. ANJA: Okaaay..... YOU: Would you ever date a bi girl? You know, if that opportunity were to ever, uh, happen. *(She looks at you.)* YOU: Or like pretend you're dating a girl and she tells you she's bisexual. How would you react to her telling you that? Would you be cool with it? <%= display("tv235") %>

ANJA: ... YOU: Just... you know. Rough estimate even? ANJA: *(sigh)* Once. YOU: Oh. ANJA: It's embarrassing, alright? YOU: I mean that's one time more than me so... ANJA: That's not the same. You kissed Allen like hundreds of times. * [[Kissing a boy is less impressive.|tv132]] * [[I don't have the exact figures on that.|tv133]]

YOU: You mean as opposed to being gay. ANJA: Or straight. Either way. YOU: Hmm. You know how on TV sometimes you'll get people who say they "don't like labels"? ANJA: Yeah? YOU: Well I like labels. Labels are great. *(She chuckles lightly.)* YOU: They are! They help you organize things and understand things. Labeled things have context. And up until a few years ago I didn't have that for myself. And it was really stressing me out, you know? Was I gay, was I straight? Neither word felt right. But then one day in Grade 10 — I don't even remember why this happened — I just... randomly started thinking about the word "bisexual". ANJA: Randomly. YOU: I honestly don't know what prompted it. But as soon as it entered my head, I just *knew* that it fit. If I was bisexual then it wasn't *weird* that I liked people regardless of gender, it was normal. I had my label. And after that, everything about me just made sense. ANJA: Okay, that's... actually really cool. * [[What about you?|tv220]] * [[Oh god, I've been talking way too much.|tv209]]

YOU: What about you? How'd you figure out you were a lesbian? ANJA: I'm not sure there was a particular moment. YOU: So you just always sorta knew? ANJA: More or less. YOU: I see. Uh. So does that mean you've like...? *(You trail off. She raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: Um. I guess what I'm asking is, have you ever— How many times have you kissed a girl before? In the past? <%= display("tv218") %>

YOU: It's your favourite show. ANJA: So? YOU: ......... ANJA: My favourite show is still just a show. I don't want you going into total panic mode again just because you think you're doing something wrong here. <%= display("tv245") %>

YOU: It's not just that, it's everything. I'm disintegrating. I'm losing control of my life. ANJA: Hey, hey. YOU: I haven't done anything right in ages. Something's going to go wrong and it's going to be my fault. <%= display("tv245") %>

YOU: ...Okay. ANJA: Alright? YOU: Alright. *(You give a very weak, exhausted laugh.)* Sorry. We can totally go back to watching now. ANJA: Honestly, I'm just enjoying your company. I don't need the show. *(You look up into her eyes.)* YOU: ...Neither do I. *(She smiles, leans down, and gives you a soft kiss on the lips. You slide down on the bed and exhale contentedly. Finally, she pulls away and you manage to catch your breath.)* YOU: Okay, thank god. I thought that might be what was going on here but I wasn't sure. *(She laughs. You tug on her shirt and bring her down to kiss you again, shutting the laptop with your foot as you do. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: Okay, cool. Yeah. Good. ANJA: *(raising an eyebrow)* Good? YOU: I mean... uh... *(You stare at each other.)* YOU: ...I don't know what I mean. <%= display("tv242") %>

YOU: Have you... ever? ANJA: No. YOU: Like, at all? *(She looks away.)* YOU: Oh, hey, no! I didn't mean it as like a big deal or anything. ANJA: I know. YOU: Don't be embarrassed. ANJA: Kind of hard not to be next to a girl who just came out of a two-year relationship. YOU: Um, two-and-a-half. *(She groans.)* * [[I don't mind.|tv226]] * [[Not a relationship to envy.|tv227]]

*(You bump her with your shoulder.)* YOU: I don't mind. *(She gives you an uncertain look.)* YOU: If you're worried about being inexperienced... ANJA: *(extremely blushing)* I— that's not— *(The two of you lock eyes.)* YOU: You don't have to be shy. ANJA: ..... *(You lean in and give her a short, gentle kiss. She closes her eyes and exhales softly. You pull apart.)* YOU: ...Was that okay? ANJA: Yeah. *(You take her hand and interlace your fingers. She smiles.)* ANJA: We kind of got sidetracked from watching the show there. YOU: Did you want to go back? ANJA: Not really. *(She closes the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: I mean, that's not exactly a relationship to envy. ANJA: No, I know. YOU: Like, yeah, okay. I had a boyfriend, and that's a milestone or whatever. But it's a milestone I wish I never passed. ANJA: I guess... *(You put your hand on her arm. She looks down at it and then back up at you.)* YOU: Seriously. I think it's really great that you're waiting for the right person. *(You lock eyes. Neither of you says anything for a few seconds.)* ANJA: ...The right person, huh? *(You take a deep breath.)* YOU: Whoever that is. *(She puts her hand on top of yours. You bite your lip.)* ANJA: When you put it like that, it actually sounds kind of nice. *(You nod weakly. She grips your hand a little tighter and leans in. You close the distance and kiss her, pushing yourself up a little to reach her height. Eventually she lets go of your hand and pulls back.)* * [[Was that okay?|tv228]] * [[That was nice.|tv229]] * [[Why'd you stop?|tv230]]

YOU: *(quietly)* Was that okay? *(She chuckles softly.)* ANJA: Obviously. YOU: Good. *(You lean over to kiss her again. She reaches down and closes the laptop and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: See? That was very nice. *(She beams uncharacteristically)* ANJA: I'm glad you think so. YOU: I'm... also glad. I'm glad you're glad. ...and I'm glad you're tolerating my awkwardness as I tell you this. ANJA: You know, the very first thing I ever liked about you when we met was your awkwardness. YOU: Seriously? ANJA: Yeah. I wish I had trusted those instincts more. YOU: Same. But I'm glad we're trusting them now. ANJA: Mm-hmm. *(She leans over to kiss you again and closes the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: Why'd you stop? ANJA: ...Was I not supposed to stop? *(You lay back on the bed.)* YOU: Only if you wanted to. ANJA: Understood. *(She leans over and kisses you again, closing the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: Just like that? ANJA: I mean I was terrified, obviously. Like the second Lindsay started saying it, I could *totally* tell what she was going to say, just by like the look on her face. And I was completely panicking. <%= display("tv185") %>

YOU: That must have been hard. ANJA: It's more pathetic than anything else. <%= display("tv233") %>

YOU: ...I don't think it's pathetic. *(She shrugs her shoulders a little. You place your hand on her arm.)* YOU: I don't. I think it's sweet. And I'm sorry that your first kiss made you feel more alone when it should have made you feel closer to somebody instead. *(She smiles a little, still not meeting your gaze.)* ANJA: ...Sweet, huh? *(You squeeze her arm. She looks into your eyes. You nod.)* YOU: Yeah. *(You slowly start leaning in towards her. You pause just before your faces meet, feeling the heat of her breath on your lips, then move in and give her a short, gentle kiss. She reaches over and interlaces her fingers with yours. You pull back.)* ANJA: *(softly)* I feel pretty close to someone right now. *(You brush her face with her hand. She kisses you again as she closes the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: Wow. ANJA: Yeah. YOU: ...Best slumber party ever. *(She gives you a light shove.)* ANJA: Idiot. *(You laugh. Anja closes the laptop and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

ANJA: Hmm... Well, it'd be awfully hypocritical of me to react badly. I mean, that's what Allen did and I completely despise him for hurting you like that. * [[Lots of people are hypocrites.|tv149]] * [[So that's a yes?|tv150]] * [[I didn't realize you felt so strongly.|tv152]]

YOU: I like you too. ANJA: Yeah? YOU: Mm-hmm. *(She beams at you.)* ANJA: I'm glad. YOU: Me too. <%= display("tv241") %>

YOU: Can I just say? I'm really glad that you actually like me. ANJA: You are? YOU: Mm-hmm. I'm kind of realizing I wanted that a lot... *(She takes your hand.)* ANJA: Well, now you've got it. <%= display("tv241") %>

YOU: I had no idea you liked me back then. ANJA: You were always a bit oblivious. *(You smile.)* YOU: And, uh— *(You trace a little spiral on your thigh.)* Just for the record, when you say "like", do you mean...? *(She puts her hand on yours.)* ANJA: I had a bit of a crush, yeah. *(You look up into her eyes.)* YOU: And how do you feel now? *(She leans over and kisses you. You slide down onto the bed, gripping her hand tightly the entire time. Finally she pulls away, giving you a chance to catch your breath. You let go.)* YOU: That's just about the best answer you could have given. *(She beams uncharacteristically. You reach up and pull her back down for another kiss. She closes the laptop with her foot and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: Wait, what's wrong with her? What just happened? ANJA: Well for one thing the fan theory that she's gay and in love with Sloane seems to have gotten some major confirmation. YOU: There's queer characters on this show?? ANJA: *(grabbing your arm)* Shhh shh shh! Watch. <%= next("tv65") %>

ANJA: Ha. Do I give off the vibe of someone in a relationship? YOU: I'm kind of terrible at reading vibes. ANJA: *(smirking)* No argument from me. But no, I'm not seeing anyone. * [[Cool.|tv224]] * [[Have you ever?|tv225]]

*(She leans over and kisses you. You slide down onto the bed, gripping her hand tightly the entire time. Finally she pulls away, giving you a chance to catch your breath. You let go.)* YOU: Whoa. ANJA: *(smiling shyly)* Was that okay? *(You nod and kiss her again. She closes the laptop with her foot and the whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

ANJA: I think I might have some idea. *(She leans in and kisses you.)* YOU: .......yep. That's it exactly. *(She smiles and closes the laptop with her foot. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

*(You climb back out of the sheets.)* YOU: I'm not quite sure why I did that. ANJA: I was going to say, we are fully clothed right now. Not really that much to hide. YOU: Instinctual panic, I guess. *(She flops her arm over you.)* <%= display("morning5") %>

YOU: ...Do you think they're going to be mad? ANJA: Oh, they'll be fine. They love us too much to be mad. *(You climb back out from under the sheets.)* <%= display("morning5") %>

<% portrait("anja2") %> YOU: God, I can't believe we got found out *immediately.* It hasn't even been 12 hours. ANJA: Eh, it's not like either of us are capable of keeping secrets from Kaz. YOU: No I guess not. *(She rubs her face.)* ANJA: Mmph. Alright. Need a lift home? * [[Five more minutes.|morning7]] * [[Breakfast first?|morning8]] * [[Kicking me out already?|morning6]]

YOU: Kicking me out already, eh? ANJA: Yeah, god. Get the hell out of here, why don't you. YOU: Alright. *(You give her a peck on the cheek and force yourself out of the bed.)* I accept my banishment. <%= next("upgrade1") %>

YOU: Mmph. *(You lie face-down on the bed and pull some covers over yourself.)* Five more minutes. *(She yawns and lies back.)* ANJA: Alright. Five. YOU: *(muffled by pillow)* Or ten. <%= next("upgrade1") %>

YOU: Mm, breakfast first? ANJA: I could make you some muesli, but that's about the only breakfast food we have in the house. YOU: Ugh, never mind. *(She checks her phone.)* ANJA: We could also go out for brunch. If that's something you would want to do. YOU: *(sitting up)* Waffles???? <%= next("upgrade1") %>

YOU: Awwww. Thanks. *(She winks at you and spins around again.)* KAZ: Ugh, I am not nearly high enough to deal with you two being openly cute with each other. ANJA: Hey, you were the one who wanted us to get along better. YOU: *And* you were the one who wanted me to be with a girl. KAZ: Yeah, no. Irony. I get it. *(Anja chuckles. After a few seconds of silence her chair comes to a complete stop. She clears her throat.)* <%= display("late11") %>

ANJA: Sooooo... I've been thinking. * [[Okay?|late13]]

YOU: Okay... ANJA: I've been going over what you've told me about the ghost thing, and I think you should tell someone. KAZ: Boo! Bad idea! ANJA: Okay but shut up for a second because I'm actually serious. *(She counts out on her fingers.)* You've seen an intruder to the school, you have them captured on film, you have evidence to suggest they're doing weird bone rituals, and you've uncovered a potentially robbed grave. This is starting to get above your pay grade. * [[I don't have a pay grade.|late14]] * [[We saw the intruder while intruding.|late15]] * [[That footage doesn't show anything.|late16]] * [[The evidence is completely circumstantial.|late17]] * [[We don't know for sure the grave is robbed.|late18]] * [[No one will believe a ghost story.|late19]]

YOU: I don't have a paygrade. Kaz and I are out here alone. There's no one higher up the chain to dump this on. ANJA: Uh, the police? The school? Even the fire department would at least care about the weird smoke. YOU: Hmm. ANJA: But more importantly there's your health. Kaz tells me you're having visions? <%= display("late20") %>

YOU: We saw the intruder while we were also intruding. If we told anyone what actually happened we'd get in major trouble. ANJA: Are you kidding? You have a massive reservoir of goodwill built up with the administration. Have you ever been in trouble once at this school? YOU: ...I got a detention in Grade 8 one time. ANJA: And anyway, that's all secondary compared to your health. Kaz tells me you're having visions? <%= display("late20") %>

YOU: That footage doesn't show anything. There's no clear shot of the face. We don't even know the person's race or gender. ANJA: It shows clothing, height, time of entry, method of entry. That's plenty to go on. YOU: Maybe. ANJA: But even if it's not, there's still the question of your health. Kaz tells me you're having visions? <%= display("late20") %>

YOU: Completely circumstantial evidence. All we have is a working theory. ANJA: Which is why you need to escalate this to people who have the resources to prove theories. Like, say, the police. YOU: Maybe... ANJA: Definitely. And we haven't even started talking about your health concerns. Kaz tells me you've been having visions? <%= display("late20") %>

YOU: We don't know for sure the grave was actually robbed. It's not like we could dig it up ourselves. ANJA: All the more reason to tell the cops. You need someone with the ability to actually *investigate* the grave and see if anything happened. YOU: Maybe. ANJA: And also, more importantly? There's your health. Kaz tells me you're having visions? <%= display("late20") %>

YOU: Who would we tell? Who's going to believe some weird ghost story? ANJA: Okay, but none of the stuff I described is actually supernatural. At least not in the way that counts. If some rando is sneaking into the school that's a problem no matter what they're doing what they get here. Same with digging up corpses. YOU: Maybe... ANJA: And more importantly there's your health. Kaz tells me you're having visions? <%= display("late20") %>

YOU: Do they. *(You glare at Kaz.)* KAZ: Well, you are! Sorry. *(You sigh.)* ANJA: Between that, and the panic attacks, and the late nights, and the stress... I don't know. I'm worried. I think you need to take this whole thing off your plate. * [[It's sweet that you're worried.|late21]] * [[The panic attacks aren't related.|late22]]

*(You grab her hand.)* YOU: It's sweet that you're worried. But I'm fine. KAZ: Guys. *(She squeezes it.)* ANJA: Yeah. But you could be more fine. And I certainly don't want things getting worse. <%= display("late23") %>

YOU: I don't think the panic attacks are related to the ghost thing. ANJA: Maybe not directly, but it can't helping. Didn't the last one literally happen when you were investigating the graveyard? YOU: ...There might have been another one since then. ANJA: What? When? KAZ: Guys. YOU: *(sighing)* Saturday night. ANJA: Saturday?! Why didn't you tell me? YOU: I didn't want you to think it was your fault. ANJA: Nadia. Of course I wouldn't have. I could have helped. YOU: It was okay... <%= display("late23") %>

KAZ: *Guys.* *(You and Anja turn to Kaz. They have the security cam feed called up on their monitor.)* KAZ: The bone-burner's back. They just went into the North Wing. ANJA: What? *(You run to the office door and peek out just in time to see the door to the North Wing close. You step back inside)* YOU: They're totally there. What do we do? *(The three of you look at each other.)* ANJA: We could call the cops on them right now. KAZ: Or get them on film. * [[Or both.|late24]]

YOU: Or we could do both. *(Anja and Kaz look at you uncertainly.)* YOU: I mean, I think we've actually got this person right where we want them. Last time we were taken completely by surprise, but this time we know exactly where they're going and what they're doing. We can go in stealthily, get the right vantage point, film them and their activities as much as possible, and then go out before they're finished and call 911. The cops will have all the evidence they need to deal with this person, and we'll have a solid enough story to go to print with. *(Kaz turns to Anja and shrugs.)* KAZ: It's not a bad plan, sis. ANJA: ...Alright. But we dial 9 and 1 on our phones before setting foot in there, we stick together no matter what, and we bail at the first sign of trouble. Deal? YOU: Deal. *(Kaz grins widely.)* KAZ: Alright! Let's go hunt that ghost! <%= next("ritual17") %>

YOU: Sorry. Our bad. KAZ: Yeah, totally our bad. YOU: We should go, right? We should definitely go. KAZ: *(walking backwards)* We're just gonna go. SHERBOURNE: Actually, could you guys stay for a sec? Just want to have a quick word. <%= display("ritual18") %>

YOU: You have to learn to move on, Mr. Sherbourne. I know it's hard but whoever you're trying to talk to is gone. You need to accept they're coming back, no matter how much of this messed up grave robbing stuff you do. *(He flips the pamphlet over in his hands.)* <%= display("ritual25") %>

YOU: Whatever you think you're doing here, you can't bring the dead back to life. My friend Annette explained all this magic stuff to me, and these ghosts — they're not *people*. They're echoes. They're memories. It doesn't matter how much effort you put in, the people that you lost are gone. And you have to accept that. *(He flips the pamphlet over in his hands.)* <%= display("ritual25") %>

YOU: Like, Okay. I had a... very special relationship with someone, years ago. And it was taken from me in a way it shouldn't have been. And of course I know that's nowhere near as hard as dealing with someone dying, but I still mourned that relationship. And you know what? One day, by some total miracle, that person actually *did* come back into my life. But the thing that we had shared years ago was still gone. Sometimes things just go away and they never come back. SHERBOURNE: So now you're a grief counselor *and* a newspaper editor, is that it? YOU: ... <%= display("ritual1") %>

YOU: We were here late working on the paper and we heard strange noises coming from the North Wing. KAZ: Yeah. We, uh, figured we could like, write a story on it? YOU: But obviously if we had known it was a teacher... <%= display("ritual9") %>

YOU: We've been working late on the paper and we keep seeing smoke coming out of the North Wing. We were worried it was a fire or some kind of gas leak or something. KAZ: Yeah. We were just making sure the school didn't burn down, dude. So like, relax. <%= display("ritual9") %>

YOU: We've uh... noticed some strange animal behaviour on campus. We thought it might be related to the construction. KAZ: Right! Yeah. Because, like, asbestos. Or whatever. YOU: So we were looking into it. For the paper. And that's when we saw all, uh, this. <%= display("ritual9") %>

YOU: We had heard some rumours about problems with the construction. We wanted to investigate. For the paper. KAZ: Right! Yeah. Like, make sure that there was no, uh, fucked up chemical sprays. Or whatever. ...Sir. SHERBOURNE: And you thought the best way to handle that would be to break in to a very off-limits area? YOU: Er, what can I say? We're journalists. <%= display("ritual9") %>

YOU: We were working late on the paper and we saw you breaking into the North Wing. SHERBOURNE: You did? YOU: I mean, we saw someone. We didn't know it was you. KAZ: Right. Yeah. But we figured, like, whoever it is they shouldn't be there. So... yeah. YOU: Obviously if we *had* known it was a teacher... <%= display("ritual9") %>

*(You jump forward.)* YOU: Mr. Sherbourne! Wait. *(He stops and turns back to face you. Anja exhales. You reach into the inner pocket of your jacket and pull out Annette's pamphlet.)* YOU: I have something for you to read. *(You hold it out for him. He takes it out of your hands.)* SHERBOURNE: "Say 'No!' To Forbidden Bone Magic." * [[You need to talk to someone.|ritual8]] * [[You can't bring the dead back to life.|ritual24]] * [[You have to move on.|ritual23]]

YOU: Why don't you tell us what you were doing first. SHERBOURNE: Ha. I suppose you're probably wondering — *(He gestures to his equipment.)* — "what are thoooose." Am I right? KAZ: Oh my god, dude. Could you drop the shtick for like a second? SHERBOURNE: It's a just a little side thing I'm doing in my personal time. An act of remembrance, that's all. Nothing you need to worry about. KAZ: Doesn't look that "little" to me. YOU: And if it's a personal thing, why do you have to break into the school to do it? <%= display("ritual9") %>

YOU: We don't have to tell you anything. SHERBOURNE: Actually you do. I might be a "chill guy" but I'm still your teacher. I need to know why you were breaking the rules. KAZ: Why? You afraid we saw something we shouldn't have? <%= display("ritual9") %>

YOU: Hurt ourselves? SHERBOURNE: Teens your age are very vulnerable. Prone to risky behaviour and even self-harm. Especially when they're struggling with their gender or sexuality. KAZ: Oh, you dick. <%= display("ritual38") %> YOU: If you're trying to deflect onto us, it's not going to work. We know you've been summoning ghosts and sticking them into raccoons. SHERBOURNE: Ha! Sorry to get all "well actually" on you, but I'm afraid you know a bit less than you think. The spell doesn't summon anyone anywhere. It's designed to put the caster in a liminal state where they can communicate with the spirit realm by seeing it reflected in other living creatures. YOU: So which spirit are you trying to talk to, then? SHERBOURNE: That is none of your business. KAZ: Whatever! It doesn't even matter. We have all the evidence we need of your messed up grave robbing shit, dude. You are fucked. *(His face darkens.)* SHERBOURNE: You know, I try to be a reasonable, relatable teacher. Someone you can talk to about your problems. But I'm not going to stand by and let you make wild accusations like this. I'm going to talk to your parents and the administration about this extremely dangerous act of trespassing. And I hope for your sakes that you don't get expelled. Now stay right there while I pack up my things. *(He starts turning around. Anja freezes in place behind him.)* * [[Wait!|ritual31]]

YOU: Personal effects like human bones? *(His face darkens.)* SHERBOURNE: I don't know what you think you think this is... YOU: I think those are real human remains and you dug them up at Richview Cemetery. Am I right? SHERBOURNE: ... <%= display("ritual38") %> YOU: We know this is some kind of ghost-summoning ritual. KAZ: Yeah. So you can stop playing dumb. *(He shakes his head and chuckles.)* SHERBOURNE: Sorry to get all "well actually" on you, but I'm afraid you don't know as much as you think. No one has been summoned anywhere. The spell is designed to put the caster in a liminal state where they can see reflections of the spirit realm in living creatures. That's all. YOU: So, wait. You and I aren't seeing the same ghost? SHERBOURNE: I would be very surprised if we were. YOU: So who are *you* seeing? *(He frowns.)* <%= display("ritual19") %>

YOU: You summoned the wrong ghost, Mr. Sherbourne. SHERBOURNE: Excuse me? YOU: The ghost that's trapped in the raccoon. It's the kid who founded the Middleman back in 1913. Somehow I doubt that's who you were trying to summon. SHERBOURNE: Wait. Are you saying you've actually spoken with this apparition? <%= display("ritual38") %> YOU: Not... exactly. Not with words. But I've, um, communicated with the raccoon he's trapped inside. I think. SHERBOURNE: Interesting. *(He shrugs.)* Well, I'm sorry to get all "well actually" on you, but the spell doesn't quite work the way you think it does. The smoke puts the caster into a liminal state where they can see reflections of the spirit realm in living creatures. No one has been trapped or summoned anywhere. If you're seeing the founder of your newspaper, it's not because he's here. It's because your own fixations have drawn you to his memory. YOU: So... who *are* you trying to talk to, then? *(His face darkens.)* <%= display("ritual19") %>

<% portrait("hooded","anja1","kaz1") %> *(You nod and put a finger to your lips. Kaz gives you a thumbs up and slowly pulls open the door. The three of you slip through and quickly crouch down behind some chairs. You hold up your phone and start filming the hooded figure as they perform their ritual on stage)* ANJA: *(whispering)* See anything? YOU: *(whispering)* Barely. I need a better vantage point. *(You slip out into the aisle and try to quietly make your way over to the side of the stage. As you get closer you see that there's a whole bunch of raccoons on the stage, eyes a ghostly white, seemingly entranced by the purple glow of the figure's ornate cauldron. You hear the figure chant in a familiar voice.)* FIGURE: I'm here, Alain. Speak to me. *(You slip a bit closer and watch the figure add a fine white powder to their cauldron. Then, out of nowhere, they stop what they're doing and whip around to look straight at you.)* * [[!!!|ritual14]]

YOU: Uh. By the way... I kind of, uh, hooked up with Anja on the weekend. SUMMER: I know. YOU: You do? SUMMER: She asked if she could. I told her to go for it. YOU: God, I keep forgetting you two are friends. SUMMER: I mean, at this point I think we're all friends with each other. YOU: Heh. I guess so. We should probably start acting like it, huh? SUMMER: Yeah. *(Silence. She stares at you for a second then leans in and gives you a quick peck on the cheek.)* SUMMER: I'm glad we're friends. *(You bump her with your shoulder.)* YOU: Me too. <%= next("epilogue1") %>

#### **Front Steps** — Evening *(You make your way around the edge of the school, carefully hopping down from roof to roof, until you're on the awning above the front steps. Kaz looks down.)* KAZ: Alright, I think we can make it down from here. YOU: Are you sure it's safe? KAZ: Totally. Watch. YOU: Wait— *(Kaz hops down into a hedge next to the front steps. They stumble out of it and dust themself off.)* * [[Are you okay?!|arrest11]] * [[Do you see Sherbourne?|arrest10]]

YOU: Do you see Sherbourne anywhere? KAZ: *(looking around)* Nah, I think we lost him. Now hurry up and— <%= display("arrest12") %>

YOU: Kaz! Are you okay? KAZ: It's totally fine, dude. Nothing to worry ab— <%= display("arrest12") %>

<% portrait("kaz1","anja1","sherbourne666") %> *(Out of nowhere, Sherbourne exits the school, face scratched up and bleeding. He reaches out and grabs Kaz before they can run away.)* ANJA: HEY!!! *(She leaps down off the roof.)* * [[Let them go!|arrest1]]

*(Out of the corner of your eye you see Anja silently shimmying around the edge of the room. She catches your eye and makes the "stretch it out" hand gesture.)*

<% portrait("kaz1") %> #### **2nd Floor** — After School ##### **Tuesday, 4 October 2016** *(One week later. You and Kaz are walking to the newspaper office for press night. Kaz angrily thumbs through their phone.)* KAZ: Ugh! I don't know what's worse, the fact that Toronto Sun got our scoop or the fact that they couldn't come up with a better nickname than "Creep-o Bone Teach". YOU: I guess in retrospect it was a bit optimistic to think that the administration would have actually let us publish an article about a faculty member desecrating corpses and threatening students. KAZ: It was our *story*, man! All that work and we just get censored. * [[There's always more stories.|epilogue2]] * [[That's an accomplishment in itself.|epilogue3]] * [[It was still worth it.|epilogue4]] <% chapter(14) %>

YOU: There's always more stories. KAZ: Yeah, more soccer scores to write up. YOU: Just doing our civic duty. <%= display("epilogue5") %>

YOU: It's kind of an accomplishment in its own right, when you think about it. First censored issue in 103 years. KAZ: I suppose I can take *some* comfort in our legendary delinquency... <%= display("epilogue5") %>

YOU: It was kind of worth it though. We solved the mystery, we stopped a grave robber, and we kept the school safe from a weird hallucinogenic smoke. KAZ: Yeah, yeah. Civic duty. Blah blah blah. YOU: Plus now I've got Ms. Wallace for History and she actually knows what she's talking about. KAZ: Ugh, I just want some fame though! Is that too much to ask? <%= display("epilogue5") %>

*(You and Kaz round the corner. There's a huge crowd of people waiting outside the office.)* KAZ: The hell...? YOU: Can we help you? *(A Grade 9 boy steps out of the crowd.)* GRADE 9: Um, hey. Are you the ones who make the cool illegal newspaper? * [[It's not illegal exactly.|epilogue6]] * [[Yep, that's us.|epilogue7]]

YOU: ...It's not illegal exactly. We just had one banned issue. KAZ: It is definitely cool though. GRADE 9: Oh. *(He nods.)* YOU: Would you... like to come inside and read it? <%= display("epilogue8") %>

YOU: ...Yep. That's us alright. KAZ: Yeah, we're like the most illegal. GRADE 9: Whoa. YOU: Uh, would you like to come inside and read the latest issue? <%= display("epilogue8") %>

GRADE 9: *(eyes wide)* You have a copy?? YOU: Well it's just a PDF file, so yes. GRADE 9: Oh my god. That'd be amazing. *(The other students murmur in agreement as you let them into the office. Kaz turns on a computer.)* KAZ: Right this way, kids! *(The Grade 9 looks around in amazement.)* GRADE 9: This is so cool. I wish I could do something like this. *(You and Kaz look at each other.)* YOU: Funny you should mention that... <%= next("epilogue9") %>

*(Within half an hour, you have the new staffers settled in and working on assignments. Kaz slides their chair over to your desk.)* KAZ: Dude, this rules! We need to get censored every week! YOU: Okay, we can't get censored *every* week. That'd be the same as not putting out the paper at all. KAZ: Oh yeah. Well regardless, this is great. We've basically got a full staff now. We can probably get this issue done in like an hour. YOU: Yeah, wow. I guess I'm in charge of like fifteen people now. *(You freeze in place.)* ...Oh god. KAZ: What? YOU: I'm in charge of like fifteen people now. *(You grip the edge of your notebook tightly and stare off into the middle distance.)* KAZ: Na? You alright? *(They wave their hand in front of your face)* * [[I don't know.|epilogue10]]

<% chapter(15) setTimeout(function(){ location.assign("index.html"); },2000); %>

YOU: I don't know. Maybe? It's just I started thinking like, oh man I've got to manage all these people now and find them jobs they like and give them assignments and edit their submissions and learn their names and track their progress and answer their questions and order them pizza... *(They rub your shoulder.)* KAZ: Deep breaths, buddy. You got a whole new thing going on here. *(You take some slow, deep breaths.)* KAZ: It'll be great. Best thing ever, probably. You just have to figure out what to do and then do it. YOU: ...Right. *(You exhale then flip to an empty page in your notebook.)* YOU: Okay, step one: New to-do list. <ul><li class='next'><%= link("End ➤","end") %></li></ul>

<% if (s.e1save) { s.toldallen = s.e1save.toldallen; s.toldallen1 = s.e1save.toldallen1; s.toldallen2 = s.e1save.toldallen2; } if (s.e3save) { s.walkhome = s.e3save.walkhome; } %> ### Journal <% if (s.chapter > 13) { %> #### **Tuesday, 27 September 2016** <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 13) { %> Putting my journal on pause while I work on the Sherbourne story. Going to need all the focus I can muster. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 12) { %> #### **Monday, 26 September 2016** <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 12) { %> **Morning:** Full French project success, immediately tempered by awkward conversation with Allen. I think he was looking for forgiveness, but he's not going to get it from me any time soon. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 10) { %> #### **Friday, 23 September 2016** <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 10) { %> **Evening:** Had a very good night. That's about all I need to write in here. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 9) { %> #### **Thursday, 22 September 2016** <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 9) { %> **After School:** Kaz and I tried to run a recruiting drive. We will see what happens on the next press night, but early indications suggest complete failure. Went to hang out with Anja on the field later. I find I'm enjoying Anja's company more and more lately, and I get the sense she feels the same. Her friends came over and I tried not to completely embarrass me. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 6) { %> #### **Wednesday, 21 September 2016** <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 7) { %> **After School:** Well, we investigated and we found what we think is a recently-disturbed grave. I freaked out. No idea what to do at this point <% } if (s.chapter > 8) { %> Kaz ended up driving me back to their house, where Anja calmed me down. That girl is a more of a lifesaver than I ever would have thought a week ago. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 6) { %> **Mid-Afternoon:** Anja invited me over to work on our French assignment on Friday. I actually feel kind of excited for this. Relationship clearly on upward trajectory. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 5) { %> #### **Tuesday, 20 September 2016** <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 5) { %> **After School:** Kaz and I realized that there are a bunch of abandoned graveyards around the city — possibly a source of stolen bones? We narrowed the list of potential targets down to one: Richview Memorial Cemetery. We are going to investigate after school tomorrow. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 3) { %> #### **Monday, 19 September 2016** <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 4) { %> **After School:** Summer is talking me in person again. Still hard to wrap my head around that. We had a good(?) conversation on the walk home. In some ways it's kind of like falling back into our old patterns, but also it's extremely different. She's changed a lot. I guess maybe I have too. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 3) { %> **Morning:** Back at school after extended absence. Have not seen Allen. People seem cooler about everything than I feared. That's something at least. <% } %> #### **Thursday, 15 September 2016** **Evening:** Tried to abate misery by calling graveyards and asking about missing bones. Misery was not abated. Later, Summer called and we had a really long rambling conversation. I think we are kind of okay now? **Morning:** Well I thought last night was the worst night ever but nope now everyone at school knows I'm bi and the world is on fire and I am literally in hell. Just bury me in a fucking ditch. #### **Wednesday, 14 September 2016** **After School:** My head is spinning and everything is terrible. I don't even know if I can write down all the horrible things that Allen did. Everything is ruined and messed up and bad and it's all my fault. Damn it damn it damn it damn it damn it. #### **Tuesday, 13 September 2016** **After School:** God, like a billion things happened! Okay. First Kaz dragged me into the North Wing to do some ghost investigation, then once we got to the auditorium and I had another vision, and then some weird mystery person came in and started doing some kind of ritual. Long story short: the ghost I've been seeing is Osgoode Terauley! I'm still trying to process what this even means. **Morning:** Well that French presentation with Anja went as bad as I could have expected. Probably has something to do with the fact that she's too mad at me to even consider working with me on it. Now we have *another* project assigned too. It's like a never-ending cycle. Why is it so hard for things to be good? #### **Monday, 12 September 2016** **After School:** <% if (s.walkhome) { %> Walked home by myself again today. I just was not ready to have that conversation with Allen. <% } else { %> Drove home with Allen and had another awkward non-conversation. I'm just not ready to confront him yet. <% } %> I think he knows something's up though. **Morning:** Rode in with Allen in near total silence. I feel like we're going to have to talk eventually about all that stuff Anja said at the party. About how he and I were so awful to Summer. Is there something else going on there? I feel like at this point there has to be, right? Maybe Allen remembers something that might shed some light on it. I just hope it's not something I don't want to hear... #### **Sunday, 11 September 2016** **Early Early Morning:** Well, as if I didn't have enough to worry about, Jayden went for it finally. Ugh. UGH. I literally feel physically gross right now. Why didn't I just tell him off earlier or something? God, and Anja saw the whole thing too. What a trainwreck of a night. I think I need to find Kaz and get the hell out of here. **Midnight:** Texted Allen and it basically immediately turned into a big fight. Can we even talk anymore without getting into some weird thing about Summer or Anja? Why is he getting so freaked out about *everything* this year? Whatever's going on, it's getting really old really fast. I think I need to get into investigation mode here. (Oh and also I managed to spill a *drink* on Anja and completely piss her off again. Good going, me.) #### **Saturday, 10 September 2016** **Late Night:** My first attempt to talk to Summer was derailed by another weird vision. This time I saw some weird blond kid. He looked around my age and he was wearing an MCC uniform. He's not anyone from my class but I swear to god he looks so familiar. Where have I seen him before? **Night:** Allen decided to stay home from the party, because of course. I guess it's good in a way. Gives me more opportunities to talk to Summer alone. If I can work up the courage, that is. #### **Friday, 9 September 2016** **After School:** I came out to Kaz!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! They were so supportive and nice and understanding and I feel like a million times better, oh my god. I told them everything. About me, about Summer, about Allen. In fact, they've taken it upon themself to get Summer and I back on speaking terms again. Step 1: Kipling's Party tomorrow... #### **Thursday, 8 September 2016** **After School:** Okay, Allen was officially being a total jerk about Anja situation, so I ditched him and walked home alone. On the way I ran into Summer. Which is to say I saw her at the bottom of a muddy ditch. I pulled her out. Things were still awkward but she was grateful. Operation Make My Ex Best Friend Hate Me A Little Bit Less is moving forward... **Morning:** I have no idea what compelled her to do it, but Anja completely saved my butt today. The Docteure gave us a group assignment and she stepped in so I wouldn't have to partner with Jayden. Only problem is now we have to work together, and that is going to be somewhat less than pleasant. **Before School:** <% if (s.toldallen) { %> Allen was practically gloating when I told him how my talk with Summer went. Almost feels like he's rooting for us to not get along sometimes. Got an invitation to Kipling's party on Saturday, which should be a lot of fun. <% } else { %> Told Allen about Summer. He seemed a bit weird about it, but before I could press him on it the conversation got derailed by Kip's elaborate party invitation. Looks like I'm going to his place on Saturday. <% } %> Also, had an... unsettling ghost talk with Annette. According to her there are "psychic imprints of past lives" all over the school, and someone with the right spell could totally summon them into an animal form. Only thing is they'd basically need to steal human bones from a graveyard to pull it off. Yuck. #### **Wednesday, 7 September 2016** **Afternoon:** Literally grabbed Anja in class and forced her into the seat next to me so I didn't have to sit with Jayden. God knows what I was thinking. Now I'm stuck to her all year and she is clearly NOT happy about it. So much for getting on her good side. Then after class I FINALLY managed to talk to Summer, but she basically just blew me off. **Lunch:** Went around and interviewed a bunch of people. No one seems to know anything about ghosts. <% if (s.toldallen2) { %> Told Allen about Summer and honestly he was kind of a jerk about it. Then, <% } else { %> (None of them had seen Summer either.) <% } %> Jayden ambushed me on the way to class and tried to claim seat next to me in French class. A worrying development. **Morning:** Summer is in my history class!! I tried to get her attention while Sherbourne was rambling but she just looked away. In other words, she's still avoiding me. Sigh. Maybe I'll see her at lunch. **Before School:** <% if (s.toldallen1) { %> Told Allen about Summer on the way into school. He reacted... weird. Also, found <% } else { %> Had a nice ride in with Allen. Found <% } %> out I'm next to Annette's locker this year. (She was in the North Wing before they closed it for construction.) #### **Tuesday, 6 September 2016** **Night:** Wrapped up first issue after literally hours of work. Kaz "celebrated". As we were leaving, we had a strange encounter in the halls. Not going to commit all details to writing in case someone finds this and thinks I've lost my senses, but it involved purple smoke coming out of the North Wing and a weird raccoon. Kaz has convinced me we need to investigate. **After School:** First Editorial meeting was as empty as expected. Fortunately I've got Kaz, and the two of us can at least scrape something together for this week. Anja says Summer's back at MCC this year. Wonder if she'll talk to me finally. **Morning:** First day of Grade 12. Started new notebook (obviously). No big surprises so far. Looking forward to first newspaper as editor. Less looking forward to the fact that no one will be there.

### About *Known Unknowns* is a game by **<a href="http://bphennessy.com/" target="_blank">Brendan Patrick Hennessy</a>** with art by **<a href="http://izzymarbella.com/" target="_blank">Izzy Marbella</a>**. It was written in **<a href="http://twinery.org/" target="_blank">Twine</a>**, an open-source tool for telling interactive, non-linear stories. Thanks extremely to **furkle**<span style="display:none">, baby</span>, **Katherine Morayati**, **Sam Kabo Ashwell**, **Bruno Dias**, **juxi**, **Cat Manning**, and **Astrid Dalmady** for all the testing and help-giving. Thanks also to Emily Short for being a wonderful supportive person who are great. Please send questions or comments to **<a href="mailto:feedback@known.zone">feedback@known.zone</a>** <div class="copyrightnotice">*© 2017 brendan patrick hennessy*</span>

Are you sure you want to return to the Episode Select screen? **<a href="index.html">yes please</a>** *return to the main menu* **<a href="javascript:history.back()">never mind</a>** *keep playing the game*

<% if (localStorage) { %> <% if (Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) === 400) { %> **<a href="javascript:newgame()" data-passage="gone0">start episode</a>** <% } %> <% if (Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) === 310) { %> **<a href="javascript:newgame()" data-passage="gone0">start episode</a>** *continue your save file from episode 3* <% } %> <% if (!(Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) > 309)) { %> **<a href="javascript:newgame()" data-passage="gone0">start new game</a>** *skip previous episodes and begin a new save file from here* <% } %> <% if ((Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) > 400) && (Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) < 415)) { %><%= chapterlink() %><% } %> <% if (Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) > 400) { %> **<a href="javascript:newgame()" data-passage="gone0">restart episode</a>** *your progress from this episode on will be deleted* <% } %> <% } else { %> **<%= link("start new game","gone0") %>** *autosave isn't working properly on this device, sorry!* <% } %> **<%= link("chapter select","chapterselect") %>** <% if (localStorage) { %> *your progress will not be saved or overwritten in this mode* <% } %> **<a href="index.html">back to main menu</a>** <div class="preload"><img src="img/nadia1.png" /><img src="img/kaz1.png" /><img src="img/anja1.png" /><img src="img/summer1.png" /><img src="img/nadia2.png" /><img src="img/kaz2.png" /><img src="img/anja2.png" /><img src="img/summer2.png" /><img src="img/allen1.png" /><img src="img/annette1.png" /><img src="img/olivia1.png" /><img src="img/miles1.png" /><img src="img/jayden1.png" /><img src="img/kipling1.png" /><img src="img/rouille.png" /><img src="img/sherbourne.png" /><img src="img/sherbourne666.png" /><img src="img/hooded.png" /></div>

*(You sigh heavily.)* YOU: ...I am too. ANJA: Okay. YOU: Sorry. *(She pulls you closer and kisses you on the lips.)* ANJA: Don't apologize. YOU: ...Okay. *(You kiss her again. She guides you back to the bed and closes the laptop. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

YOU: You mean it? *(She pulls you in a little closer and kisses you softly on the lips.)* ANJA: Does that answer your question? YOU: Mm-hmm. *(You kiss her again. She guides you back to the bed and closes the laptop. The whole room goes dark.)* <%= next("morning1") %>

*(She takes your hand.)* ANJA: You can't do anything wrong tonight, okay? I'm glad you're here. *(You breathe in and out. She squeezes your hand)* * [[Okay.|tv223]]

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Hooded Figure <img src="img/hooded.png" /> ????????????????? <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>