Episode 3 ~ Known Unknowns

<a href="javascript:void(0)" data-passage="tfw6"> # **Known Unknowns** ## episode three: a busy week </a>

*(They lead you out of the building, texting furiously as they go.)* YOU: Wait, we can't leave before we tell the office. Who's going to tell the office? I have to put my initials in the book. KAZ: We'll call them. YOU: *(confused)* On the telephone? KAZ: God damn it, where is she? * [[Who?|panic23]] * [[I'm not really used to skipping school.|panic24]]

<% portrait("kaz1","anja1") %>*(Anja comes out of the front door.)* KAZ: Oh, thank god! Just... sit here and make sure she doesn't explode. I'm going to get the car and take her home. Also I'm taking the car. *(They start to leave.)* ANJA: Kaz! *(She dangles the keys.)* KAZ: Right! Good looking out! *(Kaz snatches the keys and runs off. You and Anja sit there in silence.)* * [[This is miserable.|panic4]] * [[You must be enjoying this.|panic5]] * [[...|panic6]]

<% portrait("anja1") %>YOU: This is just about the worst thing that's happened to me. ANJA: Yes. YOU: So everyone knows then? ANJA: Well, most people have heard something. What exactly they *know*, I'm not sure. That depends on how true it all is. *(You nod. There's a long silence.)* ANJA: ...So. Is it *all* bullshit or just like 90% bullshit? * [[How do you mean?|panic48]] * [[I don't know the exact percentage.|panic26]] * [[We did break up.|panic27]] * [[Why do you want to know?|panic28]]

<% portrait("anja1") %>YOU: ...You must be enjoying this. <%= display("panic53") %>

<% portrait("anja1") %>*(You sit staring at the ground.)* ANJA: For what it's worth I'm sorry this is happening to you. YOU: No you're not. ANJA: I am. You don't deserve this. * [[Yes I do.|panic29]] * [[I'm surprised you think so.|panic30]]

*(Kaz pulls up in the car.)* ANJA: *(helping you up.)* Listen. I don't hug people. But if I was a hugging person I'd hug you right now. YOU: That's okay. I also don't hug people. ANJA: Good to know. *(No one moves for a few seconds. Then she lightly pats you on the shoulder.)* YOU: ...See you around. *(You get in the car.)* <%= next("calling6") %>

*(You nod.)* ANJA: Seriously. I'd tell you if it was. *(You look out towards the parking lot and see Ethan running towards the school, Tim Hortons coffee in hand. As soon as he comes near you he gets a big stupid grin on his face and opens his mouth.)* ANJA: If I hear one word out of you I will seriously punch your balls off. *(He closes his mouth and hurries into the building.)* * [[Thank you.|panic9]] * [[That wasn't necessary.|panic54]] * [[Kaz always said you were overprotective.|panic10]]

YOU: ...Thank you. ANJA: My pleasure. I hate that kid. *(You chuckle and smile a little.)* YOU: Hey, uh... <%= display("panic33") %>

YOU: Kaz always said you were overprotective. ANJA: That was exactly the right amount of protective. *(You chuckle a little bit.)* YOU: Hey, uh... <%= display("panic33") %>

<% portrait("kaz1") %> *(You go back to opening your locker. Kaz sprints up to you at full speed.)* KAZ: Nadia! Christ! Are you okay? YOU: Kaz, wh– *(They grab your arm and start dragging you down the hall)* KAZ: We need to have an emergency staff meeting right now. YOU: But homeroom– KAZ: Homeroom can wait until after the *emergency staff meeting*. YOU: *(looking around)* Uh...? *(They open a door and shove you inside.)* * [[What's going on?|panic12]] * [[Why are we in a supply closet?|panic13]]

YOU: Kaz, what's going on? KAZ: I didn't tell anyone, I swear to god. Not even Anja, okay? So you can't hate me. YOU: Kaz. *What's going on?* KAZ: Did you not get my texts? YOU: What? No. God, I guess my phone's been off all night. Here– <%= display("panic14") %>

YOU: Um, why are we in a supply closet? KAZ: I didn't tell anyone, I swear to god. Not even Anja, okay? So you can't hate me. YOU: Hate you? I don't– Wait, tell anyone what? KAZ: You weren't answering my texts. YOU: Oh, I had to turn my phone off last night. I guess– <%= display("panic14") %>

*(You reach for your phone. Kaz puts their hand over yours.)* KAZ: Don't. Okay, listen. People are uh... saying some stuff. * [[Stuff?|panic15]] * [[About me?|panic16]]

YOU: What kind of stuff? KAZ: Okay, uh, Allen has been telling people you broke up with him? YOU: I did. Yesterday. Oh my god, Kaz you have *no idea*– <%= display("panic17") %>

YOU: You mean about me? KAZ: *(nodding)* And Allen. YOU: Allen? I just broke up with Allen... KAZ: I know. YOU: Like yesterday. KAZ: I *know*. YOU: No you seriously don't. Kaz, there's a whole– <%= display("panic17") %>

KAZ: He's telling everyone the reason you broke up with him was you were in love with someone else. YOU: Wait, what? KAZ: Yeah, Mason says that Allen told him that you said that you wanted to have permission to cheat on him with someone else and he said no but you said he had to otherwise you were going to dump him and he said he wouldn't do it so you said fine it's over and left. I mean that's what Mason says that he said that you said. But Mason told Kyle who told Ethan and all those guys, and Blake was the one who told me, but by the time it got to him it had already been through Olivia and all the lacrosse girls, who of course told Anja. And basically now it's everywhere. *(You stare ahead.)* KAZ: ...Na, he's saying the person you're in love with is a girl. *(You stumble back against a shelf and knock over some drain cleaner.)* KAZ: Whoa, whoa... * [[Hold on.|panic18]] * [[I don't understand.|panic19]] * [[What do I do?|panic20]]

KAZ: Nadia? YOU: My chest hurts. My chest hurts a lot. KAZ: Shit. Nadia, look at me. YOU: My chest doesn't normally hurt this much. KAZ: I think you're having a panic attack. YOU: No I'm pretty sure my heart's exploding. KAZ: Nadia. YOU: Also my breathing's not working? The air goes in and then stops going in. It's like fifty percent in. Forty percent. What do you call that? Go on WebMD and look up "thirty percent breathing" and then see how long it is before I die. KAZ: You're hyperventilating. YOU: No that's too much air. "Hyper." Means too much. I'm *hypo*ventilating. Look on WebMD for that. KAZ: We need to get you outside. * [[Outside sounds good.|panic21]] * [[Outside sounds bad.|panic22]]

YOU: Hold on. Just hold on. There's a lot going on right now. Um. *(You sit down on the floor and grab your chest.)* <%= display("panic1") %>

YOU: I don't understand... what's going on here? It doesn't– There's a lot of things to process right now. Um. *(You sit down on the floor and grab your chest.)* <%= display("panic1") %>

YOU: What do I do? I don't have a plan for this. This is not something I am ready for. I am not ready to be ready for this. Um. *(You sit down on the floor and grab your chest.)* <%= display("panic1") %>

YOU: Outside. Good thinking. Lots of air out there. KAZ: *(lifting you to your feet)* Okay, up we get. YOU: If I die can you delete my browser history and break my phone with a hammer? KAZ: You're not going to die. YOU: Everyone's going to die Kaz. Especially me, right now. <%= display("panic2") %>

YOU: I was thinking maybe I should just lie down in here and never leave ever again? KAZ: *(lifting you to your feet)* Okay, up we get. YOU: See the thing is there are people out there and I'd really prefer it if none of them ever see me again. KAZ: It's fine. Everyone's in class by now. YOU: Oh god, we're late for homeroom? KAZ: One crisis at a time, buddy. Stay on target. <%= display("panic2") %>

YOU: Who? <%= display("panic3") %>

YOU: *(breathing faster)* I'm not really used to skipping school like this. What if I do it wrong? <%= display("panic3") %>

YOU: I wouldn't know how to quantify it. I haven't heard the rumour first-hand. It could be 90% but that depends on what details get lingered on. ANJA: I didn't need an actual number. YOU: Even an estimate would be tricky. ANJA: Maybe this was the wrong line of questioning. *(You sigh.)* YOU: Allen was lying to me the entire time we were together. He said that Summer had told him that she never wanted to see me again. But actually *he* had told *her* that *I* had said *I* never wanted to see *her* again. Even though I never did. ANJA: Wait. You mean this whole time...? YOU: I thought Summer was a freaked-out straight girl who hated me. *(Anja stares straight ahead, looking kind of dumbfounded.)* YOU: ...So yeah. What percentage is that? <%= display("panic49") %>

YOU: Allen and I did break up. But not because of any of the stuff he said. ANJA: So why? *(You sigh.)* YOU: A lot of stuff. It was a big fight. I'm bi, I never told him, it came out, he was pissed. But the whole reason it came out was I found out everything he said to Summer back in middle school. <%= display("panic56") %>

YOU: Why do *you* want to know? ANJA: *(shrugging)* You don't have to tell me. YOU: Sorry. That's not what I meant. I'm... ANJA: You're having a very bad day. YOU: ...Yeah. *(You sigh.)* It's... mostly made up, except I am bi and I'm pretty sure we broke up because of that. ANJA: "Pretty sure." YOU: It was kind of a big fight. It ended up being about me but it started when I found out about all that stuff he said to Summer back in middle school. <%= display("panic56") %>

YOU: Yes I do. I'm terrible. ANJA: Nadia, your garbage boyfriend just outed you to the entire school. You are not the terrible person in this situation. YOU: *Ex*-boyfriend. ANJA: The hell happened with you two anyway? * [[You did.|panic50]] * [[He found out I was bi.|panic51]] * [[I found out what he said to Summer.|panic52]]

YOU: I'm surprised to hear you of all people say that. <%= display("panic53") %>

YOU: So this whole time you were mad about what happened with Summer. *(She raises an eyebrow.)* ANJA: Well yes, of course. What else? YOU: I didn't know. ANJA: This is what confuses me, Nadia. You are clearly a very smart and observant person. What the hell did you *think* was happening? *(You sigh.)* YOU: No, like, I didn't know Summer had feelings for me. I just heard everything that happened yesterday. That's why we Allen and I broke up. ANJA: Wait– YOU: Allen told *me* that Summer told *him* that she never wanted to see me again. Then he went and told *her* that *I* told him that *I* never wanted to see *her* again. *(Anja stares forward in silence.)* YOU: ...All because he wanted to go out with me himself basically. <%= display("panic49") %>

YOU: Kind of *feels* like you hate me. ANJA: I don't know what to say to that, honestly. *(You nod. The two of you sit silently for a while.)* ANJA: Summer's a very important person to me, Nadia. And the awful way you treated her... YOU: I know. *(She sighs.)* ANJA: This complicates the narrative a bit, obviously. You're... what, gay? Bi? YOU: Bi. ANJA: Bi. So why, then? Self-loathing? Fear? YOU: Disinformation. *(She raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: ...Allen never told me that Summer liked me. He said she'd told him that she never wanted to talk to me again. I always figured she was straight and I scared her off, you know? ANJA: *(rubbing her forehead)* Jesus Christ. YOU: I thought maybe if I gave her some space, she'd eventually... <%= display("panic49") %>

#### **Your Room** – Evening <% s.textanja = true; %> *(You run into your bedroom, slamming the door behind you.)* YOU: Damn it! *(You wipe some tears away, take out your phone, and dial Summer's number. The phone rings.)* YOU: *(pacing around)* Come on... *(Her voicemail message starts playing.)* YOU: Of course, idiot. Why would she start answering now? *(BEEP.)* YOU: Summer. Hey. Um. It's Nadia. Nadia Nazari? ...You probably already knew that. You know what my voice sounds like. Listen... uh. Can you call me back? It's really really really important. I have some things to say to you that I can't really say over the phone. I mean, I can say them over the phone just not to your voicemail. Or I guess I *could*. But it's uh really better if we just– *(BEEP.)* YOU: ...talk. *(You flop down on your bed and scroll through your contacts to get to Kaz. But right before them on the list is Anja. You tap through to your message history with her, fingers hovering over the screen.)* * [[You were right.|textanja2]] * [[I'm sorry.|textanja3]] * [[We need to talk.|textanja4]] * [[...|textanja5]]

<div class="phonename">Anja Kaczmarek</div> <div class="youtext">You were right. I am an awful person</div> <%= display("textanja8") %>

<div class="phonename">Anja Kaczmarek</div> <div class="youtext">I'm sorry.</div> <div class="youtext">For what it's worth.</div> <%= display("textanja8") %>

<div class="phonename">Anja Kaczmarek</div> <div class="youtext">We need to talk, okay? In person.</div> <div class="youtext">I know you hate me but it's important.</div> <%= display("textanja8") %>

*(You sigh and put the phone down.)* <%= display("textanja7") %>

*(You stare at the phone, trying to think of what to say next. Eventually you just sigh and put the phone down.)* <%= display("textanja7") %>

<% portrait("kaz1") %> YOU: Okay that was fun but I think I'm officially done with the telephone forever now. *(Your throw your phone down on the bed. It immediately starts ringing. Kaz looks over at the screen.)* KAZ: Oh shit!! It's Summer! YOU: *(sitting up)* What? *(They grab the phone and toss it to you.)* YOU: What do I do?! KAZ: Answer it! Answer it! *(You pick up.)* * [[Hello?|graveyardguy3]]

*(She looks over at you. You make eye contact for the first time in a while.)* YOU: ...Can I ask you a question? ANJA: *(shrugging)* If you want. * [[Are you...?|panic34]] * [[Are you and Summer...?|panic35]] * [[...Never mind.|panic36]]

YOU: Are you... uh... ANJA: Am I what? YOU: I'm trying to think of the best way to phrase this. ANJA: You couldn't have done that before you started your sentence? YOU: Um. ANJA: Use your words, Nadia. YOU: ...Are you gay? *(She looks at you for a second.)* ANJA: What tipped you off? * [[You and Summer.|panic37]] * [[You give off a vibe.|panic38]] * [[How much you hate me.|panic39]] * [[Lucky guess.|panic40]]

YOU: Are you Summer's... uh...? Are you and her...? ANJA: Are she and I...? YOU: Um. ANJA: ...Dating? Is that it? YOU: It's just, the way you are with her... *(She stares at you for a second.)* ANJA: We're not dating. I'm her friend and I want what's best for her. No other explanation necessary I think. *(You nod.)* ANJA: I am gay though, if that's what you were actually asking. * [[I guess I was.|panic41]] * [[Not really.|panic42]] * [[Oh.|panic43]]

YOU: Um... *(She raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: How... long does it... take you to get your hair like that? ANJA: Ha. I get up a hell of a lot earlier than Kaz, I'll tell you that much. *(You smile a little.)* ANJA: Look, Nadia. I know we haven't been... well, anything really. But at this point I might as well tell you: I'm gay. YOU: Wow. Oh. That... okay. ANJA: Don't tell anyone, obviously. But I figure the least I can do is throw you a fucking life preserver here. So if you need a sympathetic ear... YOU: ...Right. ANJA: *(nodding)* Tell Kaz they have my full permission to fill you in on the details. *(She looks over at the campus gates.)* ...Ah. Speak of the devil. <%= display("panic7") %>

YOU: Just, the way you are with Summer... ANJA: You think I'm her girlfriend. *(You shrug.)* ANJA: I care about Summer. A lot. But as a friend. We've never dated. YOU: Okay. ANJA: I just didn't want to see her get hurt by you again. <%= display("panic7") %>

YOU: Um. Don't take this the wrong way... ANJA: I'm not sure I like where this sentence is going. YOU: You kind of... give off a vibe? I guess? ANJA: Gaydar, Nazari? *Really?* You of all people? *(You shrug. She chuckles and shakes her head.)* ANJA: "A vibe." YOU: *(smirking)* I was right, wasn't I? ANJA: Any idiot can be right. Doesn't mean they're right for the right reason. <%= display("panic7") %>

YOU: You always like... really seemed to hate me. Like more than you would have if it was just Summer. ANJA: You think I was taking it personally. *(You nod.)* ANJA: Hmm. Maybe I was. YOU: Yeah. ANJA: But wouldn't you? YOU: ... <%= display("panic7") %>

YOU: Just a lucky guess. ANJA: Ha. I suppose you had to get one right sooner or later. <%= display("panic7") %>

YOU: I guess I kind of was. Yeah. ANJA: Well there you go then. YOU: ...No wonder you hated me. *(Anja chuckles.)* ANJA: Well that wasn't exactly the only reason. ...But yeah I suppose the homophobia wasn't doing you any favours. <%= display("panic7") %>

YOU: It, uh, wasn't. Not really. ANJA: Okay. Never mind then. YOU: But, you know, thanks for telling me anyway. <%= display("panic44") %>

YOU: Oh. ...Okay. *(You stare straight ahead.)* ANJA: Does talking about this make you uncomfortable? * [[A little.|panic45]] * [[It's not that.|panic46]] * [[Everything makes me uncomfortable today.|panic47]]

ANJA: You're... welcome? I guess? It's not much to thank me for, honestly. YOU: Yeah, well. Still. <%= display("panic7") %>

YOU: A little. I haven't talked about it very much and so far 50% of those conversations have ended in complete disaster. So... yeah. ANJA: 33% now. YOU: ...Right. <%= display("panic7") %>

YOU: No, no. It's not that. *(She raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: Okay, maybe it's that a little. But more, I'm just thinking like... god, you had *so* many reasons to hate me. Like, no wonder. ANJA: Well, I've got a lot fewer now. If that's any consolation. YOU: It is a little, yeah. Thanks. <%= display("panic44") %>

YOU: Honestly pretty much everything is making me uncomfortable today. *(Anja nods.)* YOU: So, you know. It's not just– ANJA: I get it. You'll feel better once you're away from this hellhole. *(She looks over at the campus gates.)* Speaking of which... <%= display("panic7") %>

YOU: What do you mean? ANJA: Well, talk like this... It's obvious Allen is getting out in front of something, trying to make you look bad. It's kind of transparent actually? YOU: Oh. ANJA: I figure you must have been the one to dump him. But like... over what? Was there even a *grain* of truth to any of this? YOU: I mean. I'm bi. So there's that. But mainly we broke up after I found out what he did to Summer back in middle school. <%= display("panic56") %>

ANJA: That *scumbag.* YOU: I... yeah. ANJA: I'm going to kill him. YOU: Don't, please. ANJA: Suggestion noted. * [[Wait, why am I defending him?|panic57]] * [[I can't believe he told everyone.|panic25]] * [[What am I going to do?|panic58]]

YOU: Um, *you* did. *(She raises an eyebrow.)* YOU: After the party, I couldn't stop thinking about that stuff you said. How like I'd been such a bad person or whatever? So yesterday I went over to talk to Allen. And then we got in a fight and pretty soon it all came out. Me being bi, the stuff he said to Summer... ANJA: Wait– YOU: I didn't know any of it. Didn't know about Summer, that is. I knew I was bi. Which is obvious I guess because how could I admit something if I didn't know it? I mean strictly speaking I didn't *exactly* know back in middle school, but even then on some level– ANJA: *(holding up her hand)* Shut up for a second. What do you mean you "didn't know" about Summer? *What* didn't you know? *(You sigh.)* YOU: Allen told me that Summer had said she never wanted to see me again. I always figured that she was straight and that I'd scared her off or something. *(Anja stares straight ahead.)* <%= display("panic49") %>

YOU: He... found out that I was bisexual. *Am* bisexual. ...I'm bisexual. ANJA: Yes, I heard. Pretty surprising, I have to say. YOU: You really didn't know, then. ANJA: No. I mean... I suspected. *Maybe*. But with you and Summer, I always thought... YOU: You thought I was an awful homophobe who kicked her out of my life because she was gay. ANJA: You have to admit it was a compelling theory. *(You nod, not meeting her eyes.)* ANJA: So *why* then? Self-hatred? YOU: I never knew what happened. Allen told me she never wanted to see me again. ANJA: Wait– YOU: He lied to both of us. Me and her, I mean. Not me and you. Although I guess you could say he lied to you by omission. I always thought that she was straight and that I'd misread the situation and scared her off. *(Anja stares straight ahead.)* <%= display("panic49") %>

YOU: I found out everything he said to Summer back in middle school. <%= display("panic56") %>

ANJA: *(rolling her eyes)* I'm not a monster, Nadia. YOU: Okay. *(She sighs.)* ANJA: Look, I've been... mad at you. But I don't hate you, okay? I don't want to see you suffer. * [[You were mad about Summer.|panic31]] * [[Kind of feels like you hate me.|panic32]]

YOU: That wasn't... strictly necessary. ANJA: Yes it was. *(You bite your bottom lip.)* YOU: ...Um. <%= display("panic33") %>

*(Your eyes widen and you sit up a bit.)* YOU: Oh god, my *parents.* They're going to disown me. ANJA: They aren't going to disown you. YOU: You don't understand. They're not– If they find out– ANJA: They aren't going to find out. YOU: Everyone at school knows. The teachers are going to know. ANJA: The teachers have better things to worry about than gossip. YOU: But what if the school calls my parents? ANJA: Why would they ever do that? YOU: I– ANJA: Nadia. The only thing the school wants out of your parents is that Nazari Eyewear Solutions money. They're not going to do anything that might freak anyone out. They have no incentive to. YOU: *(breathing heavily)* ANJA: Your life is not over. Alright? * [[Alright.|panic8]]

ANJA: Wait, *found out*... YOU: I didn't know until yesterday. He'd always told me that Summer said she never wanted to see me again. I always thought I had... scared her off or something. But I guess actually he was just afraid of me being gay. Which in retrospect was not the most unfounded fear in the world. But yeah, he was just lying to me the entire time we were together. <%= display("panic49") %>

YOU: God, I don't know why I'm defending him. ANJA: Instinct? You were dating him since forever. YOU: I mean, he did just destroy my whole life and everything. I should probably be madder. ANJA: Hey, listen. I know this sucks but your life isn't over. Okay? * [[Okay.|panic8]]

YOU: What am I going to *do?* Everyone at school knows now. They're all going to say things about me, and it's going to spread around even further and– <%= display("panic55") %>

YOU: I can't believe he told everyone. ANJA: What a bastard. YOU: Now everyone knows, and they're going to say things, and they're going to talk about me, and it's going to spread around even further and– <%= display("panic55") %>

<% chapter(4); portrait("kaz1"); s.room = "sciencelab"; %> #### **Behind the North Wing** – After School KAZ: Tada! *(They throw their bag onto the ground and pull a cardboard box out of it.)* YOU: Okay. Why are we all the way back here and what's in the box? KAZ: I have two words that'll answer both of those questions. *(They tear open the box and pull out a plastic walkie-talkie looking thing.)* KAZ: Ghost. Detector. * [[Where did you get that?|detector2]] * [[Those things are fake.|detector3]]

YOU: Where did you get a *ghost detector*? KAZ: Amazon. YOU: Seriously? KAZ: Yeah, where else? YOU: I kind of just assumed Amazon was only for, you know, real things. KAZ: This is real. *(They knock on the plastic.)* YOU: I mean things that really work. KAZ: It does! Look. <%= display("detector5") %>

YOU: Kaz. Those things are fake. There's no way it could actually detect a ghost. KAZ: Oh yeah? If it's so fake, how come I paid $140 for it? YOU: Uh. KAZ: Anyway, the only reason people say these things don't work is because they think ghosts aren't real, right? But we know that ghosts *do* exist. So those people are wrong, which means this thing must actually be legit. YOU: I don't think– KAZ: Flawless logic, I agree. <%= display("detector5") %>

YOU: You know we do actually have a newspaper to make, right? KAZ: Right right. But we can totally multitask. YOU: Actually most studies have shown that multitasking *reduces* your effectiveness. KAZ: That's for all the other people who don't know how to multitask right. *We* are going to be totally awesome at it. Especially once we get into this creepy abandoned hundred-year-old building. <%= display("detector7") %>

*(They flip a switch and the thing starts beeping and booping.)* YOU: ...Is it going to make that noise the whole time? KAZ: *(grinning)* I know, right? * [[Why come here to use it?|detector6]] * [[You know we actually have work to do.|detector4]]

*(They shush you.)* KAZ: Hello? Hi. I'm calling about your bones? ... Uh-huh. ... Yeah. Your bones. Do you still have all of them? *(You smack your forehead.)* KAZ: ... All of them. Like 100%. *(They get up and start pacing.)* KAZ: What? Of course not! ... For your information, I am the senior layout editor at a *major publication*. YOU: *(reaching for the phone)* Give me–! *(They swat your hand away.)* KAZ: I can't reveal that information. ... Attorney-client privilege, duh. ... Well fine! Then I don't want *you* calling *here* again either! *(They hang up the phone.)* KAZ: Okay well now we know the Mount Pleasant people are hiding something. YOU: How about I handle the next one? <%= next("graveyardguy2") %>

KAZ: That's my girl. *(They pat you on the leg.)* Okay, so let's review: In the past two weeks you've had three supernatural visions, all of which seem to suggest that the spirit of deceased student newspaper founder Osgoode Terauley is trapped in a raccoon's body. YOU: Or that I'm delusional. KAZ: Okay, but let's assume you're not. We know from Annette that there's totally a magic spell that could force a human ghost into an animal's body, *but* it's a weird spell. And to do it you have to burn human bones. YOU: Specifically someone else's bones. Not yours and not the ghost's. KAZ: Right. So on Tuesday we saw a mysterious hooded figure enter the abandoned north wing, carrying what we now know is a ritual device for burning bones. They used it, and a weird purple smoke filled the auditorium. YOU: Just like the smoke we saw last week when the ghost appeared for the first time. KAZ: In other words, the mystery person is probably responsible for the ghost being summoned. Which means we need to track them down. YOU: Except we have no idea what they look like. KAZ: No, but we know they have human bones. And those aren't easy to get. We track down the source of the bones, we find our culprit. Easy. * [[And how exactly are we going to do that?|calling14]] * [[So we look for reports of missing skeletons?|calling15]]

YOU: Kaz, don't. KAZ: Come on, Na. Trust your reporter instincts. YOU: It's not *my* instincts I'm worried about. <%= display("calling1") %>

YOU: Do you even know what you're going to ask them? KAZ: Probably. YOU: Kaz. <%= display("calling1") %>

YOU: Okay, we can't just call random cemeteries. We need a strategy. KAZ: It's not random! It's the closest one. If anyone around here was going to steal bones that'd be the first place they'd go. YOU: There's so many reasons why that isn't true. <%= display("calling1") %>

<% portrait("anja1","rouille") %> YOU: Bonjour Madame. ANJA: Bonjour. Comment ça va? YOU: Ça va mal. ANJA: Quel est le problème? YOU: Je suis perdu. Ou est la boulangerie? ANJA: Pourquoi tu ne peux pas trouver la boulangerie? YOU: Parce que je suis stupide. *(You look up and give a "Seriously?" look. She doesn't react.)* ANJA: Ah, oui? Tu es trop stupide pour trouver la boulangerie? YOU: *(rolling your eyes)* Oui. C'est vrai. Je m'appelle Nadia et je suis beaucoup stupide. ANJA: Désolé. Je ne peux pas aider tu avec cette problème. YOU: À bientôt. *(You put your paper down. Rouillé stares at you. The whole room is silent for a good ten seconds.)* ROUILLÉ: Tell me. How do you think that went? * [[Okay.|dialogue8]] * [[Not great.|dialogue9]] * [[...|dialogue10]]

<% chapter(9); portrait("kaz1") %> #### **Your Room** – Midday KAZ: Aaaaand done. *(They shut your laptop and turn around in their chair.)* Okay, I blocked everyone online for you. YOU: You mean you made my accounts private? KAZ: Hmm. That probably would have been faster. *(You flop backwards on your bed.)* YOU: I'm such a frigging idiot. KAZ: You're not. YOU: I was wrong about literally everyone and everything. I didn't have a single thing right. KAZ: You weren't wrong about me. YOU: I was wrong about you being wrong about your sister, who it turns out I was *catastrophically* wrong about. *(You rub your face.)* I can't believe I thought she was a homophobe. KAZ: Yeah, sorry. If you had been wrong *for any other reason* I would have told you but– YOU: No. I get it. Believe me. *(Your phone buzzes on the bed next to you.)* * [[Think that's a good notification or a bad one?|calling8]] * [[I wish people would stop trying to talk to me.|calling9]]

KAZ: Okay, you know what? You need to stop paying attention to this... *(They grab your phone out of your hand.)* ...and START paying attention to THIS. *(They hand you your laptop.)* YOU: My computer? KAZ: Yeah, log in for me again? *(You type in your password.)* KAZ: Okay, now give it back? *(You cautiously hand it over. They type some stuff.)* KAZ: Okay. *(They clear their throat.)* START paying attention to THIS. *(They hand over your laptop again. This time there's a document open that just says "GHOSTS" in bold 72pt text.)* * [[You want me to think about death?|calling10]] * [[I am not in the mood for ghosts.|calling11]] * [[...Sure. Why not.|calling12]]

<% portrait("anja1") %> YOU: Look, we may be stuck together on this but I don't see any reason why it has to be so miserable. ANJA: I see two reasons. *(She counts on her fingers.)* One, I hate you. Two, fuck off. YOU: ...That's kind of just one reason. *(She walks away.)* <%= next("needabreak7") %>

<% s.science = true %> YOU: Did they seriously leave all the chemicals just lying around here? KAZ: Guess so. Where else? YOU: A storage unit? I don't know. Seems dangerous with all the construction around. KAZ: Eh. If it was that dangerous they wouldn't have even let it in the building in the first place. YOU: Spoken like someone who never saw Mr. Carlaw do his sodium-in-the-snow trick. *(You crouch down.)* What's in there, anyway? KAZ: Normal science stuff. *(They search through the bottles.)* Isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, silver nitrate, dried houndstooth, something called "Benedict's Solution"... YOU: Whoa, whoa. What? KAZ: Yeah, who the hell is this Benedict character? YOU: No, not that. Dried houndstooth. That's a witch thing isn't it? KAZ: Maybe? YOU: Definitely. *(You shake your head and grab some more bottles.)* Look at all this. Black Destroyer Oil, devil's shoestring, false mustard, dried Saskatoon berries, Wailing Helldust... KAZ: Think we found Annette's secret stash? * [[Annette's stash is in her locker.|science3]] * [[Annette doesn't hide her witchiness.|science4]]

<% s.haironfire = true %> YOU: God, I had Grade 9 Science in here. Total disaster. *(You run a finger along one of the desks.)* This is where Anja set my hair on fire that one time. KAZ: That was an accident. YOU: *(smiling)* Allegedly. <%= next() %>

YOU: Annette's stash is in her locker. Why would she need a random cabinet in a boarded up building? KAZ: Good point. YOU: Whoever put this stuff here can't afford to keep it where anyone might find it. <%= display("science2") %>

YOU: No way. Annette does not hide her witchiness. Whoever put this stuff here didn't want anyone to find it. KAZ: Good point. <%= display("science2") %>

*(You fish your phone out of your pocket and snap a few pictures.)* KAZ: Think it's related to our investigation? YOU: Could be. Let's keep digging around. <%= next() %>

YOU: Okay even if we assume this thing actually works. KAZ: Which it totally does. YOU: Why come all the way out here to use it? KAZ: Duh. What's the most haunted part of the school? YOU: ...You're asking me that like it's a normal thing to know the answer to. KAZ: The north wing! *(They gesture to the building behind them.)* The creepy abandoned hundred-year-old building. <%= display("detector7") %>

YOU: Hundred and thirty. And it's under renovation, not abandoned. KAZ: *Temporarily* abandoned then. Point is, it's where I'd want hang out if I was a ghost. *(They walk over to one of the ground floor windows, take a quick look to see if anyone is coming, and then push against the bottom of the window. The whole thing slides up.)* * [[I don't think this is a great idea.|detector8]] * [[How many times have you snuck in here?|detector9]] * [[I can't believe it isn't locked.|detector10]]

<% portrait("kaz1","anja1") %> *(Without so much as looking at you, Anja whips a crumpled up piece of paper at the side of your head.)* YOU: *(rubbing your head)* Seriously? *(She walks off down the hall. You grab the paper off the ground and uncrumple it.)* YOU: "Dear Nadia, I have so little desire to speak with you that I did our entire French project myself. Learn these lines by tomorrow and do not contact me with revisions, or for any other reason. Sincerely, Anja Kaczmarek." *(You sigh and shove the paper into your bag.)* KAZ: On the plus side, that's item number one out of the way. *(You sigh and sling your backpack over your shoulder.)* YOU: Yeah, terrific. Now I'm free to spend the night having that awful boyfriend conversation. KAZ: Jeez. Is talking to Allen really that bad? * [[We haven't talked at all since the party.|crumpled8]] * [[It's not going to go well. I can feel it.|crumpled9]] * [[He absolutely hates talking about Summer.|crumpled10]]

YOU: Tell me honestly. How mad is she? KAZ: I asked but she wouldn't give me an answer. Said I'd just tell you, and she didn't even want to speak to you by proxy. YOU: ...Okay that's definitely worse than normal. *(You rub your forehead.)* God, if I could just talk to her for a second... KAZ: *(looking past you)* I think you're about to have your chance. <%= display("crumpled4") %>

<% chapter(5); portrait("kaz1") %> KAZ: The memorial wall. This fucking thing. YOU: Your arch-nemesis. KAZ: You ever get sent here for a uniform violation? YOU: Once, in Grade 9. I was so distracted by the Summer situation that I managed to put on the wrong socks. KAZ: You rebel. * [[I was never much of a rule breaker.|memorial3]] * [[I think you were there.|memorial2]] * [[Definitely not going to beat your record.|memorial4]]

YOU: I think you were there actually. KAZ: I was there most days. So probably. YOU: Before we knew each other though. <%= display("memorial5") %>

YOU: I was never much of a rule breaker. KAZ: And now look at you. Breaking and entering. *(You smile and shine your phone flashlight on the wall.)* <%= display("memorial5") %>

YOU: Yeah well. I don't think I could ever beat your record. <%= display("memorial5") %>

KAZ: God, those fuckers made me copy this thing out so many goddamn times. Think I could probably do the First World War kids off by heart still. *(You look up at the First World War section and run your finger along one of the names.)* YOU: ...There he is. Osgoode Terauley. He was *sixteen* when he founded the newspaper and by nineteen he was dead at the Somme. Think of all he accomplished in such a short life... KAZ: Dying with your face down in the mud isn't an accomplishment, Na. It's a tragedy. * [[Not saying it's what I want for myself...|memorial14]] * [[He got more done than I did.|memorial15]]

KAZ: I just can't believe they're still updating this thing. So morbid. Last one was only in *2010.* YOU: Oh *right.* That guy who died. I'd forgotten all about that. KAZ: Did you know him? YOU: No, not at all. I was only in Grade 6. He must have been... five years ahead of me? At least. *(You take a few steps down the stairs.)* * [[They had a service for him in here.|memorial7]] * [[They never told us how he died.|memorial8]]

YOU: They had a memorial service in here and the whole school was packed in. Never saw so many crying people in one room... <%= display("memorial9") %>

YOU: They never told us how he died, eh? I mean his actual classmates knew, I'm sure. But they never told us Junior Schoolers. KAZ: What do you think it was? YOU: Suicide maybe? Overdose? I feel like they probably would have told us if it was something like a car accident. <%= display("memorial9") %>

KAZ: Wait, his name was Alain *Sherbourne?* *(They tap the wall. You turn around.)* YOU: Spelled the same? KAZ: Yeah. French first name too. Think he's related? YOU: Mr. Sherbourne *did* go here. And not too long ago. I wonder... *(All of a sudden, you hear a skittering noise from behind you.)* * [[Did you hear that?|memorial10]]

YOU: Uh... did you hear that? KAZ: Sounded like a skittering noise from behind us. *(You hear it again. You whip around and see a raccoon with plain white eyes sitting on the stage in the centre of the auditorium, staring up at you.)* YOU: Jesus! KAZ: Is that... the raccoon from last week? YOU: Maybe. *(You start walking towards it.)* KAZ: Uh... what are you doing? YOU: Getting a closer look. I don't think it wants to attack us. KAZ: *Every* raccoon wants to attack us. * [[I'll be careful.|memorial11]] * [[Just stay calm.|memorial12]] * [[I don't think this is an ordinary raccoon.|memorial13]]

YOU: I'll be careful, okay? There's nothing to worry– <%= display("memorial16") %> YOU: ...about. <%= display("memorial17") %>

YOU: Just stay calm, alright? I think we'll be fine as long as we don't make any sudden– <%= display("memorial16") %> YOU: ...movements. <%= display("memorial17") %>

YOU: I don't think is an ordinary– <%= display("memorial16") %> YOU: ...raccoon. <%= display("memorial17") %>

YOU: I'm not saying it's what I want for myself. But like. It's something. Or it's proof of something? I don't know... <%= display("memorial6") %>

YOU: He got more done than I ever have. KAZ: Yet. *(They shake their head.)* <%= display("memorial6") %>

*(THE UNIVERSE GOES PURPLE AND TIME SLOWS TO A CRAWL.)*

*(STANDING IN FRONT OF THE RACCOON IS A BOY AND THE BOY IS THE BOY YOU SAW AT THE PARTY AND HIS EYES ARE WHITE LIKE THE EYES OF THE RACCOON WHICH ARE ALSO WHITE.)* HIM: <%= emoji("wave") %> YOU: ...Hi. * [[Please don't yell at me this time.|memorial19]] * [[I want to help you but I don't know how.|memorial20]] * [[Is that your raccoon?|memorial21]] * [[Is someone forcing you to appear here?|memorial22]]

#### ****Lockers**** – After School <% portrait("kaz1") s.room = "lockers" %> *(You slump down against your locker and let out a long sigh.)* YOU: Okay. To-do *sub*-list for the week of September 12th. One, complete French project with Anja. Two, have an extremely unpleasant conversation with my boyfriend. KAZ: Three, continue ghost investigation. YOU: Distant three, Kaz. One and two demand a lot of attention. KAZ: Really? French homework takes priority over ghosts? YOU: Today, yes. Our presentation is tomorrow and we put it off until the very last minute. So now I have to spend the night working with Anja, and god knows how that's going to go. KAZ: ...I'm gonna guess not well. * [[How mad is she?|crumpled2]] * [[What was I thinking inviting her to my house?|crumpled13]] * [[I'm getting nowhere with her.|crumpled14]]

<% portrait("annette1") if (s.e2save) { s.dump = s.e2save.dump; } %> ANNETTE: <% if (s.dump) { %> Damn. You work *fast,* eh? <% } else { %> Hey, good work eh? I knew you were gonna get there eventually. <% } %> YOU: I'm sorry? ANNETTE: Dumping Allen. <% if (s.dump) { %> Knew you just needed a little push in the right direction. And hey, now you get to have some actual fun this year. Good work. <% } else { %> Right move. I always thought you were too good for that prick. Had no idea he was so closed-minded though... <% } %> YOU: Uh...? ANNETTE: Anyway. I gotta bolt, but we should *definitely* talk more about this in spare. *(She closes her locker and runs off.)* <%= next("panic11") %>

HIM: <%= emoji("newspaper") %> YOU: ...Newspaper? HIM: <%= emoji("newspaper") %><%= emoji("newspaper") %> YOU: Newspaper. Newspaper. What does that– *(WHILE YOU ARE SEEING THE FACE OF THE BOY YOU RECOGNIZE THE FACE AND YOUR BRAIN REALIZES THAT THE FACE ON THE BOY IS THE SAME AS THE FACE ON THE PAINTING OF OSGOODE TERAULEY WHICH YOU CAN REMEMBER WITH YOUR BRAIN. YOU TAKE A STEP IN A DIRECTION WHICH IS EITHER BACKWARDS OR EVERY DIRECTION AT THE SAME TIME.)* * <%= link("!!!","osgoode1") %>

YOU: Please don't yell at me this time. HIM: <%= emoji("question") %><%= emoji("question") %><%= emoji("question") %><%= emoji("mute") %> YOU: Do you remember yelling before? HIM: <%= emoji("confused") %> YOU: ...Do you remember... anything? HIM: <%= emoji("skull") %><%= emoji("coffin") %><%= emoji("fr") %><%= emoji("gun") %> YOU: France. Death. I know. You've said all that. HIM: <%= emoji("slightly_sad") %> YOU: There *has* to be something else. Who... are you? Who *were* you before all that? <%= display("memorial18") %>

YOU: I want to help you, okay? I just... don't know how. HIM: <%= emoji("sos") %><%= emoji("skull") %><%= emoji("no_good") %><%= emoji("skull") %> YOU: I know it's scary. Being... dead. HIM: <%= emoji("fearful") %> YOU: I mean... I guess I don't know. Not exactly. But I want to. I just need help. You need to give me some way to— HIM: <%= emoji("skull") %><%= emoji("coffin") %><%= emoji("fr") %><%= emoji("gun") %> YOU: No, I know all that. France. Death... HIM: <%= emoji("skull") %><%= emoji("skull") %><%= emoji("skull") %><%= emoji("skull") %><%= emoji("skull") %><%= emoji("gun") %><%= emoji("gun") %><%= emoji("gun") %> YOU: That can't be all you are, though. You had a life before you died, right? Who were you *then*? <%= display("memorial18") %>

YOU: Is that your raccoon? HIM: <%= emoji("confused") %><%= emoji("put_litter_in_its_place") %><%= emoji("panda_face") %><%= emoji("question") %> YOU: Right uh... there. Right next to you. *(YOU POINT INTO THE PURPLE VOID TOWARDS THE SPIRIT TETHER WHICH YOU CANNOT SEE WHICH BINDS THE RACCOON AND THE BOY WHO IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE RACCOON.)* HIM: <%= emoji("dizzy") %><%= emoji("confused") %><%= emoji("dizzy") %><%= emoji("confused") %><%= emoji("dizzy") %><%= emoji("confused") %><%= emoji("dizzy") %><%= emoji("confused") %> <%= display("memorial23") %>

YOU: Are you here against your will? Is someone forcing you to appear here? HIM: <%= emoji("point_right") %> YOU: What? Me? HIM: <%= emoji("wink") %> YOU: No, I'm not... I didn't... what? HIM: <%= emoji("question") %> <%= display("memorial23") %>

YOU: I don't know if this is the best idea. KAZ: Oh, it's fine! We're students here. This is our school. I mean hell, we're *paying* for this construction! If anything *they* should get in trouble for trying to keep *us* out! YOU: Yeah, I feel like that wouldn't hold up in court... KAZ: We're not going to court. Because there's no one here to catch us. *(They hop in the window then turn around and hold out their hand.)* KAZ: It's just you, me, and the ghosts. <%= next() %>

YOU: How many times have you snuck into this place, exactly? KAZ: *Into*? This'd be the first. <%= display("detector11") %>

YOU: Can't believe they left that window unlocked. KAZ: Oh yeah, none of these windows lock. YOU: You're joking. KAZ: They built this thing back in the day, dude! Back when people, you know, left horses lying around and sold groceries on the street. People were way more trusting back then. <%= display("detector11") %>

*(They hop in the window and hold out their hand.)* KAZ: Come on. It's ghost investigation time. <% s.room = "sciencelab" %> <%= next() %>

YOU: Think that's a good notification or a bad one? KAZ: Want me to screen it? *(You sigh and grab the phone off the bed.)* YOU: ...No. I guess I need to face the awfulness. <%= display("calling7") %>

YOU: Ugh. *(You pick your phone up off the bed.)* You know, it'd be nice if no one ever tried to contact me ever again until the end of time... <%= display("calling7") %>

#### ****Your Room**** – Afternoon <% portrait() %> *(Several hours and graveyards later. You're on the phone with St. John's Norway Cemetery in the Beaches.)* GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh my no. Nothing so exciting ever happens around here. YOU: You're sure? No complaints from relatives? Graves being disturbed when you weren't planning it? Weird trespassers? Clerical mix-ups? *(She chuckles.)* GRAVEYARD LADY: You've got quite the imagination, dear. YOU: Hmm. GRAVEYARD LADY: You young people imagine death as this big exciting scary thing, but really it's quite a peaceful experience. I'm rather looking forward to it. Why, I sleep in a coffin every night. YOU: Sorry, what? GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh yes, every night for the last seventeen years. You can't ask for a better sleep. * [[Isn't it cramped?|graveyardguy17]] * [[With the door closed?|graveyardguy18]] * [[Aren't you afraid of being buried alive?|graveyardguy19]] * [[Is it really better than a bed?|graveyardguy21]] * [[Why?|graveyardguy22]]

#### **Front Gates** — Before School ##### **Thursday, 15 September 2016** <% chapter(8); portrait("olivia1") s.room = "frontsteps2" %> *(The next morning. You walk onto campus with only a couple of minutes left before homeroom. You pause in front of the steps to catch your breath. Olivia Kwon comes up next to you and gives you a little punch on the arm.)* OLIVIA: Girl. *(She holds up her hand for a high five. You slap it. Then she puts up her other hand and you give her a high ten.)* OLIVIA: You're a fuckin' beast, buddy. *(She pulls you into a tight hug.)* YOU: Uh??? OLIVIA: You *got* this, bud. You're a warrior. Fucking crush this shit. YOU: ...Thanks? *(She gives you a few more pats on the back. Then the first bell rings and she releases you from the hug.)* OLIVIA: Tellin' ya, bud! Beauty! *(She runs ahead into the school. You look around in confusion.)* <%= next() %>

<% portrait(); if (s.e2save) { s.heydramas = s.e2save.heydramas; } s.calledit = true; %> *(Cool Drama points at you.)* COOL DRAMA: Knew it. CORSET DRAMA: Called it. *(You look around to see if anyone's standing behind you.)* BALD DRAMA: *(hitting Tall Drama in the arm)* Yo you owe me a fiver. TALL DRAMA: I never took that bet. BALD DRAMA: Well *I* did. So somebody better give me a fiver. COOL DRAMA: Here. *(She hands him a five dollar bill without looking at him.)* And don't call it a fiver. TALL DRAMA: Or say "yo." BALD DRAMA: *(pocketing the bill)* What if I'm speaking Spanish? CORSET DRAMA: Don't do that either. HIPPIE DRAMA: I have no idea what any of you are talking about. <% if (s.heydramas) { %> COOL DRAMA: Offer still stands, Nadia. *(She winks.)* <% } %> YOU: I, uh... I gotta get to class. *(You hurry off.)* <% if (s.heydramas) { %> COOL DRAMA: Why yes you do. <% } %> <%= next() %>

<% chapter(1); %> *(Three years ago. A month after you and Summer stopped talking. You were running down the hall with your arms full of books when your journal slid off the top of the pile. You looked down at and groaned.)* YOU: Darn it! *(Before you could go to get it, Anja came up from behind you and crouched down to pick it up.)* ANJA: Relax. I got it. YOU: Oh gosh. Sorry! *(You took the journal back. Anja raised an eyebrow.)* ANJA: "Sorry?" YOU: And thank you. But also sorry. I am just completely scattered right now. I don't normally drop notebooks on the ground and make other people pick them up. *(She laughed.)* ANJA: Well I didn't have a gun to my head. *(She swept her braid over her shoulder.)* I'm Anja by the way. YOU: Nadia. Hi. *(You gave her an awkward arms-full-of-books mini-wave.)* ANJA: Nice to meet you, Nadia. * [[You're new here.|badnews2]] * [[You're one of the twins, right?|badnews3]] * [[Thanks again.|badnews4]]

YOU: You're new this year, right? ANJA: Mm. I take it you're a "lifer"? YOU: Yep. Been here since Grade 4. ANJA: Maybe you can help me then. I'm supposed to meet someone in the auditorium and I am completely lost. Do you know where it is? <%= display("badnews5") %>

YOU: Oh! You're one of the twins, aren't you? ...Oh god, is that rude? Was I rude just now? Sorry. Oh god. *(She smirked.)* ANJA: It's fine. Actually I'm trying to find my other half right now but I'm completely lost. Do you have any idea where the auditorium is? <%= display("badnews5") %>

YOU: Thanks again, Anja. I owe you. ANJA: I'll consider the debt settled if you can point me to the auditorium. I'm supposed to meet someone there and I'm completely lost. <%= display("badnews5") %>

YOU: Oh, it's just– ANJA: And before you say "It's just off the foyer" like the last two people did, you should know I already went to the foyer and there was definitely no auditorium there. YOU: You mean the one just over there? *(You nodded your head down the hall.)* ANJA: Uh, yes. YOU: Ahh, okay. Wrong foyer. You want the one in the North Wing. ANJA: ...There are two foyers? YOU: Yep. And also a third thing that *used* to be a foyer that's sometimes still called the "Old Foyer." *(Anja pinched the bridge of her nose.)* YOU: Most people just call it the Stoop though. ANJA: This school. Christ. YOU: You know what, why don't I just show you myself? <%= next("badnews6") %>

*(You guided her through the North Wing.)* ANJA: So. What had you so rattled anyway? YOU: Hmm? ANJA: You said before you were "scattered." I get the sense you're normally not that. YOU: Ha. No. Definitely not. ANJA: So what is it then? Anything you want to talk about? YOU: It's just a lot of crappy stuff. You don't want to hear it. ANJA: You sure? I do enjoy the occasional tale of woe. Plus I'm an excellent listener. * [[There's a lot of backstory.|badnews12]] * [[It's a personal thing.|badnews13]]

# <a href="javascript:void(0)" data-passage="badnews1">September 2013</a>

YOU: Thanks but... there's a lot of backstory. Probably too much to take in all at once. Sorry. <%= display("badnews14") %>

YOU: Thanks but... it's kind of a personal thing. Sorry. <%= display("badnews14") %>

ANJA: You know you're apologizing an awful lot for someone who's doing me a favour. YOU: I, uh, get that way sometimes. ANJA: Well it's quite unnecessary. But it's also charming so I'll let you off the hook. *(You got to the doors of the auditorium.)* YOU: Okay. Here we are. ANJA: Perfect. *(She opened the door.)* Thank you for the tour, Nadia. It's nice to know at least some people around here are tolerable. YOU: There's a few of us anyway. *(She smiled at you and walked into the auditorium.)* <%= next("badnews15") %>

*(Allen was waiting for you when you got back to your locker.)* ALLEN: Hey. Where were you? YOU: Tour guide duty. Hold these? *(You dumped the stack of books in his hand and opened up your locker.)* ALLEN: I uh... I talked to Summer. YOU: You did? *(He nodded.)* * [[What'd she say?|badnews16]] * [[Good news or bad news?|badnews17]]

YOU: So, um. How'd it go? What'd she say? <%= display("badnews18") %>

YOU: Was it good news, or... not good news? <%= display("badnews18") %>

ALLEN: Um. YOU: Does she forgive me for– uh, whatever it is I did? Is she going to talk to me again? ALLEN: Well– YOU: You told her I was really sorry, right? Did she accept the apology or– ALLEN: Uh... *(He scratched the back of his neck.)* Maybe I can walk you home and we can talk about it on the way. YOU: ...Oh. ALLEN: Yeah. *(You looked down at the ground.)* YOU: *(quietly)* ...Okay. <%= next("title") %>

<% portrait("jayden1"); s.fortherecord = true; %> JAYDEN: *(huffy)* You know, you could have just told me. You didn't have to do the whole routine. YOU: What? *(He keeps walking down the hall.)* YOU: The heck's your problem, man? <%= next() %>

<% s.room = "sciencelab"; %> #### **Science Lab** – After School The Science Lab has only been empty since June, but it has the vibe of somewhere that's been abandoned for years. The <% if (s.haironfire) { %> desks <% } else { %> <%= link("desks","haironfire1") %> <% } %> are coated in dust and most of the equipment has either been stripped out or covered with plastic tarps. The <% if (s.science) { %> cabinets <% } else { %> <%= link("cabinets","science1") %> <% } %> still seem full of stuff though. The word "SILENCE" is up on the chalkboard, probably left over from the last round of exams. The only door leads out to the [[first floor hallway|hallway]].

<% s.room = "hallway"; %> #### **Hallway** – After School The first floor hallway feels weirdly truncated since the hallway back to the South Wing is blocked off with construction hoarding. Doors lead off to the <% if (s.complab) { %> computer lab <% } else { %> <%= link("computer lab","complab1") %> <% } %> and the [[science lab|sciencelab]], and the hallway continues east to the [[Stoop|stoop]].

<% s.complab = true; %> *(You try the handle.)* YOU: Comp lab's locked. *(You peer through the window.)* Looks like they moved all the computers out too. KAZ: Can you even call it a "comp lab" if there's no computers in there? Isn't it just a "lab"? YOU: Probably just a "room" if we're being technical. <%= next() %>

<% s.room = "stoop"; s.armwrestle = false; %> #### **The Stoop** – After School <% if (!s.whatsgood) { %> You round the corner and run into the <%= link("drama kids","whatsgood1") %>. <% } else { %> This is where the original entrance to Middle Canada College was, though several rounds of additions and extensions have stranded the space around as far from the outside as you can physically get. The titular stoop was actually on the building's exterior at one point and still has a very weathered outdoorsy look. The drama kids are lounging around and chatting with each other. The [[small gym|smallgym]] is through an archway to the east and the [[hallway to the science lab|hallway]] is back west. A second hallway gradually slopes up from here to the [[first-and-a-half floor|half]]. Stairs lead down to the old <% if (s.worse) { %> [[basement locker rooms|lockerroom]]. <% } else { %> <%= link("basement locker rooms","worse1") %>. <% } %> <% } %>

<% s.room = "lockerroom"; s.armwrestle = false; %> #### **Locker Rooms** – After School The old basement locker rooms are in an even worse state than you remember. A <% if (s.boysside) { %> huge hole <% } else { %> <%= link("huge hole","boysside1") %> <% } %> has been knocked out of the central dividing wall. Exposed mold and mildew patches are everywhere, especially in the torn-up <% if (s.showers) { %> showers. <% } else { %> <%= link("showers","showers1") %>. <% } %> You hold your blazer over your nose and mouth to mask the smell. The main exit takes you back up to the [[Stoop|stoop]] and a small stairwell in the hallway outside leads up to the [[small gym|smallgym]]. <% if (s.obeying) { %>An [[open door|tunnel]] <% } else { %> A <%= link("door","obeying1") %> <% } %> labelled "STAFF ONLY! NO ENTRY" is tucked away in the southeast corner.

<% s.room = "smallgym"; %> #### **Small Gym** – After School Last you heard, the small gym is due to be converted into a "Smart Knowledge Centre", whatever the hell that is. It's sad. You never much cared for phys ed, but you've got a soft spot for this weird little old-timey relic. The bad lighting and the <% if (s.beeptest) { %> unmarked floor <% } else { %> <%= link("unmarked floor","beeptest1") %> <% } %> always reminded you of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiJJIacdF-E" target="_blank" style="font-weight:normal !important">that one heritage minute</a> with James Naismith and the peach baskets. <% if (s.armwrestle) { %> Kaz lies on the floor, still winded. <% } %> This would normally be the easiest way to get over to the auditorium, but the eastern door is blocked off by a bunch of <% if (s.superstrength) { %> construction stuff. <% } else { %> <%= link("construction stuff","superstrength1") %>. <% } %> The other door leads back west to the [[Stoop|stoop]]. A staircase on the south side of the room takes you down <% if (s.worse) { %> [[basement locker rooms|lockerroom]] <% } else { %> <%= link("basement locker rooms","worse1") %> <% } %> and up to the [[first-and-a-half floor|half]].

<% s.room = "half"; s.couchfloor = false; s.armwrestle = false; %> #### **First-and-a-half Floor** – After School The core of the North Wing is a modest two-story manor house surrounded by a series of uncoordinated piecemeal additions, built up gradually over decades to accommodate a growing student population. No two parts of the building feel alike, and some parts have radically different architecture. Somehow in this part of the building they managed to put in an entire extra floor *in between* the first and second stories. To be honest, you've never fully grasped the geometry of it. Doors lead off to the [[nurse's station|nurse]], the [[student lounge|lounge]], and a <% if (!s.atlas) { %> <%= link("geography classroom","atlas1") %>. <% } else { %> geography classroom. <% } %> A shallow set of stairs at the east end of the hall slopes gradually towards the [[Stoop|stoop]] on the first floor. There's also a stairwell off to the side which goes up to the [[art room|art]] and down to the [[small gym|smallgym]].

<% s.room = "boiler"; %> #### **Boiler Room** – After School The boiler room is weirdly clean for a room this deep in the basement of an empty school building. The place is mostly empty aside from <% if (s.oldporn) { %> the stack of old porn magazines <% } else { %> a <%= link("stack of old magazines","oldporn1") %> <% } %> <% if (!s.junk) { %> and a ladder stashed behind the boiler. <% } else if (s.junk && !s.trapdoor) { %> and a <%= link("ladder","trapdoor1") %> stashed behind the boiler. <% } else { %> off in the corner. <% } %> The only door leads back out into the [[tunnel]] you just came from.

<% s.room = "foyernorth"; %> #### **North Wing Foyer** – After School All the furniture in the room has been shoved off to the side to make room for some giant tarps. You can't really tell what the tarps are going to be for, but with the way they've been given all that space they seem pretty important. <% if (!s.note) { %> You see what looks like a <%= link("small folded up note","note1") %> under a pile of the chairs. <% } %> The [[auditorium]] doors are to the east, opposite the blocked-off path to the small gym. A small door at the northeast end of the foyer leads [[backstage]], and a nearby staircase takes you up to the [[second floor|secondnorth]]. The [[tuck shop|tuckshop]] is to the south.

<% s.room = "tuckshop"; %> #### **Tuck Shop** – After School You can tell MCC predates vending machines because it has a room specifically for students to buy junk food in. Okay, you can also get rulers and notebooks and stuff, but really the junk food has always been the main attraction. The shelves are mostly empty now, save for a solitary <% if (s.cookies) { %> package of cookies. <% } else { %> <%= link("package of cookies","cookies1") %>. <% } %> The only door leads north to the [[foyer|foyernorth]]. <% if (s.trapdoor) { %> The [[hidden trap door|tunnel]] you opened up is behind the counter. <% } %>

<% s.room = "auditorium"; %> #### **Auditorium** – After School The auditorium is the most recent part of the north wing, built around twenty-five years ago after the old auditorium caught on fire during a Junior School production of Twelfth Night. The back of the room is dominated by the old wooden <%= link("memorial wall","memorial1") %>, which was salvaged from the wreckage and remounted in here. You can still see a bit of fire damage along the right side. The <% if (s.dust) { %> stage <% } else { %> <%= link("stage","dust1") %> <% } %> is covered in a fine layer of dust. The big double doors in the back lead out to the [[foyer|foyernorth]]. The [[backstage area|backstage]] is just beyond the curtain.

<% s.room = "backstage"; %> #### **Backstage** – After School Shelves full of <% if (s.props1) { %> props, <% } else { %> <%= link("props","props1") %>, <% } %> <% if (s.props2) { %> costumes, <% } else { %> <%= link("costumes","props2") %>, <% } %> and <% if (s.props3) { %> equipment <% } else { %> <%= link("equipment","props3") %> <% } %> are faintly lit by the sliver of natural light coming in through the propped-open door to the outside. The floor is strewn with empty cups, remnants either of the last cast party or of some unofficial gathering since then. The rest of the [[auditorium]] is on the other side of the curtain. A small door off to the southwest leads back to the [[foyer|foyernorth]].

<% s.room = "nurse"; %> #### **Nurse's Station** – After School Nurse Eden was from New Zealand, and you used to fake sick when you were younger just so you could hear her accent. She moved back a few years ago, but the South Island tourism posters she put up are still on the wall, mixed in with information about flu shots and the HPV vaccine. <% if (s.hospitals) { %> Kaz pokes around through the cabinets. <% } else { %> <%= link("Kaz","hospitals2") %> waves their ghost detector around. <% } %> The door leads back out to the [[first-and-a-half floor hallway|half]].

<% s.room = "lounge"; %> #### **Student Lounge** – After School They used to let Grade 12s come here during spare periods and make use of the facilities (i.e. a couple of <% if (!s.couches) { %> <%= link("old couches","couches1") %> <% } else { %> old couches <% } %> and a broken <% if (!s.vending) { %> <%= link("vending machine","vending1") %>.) <% } else { %> vending machine.) <% } %> The whole place is looking pretty shabby right now. But is that because it's been empty for months or just because that's what it always looks like? It's difficult to tell. <% if (!s.couchfloor && s.couches) { %> The broken couch definitely doesn't help though. <% } %> <% if (s.couchfloor) { %> Kaz sits on the broken couch, looking a bit dazed. <% } %> The door at the front leads back out to the [[hall|half]].

<% s.room = "art"; %> #### **Art Room** – After School This used to be the art room, though you'd never know that from looking at it now. The layers of student paintings that accumulated over decades have been stripped from the walls, and with the desks gone and the window decorations taken down the whole room feels uncomfortably bright and spacious. <% if (!s.nowhere) { %> <%= link("Kaz","nowhere1") %> stands staring out the window. <% } %> The [[second floor hallway|secondnorth]] is back out to the east. A door at the opposite end of the room leads to the staircase down to the [[first-and-a-half floor|half]].

<% s.room = "secondnorth"; %> #### **2nd Floor, North Wing** – After School Most of the second floor, including the corridor that would take you back to the South Wing, is blocked off behind construction hoarding. Aside from a couple of emptied-out offices, the only place you can access is the old [[art room|art]] at the west end of the hall. A staircase leads down to the [[foyer|foyernorth]] and a short distance up to the base of the [[clock tower|clocktower]].

<% s.room = "clocktower"; %> #### **Base of the Clock Tower** – After School "Clock Tower" is a somewhat grandiose name for the relatively small protrusion coming out of the top of the North Wing. The <% if (s.clock) { %> clock itself <% } else { %> <%= link("clock itself","clock1") %> <% } %> has been stopped at 7:16 for as long as anyone can remember. The [[second floor hallway|secondnorth]] is back down the stairs.

<% s.beeptest = true; %> *(You slide your shoe along the floor. It squeaks in classic gym fashion.)* YOU: Hey, remember the beep test? KAZ: God! The beep test. <% if (s.armwrestle) { %> *(They stand back up with a groan.)* <% } %> Who was the sadistic child torturer that invented that one? YOU: I think I got through four beeps before I wanted to pass out. KAZ: I managed like half a beep, tops. <% s.armwrestle = false %> * [[Anja crushed it, as I recall.|beeptest2]] * [[You know Allen still does gym?|beeptest3]]

YOU: I seem to remember Anja mopping the floor with the rest of us. KAZ: What can I say? She got all the athlete genes. YOU: You both got the exact same genes. KAZ: Yeah, but she got them better. <%= next() %>

YOU: You know Allen still takes gym class? KAZ: Lots of people do. YOU: Some people. KAZ: Anja does. YOU: Okay that's different. She's an athlete. She's on the lacrosse team. Allen's just looking for the easy marks. KAZ: So he's lazy. I can respect that. YOU: Heh. I guess. <%= next() %>

<% s.room = "tunnel"; %> #### **Tunnel** – After School You used to hear rumours of tunnels under the school but they were a lot more impressive in your imagination. This one is cramped and wet, with a bunch of <% if (s.junk) { %> rusty junk <% } else { %> <%= link("rusty junk","junk1") %> <% } %> stacked up at one end. Doors lead to the [[locker room|lockerroom]] and the [[boiler room|boiler]]. <% if (s.trapdoor) { %> There's also a trap door up to the [[tuck shop|tuckshop]] here. <% } %>

<% s.oldporn = true; %> KAZ: Na, look! *(They hold up a magazine.)* Super old porn! YOU: Ugh. Seriously? KAZ: Yeah, see for yourself. *(They toss the magazine at you. You jump out of the way.)* YOU: Eww! *(They rifle through the pile)* KAZ: 1995! This porn is old enough to buy porn. * [[I can't believe you're touching those.|oldporn3]] * [[How many are there?|oldporn2]] * [[Why would you have these at school?|oldporn4]]

YOU: How many are there? KAZ: Like fifty? Someone had a *collection.* <%= display("oldporn5") %>

YOU: I cannot believe you're touching those. KAZ: Pfft. It's fine. They're just a little water damaged. YOU: You better *hope* that's water damage. <%= display("oldporn5") %>

YOU: Ugh, why would you have these at a *school*? KAZ: I don't know, to jerk off to? YOU: Kaz! *(You shove them.)* KAZ: What? You asked *why!* YOU: I *mean* why would anyone use this stuff *here*? Here specifically. In a high school boiler room. KAZ: Ohhhh! I see what you're saying now. *(They look down at the porn again.)* Um... Probably because they were horny? *(You pinch the bridge of your nose.)* <%= next() %>

*(They pick another one out of the pile.)* KAZ: Ha. This one's just called BUTT. YOU: God, that's a terrible name. You wouldn't even be able to trademark it. *(They flip open the centrefold.)* KAZ: Truth in advertising though. <%= next() %>

<% s.room = "tunnel"; s.obeying = true; %> *(You wander over to the door. Kaz walks up next to you and tries the handle. It's unlocked.)* KAZ: Alright! Always wanted to see what was back here. YOU: Whoa, whoa, hold on. KAZ: What? YOU: ...Nothing. Never mind. *(They look at the door then turn back to you with a big stupid grin on their face.)* KAZ: You were instinctively obeying the sign, weren't you? YOU: Pfft. No. What? It's just a sign. Don't be... uh... *(They laugh and push the door open.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: Whatever. What's the difference? *(Your phone buzzes. You pick it up. It's Allen calling. You reject the call, power off the phone, and chuck it across the room. Then you plant your face in your pillow and shut your eyes...)* <%= next("yougotthis1") %>

<% s.superstrength = true; %> *(You tilt your head and look at the pile of construction equipment in front of the door.)* YOU: Darn it. How are we supposed to get through here? KAZ: Hang on. Let me see if I have super strength. *(They push against the pile.)* Hnngg! Hngggggg!! *(They step back and exhale.)* KAZ: Nah. * [[Let me try.|superstrength2]] * [[Guess we have to go around.|superstrength3]]

YOU: Let me try. *(You try to pull some of the stuff out of the way. It doesn't budge.)* YOU: Bah. KAZ: Obviously if I can't do it then you can't do it either. YOU: What does that mean? KAZ: Well it's not like you're any stronger than me. YOU: Uh, yeah I am. KAZ: Pfft, no. YOU: Ya-huh. KAZ: No way! You're the nerd. YOU: You're the layout editor at a high school newspaper. You're also the nerd. KAZ: We can't *both* be the nerd. * [[I'll arm wrestle you for it.|superstrength4]] * [[I'll flip you for it.|superstrength5]]

YOU: Guess we have to go the long way if we want to get to the auditorium. KAZ: You mean up through the art room and stuff? YOU: Mm-hmm. ...Wait, *do* we want to go to the auditorium? KAZ: Yeah dude! They've got the memorial wall in there. That's got to be like ghost central. <% if (s.hospitals) { %> YOU: I thought the nurse's office was supposed to be ghost central. KAZ: Okay fine. It's like... Ghost Central 2: the sequel to Ghost Central. <% } else { %> YOU: You think a ghost's going to want to hang around an old wooden board with their name and date of death on it? KAZ: I mean, yeah. What else have they got going on? <% } %> <%= next() %>

<% s.armwrestle = true; %> YOU: Fine. If you're so strong let's settle this with an arm wrestle. Loser's the nerd. KAZ: Are you serious? *(You sit down on the floor.)* KAZ: Dude, have you seen my wingspan? I've got natural torque! Your puny arms are no match. YOU: Come on then. *(You slap your hand on the ground.)* Let's go! KAZ: Your funeral. *(They get down on the floor with you. The two of you get in position.)* YOU: Ready? *(They nod.)* YOU: One, two, three, four... KAZ: That's *thumb* wrestling. YOU: ...Oh yeah. Okay. Uh. Three-two-one-go? KAZ: On go or after go? YOU: No, you go on go. That's why it's called "go". KAZ: Right. Okay. Three... two... one....... YOU: Go! *(Kaz grunts and wheezes as you gradually push their arm down and slam it to the ground.)* YOU: Ha ha! Yes! Victory! KAZ: Ugh. *(They flop back.)* You win. I'm officially the nerd. YOU: And don't you forget it. <%= next() %>

<% var coinflip = Math.floor(Math.random() * 2); %> YOU: Fine. We'll flip for it. *(You fish a loonie out of your pocket.)* Heads, I'm the nerd. Tails, you're the nerd. Deal? KAZ: Deal. Wait, no – How come you get to be heads? YOU: You're heads. You want it to come up heads. KAZ: Oh yeah... YOU: Alright. <% if (coinflip === 0) { %> *(You flip it, catch it, and slam it on top of your other hand. It's heads.)* KAZ: Boom! Suck it, nerd! *(They look down.)* ...That's the one I wanted, right? YOU: Yes. KAZ: *(throwing up their hands)* BOOM! <% } else { %>*(You flip it, catch it, and slam it on top of your other hand. It's tails.)* YOU: Ha ha! Yes! KAZ: Ugh, I knew I should have let you be heads... <% } %> <%= next() %>

KAZ: Okay. You need to stop living a hundred years in the past. *(They grab a chair and drag it over to the wall.)* YOU: A hundred and three. What are you doing? KAZ: Taking this damn painting down. YOU: What? No! That's been up there since– KAZ: Since forever! Exactly. *(They grab the painting and start grunting.)* YOU: At least let me help you! KAZ: Never!! *(They yank it off the wall.)* Gyaaa-aaah! *(They fall over backwards and the painting lands on top of them. You jump out of your chair and run over.)* KAZ: *(moaning)* ...Okay, you can help now... * [[Are you okay?|needabreak2]]

YOU: Are you okay?? *(You move the painting and help them up.)* KAZ: *(rubbing their arm.)* I'm fine. YOU: That was very stupid. KAZ: I just hate it when you beat yourself up like that, you know? You're like way better than some random old dead guy. Who cares if he founded a newspaper? YOU: *(sighing)* Maybe... KAZ: You know what? You need a break. YOU: I suppose I could use a bit of air. KAZ: And I know just the place to get some. YOU: ...Outside? KAZ: Yes. But more specifically... <%= next("detector1") %>

YOU: Osgoode Terauley would have figured all this out by now. KAZ: All what? YOU: All everything! *(You stare up at the portrait of Osgoode opposite your desk and sigh.)* He founded newspapers and got things done! He wasn't a complete mess like me. <%= display("needabreak1") %>

YOU: The worst part is I have to do *another* project with her to make up for how bad the last one went. I am trapped in a never-ending cycle here. KAZ: Well, you have to graduate eventually. <%= display("needabreak3") %>

<% portrait("kaz1") %> #### **Newspaper Office** – After School *(You lie face down on the editor's desk, groaning.)* KAZ: So I take it the whole study-buddy thing with Anja didn't go so well. YOU: It was a disaster, Kaz. Rouillé literally obliterated us. Like the wrath of god. KAZ: I'm not surprised. You know she shot a kid, eh? YOU: What. KAZ: Just snapped one day. Shot him dead. *(They make a finger gun and point it at you.)* Bang. YOU: Kaz. *(You lift your head off the desk and rub your face.)* KAZ: It's true! YOU: It's obviously not. Where did you hear that? KAZ: I don't know! It's like, lore. School lore. YOU: If she had *murdered a child* she wouldn't still be a teacher. KAZ: That's why she has to teach at private school, duh. * [[We have to do it all over again too.|needabreak6]] * [[I don't know how much more Anja I can take.|needabreak4]] * [[Osgoode Terauley would have sorted this out by now.|needabreak5]]

<% s.room = "lockerroom"; s.worse = true; %> *(You walk downstairs and step into the darkened change room.)* YOU: Guh. *(You wave your hand in front of your nose.)* How is it possible this place smells *worse* when no one's been in it for months? *(Kaz flicks the light on. A bunch of floor tiles have been pulled up, revealing huge patches of mold.)* YOU: Euuughhh!! KAZ: Welp, this definitely confirms my strong dislike of the Girls' Locker Room. <%= next() %>

<% s.room = "tuckshop"; s.trapdoor = true; %> YOU: Aha. Knew there had to be a ladder somewhere back here. Help me get it out into the hall. *(The two of you take the ladder out into the tunnel and lean it against the wall. You climb up and push against the trap door. It gives a little.)* YOU: I think it opens! KAZ: Nice! Any idea where it leads? * [[Outside, maybe?|trapdoor3]] * [[I've never seen any trap doors up there.|trapdoor4]] * [[Only one way to find out.|trapdoor2]]

YOU: Only one way to find out... <%= display("trapdoor5") %>

YOU: Outside, maybe? We've walked out pretty far. KAZ: Oh man if there's been a secret escape tunnel this whole time... YOU: Guess we're about to find out. <%= display("trapdoor5") %>

YOU: No idea. I don't think I've ever even seen a trap door up there. KAZ: That's the point of a trap door, Na. YOU NEVER SEE IT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE. <%= display("trapdoor5") %>

*(You pop the door open and clamber up through the floor, then turn around to help pull Kaz up.)* KAZ: *(standing)* Holy shit, we're in the tuck shop. *(You get up and look around.)* YOU: Oh my god. KAZ: Dude! This rules! Secret tunnel! YOU: We are the best trespassers in the friggin' business! *(The two of you high five.)* <%= next() %>

<% s.showers = true; %> YOU: Look, they took out the showers. KAZ: Huh. YOU: Why on earth did they have them here anyway? No one ever used them. KAZ: Has anyone has ever used any high school shower anywhere? I know it must be a thing somewhere, but... * [[Maybe back in the day?|showers6]] * [[Maybe down in States?|showers7]] * [[I want to meet that person.|showers8]]

YOU: Uh, because it'd be super rude? KAZ: Aw, well if you're going to bring *reality* into this, sure. YOU: It's not about reality. I don't creep on people in my fantasies either. KAZ: ...I mean, I'm hearing you say the words but I'm not sure I comprehend the sentence. *(You smirk.)* YOU: Sorry pervo, not everyone's as pervy as you. KAZ: Well that hardly seems fair. <%= next() %>

YOU: I'm not just like some sort of... insatiable... sex maniac. I can co-exist with other people in a locker room without getting all gross on them. KAZ: Okay, okay! But can you at least admit that Insatiable Sex Maniac would be an amazing name for a band? YOU: For someone else's band? Sure. KAZ: What?? You wouldn't want to be in Insatiable Sex Maniac? YOU: No. Because then everyone would think I was an insatiable sex maniac. KAZ: Exactly! <%= next() %>

YOU: Are you saying you *would*? KAZ: I don't know! But you have to admit it'd be a little tough to look away. YOU: It'd be pretty easy actually. You just... *(You turn your head.)* Like that. KAZ: Okay, *but.* Seriously think about this for a second. YOU: Do I have to? KAZ: You're sitting out there tying your shoes or whatever and the *hottest girl* at school walks by and gets in the shower. Like twenty feet away from you being all naked and showery. You don't feel even the slightest urge to sneak a peek? YOU: We're not talking about urges, we're talking about actions. KAZ: We're talking the girl that you... *(They trail off and their eyes widen.)* YOU: That I...? *(They smack their forehead.)* KAZ: Oh my god. I just realized we never made your list of the hottest girls at school! God, I totally dropped the ball. What was I thinking? YOU: Uhhhhhhh. KAZ: Okay. Top three. Right now. Go. YOU: *(blushing)* NO COMMENT. <%= next() %>

<% portrait("kipling1") s.trailmix = true; %> YOU: Hey. KIPLING: Nadiarama. *(He keeps staring straight ahead. You sit down next to him.)* YOU: You seem down, Kip. What's up? KIPLING: Just waiting for my driver to come pick me up. YOU: Oh. *(He sighs.)* KIPLING: ...And, if I'm being honest, I'm having a touch of post-party depression. * [[I didn't know that was a thing.|trailmix2]] * [[Figured you'd be revelling in your triumph.|trailmix3]] * [[That sucks.|trailmix4]]

YOU: I didn't know that was a thing. KIPLING: It's a personal affliction of mine. The come down after the big high. I put so much effort into hosting a fine gala and then once it's done... *(He sighs and pulls a plastic bag out of his inside blazer pocket.)* Trail mix? * [[Yes please.|trailmix5]] * [[No thanks.|trailmix6]]

YOU: I figured you'd be revelling in your triumph right now. KIPLING: Nah. *(He shakes his head and leans back a bit.)* KIPLING: All that effort, that hard work. It goes into the moment, you know? I host these things for the moment. And now that the moment has passed... *(He sighs and pulls a plastic bag out of his inside blazer pocket.)* Trail mix? * [[Yes please.|trailmix5]] * [[No thanks.|trailmix6]]

YOU: That sucks. KIPLING: Majorly. YOU: You got something you can do to fix it? KIPLING: Nah, I'm most afraid it just happens. I put so much effort into the party and then once it's done... *(He sighs and pulls a plastic bag out of his inside blazer pocket.)* Trail mix? * [[Yes please.|trailmix5]] * [[No thanks.|trailmix6]]

YOU: Yes please. *(You grab some trail mix out of the bag and nibble on it quietly.)* <%= display("trailmix7") %>

*(You hold up your hand.)* YOU: I'm good. *(He slips the bag back into his pocket.)* <%= display("trailmix7") %>

KIPLING: ...Well, I just feel a little empty is all. * [[There are more parties ahead.|trailmix8]] * [[People will remember that one for a while.|trailmix9]] * [[Sorry to hear that.|trailmix10]]

<% s.kiplingorganizer = true; %> YOU: Hey, don't forget. There are more parties ahead. KIPLING: I suppose... YOU: Think of all the partyable occasions that are going to happen this year! Halloween, that's a given. End of first term. Winter Semiformal, you could do pre-party *and* after-party. Family Day, New Year's Eve, March Break... You even did American Thanksgiving a couple years ago, remember? That was a blast. KIPLING: I did enjoy the extra turkey... YOU: And then of course the mother of all parties: *graduation.* It's the end of high school, dude. It's going to be like the biggest night ever times a million. KIPLING: ...Damn. When you're right you're right, double-N. My social calendar is going to be packed this year. I need to get my planning on. *(He takes an organizer out of his bag and starts writing things down. You smile.)* YOU: I'll leave you to it. <%= next() %>

YOU: Hey, that party may be gone but it's not forgotten. People are going to be talking about it for a long time. KIPLING: ...You think? YOU: Trust me. I heard a bunch of people talking about it in Writer's Craft earlier. The word "legendary" was being tossed around. KIPLING: Well, that's decent of them I guess... *(You pat him on the shoulder.)* YOU: Your hospitality transcends time and space, Kip. KIPLING: *(half smiling)* Perhaps it does. Thanks Nadine. <%= next() %>

YOU: Aw, I'm sorry to hear that buddy. *(You pat him on the shoulder.)* Anything I can do? *(He shakes his head.)* KIPLING: Just have to weather the ol' storm, I'm afraid. Find my place in this new post-party world. YOU: Hey, you're a great host and a great dude. I'm here for you, eh. KIPLING: *(half-smiling)* Thanks, Nadine. You're too kind. <%= next() %>

*(You look over your shoulder. Anja is striding down the hall toward you, looking pissed.)* YOU: Oh boy. *(You step out towards her.)* * [[Hey, I know you're mad...|crumpled5]] * [[So, about this French project...|crumpled6]] * [[Listen, we need to talk...|crumpled7]]

YOU: Hey– <%= display("crumpled1") %>

YOU: So– <%= display("crumpled1") %>

YOU: Listen– <%= display("crumpled1") %>

<% s.nowhere = true; %> YOU: Different in here, huh. KAZ: So weird. *(They tap on the glass.)* It never even occurred to me that there could actually be a view from up here. YOU: Pretty good one too. KAZ: Mm. YOU: Oh hey look! You can see the door to nowhere. *(You point at a closed door in the middle of a brick wall, around ten feet up from the nearest part of the roof. Kaz sidles up next to you.)* KAZ: Think anyone's ever fallen out of it? * [[It would have been boarded up.|nowhere2]] * [[You'd have to find it first.|nowhere3]] * [[We should do an article on it.|nowhere4]]

YOU: No, they would have boarded it up. KAZ: Maybe they did? We never found the other side of it. What if it's behind, like, a fake wall? YOU: Maybe... but what wall would that even be? Somewhere... above the small gym, I guess? *(You scratch your head.)* But where...? <%= display("nowhere6") %>

YOU: You'd have to find it before you could fall out of it. KAZ: Yeah, where the hell *is* that? That always bugged me. I don't think it's in the South Wing... <%= display("nowhere5") %>

YOU: You know what'd be great? We should investigate this door. We should do an article on this door. Like, why is there a door? Did it ever go anywhere? Was it *planned* to go somewhere? Was it a mistake? What's on the other side? KAZ: Yeah, what *is* on the other side? It's not the South Wing. <%= display("nowhere5") %>

YOU: No it's definitely in the North Wing. But like I guess you'd have to get there from... *above* the small gym? No... <%= display("nowhere6") %>

KAZ: No, *that's* the gym. *(They point down at the roof.)* There's nothing above it. YOU: So it's like where the second floor *would be* if it was where the first-and-a-half floor *is.* KAZ: There was a dorm up here, right? Back when this was a boarding school? Is that that? YOU: I thought *this* was the dorm. I thought they turned it into the art room. KAZ: That would've been one tiny dorm... YOU: Yeah well. Something tells me this place wouldn't have gone for the luxury hotel model. <%= next() %>

<% s.whatsgood = true; %> YOU: Gah! BALD DRAMA: Boo! Ha ha. TALL DRAMA: *(nodding)* Good one. YOU: Oh my god! You guys scared me. *(Kaz rounds the corner.)* KAZ: Oh shit! What's good, dramas? CORSET DRAMA: Hey dude. *(She gives Kaz a fistbump.)* * [[What are you doing here?|whatsgood2]] * [[How did you get in?|whatsgood3]]

YOU: What are you all doing here? TALL DRAMA: Hanging. COOL DRAMA: Chilling. HIPPIE DRAMA: We came in through the backstage door. TALL DRAMA: Hey, quit revealing our secrets. HIPPIE DRAMA: It's pretty cool. It's like our own special clubhouse. TALL DRAMA: You have got to stop calling it that. BALD DRAMA: We can do whatever we want! CORSET DRAMA: Some of us can. *You* definitely cannot. BALD DRAMA: You mean because I'm unable to or because you won't let me? COOL DRAMA: Yes. TALL DRAMA: I think the real question is... what are *you two* doing here? * [[Investigating.|whatsgood8]] * [[Also chilling.|whatsgood9]] * [[Taking a break.|whatsgood10]] * [[Nothing.|whatsgood11]] * [[I can't say.|whatsgood12]]

YOU: How'd you guys get in here? HIPPIE DRAMA: Backstage door. TALL DRAMA: I've got the key. CORSET DRAMA: And it's unlocked. TALL DRAMA: Well yeah but I still have the key though. HIPPIE DRAMA: How'd *you* guys get in here? KAZ: *(pointing over their shoulder)* Window. COOL DRAMA: Wow. Vandalism. Impressed. YOU: Oh, uh. We just opened it. We didn't break it. COOL DRAMA: Hmm. Less impressed. BALD DRAMA: Hang on. Do you guys just open the windows in here all the time? * [[This was the first time.|whatsgood4]] * [[Why would we do that?|whatsgood5]]

YOU: This is our first time. My first time anyway. TALL DRAMA: Well, well! A virgin! BALD DRAMA: Pfft. You're one to talk. TALL DRAMA: *You're* one to talk about *me* being one to talk. CORSET DRAMA: You're *both* ones to talk. Though I'd rather you didn't. HIPPIE DRAMA: What are you two doing here anyway? * [[Investigating.|whatsgood8]] * [[Taking a break.|whatsgood10]] * [[Nothing.|whatsgood11]] * [[I can't say.|whatsgood12]]

YOU: What? Why would we do that? BALD DRAMA: That's not a no. *(He leans back and crosses his arms.)* I bet they're the reason all those raccoons got in. TALL DRAMA: Raccoons don't need help "getting in." They can get in anywhere. BALD DRAMA: Not *anywhere.* Not a bank vault. TALL DRAMA: Yes a bank vault. BALD DRAMA: Shut up. TALL DRAMA: Fuck you. CORSET DRAMA: There's no way. TALL DRAMA: I'll bet you a thousand dollars a raccoon could break into a bank vault. COOL DRAMA: You don't have a thousand dollars. TALL DRAMA: I will if that raccoon gets the vault open. * [[There are raccoons in here?|whatsgood6]] * [[How do you know you didn't let them in?|whatsgood7]]

YOU: There are raccoons in here? TALL DRAMA: Like all over. You haven't seen them? KAZ: No. YOU: *(simultaneously)* Maybe. *(Cool Drama squints at you.)* HIPPIE DRAMA: I think it's a family. BALD DRAMA: Raccoons don't have families. HIPPIE DRAMA: I'm not having this argument for a fifth time. CORSET DRAMA: You'll probably run into one if you keep wandering around here. COOL DRAMA: Careful. *(She smirks.)* They bite. <%= next() %>

YOU: But wait, how do you know *you* didn't let them in? BALD DRAMA: ...Oh man. CORSET DRAMA: She's got you there. COOL DRAMA: She could get him anywhere. CORSET DRAMA: Not that she'd want to. YOU: *(raising your hand)* "She" is right here by the way. BALD DRAMA: Do you mind? I'm the middle of being owned here and you're kind of interrupting. TALL DRAMA: *(shaking his head)* So rude. YOU: ...Yeah, we're just going to go now. <%= next() %>

YOU: We're doing an investigation for the paper. ...Can I ask you guys some questions actually? TALL DRAMA: Only under condition of anonymity. BALD DRAMA: Strictly off the record. CORSET DRAMA: Yeah, I don't want to see our names showing up in print. KAZ: ...You guys have names? * [[Have you witnessed anything supernatural in here?|whatsgood15]] * [[Have you seen any other people in here?|whatsgood16]]

YOU: We're also chilling. COOL DRAMA: It's great, right? YOU: Well it's chill certainly. *(She nods.)* CORSET DRAMA: You never struck me as the relaxation type. ...No offence. * [[None taken.|whatsgood13]] * [[There's a lot you don't know about me.|whatsgood14]]

YOU: Just taking a break from the whole newspaper thing. CORSET DRAMA: Oh. Really? YOU: ...Yes? Why? CORSET DRAMA: You never really struck me as the relaxation type. *(She shrugs.)* No offence. * [[None taken.|whatsgood13]] * [[There's a lot you don't know about me.|whatsgood14]]

YOU: Nothing really. BALD DRAMA: "Nothing", eh? YOU: Uh, yep. BALD DRAMA: *(elbowing Tall Drama)* Bet you they're hooking up. <%= display("whatsgood17") %>

YOU: I, uh, can't say. It's kind of a secret. Sorry. COOL DRAMA: *(leaning back)* Ooh. BALD DRAMA: Sooo... hooking up? Hooking up. <%= display("whatsgood17") %>

YOU: You want me to think about death. KAZ: I want you to think about ghosts. YOU: That is *so far* down the list right now, Kaz... I just– KAZ: You need a distraction! Otherwise your brain is going to melt. YOU: *(groaning)* It already melted. My head is full of horrible liquid brain juice. KAZ: Just indulge me, okay? You have the whole rest of the night to be miserable. * [[Fine.|calling13]]

YOU: Kaz, I'm really not in the mood for ghosts right now. KAZ: You need a distraction, Na. *(You groan.)* KAZ: Just indulge me, alright? What else are you going to do? Be miserable all night? YOU: Yes. KAZ: Well, whatever! You can multitask. * [[Fine.|calling13]]

YOU: ...Sure. Why not? I could use the distraction. <%= display("calling2") %>

<% portrait("allen1") chapter(7); %> #### **Allen's Car** – After School ALLEN: ...Nadia, what's wrong? Are you okay? You've been acting weird for days. YOU: I don't know. *(He sighs and pulls over the car.)* ALLEN: I think we need to talk. *(He gets out of the car, walks around the back, and sits on the trunk. You follow him and sit next to him.)* ALLEN: Are you still upset about me not going to the party? YOU: No. ...Maybe? I don't know. I don't think so. ALLEN: Oh. *(Silence.)* ALLEN: ...Is there something else then? * [[I've been thinking a lot about Summer.|breakup4]] * [[I feel really mixed up.|breakup2]] * [[There's some stuff we need to talk about.|breakup6]] * [[I need you to answer some questions for me.|breakup3]]

YOU: I'm... not so okay, actually. I feel really... confused? Mixed up? I don't know. There's so much stuff going on and it's like... *(You hold your hands out around of your head.)* Argh. Do you understand? ALLEN: Um. Not really. YOU: *(sighing)* Of course not. ALLEN: But hey. *(He inches a bit closer to you.)* I do want to understand. You can tell me what's bothering you. * [[Sometimes I feel like I can't.|breakup5]] * [[It's about Anja.|breakup7]] * [[It's about Summer.|breakup4]]

YOU: Um. Listen. I need you to answer some questions for me. ALLEN: You're usually the one with all the answers. *(You give him a very faint smile, which quickly fades.)* YOU: This is different. It's about Summer, mainly. Our falling out. ALLEN: I... okay. We've been over this before though. YOU: No, I know. ALLEN: A lot of times. YOU: I know. ALLEN: Why is this coming up now? YOU: Well Anja and I were, uh, fighting. At the party. And, uh... <%= display("breakup67") %>

YOU: I've been thinking a lot about Summer. ALLEN: Oh. YOU: I feel like these past two years I was just able to ignore all that stuff that happened. And now she's back and it's all just floating back up all at once. *(He rubs your shoulder.)* ALLEN: I know it's been hard seeing her back. *(You nod.)* ALLEN: ...but you do have to move on. You can't just sit around blaming yourself all day. * [[Of course I can blame myself.|breakup10]] * [[Do you remember how it happened?|breakup11]] * [[I wish you wouldn't keep telling me to move on.|breakup62]]

YOU: Honestly? Sometimes I feel like I can't though. ALLEN: Oh. YOU: ...I'm sorry. Don't be mad. ALLEN: I'm not... mad. I'm kinda sad though. I thought you trusted me. YOU: I'm not saying I don't trust you. ALLEN: I trust *you.* YOU: But like, for example, whenever I try to talk about Anja– ALLEN: Anja. Of course. *(He rubs his forehead.)* I should have figured that was what this was about. * [[She mentioned you.|breakup9]] * [[See? You're doing it.|breakup61]] * [[What do you mean?|breakup144]]

YOU: There's some stuff we need to talk about. ALLEN: ...Like what? YOU: Like... Summer. And what happened. ALLEN: Okay... YOU: I was talking to Anja at the party, and it turned into this fight, and– <%= display("breakup67") %>

YOU: It's about Anja. We had a big fight at Kipling's party. ALLEN: ...Of course it's about Anja. YOU: Wow, okay. I guess you didn't want to know after all. ALLEN: I'm sorry, but I was *already* tired of this conversation the *last time* we had a fight about it. Now I'm starting to get tired of telling you I'm getting tired. * [[She mentioned you specifically.|breakup9]] * [[What is wrong with you right now?|breakup8]]

YOU: What is wrong with you right now? ALLEN: What's wrong with *me*? YOU: You are acting so weird about Anja. ALLEN: It's just so frustrating. You barely even talked to me for days and now that we're finally having a real conversation, you're just turning it into Anja talk. Again. * [[That wasn't even the point.|breakup97]] * [[I can't even mention her?|breakup98]] * [[Do you not even care what the fight was about?|breakup99]]

YOU: She mentioned you. Made it sound like the two of us actually *did* something to Summer. Beyond just having a falling out. She was *mad.* ALLEN: Well she hates you for no reason. I guess it makes sense that she'd hate me too. *(He puts his arm around your shoulder. You scoot out from under him.)* YOU: You're not worried? ALLEN: About her? YOU: No, that we did something. You're not worried we might have... hurt her somehow? Without knowing it? ALLEN: You can't blame yourself for what happened. * [[Yes I can.|breakup10]] * [[Do you remember how it happened?|breakup11]]

YOU: Yes I can! Of course I can. I'm a third of the people involved. ALLEN: You held out the olive branch to *her*, remember? And she threw it back in your face. YOU: Yeah but– Okay. But *how*? ALLEN: Huh? YOU: You say she threw it back in my face. What does that mean? What *exactly* did she say? ALLEN: It was a long time ago. I don't really remember the details. * [[How can you not remember?|breakup12]] * [[There must be something.|breakup13]] * [[Humour me.|breakup14]]

YOU: What do you remember about all that exactly? ALLEN: Lots of stuff. I remember how upset you were. Why? YOU: I mean, like. How did the conversation go? What did you say to her exactly? What'd she say to you? Can you replay it for me? ALLEN: I... don't know if I can. It was years ago. I don't like remember all the details. * [[How can you not remember?|breakup12]] * [[There must be something.|breakup13]] * [[Humour me.|breakup14]]

YOU: How do you not remember the details of when one of your best friends kicked your girlfriend out of her life? <%= display("breakup15") %>

YOU: Come on, there must be *something*. <%= display("breakup15") %>

YOU: Just humour me, okay? Tell me how it went. <%= display("breakup15") %>

ALLEN: I don't know what you want me to say. She just... said she didn't want to see you again. Told you to stop calling. Whatever she thought you did– YOU: Okay but that's what I'm getting at. Did she *say* what she thought I did? Did you explain I didn't do anything wrong? ALLEN: I don't know. She just said it and then left. Where is this coming from? * [[I'm trying to get closure.|breakup16]] * [[This isn't adding up.|breakup17]] * [[Why are you acting so weird?|breakup18]]

YOU: I'm just trying to sort it out, that's all. We never got closure. Maybe it's time we actually talked to her. ALLEN: I really don't think it's a good idea. YOU: Why not? It's not like things can get any worse. ALLEN: I just– She made her choice, you know? * [[Ages ago.|breakup19]] * [[Anja doesn't seem to think so.|breakup20]] * [[What about *my* choice?|breakup21]] * [[Are you not curious?|breakup22]]

YOU: Things just aren't adding up for me. ALLEN: Adding up? YOU: This is what I don't get! Don't you feel like you're missing something here? ALLEN: I think you might just be reading too much into things. YOU: No no no, this is not in my head. This version of events where Summer cuts me off, it just doesn't *fit*. Not with the way everyone's acting this year. Like I don't know *what it is* that I don't know, but I *know* that I don't know *something.* ALLEN: I, uh... *(He trails off. You stare at him.)* * [[Is there something you're not telling me?|breakup28]]

YOU: Why are you acting so weird about this? ALLEN: I'm not. YOU: You are. You try to get me off the subject every time this comes up. ALLEN: I just don't want you to get *hurt*. * [[Not knowing is what's hurting me.|breakup29]] * [[Why do you think I'm going to get hurt?|breakup30]]

YOU: *Ages* ago. Think of how much you and I have changed since then. Maybe she's changed too. ALLEN: I don't think so. YOU: Okay but like how do you even know? We haven't talked to her. ALLEN: You have. And she blew you off again. You told me yourself. YOU: Yeah but... I don't know, maybe she– ALLEN: I don't think it's a good idea. YOU: But *why*? ALLEN: *(sharply)* I just don't, okay? Can we please drop it? * [[Is there something you're not telling me?|breakup28]]

YOU: Okay, but. Anja doesn't seem to think Summer made the choice. She– ALLEN: Oh my god, who *cares* what she thinks? YOU: I do! Unlike us, she's actually talked with Summer recently! She clearly knows something we don't. ALLEN: What else is there to know? YOU: What *else* is there to *know*? ALLEN: You know what? You need to stop being so obsessed with Anja Kaczmarek. It's scary. It's not healthy. * [[Don't be so dramatic.|breakup23]] * [[Stop saying I'm obsessed!|breakup24]] * [[You're not curious at all?|breakup22]]

YOU: What about *my* choice? Doesn't that count for anything? ALLEN: I thought you chose me. YOU: I– what? What does that have to do with anything? ALLEN: I just mean... you know. We stuck together. After it all went down. So like... yeah. *(You stare at him.)* ALLEN: What? * [[Is there something you're not telling me?|breakup28]]

YOU: Are you not curious about this *at all*? Does the story not seem totally incomplete to you? ALLEN: Incomplete? YOU: It doesn't add up! The way everyone is acting, it just doesn't fit with Summer just cutting me out of her life. It doesn't... follow. Like I don't know what it is that I don't know, but I definitely don't know something, and it's driving me up the wall! Why is it not bothering you too? ALLEN: I... uh... *(He stammers and shrugs. You stare at him.)* * [[Is there something you're not telling me?|breakup28]]

YOU: Oh don't be so dramatic. I can handle dealing with Anja. ALLEN: I don't think you can! YOU: Great. Well thanks for the vote of confidence. ALLEN: Do you not see the pattern here? First Summer, now her... You *always* do this. * [[I was friends with Summer.|breakup26]] * [[Are you jealous?|breakup27]] * [[What do you mean?|breakup25]]

YOU: God, stop saying I'm "obsessed" with people! You're making me sound like a stalker or something. ALLEN: You have to admit you're fixated. YOU: Because she might be the key to figuring out one of the biggest mysteries of my entire life! ALLEN: You *always* do this, Nadia. Before it was Summer, now it's her. * [[I was friends with Summer.|breakup26]] * [[Are you jealous?|breakup27]] * [[What do you mean?|breakup25]]

YOU: I was *friends* with Summer! ALLEN: Well you're not friends with Anja! So what's the explanation there? YOU: I don't need to explain myself. I'm not doing anything wrong. ALLEN: I wonder sometimes. YOU: Excuse me? ALLEN: With the way you talk about her? YOU: What are you getting at, exactly? ALLEN: Ugh. Forget it. * [[You think I have feelings for her?|breakup56]] * [[You think she has feelings for me?|breakup57]] * [[You think I'm cheating on you?|breakup58]] * [[You think I like girls?|breakup59]]

YOU: Are you *jealous* of me and Anja? ALLEN: I'm starting to think maybe I should be! YOU: What does *that* mean? ALLEN: She's all you can talk about! Clearly she's way more on your mind than I am right now. YOU: God, you are so insecure! ALLEN: I can't help it, Nadia! Sometimes I wonder... YOU: Wonder what? ALLEN: Forget it. * [[You think I have feelings for her?|breakup56]] * [[You think she has feelings for me?|breakup57]] * [[You think I'm cheating on you?|breakup58]] * [[You think I like girls?|breakup59]]

YOU: What do you mean I "always do this"? Do what? ALLEN: You find girls and you just get totally into your head about them. Anja's been all you can talk about for *days* now! It makes me wonder... YOU: ...Makes you wonder what? ALLEN: Never mind. YOU: What? ALLEN: Forget it. YOU: Uh, I think we're a little past "forget it" at this point. ALLEN: I'm not going to get pulled into this trap. * [[You think I have feelings for her?|breakup56]] * [[You think she has feelings for me?|breakup57]] * [[You think I'm cheating on you?|breakup58]] * [[You think I like girls?|breakup59]] * [[Talking to me is a trap now?|breakup60]]

YOU: ...Allen, is there something you're not telling me? ALLEN: What? What wouldn't I be telling you? YOU: I don't know. ALLEN: If you don't know then why are you asking? YOU: You're dodging the question. ALLEN: I– YOU: *Allen.* *(He looks away.)* YOU: Oh my god. There is something isn't there? What the heck happened? What have you been leaving out? ALLEN: Okay. Look. Don't get mad, okay? * [[I can't promise that.|breakup31]] * [[Just tell me!|breakup32]]

YOU: Not knowing is the thing that's hurting me, Allen! ALLEN: What else is there to know? YOU: I don't know! But I do know that I don't know something. The way everyone is acting, it just doesn't fit with Summer just cutting me out of her life! There has to be something more and every time I try to get at it you just try to shove me off the trail as fast as you can! ALLEN: I– I'm uh... uh... *(He trails off. You stare at him.)* * [[Is there something you're not telling me?|breakup28]]

YOU: Why do you think I'm going to get hurt? ALLEN: I didn't say I did. YOU: Yes you did. You just did. ALLEN: That's not– I– YOU: What is it about asking questions that's so dangerous? What are you worried I'm going to find? *(He doesn't respond.)* * [[Is there something you're not telling me?|breakup28]]

YOU: I can't promise that. If there's something to get mad about I'm going to get mad. <%= display("breakup33") %>

YOU: Just tell me already! <%= display("breakup33") %>

*(He sighs.)* ALLEN: Look. I don't know how to say this, but Summer... kind of had more on her mind than just friendship. YOU: More...? ALLEN: She liked you. *(You blink.)* YOU: She liked me? ALLEN: Yes. YOU: *Liked me* liked me? ALLEN: Yes. YOU: And she told you? ALLEN: *(nodding)* She wanted me to find out if you felt the same way. ...And I told her you didn't. * [[Then why did she tell me not to talk to her?|breakup36]] * [[What *exactly* did you say to her?|breakup37]] * [[Why didn't you tell me?|breakup34]]

YOU: Why the heck didn't you *tell* me? If I had known I could've... *(He scratches his neck.)* YOU: ...You didn't want me to fix it. Oh my god. ALLEN: I– YOU: She never told me to stay away, did she? ALLEN: Not in... so many words. YOU: God. ALLEN: I just told her you two needed to take a break! That's all. I didn't think– YOU: And whose idea did you say that was? ALLEN: ... YOU: So you told her not to talk to me. And then you told me not to talk to her. And you made each us think that was what the other one wanted. Do I have that right? ALLEN: I mean... kind of... YOU: What do you mean "kind of"? Is that what happened or not? ALLEN: Fine, yes. But just let me explain. * [[Why did you do that?|breakup66]] * [[You just lied to her?|breakup35]] * [[I can't listen to you right now.|breakup38]] * [[You bastard.|breakup122]]

YOU: So what? You just... lied to her? How could you do that? What were you *thinking*?! ALLEN: Are you saying it was a lie? YOU: I sure as hell didn't tell you to say any of that! ALLEN: But you liked her. That's what you're saying. * [[Yes.|breakup123]] * [[Does it matter?|breakup42]] * [[Not your business.|breakup114]]

YOU: I don't... understand. If she liked me then why did she never want to see me again? ALLEN: ...She never said that. Not exactly. YOU: What? Then why– *(He looks down.)* YOU: Oh my god. ALLEN: Look, it was just supposed to be temporary. YOU: *You* told her to stay away. ALLEN: I didn't think she'd change schools! I just thought you two needed a break. YOU: So you just *invented* this whole story of her not wanting to talk to me anymore? ALLEN: It's not– YOU: Let me guess, you told *her* that it was *my* idea. ALLEN: It just got a bit away from me! YOU: Got a bit away from you?! That's what you call this?! ALLEN: Hold on. Just... calm down. * [[Why did you do that?|breakup66]] * [[You just lied to her?|breakup35]] * [[Calm down?!|breakup149]] * [[You bastard.|breakup122]]

YOU: What do you mean? What *exactly* did you say to her? ALLEN: I don't know! YOU: What do you mean you don't know? Tell me what you said! ALLEN: I... I said you two needed a break, okay? I said she should probably stay away. *(You stare straight ahead.)* ALLEN: It was just supposed to be for a while! I didn't want her to– YOU: Did you *tell* her it was just supposed to be for a while? ALLEN: Maybe not... in those words... exactly... *(You shake your head.)* YOU: This whole time. You let me believe she was the one who wanted us to stop talking. But it was your idea, not hers. *(He doesn't reply.)* YOU: And let me guess, you let her think *I* wanted her gone. That's what happened, isn't it? ALLEN: Look, just– Let me explain. * [[How could you?|breakup66]] * [[You just lied to her?|breakup35]] * [[I can't listen to you right now.|breakup38]] * [[You bastard.|breakup122]]

YOU: I... I can't. *(You get up.)* ALLEN: Nadia. YOU: I just... I don't have this in me right now. I can't do this conversation. <%= display("breakup124") %>

ALLEN: Don't be like this. *(You spin around and shove him.)* ALLEN: Hey–! YOU: Are you *kidding* me? What the hell am I *supposed* to be like?! You completely destroyed my relationship with my best friend and then LIED about it FOR YEARS! *While we were dating!* I mean–! *(You walk away a bit more and then turn back around.)* YOU: You had *no right* to blow her off like that! You didn't have a *clue* how I felt about her! ALLEN: So tell me then! How did you feel? Did you like her too? Is that it? * [[Yes. I did.|breakup40]] * [[None of your business.|breakup41]] * [[Does it matter?|breakup42]]

YOU: I did! Okay? *(You start tearing up.)* I really did. She was the most important person in the world to me. ALLEN: More important than me? YOU: ...Yes. More important than you. ALLEN: God. YOU: You *know* she was, Allen. Don't act like this is a surprise. ALLEN: My so-called "girlfriend" is *gay*. How is that *not* a surprise? * [[I'm bi, not gay.|breakup45]] * [["So-called"?|breakup47]]

YOU: That is none of your damn business. ALLEN: Of course it's my business! I'm your boyfriend! YOU: Only because you *manipulated* me! ALLEN: What? * [[You heard me.|breakup43]] * [[Forget it.|breakup44]]

YOU: Does it matter? ALLEN: I think it does, actually! YOU: Hey. Don't– What you did was wrong either way! How I felt back then doesn't change anything. ALLEN: It changes things between *us*! If you had a crush on your girl best friend who you're still obsessed with that's kind of a big deal! *(You scoff.)* ALLEN: I'm your boyfriend for god's sake. YOU: Only because you manipulated me! ALLEN: Excuse me? * [[You heard me.|breakup43]] * [[Forget it.|breakup44]]

YOU: You heard me. ALLEN: I can't believe you. YOU: You let me think my best friend *hated* me! I cried for weeks! I cried *in front* of you *as you were lying to me*!! You made me feel weak and alone just so I would date you! ALLEN: That is not what I did. Don't say it like that. YOU: I thought you were the one who chose to stand by me when I was hurting. Now I find out you were the one that hurt me in the first place! ALLEN: I never wanted you to get hurt. * [[Of course you did.|breakup80]] * [[Then you screwed up big time.|breakup79]]

YOU: Forget it. ALLEN: Because I "manipulated" you? YOU: Well what the hell else would you call it?! ALLEN: So what, then? Are you saying you wouldn't have gone out with me if you'd known that Summer liked you? YOU: ...Probably not. No. ALLEN: Great. Terrific. * [[I liked her a lot.|breakup128]] * [[Hey, don't get mad at me.|breakup103]]

YOU: I'm not gay. I'm bi. ALLEN: Is there a difference? YOU: I can think of one pretty big one! ALLEN: Whatever! You *like girls!* You don't think you should have told me that? * [[Maybe I would have...|breakup46]] * [[It doesn't matter.|breakup48]] * [[Would it have changed things?|breakup49]] * [[I never claimed to be straight.|breakup121]]

YOU: Maybe I actually might have felt comfortable telling you if you didn't get so weird and jealous all the time! ALLEN: Clearly I was right to be worried! YOU: Ha! You have no *idea* how little you ever had to worry. I never cheated on you once – never even *considered* it in the two and a half years we've been together. ALLEN: And I'm supposed to believe that? YOU: You sure as hell aren't in a position to lecture me on honesty! ALLEN: You're telling me the way you've been fawning over Anja is all just a big coincidence? * [[Look at how you're reacting!|breakup53]] * [[God, *you're* the one who's obsessed with her.|breakup54]]

YOU: "So-called"? Seriously? Is that how little our relationship means to you? ALLEN: This is a pretty big deal, Nadia! Don't try and act like it doesn't matter. YOU: It shouldn't matter! It shouldn't have to change anything! ALLEN: You were *lying* to me the entire time we were together! How could that *not* change things? * [[*I* was lying to *you*?!|breakup52]] * [[I was in the closet!|breakup51]] * [[Look at how you're reacting.|breakup53]]

YOU: It doesn't matter. ALLEN: Oh please. YOU: Well it *shouldn't* matter then! <%= display("breakup50") %>

YOU: Would it have changed anything? Would you have felt any differently? ALLEN: Obviously! YOU: What do you mean, obviously?! <%= display("breakup50") %>

ALLEN: You were lying to me the entire time we were together! * [[*I* was lying to *you*?!|breakup52]] * [[I was in the closet!|breakup51]] * [[Look at how you're reacting.|breakup53]] * [[I'm not going to apologize.|breakup119]]

YOU: Being in the closet is not the same as lying! ALLEN: It is if you're in a relationship. YOU: Hey, you're not automatically entitled to know everything about me just because you're my boyfriend. ALLEN: You're supposed to trust me with stuff like this! YOU: Trust? You want to lecture *me* on trust?! How the hell am I supposed to trust you after all you've done? You created a goddamn *web* of lies! You caused me so much pain and heartache, all out of *selfishness*! And you're going to stand there and call me a bad girlfriend? *(You take a few steps back.)* YOU: No. If anything I was too goddamn good for you. <%= display("breakup55") %>

YOU: You're going to talk to *me* about lying?! You told the biggest, most involved, most *horrible* lie of anyone I have ever known! ALLEN: Okay fine. I made a mistake. YOU: A mistake! ALLEN: But at least I was honest about my feelings. YOU: Oh, you want honesty? Fine. I *honestly* don't want to talk to you anymore. So goodbye. <%= display("breakup55") %>

YOU: Look at how you're reacting right now! Can you blame me for not being up front about all this? ALLEN: This is about the lying, Nadia! I wouldn't be so mad if you weren't keeping things from me! YOU: Oh bull. You *never* would have been cool with me being bi. I mean look at Summer. She was honest with you and she got nothing but hate in return. ALLEN: I don't hate Summer! YOU: Yes you do! You were malicious and *cruel* to her, and the only reason you've ever treated me any better is because you want to date me. Well you know what? I am *done* with that arrangement. I'm leaving. <%= display("breakup147") %>

YOU: God, you keep telling me that I'm obsessed with Anja, but *you're* the one who won't shut up about her! Maybe you should spend less time worrying about other people and more time worrying about yourself! ALLEN: Oh sure, it's all my fault! YOU: It is! It absolutely is! This entire dynamic that you're so pissed off about is a direct result of you lying and manipulating me! I don't have a *single thing* to apologize for! Not to someone as cruel and selfish as you. ALLEN: You don't mean that. YOU: Whatever. I'm done with you telling me what I think. Goodbye. <%= display("breakup55") %>

ALLEN: Nadia, wait. YOU: For *what*, Allen? You already proved you'll come up with the worst lies imaginable to stop me from leaving, so what could you possibly say right now that I'd actually believe? ALLEN: ...I love you. YOU: I bet. *(You walk away.)* <%= next("textanja1") %>

YOU: You think I have feelings for her? Is that it? ALLEN: I've considered the possibility, yeah. More than once. YOU: Okay, this is the thing. You get so upset about the *fact* that I'm talking about Anja. But if you actually *listened* what I was saying you would know that all I ever say about her is how mean she is to me and how much she hates me. So no. I don't have a crush on her. God. *(You rub your forehead.)* ALLEN: But could you? YOU: ...What? ALLEN: If she was different. If she didn't hate you. *Could* you like her? ...You know, in that way? <%= display("breakup76") %>

YOU: You think she has a crush on me? Is that it? ALLEN: Maybe! YOU: Well don't worry. She hates me. She's not going to "steal me away" or whatever it is you're worried about. God... *(You rub your forehead.)* ALLEN: But could she? YOU: ...What? ALLEN: Like, okay. She hates you. But what if she didn't? If she liked you? Could she– Could you like her? ...You know, like that? <%= display("breakup76") %>

YOU: You think I'm cheating on you? ALLEN: I didn't say that. YOU: But you thought it. God. ALLEN: Are you saying you could? YOU: I wouldn't do that to you. ALLEN: But *could* you? Would it be, you know... possible? With... someone... like that? <%= display("breakup76") %>

YOU: You think I like girls? ALLEN: Do you? * [[...Yes.|breakup73]] * [[That's not relevant.|breakup74]] * [[Would that be so bad?|breakup75]]

YOU: Talking to me is a "trap", now? ALLEN: It is when you get like this. YOU: God, I am getting real tired of all this innuendo! Just tell me what you're driving at already. <%= display("breakup76") %>

YOU: See? You're doing it right now. As soon as Anja comes up you get all weird. ALLEN: I'm just– I don't get why every single conversation has to be about her. YOU: It's not *every* conversation. ALLEN: Don't split hairs. You know as well as I do she's been coming up a lot more than normal. And honestly it's getting kind of old. * [[I can't even mention her?|breakup98]] * [[Sorry my problems are so boring to you.|breakup96]]

YOU: I really wish you wouldn't keep telling me to move on like that. ALLEN: I just don't want you to get hurt. YOU: I know. ALLEN: And you get so sad whenever you talk like this. * [[Aren't I allowed to be sad?|breakup63]] * [[I want to fix it.|breakup64]] * [[What do you remember about the situation?|breakup65]]

YOU: Aren't I allowed to be sad about this? ALLEN: Sure, but– YOU: It's a sad thing. And it feels so... unresolved. ALLEN: I just don't want you to feel sad *forever*, you know? Wouldn't you feel better if you just let it go? YOU: I don't think I would. ALLEN: Ugh. Okay. *(He rubs his forehead.)* * [[Why are you acting so weird about this?|breakup18]] * [[Are you not curious at all?|breakup22]]

YOU: I want to fix it though! Why should I leave things alone when I could actually make things better? ALLEN: I just don't think you can. YOU: But *why*? What about makes it so impossible? You and I fight and make up all the time. ALLEN: Okay, not *all* the time. YOU: You get what I mean though. Like, was there something in *particular* about this falling out with Summer? How did it all go down exactly? Was there something she said to you...? ALLEN: It was a long time ago. I don't know if I remember. * [[How can you not remember?|breakup12]] * [[So how do you know it's impossible?|breakup69]] * [[There must be something.|breakup13]]

YOU: Hey, can you tell me again how that fight went? ALLEN: What? YOU: Like, what do you remember about it? How did the conversation go? ALLEN: I've told you– YOU: Yeah, yeah. But like. What did you *say*, exactly? What'd she say to you? Can you try and remember? ALLEN: I– I don't if I can, Nadia. It was years ago. * [[How can you not remember?|breakup12]] * [[There must be something.|breakup13]] * [[Humour me.|breakup14]]

ALLEN: Anja. Of course. I should have known that was what this was about. * [[She mentioned you specifically.|breakup9]] * [[Could you at least let me finish?|breakup143]] * [[What do you mean?|breakup144]]

ALLEN: I don't really see what else there is to know. YOU: You're joking. ALLEN: Summer told us she never wanted to see us again. That seems pretty cut and dried to me. * [[Are you not curious at all?|breakup22]] * [[Why are you acting so weird?|breakup18]]

YOU: How could you do that? *Why* would you do that? ALLEN: It was for your own good. YOU: You don't think I can I decide what's for my own good? ALLEN: She was obsessed with you! She didn't just want to be your normal friend anymore. * [[Don't talk about her like that.|breakup104]] * [[What is it with you and calling people "obsessed"?|breakup106]] * [[So?|breakup105]]

YOU: So how do you know it's impossible if you can't remember? What if it was actually not as big a deal as you think? ALLEN: I– It was a big deal! I was there, remember? She told me she never wanted to see either of us ever again! That's not nothing. YOU: And there's no chance you might have misinterpreted? ALLEN: No! For the last time. God, where is all this coming from? * [[No need to bite my head off.|breakup70]] * [[I'm trying to get closure.|breakup16]] * [[This isn't adding up.|breakup17]]

YOU: Jeez, no need to bite my head off. I'm just asking. ALLEN: Sorry. YOU: What is up with you right now? ALLEN: I said I'm sorry. What do you want? YOU: You are. You try to get me off the subject every time this comes up. ALLEN: I just don't want you to get *hurt*. * [[Not knowing is what's hurting me.|breakup29]] * [[Why do you think I'm going to get hurt?|breakup30]]

YOU: ...I do. Yeah. *(He stares off into space.)* ALLEN: Well. That's just great. <%= display("breakup89") %>

YOU: I don't really see how that's relevant right now. <%= display("breakup78") %>

YOU: ...Would that honestly be that bad? ALLEN: It'd be a pretty big deal, Nadia. YOU: Oh. *(Nether of you say anything.)* ALLEN: ...God. YOU: Allen, I... ALLEN: I didn't want to believe it. I really didn't. <%= display("breakup89") %>

*(He looks down at the ground, avoiding eye contact.)* YOU: ...This isn't just about Anja is it? ALLEN: Maybe not. YOU: You're asking if I like girls. *(He nods.)* * [[...I do.|breakup73]] * [[Would that be so bad?|breakup75]] * [[I don't want to have this conversation.|breakup77]]

YOU: I don't really want to have this conversation right now. <%= display("breakup78") %>

ALLEN: That's not a no. YOU: ...No. I guess it's not. ALLEN: Well that's just great. <%= display("breakup89") %>

YOU: Of course you did. That's *exactly* what you wanted. You wanted me heartbroken and afraid and vulnerable. Either that or you just didn't care. I don't even know which of those is worse. <%= display("breakup81") %>

YOU: Well you screwed it up big time then! Because I was never more devastated and heartbroken in my life. <%= display("breakup81") %>

ALLEN: So you did like her. YOU: Yeah! I did! I liked her a lot! Hell, the whole reason all of this started was because I tried to kiss her and she got freaked out! ALLEN: God. YOU: And if she had gotten to ask me like she wanted to, I would have said yes in a heartbeat. <%= display("breakup129") %>

YOU: I wasn't "keeping it from you"! I was in the closet. That's not the same thing. ALLEN: It is when you're in a relationship. YOU: I knew you were going to react like this. ALLEN: Of course! How else? YOU: Support, maybe? Understanding? Compassion? Anything like that? <%= display("breakup95") %>

YOU: Does it even matter? ALLEN: Does it matter *that my girlfriend is gay?* Yeah, I think it does. YOU: I'm bisexual, Allen. ALLEN: Oh well in that case. YOU: I can still date you! I can still be attracted to men. This doesn't change anything. ALLEN: Uh-huh. Okay. YOU: It doesn't! ALLEN: You really expect me to believe that you're bi? * [[Uh, yes.|breakup85]] * [[Excuse me?|breakup86]] * [[Go to hell.|breakup87]]

YOU: I've known for a long time. ALLEN: A month? A year? What? YOU: I mean... I guess I only really put a label on it in Grade 10. ALLEN: Grade 10. YOU: ...but I've kind of known for like... my whole life. Basically. *(He shakes his head.)* YOU: Look, just because we're dating doesn't mean I have to automatically tell you first. ALLEN: First? Who else have you told? YOU: Just Kaz. That's it. ALLEN: Really? She deserved to know before me? This is our business, Nadia. I don't like you spreading it around. * [[*Our* business?|breakup90]] * [[Kaz is my friend.|breakup91]] * [[I'm not "spreading it around".|breakup92]]

YOU: Uh, yes? It's the truth. ALLEN: You don't think you might be in denial? YOU: God! I told you *five seconds ago* and you already you think you know more about it than I do? ALLEN: I'm just saying, a lot of people who claim to be "bi" are actually just gay people who can't admit it. YOU: "A lot of people." Have you even met a bi person besides me before? <%= display("breakup95") %>

YOU: *Excuse* me? ALLEN: The way you get so interested in girls. Have you *ever* been that interested in a boy? In me? YOU: Don't turn your insecurities back on me! ALLEN: It would explain why you've never wanted to have sex. YOU: God, have you been mad about that this whole time? What happened to "take as long as you need"? <%= display("breakup95") %>

YOU: You know what? Go to hell. ALLEN: Nice. YOU: I *come out of the closet* to you, and your response is to doubt me and call me a liar?! ALLEN: You *are* a liar! You lied this whole time. YOU: Would it kill you to give me a little bit of support here? It wasn't exactly easy for me to tell you. <%= display("breakup95") %>

YOU: Wait. Summer? What about her? ALLEN: I– ugh, whatever. She's gay, Nadia. She liked you. Likes you still maybe? I don't know. YOU: She... liked me? ALLEN: And I guess now I see why... * [[How do you know?|breakup133]] * [[And you never told me?|breakup134]] * [[Then why did she tell me to go away?|breakup135]]

YOU: Allen... I– I don't know what to tell you. ALLEN: How long have you been keeping this from me? * [[A long time.|breakup84]] * [[It doesn't matter.|breakup83]] * [[I was in the closet.|breakup82]]

YOU: Our business? What exactly does my sexual orientation have to do with you? ALLEN: I'm your boyfriend, Nadia. I'm kind of implicated. YOU: "Implicated"? I didn't rob a damn bank. ALLEN: And what happens when she starts telling people? YOU: *They* won't. ALLEN: They. Whatever. YOU: Would it kill you to actually put some effort into the pronouns for once? ALLEN: Fine. I'm sorry. But I'm telling you: It's going to get out. What then? * [[That's my problem.|breakup93]] * [[Are you ashamed?|breakup94]]

YOU: Kaz – who for the billionth time is not a "she" by the way – is my friend. My *best* friend. Of course I'm going to tell them first! ALLEN: *I'm* supposed to be your best friend. YOU: Oh for god's sake, Allen. ALLEN: Am I not? We used to say that all the time when we were kids. * [[A best friend would be more supportive.|breakup151]] * [[A lot's changed since then.|breakup152]]

YOU: I'm not "spreading it around". One person knows besides you. ALLEN: And you think it'll stay that way? You think you can trust her to keep it quiet? YOU: Them. ALLEN: She has a *twin sister*, for god's sake! You think she won't tell her? YOU: They! ALLEN: They, whatever! It's going to get out, Nadia? What then? * [[That's my problem.|breakup93]] * [[Are you ashamed?|breakup94]]

YOU: That's my problem, not yours. ALLEN: It's both of our problems now. YOU: Well gosh, sorry my sexuality is such a burden for you. ALLEN: Don't act like this doesn't matter! YOU: It doesn't have to matter in a bad way! Why are you being like this? ALLEN: Because you lied to me for years! You– you strung me along. YOU: Strung you along!? That's what you call our relationship? ALLEN: You know what the worst part is? You always made *me* out to be the bad guy for worrying about Anja and Summer. But I was totally right about them. Just like I was right about you! * [[Summer?|breakup88]]

YOU: So what? Are you ashamed of me? ALLEN: I didn't say that. YOU: You didn't have to. ALLEN: Hey! I'm allowed to be mad about this! You lied to me. *And* you kept acting like I was paranoid for worrying about Anja and Summer when I was totally right the whole time! * [[Summer?|breakup88]]

ALLEN: The hypocrisy of all this too! You got all mad at me for worrying about Anja and Summer but I was totally right about all of it! * [[Summer?|breakup88]]

YOU: Jeez, sorry my problems are so boring to you. ALLEN: Ugh. That's not– YOU: No! I'm sorry that I was stupid enough to bring up an issue with you. I don't know what I was thinking. ALLEN: The only real issue here is your *obsession* with this girl. * [[She might know something.|breakup146]] * [[Okay, chill out.|breakup102]] * [[Stop saying I'm obsessed!|breakup24]]

YOU: God this isn't even really about her that much. It's about Summer. ALLEN: Your other favourite topic of conversation. YOU: Could you just chill for a minute and let me talk? *(He lets out an exasperated scoff.)* YOU: Okay. As I was saying. I can't help but feel like I've got an incomplete picture of what happened there. I think there was something else going on. ALLEN: Like what? YOU: Well... that's kind of what I was hoping you'd help me with. You were the last one of us to have a proper conversation with her. How exactly did it go? Did she say anything that seems unusual in retrospect? Any red flags? ALLEN: Honestly? I don't remember, Nadia. It was ages ago. You need to stop dwelling on it. * [[How can you not remember?|breakup12]] * [[There must be something.|breakup13]]

YOU: So now I can't even mention her at all? ALLEN: Once in a while would be fine but it's just completely taken over our relationship. YOU: Okay, you're exaggerating. ALLEN: I'm not! You have been *obsessed* with her all year! * [[Because she might know something about Summer!|breakup145]] * [[Okay, chill out.|breakup102]] * [[Stop saying I'm obsessed!|breakup24]]

YOU: Do you not even care what this fight was about? ALLEN: Seems like they're always about nothing. YOU: Well in this case it was about us. ALLEN: Then it's not even any of her business. YOU: She made it sound like we did something to Summer, Allen. Beyond just having a fight. You were mentioned by name. ALLEN: What would she know about that? She wasn't even around. * [[Possibly a lot.|breakup100]] * [[What do you remember about the fight?|breakup101]]

YOU: She might actually know a whole lot! She's been friends with Summer this whole time. They've actually talked about this. And clearly she knows something we don't. ALLEN: You're imagining things. YOU: What am I imagining? It's perfectly logical. She might know more than anyone. ALLEN: Okay, this obsession you have with Anja has got to stop. I don't think it's healthy. * [[Don't be so dramatic.|breakup23]] * [[Stop saying I'm obsessed!|breakup24]] * [[You're not curious at all?|breakup22]]

YOU: Look, just... what do you remember about that fight? ALLEN: What do I remember? I– lots of things. I remember you being upset. YOU: Was there anything *specific* that happened? Any relevant details that might explain what she's talking about? <%= display("breakup15") %>

YOU: Okay. Chill out. I'm just trying to have a conversation. ALLEN: Sure. Whatever. YOU: Okay, seriously. What's is with you? ALLEN: This thing? The thing you're doing with Anja? It's the same thing you *always* do! Do you not see that? * [[Are you jealous?|breakup27]] * [[What do you mean?|breakup25]]

YOU: Hey, don't get mad at me! I'm the one who has something to be mad about. ALLEN: I lied about *one thing*. You had an entire secret life! YOU: "Secret life?" I wasn't sneaking out to fight crime! ALLEN: Okay– YOU: And your "one thing" is just about the biggest, most involved, most *horrible* lie I have ever heard anyone tell in my entire life. I can't think of a single time I've heard of anyone do anything worse. And you did it to me! To your girlfriend! The person you supposedly love most in the world! ALLEN: I do love you. That's not a lie. YOU: Yeah? Well if this is what your love looks like then I'm not sure I actually want it. <%= display("breakup147") %>

YOU: Don't talk about her like that. ALLEN: Like what? YOU: "Normal friend." You're practically calling her a freak. ALLEN: Do you have romantic feelings for all of *your* friends? Because that's what she had for you. * [[So did you.|breakup110]] * [[It's normal for people to like each other.|breakup108]]

YOU: So? What makes you think I would have had a problem with that? ALLEN: I'm not saying you would have. I just– YOU: You just wanted Summer out of the way so you could date me yourself. This was never about her or about me. ALLEN: That's not true! YOU: Of course it is! If you had actually cared about my feelings you would have *asked what they were*, not just answered for me. <%= display("breakup111") %>

YOU: You're always using that word, "obsessed". What is it with you? ALLEN: If you'd heard what she said– * [[You didn't give me the chance.|breakup107]] * [[It's normal for people to like each other.|breakup108]] * [[This is just about you being insecure.|breakup109]]

YOU: You didn't give me the *chance* to hear what she said! You just decided my answer for me! And then *lied* about it! ALLEN: Are you saying your answer would have been different? YOU: You didn't know! That's the point! You never asked! ALLEN: Well fine then! I'm asking now! If Summer had come up to you asked you out, what would you have said? * [[Yes.|breakup112]] * [[It was a long time ago.|breakup113]] * [[Not your business.|breakup114]] * [[Does it matter?|breakup42]]

YOU: It's *normal* for people to like each other and care about each other and think about each other! It's not wrong! ALLEN: I didn't say that. YOU: Yes you did! It's all you ever say! If I *ever* show *any* interest in *anyone* you throw a damn fit! ALLEN: You're not *supposed* to be showing interest in other people! You're my girlfriend! YOU: Okay, you know what? *(You get up.)* You are being really goddamn possessive right now and I don't want to be around it. I'm going. <%= display("breakup124") %>

YOU: Oh please, this isn't about what she said or didn't say. This is about you taking out *your insecurities* on everyone else. ALLEN: If you just let me explain– YOU: No, you know what? Don't even bother. I– I just can't do this right now. *(You get up and start walking away.)* ALLEN: Nadia. YOU: I've got to go. <%= display("breakup39") %>

YOU: You did too! ALLEN: That's different. YOU: Why, because you're straight? ALLEN: It's not about that. YOU: No, I get it. You're a guy so of course *you're* allowed to want to sleep with me. But if a *girl* shows any interest then she's a menace and she needs to be stopped. ALLEN: Don't turn this into something it's not. YOU: What is it then? Tell me. ALLEN: I was looking out for you. YOU: Then you should have *asked* what I wanted rather than just deciding for me. <%= display("breakup111") %>

ALLEN: Okay. So what *did* you want? What would you have said if she had asked you? * [[Yes.|breakup112]] * [[It was a long time ago.|breakup113]] * [[Not your business.|breakup114]] * [[Does it matter?|breakup42]]

YOU: ...Yes. I would have said yes. ALLEN: Well. That's just great. <%= display("breakup120") %>

YOU: It was a long time ago, Allen. *(He laughs under his breath.)* <%= display("breakup115") %>

YOU: That's not really any of your business. ALLEN: I'm pretty sure it is actually! If you had a crush on someone else... YOU: She wasn't "someone else" back then. This was before you and I were even going out. <%= display("breakup115") %>

ALLEN: ...Well that's just great. YOU: Allen– ALLEN: So you're gay now? Is that it? You're gay and you're in love with Summer? * [[I'm bisexual.|breakup45]] * [[I'm dating you.|breakup116]] * [[I'm not in love with Summer.|breakup117]]

YOU: What does it matter if I like girls or not? I'm dating *you*. Isn't that enough? ALLEN: Not enough for you, apparently. YOU: ...Wow. Okay. That's how it is, huh? ALLEN: Well how else do you expect me to react? You've been hiding this from me for years! YOU: Forget it. I don't have to take this from you. ALLEN: What, you're just going to leave? * [[You're being cruel.|breakup125]] * [[We're finished.|breakup126]] * [[Give me one good reason not to.|breakup127]]

YOU: I'm not in love with her anymore, okay? We haven't even talked in years! ALLEN: But you *were*. YOU: Fine! I was! Ages ago! Before we ever started dating! ALLEN: And how many girls have you fallen in love with since? YOU: Hey. Watch it. ALLEN: What am I supposed to think? You kept this from me for years! * [[Maybe if you didn't get so jealous...|breakup46]] * [[Would it have changed things?|breakup49]] * [[I never claimed to be straight.|breakup121]] * [[You're going to lecture me about lying?|breakup52]]

YOU: I never said I was straight. ALLEN: *(scoffing)* Oh please, Nadia. You're really going to try that? You can't get off on a technicality here. YOU: Hey! I don't need to "get off" anything. I didn't do anything wrong! ALLEN: You lied to me! You were lying the entire time we were together! * [[Why does it matter that I like girls?|breakup116]] * [[You're going to talk to me about lying?|breakup52]] * [[I'm not going to apologize.|breakup119]]

YOU: You... you bastard. ALLEN: Hey– YOU: You complete *bastard*! How could you do that? What is *wrong* with you?! ALLEN: Will you calm down? YOU: No, you know what? I cannot do this right now. I need to go. *(You get up.)* ALLEN: Nadia. YOU: I need to go right now. <%= display("breakup124") %>

YOU: ...Yes. I did. ALLEN: Fantastic. <%= display("breakup120") %>

*(You start walking away. Allen follows after you.)* ALLEN: Nadia, come on. YOU: "Come on"! <%= display("breakup39") %>

YOU: I'm not going to be around you as long as you keep being cruel like this. And it's starting to look like that's all you know how to do. <%= display("breakup55") %>

YOU: I don't have anything more to say to you. We're done. <%= display("breakup55") %>

YOU: Give me one good reason not to. *(The two of you stare at each other.)* YOU: Well? ALLEN: I... I love you. YOU: Yeah. I bet. *(You walk away.)* <%= next("textanja1") %>

YOU: I liked her a lot. Why do you think I was so damn sad when she– when *you* kicked *her* out of my life? ALLEN: *(muttering)* I don't believe this. YOU: This whole thing only started in the first place was because I tried to kiss her and she got freaked out! <%= display("breakup129") %>

ALLEN: So you're gay. YOU: I'm bi. *(He rolls his eyes.)* ALLEN: Sure you are. * [[What do you mean by that?|breakup130]] * [[You think I'm lying?|breakup131]] * [[Go to hell.|breakup132]]

YOU: The hell does that mean? <%= display("breakup150") %>

YOU: You think I'm lying? ALLEN: I think you're in denial. YOU: Excuse me? <%= display("breakup150") %>

YOU: Go to hell. ALLEN: Wow, nice. YOU: I come out of the closet to you and that's your reaction? To sneer at me? No, I don't have to take this. Not from *you*. ALLEN: What, you're just going to leave? *(You start to leave without answering.)* <%= display("breakup55") %>

YOU: How do you know that? Did she tell you? ALLEN: Yeah. YOU: Like she specifically said– ALLEN: Yes. *(You shake your head in disbelief.)* YOU: I can't believe you never told me... Why didn't you tell me? <%= display("breakup136") %>

YOU: And you never *told* me? ALLEN: I don't know. YOU: You don't know? What do you mean you don't know? You never told me. <%= display("breakup136") %>

YOU: But that doesn't make any sense. If she had a crush on me, why would she say she never wanted to see me again? ALLEN: I don't know! How should I know? * [[How exactly did that fight go?|breakup138]] * [[Anja was right, wasn't she?|breakup137]] * [[You said something to her, didn't you?|breakup141]]

ALLEN: I guess I just... didn't want to make things complicated? You two were fighting, and– YOU: Wait. You knew *back then*? Jesus Christ, Allen! ALLEN: I– YOU: You never *once* thought I might actually want to know that?! ALLEN: Hey! This isn't about me. * [[I think it's entirely about you.|breakup139]] * [[How exactly did that fight go?|breakup138]] * [[Anja was right, wasn't she?|breakup137]]

YOU: Anja was right, wasn't she? You *did* do something to her. ALLEN: Anja doesn't know what the hell she's talking about! YOU: I think she does. You're hiding something. ALLEN: I– That– YOU: *Tell me,* Allen! What did you say? <%= display("breakup140") %>

YOU: Okay. You need to start from the beginning. Tell me *exactly* how that fight went. ALLEN: I already told you– YOU: No. You didn't. You left a ton of stuff out. I want to know what else you're hiding. ALLEN: Nothing! YOU: Tell me, Allen! <%= display("breakup140") %>

YOU: I'm starting to think it's entirely about you. You said something to Summer, didn't you? Or you did something. ALLEN: That's ridiculous. <%= display("breakup148") %>

ALLEN: Okay. Look. She asked me to find out if you liked her back. Alright? YOU: And what'd you tell her? ALLEN: I told her no. Obviously. YOU: "Obviously." You just decided that for me? You thought that was okay? ALLEN: I didn't think– YOU: You didn't ask! ALLEN: All I said was that you need some space. ...And that she probably shouldn't talk to you for a while. *(You stare ahead, staggered.)* ALLEN: Just for a while! YOU: God, she must have thought I hated her! No wonder she wouldn't talk to me! ALLEN: I didn't think she'd switch schools over it! * [[You son of a bitch.|breakup142]] * [[How could you?!|breakup71]] * [[I can't listen to you right now.|breakup72]] * [[And you're mad at *me* for lying?!|breakup118]]

YOU: ...You said something to her, didn't you? Something you're not telling me. ALLEN: What? That's ridiculous. <%= display("breakup148") %>

YOU: ...You son of a bitch. *(He takes a step back.)* YOU: You goddamn bastard! *(You shove him.)* I can't believe you! ALLEN: Hey–! <%= display("breakup153") %>

YOU: What the hell were you thinking, Allen?! How could you? ALLEN: I just did what I thought was right. YOU: Oh, bullshit. You wanted to go out with me. That's all this was ever about. ALLEN: Hey–! Don't say it like that. YOU: Why the hell not?! You obviously didn't care about me! You *saw* how much I was hurting. How much *she* was too! You could have stopped it at any moment but you let it go on. Whose benefit was that for exactly?! Because it sure as hell wasn't mine. ALLEN: ... YOU: That's what I thought. *(You start walking away.)* <%= display("breakup55") %>

YOU: I don't think I can listen to this right now. *(You get up.)* ALLEN: Where are you going? YOU: I just– I can't. I don't have this conversation in me right now. ALLEN: You can't just *leave.* YOU: The hell I can't. <%= display("breakup55") %>

YOU: God, I can't believe you were getting mad at *me* for lying! ALLEN: That's not the same. YOU: No! Your lie was like a hundred times worse! It's like the worst thing I can think of! ALLEN: Hey–! <%= display("breakup153") %>

YOU: I'm not going to *apologize* for my feelings! Especially not to *you* of all people. Do you even understand how *malicious* you've been? How cruel?! I mean, my god! The audacity of *you* standing there and trying to guilt *me* after what you did! ALLEN: I– YOU: Fuck you, Allen. I'm done. ALLEN: Nadia. *(You storm off.)* ALLEN: Nadia! <%= next("textanja1") %>

*(Silence.)* YOU: ...I don't know what you want me to say, Allen. It's the truth. ALLEN: Well I'd *like* you to say that you're not gay and not in love with Summer, but clearly that's not going to happen. * [[I'm bisexual.|breakup45]] * [[I'm dating you.|breakup116]] * [[I'm not in love with her.|breakup117]]

YOU: You could at least let me finish. ALLEN: Do I need to? We've had this conversation a hundred times already. Anja did this, Anja did that, Anja's so mean. Anja, Anja, Anja. * [[Anja wasn't even the point.|breakup97]] * [[Do you not even care what the fight was about?|breakup99]] * [[I can't even mention her now?|breakup98]]

YOU: What do you mean? ALLEN: It just feels like every conversation we've had for the last two weeks has ended up with you complaining about Anja. YOU: Not *every* conversation. ALLEN: Way more than normal. It's getting old. * [[She wasn't even what I wanted to talk about.|breakup97]] * [[I can't even mention her?|breakup98]] * [[Sorry my problems are so boring to you.|breakup96]]

YOU: Because she might know something about Summer! Unlike the two of us, she has actually had real conversations with her in the last three years. Maybe she knows something we don't. <%= display("breakup68") %>

YOU: She might know something, okay? ALLEN: "Know something"? YOU: The way she's been talking to me it's *obvious* that she has information about our fight with Summer that I don't have. *(He sighs.)* YOU: I've been trying to figure out what the heck happened there for two and a half years! Can you blame me for being interested in what she might have to say? <%= display("breakup68") %>

ALLEN: Nadia, wait. YOU: No. *(You walk away.)* <%= next("textanja1") %>

YOU: I don't think it is. You've been hiding something from me this whole time. I want to know what. ALLEN: I– YOU: *Allen.* <%= display("breakup140") %>

YOU: Calm down? Calm down?! You– you– Ugh! *(You get up.)* ALLEN: Nadia. YOU: No. I can't do this right now. I just– I can't. Oh my god. <%= display("breakup124") %>

ALLEN: Look at how interested you get in girls. Have you *ever* been that interested in a boy? Did you ever feel that way about me? YOU: God. It's all just about your insecurities isn't it? That's all it comes down to. ALLEN: It's not an insecurity when you're *right*! YOU: You don't even know how far from right you are! You don't know the *first thing* about my feelings! And I'm sure as hell not going to stand here and take all this *crap* from you! ALLEN: So what. You're just going to leave? <%= display("breakup127") %>

YOU: If you were really my best friend you would probably be a bit more supportive about this. ALLEN: My girlfriend just told me she was gay. I'm supposed to be happy about that? YOU: How about understanding? ALLEN: Understanding! YOU: I'm bisexual, by the way. Not gay. ALLEN: Whatever. You like girls. I was *right* to worry. I was right about Anja and I was right about Summer too! * [[Summer?|breakup88]]

YOU: God, we're not kids anymore, Allen. A lot's changed since then. ALLEN: Well clearly *you've* changed. YOU: Is this seriously how you're going to be? This is your reaction? ALLEN: What, you want me to be happy that my girlfriend is gay? YOU: Bi. ALLEN: Like that changes anything. YOU: It can think of one big thing it changes! ALLEN: You know what really gets me about this? You made me out to be totally paranoid, but this whole time I was *right* to worry. I was right about you and Anja and Summer and *all of it.* * [[Summer?|breakup88]]

<% s.atlas = true; %> *(You try the door.)* YOU: Locked. KAZ: Aw, man. I wanted to steal one of those old racist atlases. <%= next() %>

<% s.couches = true; s.couchfloor = true; %> YOU: So this is the fabled lounge, huh? Doesn't quite live up to expectations. KAZ: Are you kidding?! It's amazing. It's like a whole room that's just for sitting in! YOU: *(walking around)* I'm not sure I'd want to sit in here. It's kind of gross. KAZ: It's not fair. How come every graduating class gets to use these couches except us? We *paid* for this room! YOU: Technically our *parents* paid for this room. Partially. KAZ: Point is this place is rightfully ours. It's time for us to take back our birthright. *(They go to sit down on the couch.)* * [[Those couches have seen some things.|couches2]] * [[Those couches are going to fall apart.|couches3]] * [[Birthright? Really?|couches4]]

YOU: Er... you sure you want to sit on those? I've heard some stories about what used to go on in here... <%= display("couches5") %>

YOU: I don't know if I'd sit on that. It kind of looks like it's on its last legs... <%= display("couches5") %>

YOU: "Birthright"? Bit grandiose for a couple of old couches, don't you think? KAZ: These aren't just couches, Na. They're a symbol of our adulthood. <%= display("couches6") %> YOU: ...You feel adult yet? KAZ: Yes. *(They stretch out their arms.)* Now help me up. <%= next() %>

<% s.vending = true; %> *(You squint at the vending machine.)* YOU: The heck kind of pop costs 65¢? KAZ: <% if (s.couchfloor) { %> *(still on the ground)* <% } %> I don't know but I think we want to find out. *(They fish a dime out of their pocket.)* Uh... do you have two quarters and a nickel? YOU: I literally haven't heard of any of these. Zazz, Fruitica, Dylan's, Primo Cola, Mr. Popp, Montana Chill, Boingo, Diet Boingo, Boingo X... KAZ: Oh man! Get me a Boingo! * [[It's not even turned on.|vending2]] * [[I think they might be expired.|vending3]] * [[Don't want a Boingo X?|vending4]]

*(They throw themself onto the couch. All four legs give way simultaneously and the entire thing thwumps onto the floor.)* KAZ: ...

KAZ: Relax, Na! It's just a couch. <%= display("couches6") %> YOU: ...You were saying? <%= next() %>

*(They stare up at where the shower heads used to be.)* KAZ: ...Too bad for you though. YOU: Huh? KAZ: I just mean. If people *had* showered here, you coulda like... you know... *(They waggle their eyebrows.)* YOU: Ugh, I wouldn't just *creep* on people in the locker room! KAZ: What? Why not? * [[It's totally rude and not cool.|showers2]] * [[I'm not sex-obsessed.|showers3]] * [[You would?|showers4]]

YOU: *(shrugging)* Maybe like they did it back in the day? KAZ: God, can you imagine getting naked *at school* in a room full of your classmates? Wouldn't you die? YOU: I think I would actually literally die. <%= display("showers5") %>

YOU: I don't know. Maybe it's an American thing? KAZ: That'd be a real cultural low, even for them. YOU: I'm just glad it doesn't happen here. <%= display("showers5") %>

YOU: If that person exists, I want to meet them. I have a billion questions. KAZ: Like "What the hell?" YOU: "Are you okay? Do you need help?" KAZ: "How did you manage to get naked in front of all your classmates without literally dying?" YOU: "No seriously, how are you still alive?" <%= display("showers5") %>

ALLEN: ... YOU: ... ALLEN: So... YOU: Hmm? ALLEN: You, uh... have a good day? * [[Mm.|awkward2]] * [[Eh.|awkward3]] * [[...|awkward4]]

YOU: Mm. *(You nod.)* ALLEN: ...Cool. Uh, me too. YOU: Okay. *(You stare straight ahead. Neither of you says anything for a while. Allen lightly drums his fingers against the wheel.)* ALLEN: So... what's up? * [[Nothing.|awkward17]] * [[What do you mean?|awkward18]] * [[...|awkward8]]

YOU: Eh. *(You shrug.)* <%= display("awkward5") %>

YOU: ... <%= display("awkward5") %>

ALLEN: ...That a no then? YOU: I guess. ALLEN: Okay. YOU: ... ALLEN: Everything okay? * [[Fine.|awkward6]] * [[Why?|awkward7]] * [[...|awkward8]]

YOU: Fine. <%= display("awkward19") %>

YOU: Why do you ask? <%= display("awkward20") %>

*(You stare silently out the window.)* ALLEN: ...Okay then. *(Neither of you talks for the rest of the drive home.)* <%= next("dialogue3") %>

<% portrait(); s.fieldhockey = true; %> *(You sit down at the side of the field and watch the girl's field hockey team practice for a few minutes. After a while you glance around the field and see Anja, still in her school uniform, sitting on the sidelines and laughing with Aubrey Shepway. She goes to check her phone. A second later you feel your own phone buzz in your pocket.)* <%= next("fieldhockey2") %>

<div class="phonename">Allen Rhodes</div> <div class="themtext">hey</div> <div class="themtext">I can see you</div> <div class="youtext">?</div> <div class="themtext">I'm in the parking lot.</div> <div class="themtext">why are you watching lacrosse?</div> <div class="youtext">Field hockey.</div> <div class="youtext">No reason.</div> <div class="themtext">ah. Ready to go?</div> * [[Sure.|fieldhockey3]] * [[Just a minute.|fieldhockey4]] * [[Go without me.|fieldhockey5]]

<div class="youtext">yeah sure</div> <div class="youtext">be right there</div> <%= next("awkward22") %>

<div class="youtext">I'll meet up with you in a sec.</div> <div class="themtext">wow you must really love field hockey</div> <div class="youtext">ha.</div> <div class="youtext">I just want to talk to a few more people.</div> <div class="youtext">Meet you by the car?</div> <div class="themtext">cool</div> <%= next("fieldhockey6") %>

<div class="youtext">Maybe just go on without me?</div> <div class="youtext">Think I'm going to walk home.</div> <div class="themtext">oh</div> <div class="themtext">okay...</div> <div class="themtext">is something wrong?</div> * [[I'm fine.|fieldhockey7]] * [[What makes you say that?|fieldhockey8]]

<div class="youtext">Don't worry about it, okay?</div> <div class="youtext">I'm fine</div> <div class="themtext">If you say so.</div> <div class="themtext">See you tomorrow</div> <div class="youtext">Bye.</div> <% if (!s.walkhome) { %><%= next("fieldhockey10") %><% } else { %><%= next("fieldhockey13") %><% } %>

<div class="youtext">What makes you say that?</div> <div class="themtext">well like</div> <div class="themtext">I don't know</div> <div class="themtext">You don't usually want to walk home. That's all.</div> * [[I just want some exercise.|fieldhockey9]] * [[Don't worry about it.|fieldhockey7]]

*(You put your phone away. Allen waves to you from the parking lot. You stand up and give him a little wave back.)* <%= next() %>

<div class="youtext">I just feel like a bit of exercise, that's all.</div> <div class="youtext">Stretching my legs. You know.</div> <div class="themtext">okay</div> <div class="themtext">Well, enjoy that I guess.</div> <div class="youtext">See you tomorrow.</div> <div class="themtext">yeah</div> <% if (!s.walkhome) { %><%= next("fieldhockey10") %><% } else { %><%= next("fieldhockey13") %><% } %>

*(You look over to the parking lot and see Allen. He waves. You give him a little wave back as he gets into his car.)* <%= next("dialogue3") %>

<% s.room = "frontsteps"; %> #### **Front Steps** – After School A steady stream of students flows out of the front of the school, some still in their uniforms, others changed into casual wear or gym clothes. <% if (s.future) { %> Annette <% } else { %> <%= link("Annette","future1") %> <% } %> sits on one of the picnic tables out front with her eyes closed, lightly humming under her breath. <% if (!s.trailmix) { %> <%= link("Kipling","trailmix1") %> sits on the steps, staring off at nothing. <% } else if (s.trailmix && !s.kiplingorganizer) { %> Kipling sits on the steps, staring off at nothing. <% } else { %> Kipling scribbles furiously into his notebook. <% } %> The [[field]] and the [[parking lot|parking]] are off to the west. The [[school entrance|foyer]] is back north and the <%= link("front gates","walkhome1") %> lead off campus to the south if you want to walk home by yourself.

<% s.room = "foyer"; %> #### **Foyer** – After School You can tell there was a fundraiser here on the weekend, because they've brought out the placard with the CGI rendering of the renovated North Wing. It looks basically the same as the old North Wing except there's a weird glass box sticking out the side of it. <% if (!s.avoid) { %> You pass <%= link("Jayden","avoid1") %> on your way through the foyer. <% } %> <% s.avoid = true; %> The main hallway leads north from here to the [[Great Hall|greathall]], while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards [[your locker|lockers]]. The [[front steps|frontsteps]] are just outside.

<% s.room = "field"; %> #### **Field** – After School Apparently Middle Canada College used to field a football team back in the '80s, but they were so abysmally bad that the school eventually just stopped trying. You've always thought that rugby and lacrosse are way more interesting to watch anyway. This afternoon there's a <% if (s.fieldhockey) { %> field hockey practice <% } else { %> <%= link("field hockey practice","fieldhockey1") %> <% } %> going on out there. The [[parking lot|parking]] butts up against the sidelines on the western edge of the field. The [[front of the school|frontsteps]] lies back to the east.

<% s.room = "parking"; %> #### **Parking Lot** – After School The gravel parking lot on the west side of campus feels weirdly unfinished compared to the rest of the landscaping. Any student is technically allowed to use part that isn't reserved for staff, but it's small enough that only a handful of cars can actually fit. Allen, of course, usually gets here early enough to snag one of the spots. And right now he's <%= link("leaning against his car","awkward9") %>, idly scrolling through his phone. The lot looks out onto the [[field]], where a game of field hockey is currently going on. The [[front of the school|frontsteps]] is back to the east.

<% s.room = "greathall"; %> #### **Great Hall** – After School The hall is mostly empty at this point, except for <% if (s.capitalism) { %> Miles, <% } else { %> <%= link("Miles","capitalism1") %>, <% } %> who sits quietly reading a book in the corner. 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** – After School Now that the North Wing's closed for repairs and all the lockers are jammed in here, the halls get completely gridlocked at the end of the day. Everyone gets squeezed jostled around as they all try to grab their stuff all at once. <% if (!s.kazwanders) { %> Kaz wanders off towards their own locker. <% } %> <% s.kazwanders = true; %> The [[Great Hall|greathall]] lies to the east and the [[front of the school|foyer]] is off to the south.

<% portrait("allen1") %> ALLEN: Hey. YOU: Hey. ALLEN: Ready? * [[Yep.|awkward21]] * [[Think I'm going to walk.|awkward10]]

YOU: Actually I think I'm going to walk. ALLEN: Oh. YOU: Yeah. Didn't want you waiting around. ALLEN: Okay. *(You nod and stick your hands in your blazer pockets.)* ALLEN: ...Is something wrong? * [[I'm fine.|awkward11]] * [[What do you mean?|awkward12]]

YOU: I'm fine. ALLEN: Okay... YOU: Seriously. Don't worry. *(He nods slowly.)* <%= display("awkward16") %>

YOU: What do you mean? ALLEN: I don't know. You always go home with me. That's like our thing. * [[I just want some exercise.|awkward13]] * [[I just feel like mixing it up.|awkward14]] * [[Don't worry about it.|awkward15]]

YOU: Just feel like getting a bit of exercise, that's all. ALLEN: That might be the first time I've ever heard you say that. YOU: *(half-smiling)* Guess I'm feeling adventurous today. *(He nods, a bit uncertainly.)* <%= display("awkward16") %>

YOU: I just thought I'd mix it up today. ALLEN: Oh. *(You give him a little half smile.)* YOU: I'm fine. Seriously. *(He nods.)* <%= display("awkward16") %>

YOU: I'm fine. Don't worry about it. ALLEN: You sure. YOU: *(forcing a half-smile)* Positive. *(He nods, a little uncertainly.)* <%= display("awkward16") %>

ALLEN: Okay, well... see you tomorrow. YOU: See you. *(He gets into the car. You stand and wave goodbye as he pulls out of the parking lot.)* <%= next("dialogue3") %>

<div class="youtext">Hey</div> <div class="themtext">hey</div> <div class="youtext">Think I'm going to walk home today.</div> <div class="youtext">See you tomorrow?</div> <div class="themtext">sure...</div> <div class="themtext">Is something wrong?</div> * [[I'm fine.|fieldhockey7]] * [[What makes you say that?|fieldhockey8]]

<% s.walkhome=true; %> *(Before leaving, you take out your phone and write a quick text to Allen.)* <%= next("fieldhockey12") %>

YOU: Nothing. <%= display("awkward19") %>

YOU: What do you mean? <%= display("awkward20") %>

ALLEN: You're just being kind of... quiet. We didn't really talk much today. YOU: No. ALLEN: Or on the weekend. I'm just– I just want to make sure you're okay. YOU: I'm fine. Seriously. ALLEN: Okay. YOU: You don't need to worry. *(He nods. The two of you drive the rest of the way home in silence.)* <%= next("dialogue3") %>

ALLEN: You sure? YOU: Yeah. No. *(You force a smile.)* ALLEN: ...Okay. Just... you know. Just checking. *(You nod. After a few minutes of silence Allen pulls up to your house.)* ALLEN: So uh... see you tomorrow? YOU: *(unbuckling)* Yep. *(You get out of the car.)* <%= next("dialogue3") %>

*(You press your hand against the machine)* YOU: I don't think this thing is even turned on. KAZ: So plug it in! YOU: You really want to drink a warm soft drink? KAZ: <% if (!s.couchfloor) { %> *(hopping up and down)* <% } %> Ye-e-e-ess!!!!! *(You look behind the machine.)* YOU: Huh. It is plugged in. It's just not... on. *(You look back up at Kaz.)* Do vending machines have power switches? KAZ: I hope not. If they do I've missed like a thousand vending machine prank opportunities in my lifetime. <%= next() %>

YOU: I don't know, these logos look pretty nineties. If there is still pop in here it's probably expired. KAZ: Pfft. Pop doesn't go bad. YOU: It super does though. One time I found some super old cans of Diet Coke in the back of my garage and they were half empty but also *still closed.* KAZ: What? YOU: Yeah. It was messed up. KAZ: So like... ghost cola? YOU: ...Do you just think everything is a ghost? Is that what's going on here? KAZ: I don't know what makes you say that. *(The ghost detector beeps.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: You don't want a Boingo X? KAZ: Nah, I need to experience the classic formula to establish a baseline. *(You try putting a couple of quarters in the machine, but they just fall out the bottom slot.)* YOU: Sorry. No Boingo today. KAZ: *(sighing)* Story of my life. <%= next() %>

<% s.boysside = true; %> *(You step through the hole into the boys' side of the locker room. Kaz follows you over.)* KAZ: Hmm. As visual metaphors go this one is pretty on the nose. YOU: I always wondered what the boys' side looked like. KAZ: Looks a lot like the girls' side. YOU: *(nodding)* Only backwards. KAZ: And with more crude vandalism. *(They walk over to a locker with some writing scratched on it.)* "Balls And Dick". And then an arrow pointing up for some reason. YOU: Yeah, that could have used an edit pass. <%= next() %>

*(You put your phone away and start walking home.)* <%= next("dialogue3") %>

<% portrait("annette1") s.future = true; %> *(You walk up to Annette, sitting cross-legged on top of the table with her eyes closed. She seems deep in mediation. You hesitate.)* ANNETTE: Hey Nadia! YOU: Oh sorry. Didn't mean to disturb you when you're uh... doing your thing. *(She opens her eyes.)* ANNETTE: Oh, I was just contemplating the *future.* * [[What about it were you contemplating?|future3]] * [[You can predict the future?|future2]] * [[You and me both.|future4]]

YOU: Ooh. Cool. You have future magic? ANNETTE: *(shrugging)* Kinda. YOU: So you could like read my tarot cards? ANNETTE: Well yes. But so can anyone. They're not magic, it's just like a psychological thing. YOU: Oh. ANNETTE: If you want me to use *actual* future magic I totally can. But it's going to be messier. Give me your left hand. * [[Okay...|future5]] * [[My left or your left?|future6]] * [[Messy?|future7]]

YOU: What about the future were you contemplating, exactly? ANNETTE: Oh, everything basically. There's tons of it. YOU: Tons of future. ANNETTE: Uh-huh. You can see pretty much anything if you look hard enough for it. YOU: Could you... see my future? ANNETTE: Oh totally! Give me your left hand. * [[Okay...|future5]] * [[My left or your left?|future6]] * [[I didn't mean right now.|future8]]

YOU: You and me both. *(She smirks.)* ANNETTE: What's on your mind? * [[The entire state of my life.|future15]] * [[The newspaper.|future16]]

<%= display("future11") %> ANNETTE: Now I'm going to ask you a series of questions and you need to answer them truthfully and quickly. <%= display("future12") %>

YOU: My left or your left? ANNETTE: What? Yours. YOU: Okay. ANNETTE: Why would it be my left? You never use your own left when you're talking about someone else's hand. YOU: I don't know the rules, okay? <%= display("future11") %> ANNETTE: The "rules" are as follows: I will ask you a series of questions and you will answer them truthfully and quickly. <%= display("future12") %>

YOU: ...Messy? ANNETTE: Future's a murky thing, Nadia. And murk is mess. If it was clean you wouldn't need my help with it. YOU: Right. Of course. That makes sense. ANNETTE: Well? You want to hear what the universe has in store for you? * [[...Okay.|future5]] * [[Maybe later.|future10]]

YOU: Oh, uh. I didn't mean right now. Can we do this later? <%= display("future9") %>

*(She clenches her palm and closes her eyes again. There's a moment of silence.)* ANNETTE: Nope. We can't. But that's fine. Doesn't work if you don't want it to anyway. *(You wait around for her to reopen her eyes, but she doesn't.)* YOU: ...Okay. See you tomorrow. ANNETE: *(nodding)* Careful out there. <%= next() %>

YOU: Yeah. Uh. On second thought, maybe we can do this later? <%= display("future9") %>

*(You sit down next to her and stick your hand out. She reaches into her satchel and pulls out some kind of glittery powder.)* ANNETTE: Try not to inhale this very much. *(She sprinkles it on your hand then closes her own left hand over it.)*

YOU: ...Okay... ANNETTE: You have to answer truthfully. No matter how embarrassing or weird or random the question sounds. YOU: ........okay... ANNETTE: Ready? * [[I guess.|future13]] * [[On second thought...|future14]]

YOU: I guess. ANNETTE: Great! First name? YOU: Nadia. ANNETTE: Occupation? YOU: Student slash Newspaper Editor. ANNETTE: Star sign? YOU: Oncorhynchus. ANNETTE: The salmon! Know what it represents? * [[Determination.|future19]] * [[Homecoming.|future20]] * [[Doomed romance.|future23]] * [[Saltwater/freshwater.|future21]] * [[I don't believe in all that stuff.|future24]]

YOU: On second thought? I'm not sure I want to know after all. *(You stand up and dust off your hand.)* Thanks though. ANNETTE: *(nodding)* No spoilers. Understood. Have fun in the present. <%= next() %>

YOU: Just... the state of my whole life, really. There's a lot going on. ANNETTE: You know what you need? Clarity. YOU: Clearly. ANNETTE: I can read your future. If you want. It won't be like super super detailed but it might help... * [[Okay.|future18]] * [[I'd rather not.|future17]]

YOU: Been worried a lot about the newspaper lately. Me and Kaz are the only staffers left this year. What if we don't find anyone to replace us before we graduate? I don't want to be the woman that killed a 103-year-old institution. ANNETTE: Oh, don't let the ghost of whats-his-face hang over you. You're going to be a great editor. YOU: Osgoode Terauley. ANNETTE: Yeah, that's his face. YOU: ...Wait, are you speaking figuratively, or do you mean his literal ghost is hanging over me? ANNETTE: Figuratively. Although I suppose if his literal ghost is anywhere right now it's probably over you. *(You look up. She grins.)* ANNETTE: I could give you a glimpse into your future, if you think that'd help. Wouldn't be hugely detailed, but... * [[Sure.|future18]] * [[I'd rather not.|future17]]

YOU: You know what? I'm going to pass. ANNETTE: Wow. You've got some serious self-restraint then. I can't *stop* using this thing. *(She closes her eyes again.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: You know what? Sure. ANNETTE: Perfect. Left hand, please. <%= display("future5") %>

YOU: Determination. <%= display("future28") %>

YOU: Homecoming. <%= display("future28") %>

YOU: Kind of a saltwater/freshwater thing? ANNETTE: You consider yourself adaptable then? YOU: In a manner of speaking. <%= display("future22") %>

YOU: Doomed romance. ANNETTE: Damn. YOU: What? Salmon. Think about it. ANNETTE: No, I know. Just kind of heavy that's all. YOU: I guess. <%= display("future22") %>

YOU: I don't really believe in all that astrology stuff. Er, no offence. ANNETTE: None taken. YOU: It's just like, you see people online being all "I'm a Capricorn blah blah blah" and I just never relate to any of that. ANNETTE: Oh! Well yeah sure the *American* zodiac is fake as hell. But the Canadian one is totally legit.<span class="asterisk">*</span> ...Then again that's a very Branta thing for me to say. YOU: ...Uh-huh. <%= display("future22") %> <div class="footnote">\* Jul 2 - Jul 29: **Monoceros,** the narwhal Jul 30 - Aug 26: **Ogopogo,** the lake monster Aug 27 - Sep 23: **Oncorhynchus,** the salmon Sep 24 - Oct 21: **Tarandus,** the caribou Oct 22 - Nov 18: **Zibethicus,** the muskrat Nov 19 - Dec 16: **Castor,** the beaver Dec 17 - Jan 13: **Equitatus,** the mountie Jan 14 - Feb 10: **Branta,** the goose Feb 11 - Mar 10: **Gulo,** the wolverine Mar 11 - Apr 7: **Alces,** the moose Apr 8 - May 5: **Procyon,** the raccoon May 6 - Jun 2: **Lontra,** the otter Jun 3 - Jun 30: **Kermodeus,** the bear Jul 1: Canada Day. No sign.</span>

ANNETTE: Next question. Ice cream or frozen yogurt? * [[Ice cream.|future26]] * [[Frozen yogurt.|future25]] * [[...Seriously?|future27]]

YOU: Frozen yogurt. More toppings. ANNETTE: You can put toppings on ice cream. YOU: Yeah, but it's more socially acceptable with froyo. ANNETTE: I see. Do you fear drowning? * [[Yes.|future57]] * [[No.|future58]] * [[I don't know.|future59]] * [[I didn't until just now.|future60]]

YOU: Ice cream, obviously. ANNETTE: No half-measures for you then? YOU: Well... ANNETTE: *(pressing ahead)* Do you fear drowning? * [[Yes.|future57]] * [[No.|future58]] * [[I don't know.|future59]] * [[I didn't until just now.|future60]]

YOU: ...Seriously? This is part of the test? ANNETTE: It's not a test. And yes. But you have to answer fast or it doesn't work! * [[Ice cream.|future26]] * [[Frozen yogurt.|future25]]

*(She nods.)* ANNETTE: Ice cream or frozen yogurt? * [[Ice cream.|future26]] * [[Frozen yogurt.|future25]] * [[...Seriously?|future27]]

YOU: Yes. ANNETTE: Why? YOU: What do you mean, "why?" It's drowning. <%= display("future61") %>

YOU: Not really. ANNETTE: Same. It'd be awesome, right? YOU: Er... <%= display("future61") %>

YOU: I don't know. I've never really thought about it. ANNETTE: Really? I think about drowning at least two or three times a day. YOU: Uh... <%= display("future61") %>

YOU: I didn't until you mentioned it. But now I'm kind of thinking about it and I'm not a huge fan. ANNETTE: Interesting. Do you consider yourself open to the power of suggestion? YOU: Um... ANNETTE: Because if so I've got some really wild ideas that I've been meaning to suggest to someone. YOU: Let's move on. ANNETTE: Sure thing. *(She clears her throat.)* Do you believe in life after death? * [[I don't think so.|future62]] * [[Not at all.|future63]] * [[Lately I've been more convinced.|future64]] * [[Do you?|future65]]

ANNETTE: Do you believe in life after death? * [[I don't think so.|future62]] * [[Not at all.|future63]] * [[Lately I've been more convinced.|future64]] * [[Do you?|future65]]

YOU: I, uh... don't think so? Not really. ANNETTE: But you're not 100% sure. YOU: I'm seeing some contrary evidence on the subject. <%= display("future29") %>

YOU: Not at all. ANNETTE: Interesting. Weren't you asking me about ghosts last week? YOU: Yeah, but that's different though, right? "Psychic footprints" or whatever. ANNETTE: Imprints. YOU: Imprints, right. That's like... a weird magic phenomenon. It's not the same as an actual afterlife. <%= display("future29") %>

YOU: I'm starting to think it might be more likely than I thought... <%= display("future29") %>

YOU: Do you? ANNETTE: We're talking about you. YOU: Yeah, but I'm curious. Like you were telling me about psychic echoes and stuff, right? But what about a genuine afterlife? ANNETTE: Well, define "genuine." YOU: Hmm. I'm not sure I can. ANNETTE: Okay, then tell me if eating a mermaid steak is cannibalism. YOU: Wait, what? <%= display("future97") %>

ANNETTE: *(nodding)* Is it cannibalism to eat a mermaid steak? YOU: What? Where did *that* come from? <%= display("future97") %>

YOU: I think so, right? They're people basically. ANNETTE: Half people anyway. YOU: They're sentient. I think if you eat a sentient person that's cannibalism. <%= display("future35") %>

YOU: Nope. ANNETTE: But they're half-human. YOU: Yeah and chimpanzees are 96% human but eating chimp meat wouldn't be cannibalism. ANNETTE: You'd eat chimp meat?? YOU: What? No! And I wouldn't eat mermaid either. But that doesn't make it cannibalism. <%= display("future35") %>

YOU: I guess that depends if it comes from the human half or the fish half. ANNETTE: Actually? YOU: Er... Yes...? ANNETTE: But it's the same person either way. They're more than just half one thing and half another. * [[Same person, different meat.|future33]] * [[I guess it is cannibalism.|future34]] * [[...|future36]]

YOU: I'm not sure I could eat a mermaid steak. Too weird. ANNETTE: What about bugs? YOU: What *about* bugs? ANNETTE: Would you eat them? YOU: Ew. No. ANNETTE: I had some at the CNE last year. Cricket spring rolls. They were really good. YOU: I'll stick with regular spring rolls, thanks. ANNETTE: What if you can't? YOU: What do you mean? ANNETTE: Well for example: Let's say you're walking along the side of the highway. It's a hot day, and there's no sidewalk or anything. Just dirt and gravel. The sun's beating down. You're thirsty – haven't had a drink in hours. Can you picture that thirst? * [[Yes.|future38]] * [[No.|future39]] * [[How many hours?|future40]]

ANNETTE: Ha! Interesting. Aren't hypotheticals fun? YOU: ...Yes? Are we still doing magic? ANNETTE: *Always.* Now picture this: You're walking along the side of the highway. It's a hot day, and there's no sidewalk or anything. Just dirt and gravel. The sun's beating down. You're thirsty – haven't had a drink in hours. Can you picture that thirst? * [[Yes.|future38]] * [[No.|future39]] * [[How many hours?|future40]]

YOU: Same person, different meat. It's not cannibalism if it tastes like fish. <%= display("future35") %>

YOU: Alright. You've convinced me. I guess it is cannibalism. <%= display("future35") %>

YOU: ... ANNETTE: Nadia? YOU: Okay. That... totally hit home for me right there. ANNETTE: Really? YOU: ...Long story. ANNETTE: Funny you should say that, actually. I have a long story for you too. YOU: Oh? ANNETTE: You're walking along the side of the highway. It's a hot day, and there's no sidewalk or anything. Just dirt and gravel. The sun's beating down. You're thirsty – haven't had a drink in hours. Can you picture that thirst? * [[Yes.|future38]] * [[No.|future39]] * [[How many hours?|future40]]

YOU: Yes. ANNETTE: Really envision it. YOU: I am! <%= display("future42") %>

YOU: Not really. ANNETTE: Have you never been thirsty? YOU: I don't think I've ever been *that* thirsty. ANNETTE: How thirsty is the thirstiest you've ever been? YOU: Like, pretty thirsty but not *extremely* thirsty? I don't know. How thirsty am I supposed to be in this situation? <%= display("future41") %>

YOU: I'm not sure. How many hours have I been thirsty for? ANNETTE: Six. YOU: Hmm. That sounds like it'd be pretty thirsty but I've never been thirsty for that long so I don't know how thirsty that actually is. <%= display("future41") %>

ANNETTE: Let's see. You know a desert? YOU: Yes. ANNETTE: Great. Picture that but it's your mouth. *(You nod.)* <%= display("future42") %>

ANNETTE: Okay. So you're feeling that thirst, right? A real need for water just getting right into your whole situation. And then all of a sudden a lemonade truck swerves off the road, barrelling right towards you. What do you do? * [[Lemonade *truck*?|future43]] * [[Jump out of the way.|future45]] * [[Flag the driver down and ask for some lemonade.|future46]] * [[...Am I supposed to drink the truck?|future47]] * [[I don't know.|future48]]

YOU: What is a lemonade *truck* exactly? ANNETTE: A truck that ships lemonade. Quit stalling. YOU: I'm not! ANNETTE: It's coming right for you. * [[Jump out of the way.|future45]] * [[Flag the driver down and ask for some lemonade.|future46]] * [[Why is it lemonade specifically?|future44]]

YOU: I jump out of the way. ANNETTE: You think you're faster than a truck? YOU: I'm moving laterally. ANNETTE: Still. YOU: You asked me what I would do! ANNETTE: Within reason. Do you reject the terms of reality? <%= display("future69") %>

YOU: I flag the driver down and ask for some lemonade. ANNETTE: He can't do that. It's his job to ship the lemonade from city to city. YOU: But– ANNETTE: *All* the lemonade. You can't have any. * [[What if I ask really nicely?|future74]] * [[What if I insist?|future75]] * [[But I'm thirsty!|future76]]

YOU: ...Am I supposed to *drink* the truck? ANNETTE: I don't know, are you? YOU: I don't know! Am I? ANNETTE: You tell me. YOU: Uh. I don't– I don't know what to do. <%= display("future49") %>

YOU: Oh god. I don't know. What do I do? ANNETTE: What *do* you do? YOU: I don't know! ANNETTE: You really don't know? YOU: No. <%= display("future49") %>

YOU: I don't see how the lemonade part is relevant. ANNETTE: It's the type of truck it is. YOU: Yeah, but *why*? ANNETTE: Interesting. Are you saying you reject the premises of reality? <%= display("future69") %>

ANNETTE: Okay then, you're dead. YOU: What? No! No fair. ANNETTE: It was a truck heading right for you. You're dead. Now what's written on your tombstone? * [[My name?|future50]] * [["Gone but not forgotten."|future51]] * [["Died the way she lived."|future52]] * [["Stay hydrated."|future53]] * [["Nadia Nazari, beloved daughter and newspaper editor, dead at 17."|future54]] * [[No tombstone.|future55]]

YOU: My name, I guess? ANNETTE: Sensible answer. YOU: Date of birth, date of death... <%= display("future56") %>

YOU: "Gone but not forgotten." ANNETTE: Good answer. YOU: That's the kind of thing you put on a tombstone, right? ANNETTE: Sure. Classic. YOU: "She will live on forever in our memories." <%= display("future56") %>

YOU: Something classic. Like, "She died the way she lived." ANETTE: ...being hit by a truck? YOU: That's how I was living for the last few seconds, anyway. <%= display("future56") %>

YOU: "Stay hydrated." *(Annette nods.)* ANNETTE: Good answer. Some words of wisdom for future travellers. YOU: I mean, that's how the whole problem started, right? ANNETTE: If that's how you interpret it. YOU: Hmm. <%= display("future56") %>

YOU: "Nadia Nazari, beloved daughter and newspaper editor, dead at 17." ANNETTE: That's your obituary. YOU: There's no rule that says it can't be both. ANNETTE: You'll need a big stone for that. YOU: Not if I have a small font. ANNETTE: Oh yeah. YOU: Or narrower margins maybe. Kaz can handle the layout. ANNETTE: Why didn't you put "girlfriend" on the list? * [[Can't put everything on there.|future66]] * [[Allen doesn't get on my tombstone.|future67]] * [["Girlfriend" isn't tombstone material.|future68]]

YOU: No tombstone. I'm going to be cremated and my ashes are going to be spread on top of a mountain or something. ANNETTE: Are you? YOU: ...Yes? ANNETTE: How do you know? YOU: I mean that's what I want. ANNETTE: Have you *told* anyone that's what you want? YOU: Oh. Uh... I've told you? ANNETTE: I'll be sure to let your family know if something happens. YOU: ...Are you even keeping track of these answers? ANNETTE: It's magic. It keeps track of itself. <%= display("future56") %>

ANNETTE: Okay. Home stretch. Overall, would you describe yourself as satisfied? * [[I guess.|future77]] * [[Things could be better.|future78]] * [[That's complicated.|future79]] * [[I don't even know.|future80]]

YOU: I can't put *everything* on there. ANNETTE: No. YOU: You know what I mean? It's like triage. You have to pick and choose. ANNETTE: Sure. Got it. YOU: Priorities. <%= display("future56") %>

YOU: Oh, pfft. Allen doesn't make it on there. It's *my* tombstone. ANNETTE: So you don't consider your relationship with him a significant part of your identity? YOU: Certainly not like *tombstone* level. ANNETTE: I see. YOU: I mean, that's not weird. Right? ANNETTE: No, yeah. Makes sense. YOU: Right. Yeah. <%= display("future56") %>

YOU: You don't put "girlfriend" on your tombstone. "Wife", *maybe*. If you're married. But I don't have a wife, so. ANNETTE: "Have"? YOU: Huh? ANNETTE: You just said you don't *have* a wife. YOU: Oh, uh. No. I meant I don't have any– I'm *not* a wife. That's what I meant. ANNETTE: Okay. YOU: Not married. Ha ha. ANNETTE: Got it. *(You cough.)* <%= display("future56") %>

YOU: *Is* this reality? ANNETTE: Excellent question. What was the last nightmare that woke you from sleep? * [[My teeth were falling out.|future70]] * [[My face was melting.|future72]] * [[Someone was strangling me.|future71]] * [[I fell off a cliff.|future73]]

YOU: My teeth were falling out. ANNETTE: Ha. I've had that one. I can give you something for that if you like. YOU: Give me something? ANNETTE: An unguent. YOU: For my teeth falling out? ANNETTE: For dreaming about your teeth falling out. YOU: How often would I have to put it on? ANNETTE: Every night. YOU: ...I'll pass. Thanks. <%= display("future56") %>

YOU: Someone was strangling me. ANNETTE: What? No way! Who? YOU: I didn't see. But earlier some of the kids I went to public school with back in grade 2 were getting mad at me because I kept bringing them the wrong kind of ketchup, and whenever I went to look for ketchup I thought I had found the right kind but then when I brought it to the table it was the same old stuff. ANNETTE: This led to strangling? YOU: There was a boat in between, I think. Like I travelled across a body of water after the ketchup. Or maybe that's just why I was in a hurry? It was freaky. The strangling, I mean. Not the boat. <%= display("future98") %>

YOU: My face was melting. ANNETTE: Eww! Like skin dripping off? YOU: No, like deforming. Like it was made of melting ice cream. ANNETTE: Yikes. YOU: I saw it in a mirror and I knew it meant I was dying. And it freaked me out so much. I definitely didn't want to die. And I kept trying to stop it but there was no way. And... yeah. I woke up and it was 3 a.m. <%= display("future98") %>

YOU: I feel off a cliff. ANNETTE: Eesh. YOU: It was a big cliff. A very big cliff. Really it was more like falling out of a plane once it got started. And normally it's the fall that wakes you up but this time I saw the ground coming for a verrryy long time. And what finally did it was I wanted to call my parents and say I was sorry for falling off a cliff and that I loved them, but I reached into my pocket and my phone was gone. And then I woke up. ANNETTE: Wow. I feel like that says something. YOU: Yeah, "stay away from cliffs." <%= display("future56") %>

YOU: What if I ask really nicely? ANNETTE: How nicely? YOU: Super nicely! The nicest anyone has ever asked. ANNETTE: I'm sorry. He can't help you. It's his livelihood. He has a family relying on him. YOU: Shoot. ANNETTE: *But* he offers to give you a ride to the nearest town. Congratulations. YOU: Yes! Did I win? ANNETTE: It's a spell. You can't win it. But you did survive this scenario. YOU: Ha! ANNETE: You seem pleased. Do you like winning? * [[It's great.|future86]] * [[It's better than losing.|future87]]

YOU: What if I *insist?* ANNETTE: You try to rob him? YOU: I mean– ANNETTE: Okay. He takes out a shotgun and kills you. YOU: Over *lemonade*? ANNETTE: I'm sorry, but the man has a job to do. Now what's it say on your tombstone? * [[My name?|future50]] * [["Gone but not forgotten."|future51]] * [["Stay hydrated."|future53]] * [["Nadia Nazari, beloved daughter and newspaper editor, dead at 17."|future54]] * [[No tombstone.|future55]]

YOU: But I'm really really thirsty! ANNETTE: *(shrugging)* Not his problem. YOU: So what, he's just going to leave me out here to die? ANNETTE: Yep! Exactly. Now what's it say on your tombstone? * [[My name?|future50]] * [["Gone but not forgotten."|future51]] * [["Stay hydrated."|future53]] * [["Nadia Nazari, beloved daughter and newspaper editor, dead at 17."|future54]] * [[No tombstone.|future55]]

YOU: I'm... pretty satisfied, I guess. Sure. Mostly. ANNETTE: Hmm. YOU: ...What? <%= display("future81") %>

YOU: I... you know. *(You scratch your forearm with your free hand.)* Things could be better. ANNETTE: So that's a no? YOU: It's... um... <%= display("future81") %>

YOU: That's complicated. ANNETTE: Okay. YOU: I really don't know how to answer that. There's a lot going on... <%= display("future81") %>

<% portrait("kaz1") %> *(The purpleness dissipates and time snaps back to normal.)* YOU: <%= emoji("newspaper") %>!! KAZ: What? YOU: Newspaper! Oh shit, oh shit... KAZ: Are you okay dude? YOU: It's Osgoode Terauley! That's why I recognized him! The ghost we've been hunting is the guy who founded our newspaper! KAZ: Uh... *(They look around.)* What? YOU: The ghost! *(You point down at the now empty stage.)* Did you not see that? KAZ: The raccoon? I mean I saw it, but it just scampered off. YOU: No, not the raccoon! The boy! KAZ: Like a human boy? YOU: Yes! The raccoon came out, and then it did the same purple time slowing thing as before, and then– KAZ: *Time* slowing?! YOU: ...okay I'm starting to think you and I might not have had identical initial experiences here. KAZ: Nadia, what the hell are you talking about? Are you saying you've seen something *besides* a creepy raccoon? * [[I mean, it was a raccoon the first time.|osgoode3]] * [[...It didn't communicate with you?|osgoode2]]

<% chapter(6); portrait("kaz1") %> #### **Lockers** — After School ##### **Wednesday, 14 September 2016** *(The next day. You're putting on your backpack and closing your locker when Kaz runs down the hall.)* KAZ: Na! You were right. *(They hold up their phone.)* I checked the cameras we installed in the hallway on Friday, and we totally got a shot of cloak person! *(You take a look. It's a still frame of the cloaked figure entering the North Wing through the closed off second-floor hallway.)* YOU: Damn. Still didn't get their face. KAZ: No. But we got a clear shot of the thing they were holding. *(They tap the screen.)* YOU: ...What is it? KAZ: I don't know, a thing? YOU: It's like a bowl, or a pot. *(You squint.)* And it's got weird markings and stuff on it. KAZ: How do we find out what it is? * [[We should ask Annette.|bonepot2]] * [[We should look online.|bonepot3]]

<% portrait("kaz1","annette1") %> YOU: We should ask Annette. ANNETTE: Ask me what? YOU: Gah! Were you there the whole time? ANNETTE: Nope I just appeared a few seconds ago. What's up? KAZ: Any idea what this is? *(They hand over the phone.)* ANNETTE: *(squinting)* ...A guy in a robe? YOU: Can you tell what he's holding? ANNETTE: Oh! That's a bone pot! KAZ: A what. ANNETTE: It's like a – what do you call it – an accoutrement. You put it on an altar during service. * [[What's it for?|bonepot5]] * [[Do you have one?|bonepot6]]

YOU: Let's look online. KAZ: For what? YOU: Um... Maybe we can just search for, I don't know, "witch bucket"? "Witch pot"? KAZ: Let's see... *(They scroll through the results.)* YOU: No that's just cauldrons. *(You point at the search bar.)* Put minus cauldron at the end. KAZ: How do you know it's not a cauldron? YOU: I know what a cauldron looks like. KAZ: ...Nope. Still nothing. YOU: Maybe add "Canada" on the end? KAZ: Oh shit this is it! "Bone pot." YOU: Bone pot? *(They clear their throat.)* KAZ: "A bone pot, also known as a portage crucible or a Robertson pot, is a traditional piece of witchcraft paraphernalia originating in the colony of New France in the seventeenth century. Originally used for the ritual burning of human or animal bones, bone pots have largely fallen out of use in the modern era and are generally unknown outside of mainstream Canadian denominations" – citation needed – "where they serve purely ornamental purposes." * [[Human bones...|bonepot7]] * [[Didn't look purely ornamental.|bonepot8]]

YOU: Nothing. *(You click the phone off and hand it back to Kaz.)* What's up? ALLEN: I was going to drive you home. YOU: Oh sure. Uh... *(You glance back at Kaz quickly. They pat you on the shoulder.)* YOU: ...Yeah, sure. Okay. <%= next("breakup1") %>

YOU: What's it... do? ANNETTE: Nothing. It's decoration. Apparently they used to burn bones in them, for like bone magic? But that was centuries ago. No one does bone magic anymore. KAZ: So then why the hell does this person have one? ANNETTE: Dunno. Who are they? KAZ: That's what we're trying to figure out. * [[Wait, bone magic?|bonepot11]]

YOU: Do you have one? ANNETTE: Oh no. You'd never like, have one personally. There's no need. I'm pretty sure they used to be for doing bone magic? But nobody does bone magic anymore. KAZ: So then why does this person have one? ANNETTE: I don't know... * [[Wait, bone magic?|bonepot11]]

YOU: Human bones... KAZ: Or animal. YOU: No no no. The other day Annette was telling me about bone magic. There are these spells you can do where you can put a human ghost into an animal body or whatever, but you have to burn someone else's bones. KAZ: ...An animal body. You mean like a raccoon? YOU: I think maybe. <%= display("bonepot10") %>

YOU: That didn't look purely ornamental to me. That person was doing something with it. KAZ: Burning bones, I guess. YOU: You know, Annette was telling me about this weird, like... forbidden spell the other day. She said you could force a ghost into an animal's body, but you had to burn bones to do it. KAZ: ...You mean human bones? YOU: Yeah. God, you don't think– <%= display("bonepot10") %>

<% portrait("kaz1","allen1") %> ALLEN: What are you two looking at? <%= display("bonepot4") %>

<% portrait("miles1") s.capitalism = true; %> YOU: Hey Miles. Staying late? MILES: Hmm? *(He looks up from his book.)* Oh. Is school out already? YOU: ...Yes. How did you not notice? MILES: *(shrugging)* Last period spare. * [[And you didn't leave?|capitalism2]] * [[Still working on that book?|capitalism3]]

<% s.avoid = true; portrait("jayden1") %> *(You keep your eyes straight ahead as you walk past Jayden in the hall. He looks away and tries to avoid making eye contact.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: Gosh, I don't even know. It's like... how do I *decide* when I'm satisfied, you know? ANNETTE: You don't have to decide. You just... are. YOU: Oh. ANNETTE: If you're satisfied you know you're satisfied. YOU: ...Then I guess I'm not. ANNETTE: Hmm. YOU: But– No. I'm not *not*. I'm just– <%= display("future81") %>

ANNETTE: Let's try drilling down a bit. Do you consider yourself *professionally* satisfied? * [[Not really, but...|future82]] * [[I guess.|future83]]

YOU: Not really? But I'm in high school so– <%= display("future84") %>

YOU: I guess. I've got the newspaper and everything. <%= display("future84") %>

ANNETTE: Intellectually satisfied? YOU: Sure. ANNETTE: Creatively satisfied? YOU: Yeah. ANNETTE: Emotionally satisfied? YOU: Somewhat. ANNETTE: Romantically satisfied? YOU: No. ANNETTE: Whoa! *(You clap your free hand to your mouth and your eyes go wide.)* ANNETTE: I knew it. * [[It's complicated, okay?|future91]] * [[Don't tell Allen.|future89]] * [[Was this all just a way of extracting gossip?|future85]] * [[I didn't mean it.|future90]]

YOU: Has this whole thing just been one giant way of getting gossip? ANNETTE: It's certainly been a positive side-effect of the experience. But no, I have other... more effective ways of getting gossip. YOU: ...Do I want to know? ANNETTE: Not really. Anyway, let's see your results. <%= display("future92") %>

YOU: Why here? KAZ: Uh, hello? Nurse's office? It's a room specifically designed for sickness and death. YOU: Nobody ever died in the nurse's office. KAZ: Dude, of course they did. They didn't even have hospitals back when this place was founded. I'm sure like half the kids in here probably got incurable gangrene or something. YOU: They absolutely had hospitals back in the 1880s. KAZ: Yeah but they were like mud hospitals where everyone was coughing blood into handkerchiefs and shit. YOU: Do you mean there was mud *inside* the hospitals, or...? <%= display("hospitals4") %>

<% s.hospitals = true; %> *(Kaz hits the side of their ghost detector a few times.)* KAZ: Damn it. YOU: Not working? KAZ: No. Working exactly as well as before. *(They wave it around and sigh.)* You figure if there was going to be a spike of activity it was going to be here. * [[It's fake.|hospitals3]] * [[Why here?|hospitals1]]

YOU: It's a fake invention. I wouldn't expect it to work anywhere. KAZ: We don't know that it's fake. The ghosts could just be really... shy. Or something. YOU: Shy. KAZ: Or something! Maybe we just need to like, coax them out. * [[Spirits! Hear my call!|hospitals5]] * [[Spirits! Do not be afraid!|hospitals6]] * [[Spirits! Free potato chips in the nurse's office!|hospitals7]]

*(They hit the side of it again.)* KAZ: Maybe I should have gotten one of those geiger counter clicky ones instead... <%= next() %>

YOU: Spirits! If you can hear me, show yourselves! If it's not too much trouble, I mean!! *(Silence.)* YOU: ...Anything? <%= display("hospitals4") %>

YOU: Spirits! Do not be afraid! My best friend and I are super nice people and we aren't even a little judgy! Show yourselves! And we'll have a super chill time! *(Silence.)* YOU: ...Welp, I tried. <%= display("hospitals4") %>

YOU: Spirits! There are free potato chips in the nurse's office! All dressed! First come first serve! *(Silence.)* YOU: ...I don't know, Kaz. If that doesn't coax them out then nothing will. KAZ: Maybe they died before potato chips were invented. YOU: ...How old do you think this school is exactly? <%= next() %>

YOU: And you didn't leave? Why? MILES: Eh. Anything I would have done at home I could have done here just as easily. Or more easily, technically, since I have to exert effort to get home. YOU: That's... logical. I guess. MILES: Obviously. Why else would I do it? <%= next() %>

YOU: I feel like every time I see you you're in the exact same place in that book. MILES: That's late capitalism for you. <%= next() %>

YOU: So... it never tried to communicate with you? KAZ: Communicate?! YOU: Yeah. With like... psychic non-verbal concepts? KAZ: HOW DID YOU NOT TELL ME THIS UNTIL JUST NOW?!?! YOU: I THOUGHT THAT'S WHY YOU WERE SO FREAKED OUT! <%= display("osgoode4") %>

YOU: I mean... it was a raccoon the first time, sure... KAZ: The first– HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU SEEN A GHOST IN THE LAST WEEK?!?! YOU: ...Uh... I guess this is three? <%= display("osgoode4") %>

KAZ: Jesus Christ!! We– *(You hear something slam in the distance. You and Kaz look at each other and then run behind a row of chairs in the back of the room. A hooded figure enters, carrying something glistening.)* * [[...|osgoode5]]

<% portrait("kaz1","hooded") %> *(The figure puts their equipment down on the stage. You hear rummaging and heavy breathing. You and Kaz try peeking out.)* YOU: *(whispering)* Can you see anything? KAZ: *(whispering)* No. *(You take out your phone and start filming the figure as they move their equipment around. Then you hear a match being struck, and a plume of purple smoke erupts on the stage. There's a loud sustained hiss as the auditorium starts filling with fog. You and Kaz cover your mouths with your blazers.)* YOU: *(whispering a bit louder)* We need to move! *(Kaz nods. The two of you sneak out of the back of the room.)* <%= next("bonepot1") %>

YOU: It's great. I love it. ANNETTE: Why do you suppose that is? YOU: Uh... I'm not sure. <%= display("future88") %>

YOU: It's better than losing. ANNETTE: Is it? YOU: Isn't it? ANNETTE: I don't know. They're both natural parts of life. YOU: Just because it's natural doesn't make it pleasant. <%= display("future88") %>

ANNETTE: Let's examine that a bit further. Overall, would you describe yourself as satisfied? YOU: ...You're starting to talk like a therapist now. ANNETTE: This is all strictly witchcraft, sorry. But if you want some therapy I've got a bunch of unlicensed therapy potions in my locker somewhere. YOU: Um. Maybe next time. ANNETTE: Gotcha. Now: Are you satisfied? * [[I guess I am.|future77]] * [[Things could be better.|future78]] * [[That's complicated.|future79]] * [[I don't even know.|future80]]

YOU: Don't tell Allen. ANNETTE: I won't. Soothsayer-client privilege. Strictly confidential. *(You sigh.)* ANNETTE: That was the last question anyway. It's time to hear your results. <%= display("future92") %>

YOU: I didn't mean it. ANNETTE: Oh? I guess the spell's invalid then. Let's start over. *(She clears her throat.)* First name? YOU: Wait. No. Hold on. *(You sigh.)* Fine. I meant it. ANNETTE: Aha. YOU: Things are not going 100% ideally in the relationship department right now. *(She smiles and nods.)* ANNETTE: Alright then. Let's get your results. <%= display("future92") %>

YOU: Look, it's not that simple, okay? It's complicated. It's like– ugh. Can we just move on please? ANNETTE: Sure. That was the last question anyway. Time to get your results. <%= display("future92") %>

*(She closes her eyes.)* ANNETTE: Hmmmmm... *(You lean in.)* ANNETTE: ...You're going to have a busy week! *(She lets go of your hand.)* YOU: ...That's it? ANNETTE: Yep. *(She wipes her hands with a small embroidered rag.)* If I'd had entrails to read I could have gone into more details. But apparently it's "too disruptive to the learning environment" to bring dead animal parts to school. *(She rolls her eyes.)* * [[Which week?|future93]] * [[Busy how?|future94]] * [[How can you tell?|future95]]

YOU: Which week? ANNETTE: This week. Duh. What other week would I be talking about? YOU: ...Busy, huh? ANNETTE: *(smiling widely)* Batten down the hatches. <%= next() %>

YOU: But like... busy how? What does that mean? ANNETTE: Not sure exactly. But definitely busy. YOU: Hmm. ANNETTE: Odds are it'll involve something we talked about this just now. So if you're going to be on the lookout for something, I'd say make it that. <%= display("future96") %>

YOU: But like... how do you know? How does what we talked about...? ANNETTE: Magic, duh. <%= display("future96") %>

YOU: ...A busy week. ANNETTE: *(smiling widely)* Batten down the hatches. <%= next() %>

<% s.dust=true; %> *(You walk down to the stage.)* YOU: ...Jeez. Look at all this dust. KAZ: From the construction? * [[I don't think they've worked on this room yet.|dust2]] * [[It doesn't feel like construction dust.|dust3]] * [[Look at the pattern.|dust4]]

*(You look around.)* YOU: Doesn't look like they've worked on this room yet. KAZ: Hmm. No. *(They kick at the dust.)* So someone snuck in, you think? YOU: Maybe. Wonder if this has anything to do with the weird smoke. <%= display("dust5") %>

*(You crouch down and rub some of it between your finger and thumb.)* YOU: Hmm. Doesn't feel like construction dust. It's like... fine. Like the chalk you get at a pool hall. KAZ: Since when do you go to pool halls? *(You stand back up.)* YOU: All the time. I'm a secret pool master. KAZ: Seriously?! YOU: No, I'm terrible. *(You rub your hand off on your skirt.)* But my cousin used to drag me to the one in the Annex when she was babysitting me. I liked playing with the chalk. <%= display("dust5") %>

YOU: Don't think so. Look at the pattern. It's like a spiral or a... what do you call it? KAZ: A swirl? YOU: No. It's got a name. *(You snap your fingers.)* It's a math thing. KAZ: Long division? YOU: Fractal! It's like a fractal. KAZ: Oh! ...I have no idea what that is. <%= display("dust5") %>

*(You snap a few pictures with your phone.)* <%= next() %>

<% portrait("sherbourne") %> YOU: ...Is something wrong, Mr. Sherbourne? SHERBOURNE: You looked distracted in class today. YOU: Oh. Sorry. I, uh, guess I was a little. SHERBOURNE: I was looking at you during the lecture and I thought to myself... *(He leans against the corner of his desk.)* "That face when something is troubling me." Am I right? YOU: Um. Well... SHERBOURNE: I just want you to know, I look out for all my students. Okay? You can talk to me! Even if it's something where you think: "Oh, those other teachers aren't 'woke' enough to get it." * [[Uh, thanks?|tfw2]] * [[It won't happen again.|tfw3]] * [[I'm okay.|tfw4]]

YOU: Uh. ...Thank you, sir? SHERBOURNE: Of course. It's my job to make you have a good learning environment. *(He stands back up.)* And please, for the last time, I'm not a "sir"! It's Marc. <%= display("tfw5") %>

YOU: It won't happen again, sir. I'm sorry. SHERBOURNE: No need to be sorry. You're not in trouble! *(He laughs and stands back up.)* And please, for the last time, I'm not a "sir"! It's Marc. <%= display("tfw5") %>

YOU: I'm okay. Don't worry. SHERBOURNE: You sure? YOU: *(nodding)* It's nothing serious, sir. I'm fine. SHERBOURNE: If you say so. *(He stands back up.)* And please, for the last time, I'm not a "sir"! It's Marc. <%= display("tfw5") %>

#### **History Class** — Late Afternoon ##### **Monday, 12 September 2016** <% chapter(2); portrait("sherbourne","olivia1","summer1") %> *(Three years later. You sit in history class, listening to Mr. Sherbourne lecture as he paces around the room.)* SHERBOURNE: ...See, the Conscription Crisis was a little like "The Dress." You all remember that classic meme, right? Only instead of being a dress it was a war, and the different "colour schemes" were different points of view on the nature of Canada's relationship with Britain. French Canadians saw it one way, and English Canadians saw something else. And just like on Twitter, the "discourse" got pret-ty heated... *(You stare across at Summer. She looks down at her notes, deliberately avoiding eye contact as much as possible. After a few seconds Olivia Kwon jostles you.)* OLIVIA: Bud. Do you have any fuckin' idea what this guy is on about? * [[Huh?|tfw10]] * [[Not really.|tfw8]] * [[Kind of.|tfw9]]

YOU: Right. Okay, well. I should, uh... SHERBOURNE: Go, go. Enjoy your afternoon. I'm sure you've got snapchats to send and livestreams to watch. YOU: ...Yep. You got it. *(You smile, shrug, and walk backwards out of the door.)* <%= next("crumpled3") %>

<% portrait("kaz1") %> YOU: We basically haven't talked at all since the party. KAZ: Not at all? YOU: No. We had this big text fight and then nothing. He drove me in today but we barely said anything. And we didn't even try to meet up at lunch. KAZ: Yikes. YOU: I think I'm putting it off, you know? It's like, after all that stuff Anja said at the party, about how I was so awful to Summer and all that... I don't know, I just *know* there's more to that situation then I thought there was. Which means I need to get more information somehow. KAZ: And if my sister won't talk to you about it and Summer won't talk to you about it... YOU: Exactly. The only person left is Allen. And he reeeaally doesn't like it when I bring up Summer. KAZ: Ugh. YOU: *(sighing)* But I guess I don't have a choice. I should probably go find him. KAZ: Gooood luck. <%= next() %>

<% portrait("kaz1") %> YOU: Ugh, it's going to turn into a big fight this time. I just know it. It's like... All that stuff Anja was saying at the party? About how I was such an awful person to Summer and all that... I don't know, there's clearly more to that situation than I thought there was. KAZ: And if my sister won't talk to you about it and Summer won't talk to you about it... YOU: Exactly. The only person I can talk to is Allen. And this is like his least favourite subject of conversation. It's going to be a total mess. KAZ: Mmm. YOU: Like, you ever have one of those conversations where you KNOW it's not going to go well but also you have to have it sooner or later and meanwhile the anticipation is just like killing you? *(They blink.)* KAZ: You could say that. YOU: ...Right. KAZ: I don't know. If you know it's going to be a fight you might as well just get it over with. YOU: Ugh. I guess... *(You close your locker.)* I'm gonna go look for him now. KAZ: Good luck. <%= next() %>

<% portrait("kaz1") %> YOU: You don't understand. He *hates* talking about Summer. He's like so mad about it still. KAZ: And you can't just avoid the subject? YOU: No, that's the thing! All that stuff that Anja said at the party, about how I was such an awful person to Summer and all that... Like, there's clearly more to that situation than I thought there was. KAZ: And if my sister won't talk to you about it and Summer won't talk to you about it... YOU: It's got to be Allen. Which means it has to be a fight. And honestly if there *is* more information it's probably not going to be something good, you know? KAZ: Mmm. *(You sigh and check you phone.)* YOU: Anyway, he's probably looking for me already. I should go find him. KAZ: Goood luck. <%= next() %>

YOU: God, what was I thinking inviting her to my *house*? How am I supposed to work with her after she tore me to shreds at the party? KAZ: *(looking past you)* I think we might be about to find out. <%= display("crumpled4") %>

YOU: God, I'm getting *nowhere* with her. Every time I take one step forward I take like a thousand steps back. KAZ: Mmm. YOU: And the worst part is, it's clear she knows something about Summer but I even can't ask her about it because it pisses her off so much! Ugh! If I could just talk to her for like a second... KAZ: *(looking past you)* I think you're about to get your chance. <%= display("crumpled4") %>

#### **French Class** — Morning ##### **Tuesday, 13 September 2016** <% chapter(3); portrait("rouille","anja1") %> *(The next day. You sit watching as your classmates give their French presentations.)* ROUILLÉ: Okay. Merci, Ethan and Kyle. That was even more miserable than I was anticipating. *(They high five each other.)* ROUILLÉ: Maintenant, the final group: Nadia and Anja. *(You get up and stand facing each other in front of the class.)* * [[Ready?|dialogue4]] * [[This better be good.|dialogue6]] * [["Bonjour madame..."|dialogue5]]

YOU: *(under your breath)* Ready? <%= display("dialogue7") %>

*(You clear your throat and read from the paper.)* <%= display("dialogue1") %>

YOU: *(under your breath)* This better be good. <%= display("dialogue7") %>

*(She rolls her eyes. You clear your throat and read from the paper.)* <%= display("dialogue1") %>

ANNETTE: Rapid fire, Nadia! Is it cannibalism? * [[Yes.|future31]] * [[No.|future32]] * [[Which half?|future30]] * [[I don't think I could eat a mermaid steak.|future37]]

YOU: I don't know. I thought it went... okay? ROUILLÉ: You think "okay." YOU: Um. Yeah...? ROUILLÉ: *(sighing)* I do not know which is sadder, the failure or the self-delusion. *(She stands up.)* <%= display("dialogue11") %>

YOU: *(glaring at Anja)* Not great. ROUILLÉ: Great? No. *(She shakes her head.)* Not great at all. *(She stands up.)* <%= display("dialogue11") %>

YOU: ... ANJA: ... ROUILLÉ: Ah. If only you had been this quiet a moment ago. You would have saved us all so much pain. *(She sighs and stands up.)* <%= display("dialogue11") %>

YOU: Yep. *(The two of you get into the car. Allen pulls out of the parking lot.)* <%= display("awkward1") %>

#### **Allen's Car** – After School <% portrait("allen1") %> <%= display("awkward1") %>

ROUILLÉ: This last presentation confirms what I already knew to begin with. Girls, return to your seats. *(You hurry back to your desk.)* ROUILLÉ: It was a mistake to permit any of you to speak French at all. The crimes you have made against the greatest language in human history are too large for me to think of. Every single one of your presentations was a unique and horrible insult. *(You stare down at your desk.)* ROUILLÉ: Alors, you have a new assignment. In the same groups, you will write a letter of apology to the French language, expressing your shame and regret at having so degraded it. Now sit in silence until the bell rings. *(The entire class sits silently for four minutes. Rouillé stares at you all the whole time. Then the bell rings and everyone files out.)* ANJA: Okay, same as before. I do the work, you just show up on the day. Alright? * [[Because that worked so well last time?|dialogue12]] * [[This doesn't have to be miserable.|dialogue2]] * [[Whatever.|dialogue13]]

<% portrait("anja1") %> YOU: Oh yeah, because that worked so well today. ANJA: It would have been fine if you'd delivered your lines properly. YOU: Oh please. You didn't use like half of the required vocabulary. And your– ANJA: Whatever. You do it then. YOU: That's not what I meant. *(She shrugs and walks off.)* <%= next("needabreak7") %>

<% portrait("anja1") %> YOU: Yeah, sure. Whatever. *(She nods and walks off.)* <%= next("needabreak7") %>

<% s.cookies = true; %> *(You prod the package of cookies)* YOU: Still soft. How on earth...? KAZ: *(shaking their head)* Always knew there was something unnatural about those things. <%= next() %>

<% portrait("kaz1","annette1","allen1") %> YOU: Wait. Bone magic? Like the stuff you were telling me about the other day? ANNETTE: You mean like controlling ghosts and putting them in animals and stuff? Ye-es... YOU: Hmm. ANNETTE: ...Nadia, you're not getting involved with this kind of stuff, right? This is some very not good magic we're talking about. And it can be really dangerous. If you don't have the proper training– ALLEN: *(walking up)* What can be really dangerous? <%= display("bonepot4") %>

ANNETTE: Blech, that's rough. YOU: Yup. <%= display("future56") %>

*(The bell rings.)* SHERBOURNE: Okay, we'll pick back up in 1917 on Wednesday! Have a good one. *(People start getting up. Summer rushes out of the room as quick as possible. You grab your binder and start to walk after her.)* SHERBOURNE: Oh. Nadia, could you stay behind a second? *(You walk up to the front of the class.)* * [[Is something wrong?|tfw1]]

YOU: Honestly I kind of lost the plot like half an hour ago. OLIVIA: I swears I never have a fuckin' idea what this guy's talking about. Things'd be easier if people just said what they meant, y'know? *(You look back at Summer.)* YOU: Yeah... <%= display("tfw7") %>

YOU: Kind of? He's basically saying that people in Quebec didn't want to be drafted to fight in a British war. OLIVIA: Oh. Well shit, who would? YOU: English Canadians from a hundred years ago apparently. OLIVIA: *(shaking her head)* Fuckin' amateurs. *(You look over at Summer again.)* YOU: Yeah... <%= display("tfw7") %>

YOU: Huh? OLIVIA: The fuckin' human meme up there talks about the internet so much that I keep forgetting it's a history class. I don't even know what goddamn year we're supposed to be in. YOU: Oh. Uh, sorry. I wasn't really paying attention. *(She exhales.)* OLIVIA: Wouldn't do you any good there anyway... <%= display("tfw7") %>

<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. And as if that wasn't enough to deal with, I have to find a way to reconnect with my estranged friend Summer, who's come back to MCC after a three-year absence. <% if (s.chapter > 8) { %> Oh yeah, and when I told my boyfriend I was bisexual he completely flipped out and then *outed me to the entire school.* So that's great. At least Anja doesn't hate me anymore... <% } else if (s.chapter > 7 || s.textanja) { %> Also, I'm bisexual, and when I told my boyfriend he completely flipped out on me and now I'm pretty sure we're broken up. Also also, Kaz's twin sister Anja completely hates me. Also also also, I think I saw a ghost??? I've got a lot going on this year is what I'm saying. <% } else { %> Also, I'm bisexual and my boyfriend has no idea and I still don't know if I'm going to tell him or not. Also also, Kaz's twin sister Anja completely hates me. Also also also, I think I saw a ghost??? 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> ### Anja Kaczmarek <img src="img/anja1.png" /> **Relationship:** <% if (s.chapter < 9) { %> Extremely Mortal Enemy <% } else { %> Neutral?? <% } %> **Born:** 31 March 1999 Toronto, Ontario **Gender:** F **House:** Montrose **Demeanor:** <% if (s.chapter < 9) { %> Icy <% } else { %> Thawing? <% } %> **Height:** <% if (s.anjaheight) { %> 5 ft. 11¾ in. <% } else { %> 6 ft. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter >= 9) { %> ...Okay in retrospect Anja's behaviour makes a lot more sense. It kind of seems like this might be the start of her not completely hating me anymore? So, you know, that's something at least. <% } else { %> Anja and Kaz are perhaps the least identical twins in the history of twindom. Unlike her sibling, Anja is mean and aloof and sarcastic. Also she completely despises me, which I'm pretty sure has something to do with my falling out with Summer. There are moments when I think she's almost starting to warm to me, but then she just has another hate explosion. It's honestly exhausting. <% } %> <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Summer Okamura <img src="img/summer1.png" /> **Relationship:** Estranged Ex-Friend **Born:** 21 August 1999 Hilo, Hawaii **Gender:** F **House:** Shaw **Favourite Planet:** Neptune **Favourite Emotion:** Panic <% if (s.chapter > 7 || s.textanja) { %> 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 as 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 the truth is out I need to find some way to make it right... <% } else { %> Back when we were kids, Summer and I were inseparable. Then one afternoon in the summer before Grade 9 I totally messed everything up. I tried to kiss her, she freaked, we stopped talking, and a few months later she was gone. Now for some reason she's transferred back to MCC. I keep hoping we can clear the air, but at the rate I'm going I'm probably just going to drive her away again... <% } %> <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Allen Rhodes <img src="img/allen1.png" /> **Relationship:** <% if (s.chapter > 7 || s.textanja) { %> Ex-boyfriend <% } else { %> Boyfriend <% } %> **Born:** 3 June 1999 Coquitlam, British Columbia **Gender:** M **House:** Crawford **Dating Since:** <% if (s.chapter > 7 || s.textanja) { %> <s>Grade 9</s> <% } else { %> Grade 9 <% } %> **Known Since:** Forever <% if (s.chapter > 7 || s.textanja) { %> Well fuck. <% } else { %> Things have been rocky lately with Allen but I still really care a lot about him. When Summer decided to kick me out of her life, he was the one who stuck by me. I would have had a *real* tough time that year if it hadn't been for his support. But ever since this year started something's like short-circuited in our relationship, and I don't know how to fix it. <% } %> <%= 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. <%= 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:** Not On Speaking Terms **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 he won't talk to me. Which honestly is for the best. He always kind of creeped me out a bit. Honestly 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>

<div class="characters"><%= display("profile-sidebar") %></div> ### Hooded Figure <img src="img/hooded.png" /> ????????????????? <%= back() %> <div class="smallcharacters"><%= display("profile-bottom") %></div>

<%= 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") %>

<% if (s.e1save) { s.toldallen = s.e1save.toldallen; s.toldallen1 = s.e1save.toldallen1; s.toldallen2 = s.e1save.toldallen2; } %> ### Journal <% if (s.chapter > 8) { %> #### **Thursday, 15 September 2016** <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 8) { %> **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. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 7) { %> #### **Wednesday, 14 September 2016** <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 7) { %> **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.<% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 3) { %> #### **Tuesday, 13 September 2016** <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 5) { %> **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. <% } %> <% if (s.chapter > 3) { %> **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** <% if (s.chapter > 2) { %> **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.

<% s.junk = true %> YOU: I guess they used this hallway for storing broken down generators and lawn mowers and stuff? KAZ: Damn. I was hoping for some super cool secret tunnel or something. YOU: I think it's just a regular tunnel. *(You prod the junk with your feet.)* KAZ: ...Wait, is that a trap door in the ceiling? *(You look up.)* YOU: Whoa. Yeah. I think it is. KAZ: Okay I take it back, this is the best tunnel ever. YOU: Hmm... We'd need a ladder to actually reach it though. KAZ: Why don't we just climb up on this unstable pile of rickety old crap? YOU: No, Kaz. KAZ: Boooo! No fun! <%= next() %>

<% s.room = "frontsteps2"; %> #### **Front Steps** – After School A bunch of Grade 10 girls are sitting together on the front steps, clustered around a box of timbits. The [[school entrance|foyer2]] is to the north and the <% if (s.avoidhim) { %> parking lot <% } else { %> <%= link("parking lot","avoidhim1") %> <% } %> is off to the west.

<% s.room = "foyer2"; %> #### **Foyer** – Before School <% if (s.fortherecord) { %> Jayden walks off towards his homeroom. <% } else { %> <%= link("Jayden","fortherecord1") %> stares daggers at you as you walk through the front door. <% } %> The main hallway leads north from here to the [[Great Hall|greathall2]], while a smaller corridor branches northwest towards [[your locker|lockers2]].

<% portrait() s.avoidhim = true; %> *(You walk a few steps towards the field and look at the parking lot. Allen's car is already parked there.)* YOU: *(to yourself)* It's fine. It's a big school. You can just... avoid him. <%= next() %>

<% s.room = "greathall2"; %> #### **Great Hall** – Before School <% if (s.calledit) { %> The dramas go back to their people watching. Your [[locker|lockers2]], which you should probably be getting to, is down a hall to the west.<% } else { %> The <%= link("dramas","calledit1") %> are leaning against the wall, watching people hurry off to their homerooms. Your [[locker|lockers2]] is down a hall to the west. <% } %>

<% s.room = "lockers2"; %> #### **Lockers** – Before School The halls are pretty much empty at this point. You let out a huge sigh as you reach your locker and start <%= link("fumbling with your lock","gottabolt1") %>. <%= link("Annette","gottabolt2") %> rummages through her things next to you.

YOU: Morning. <%= display("gottabolt1") %>

<% portrait("summer1") %> YOU: Hello? SUMMER: Hey. YOU: ...Hey. <%= next("nexttime") %>

### Next Time *(potentially)* Nadia mends some fences. Kaz climbs over some fences. Anja recalibrates. A creepy jerk sustains multiple face injuries. *and* All remaining mysteries are solved in accordance with traditional narrative structure. <% chapter(10) if (localStorage && s.autosave) { localStorage.setItem('ku_autosave_end3', JSON.stringify(story.state)); } %> <br /> **<a href="index.html" style="margin-top:2em">Main Menu ➤</a>**

### Chapter Select <%= link("**1** ~ Prologue (Nice To Meet You)","badnews0") %> <%= link("**2** ~ What Was I Thinking?","tfw6") %> <%= link("**3** ~ The Failure Or The Self-Delusion","dialogue3") %> <%= link("**4** ~ The Best Trespassers In The Business","detector1") %> <%= link("**5** ~ Oh Shit","memorial1") %> <%= link("**6** ~ Some Very Not Good Magic","bonepot1") %> <%= link("**7** ~ Known Unknowns","breakup1") %> <%= link("**8** ~ I'm Pretty Sure My Heart's Exploding","yougotthis1") %> <%= link("**9** ~ Wrong About Literally Everyone","calling6") %>

<% s.clock=true; %> YOU: Think they're going to fix the clock when they renovate or leave it as is? KAZ: ...The clock is broken? YOU: What? Yes. Since forever. Have you never noticed? KAZ: I have a phone in my pocket! Why would I ever need to look at a building? <%= next() %>

<% s.note = true; %> YOU: Huh. I think someone left a note lying around. KAZ: Ooh! Let me see. *(You hand it over. They open it up.)* KAZ: ...Wow. I didn't think people actually did this. YOU: Hmm? KAZ: It says "Dear Sylvie, do you want to go to the grad dance with me?" And there are boxes for Yes and No. YOU: Which one did she pick? KAZ: Neither. *(They hold up the paper.)* She drew a house on fire. * [[Harsh.|note2]] * [[Unambiguous.|note3]]

YOU: Yikes. Harsh. KAZ: I think you mean "amazing." YOU: Well yes, also that. I'd hate to be on the receiving end of it though. KAZ: You should probably stay away from Sylvie then. *(They fold the paper up and slip in their pocket.)* <%= next() %>

YOU: Well it's unambiguous at least. Maybe I should have tried that on Jayden. KAZ: You could have set his *actual* house on fire with him inside it and he still wouldn't have gotten the hint. YOU: You joke but I think that might actually be true. KAZ: Everything I say is true, Na. Especially the jokes. *(They fold up the paper and slip it into their pocket.)* <%= next() %>

<% s.props1 = true; %> YOU: Man, look at all this stuff. *(Kaz grabs a crown off the shelf and puts it on your head.)* KAZ: I dub thee Queen Nadia of Forest Hill. YOU: I'll have you know my dominions extend all the way to Moore Park, knave. KAZ: I doubt the Duke of That Harvey's On Yonge Street will stand for this aggression. YOU: Ha! I'll have the scallywag charbroiled on his own grill! KAZ: *(laughing)* I think you're starting to talk like a pirate, your majesty. *(You take off the crown.)* YOU: There's a reason I never took drama. <%= next() %>

<% s.props2 = true; %> YOU: Wow, there's like 20 years worth of costumes back here, huh? KAZ: Yep. Oh hey, check it out. *(They take out a turban.)* Your favourite play! YOU: God. *(You roll your eyes.)* As if Grade 9 wasn't painful enough. KAZ: Yeah, I think it's fair to say cultural sensitivity is not this school's strong suit. YOU: Ha. If you think Aladdin was bad you should have seen them do Merchant of Venice. <%= next() %>

<% s.props3 = true; %> *(The two of you poke through the equipment.)* KAZ: Hey what do you think they use all these cages for? There's like a dozen of them back here in a pile. YOU: No idea. Guess we could ask the dramas. KAZ: Ehh. If they're involved I'm not sure I want to know... <%= next() %>

YOU: None taken. KAZ: *(nodding)* She's still learning the ropes. HIPPIE DRAMA: Oh yeah? You want to hear my tip for relaxing? KAZ: Is it drugs? Because I tried that and she's not biting. HIPPIE DRAMA: Oh. Well then I have absolutely no ideas. YOU: ...I'll figure it out. <%= next() %>

YOU: There's a lot about me you don't know. COOL DRAMA: Oh, I *bet* there is. YOU: Well! We should be going now! You guys have fun! COOL DRAMA: *(smirking)* I always do. <%= next() %>

YOU: Have you ever had any supernatural experiences here in the North Wing? Or on campus in general. CORSET DRAMA: Supernatural like how? YOU: Ghost sightings. Inexplicable animal behaviour. Weird purple smoke. HIPPIE DRAMA: No. Sounds like a lot of fun though. TALL DRAMA: Yeah. Whatever that purple smoke is, I want some. COOL DRAMA: I've quite had a few experiences in here. *(She leans forward and stares directly into your eyes.)* Maybe I can share them with you some time. YOU: ...Okay! Well! We should really get going now! *(You grab Kaz and start walking away)* You guys have fun! COOL DRAMA: *(smirking)* I always do. <%= next() %>

YOU: Have you seen anyone else in here? CORSET DRAMA: Besides you two and us five? YOU: Yes. TALL DRAMA: That's a lot of people, why do you need more? KAZ: We don't *need* more. We're asking if you've *seen* more. BALD DRAMA: Do you mean recently, or over the course of my entire life? YOU: Recently. Why would I be asking about your entire life? BALD DRAMA: Jeez, I don't know. I thought you were interested. YOU: I mean you've obviously seen more than six other people before. BALD DRAMA: Well if you already know that then why are you asking the question? This whole interview stinks. I'm never buying another copy of your newspaper again. KAZ: You can't buy it. It's free. BALD DRAMA: Mission accomplished. COOL DRAMA: The answer to your actual question is "no" by the way. No one's ever in here besides us. HIPPIE DRAMA: Us and the raccoons. TALL DRAMA: Raccoons aren't people. HIPPIE DRAMA: I'm not having this fight for a fifth time. YOU: Alright, well thanks. If you do see anyone then let me know. <%= next() %>

COOL DRAMA: Ugh. *(She smacks him.)* BALD DRAMA: What? I'm not judging! CORSET DRAMA: *(rolling her eyes)* God. TALL DRAMA: Keep it together, man. BALD DRAMA: They're going off into an abandoned building together! What else is it going to be? CORSET DRAMA: Okay if you had observed these two for more than a second you would know that their dynamic, while playful and lightly flirty at times, is entirely platonic. YOU: Um, I'm sorry. "Observed"? KAZ: "Lightly"? BALD DRAMA: Hey! Don't invalidate my reading! CORSET DRAMA: You can't "invalidate" something that was never valid in the first place. COOL DRAMA: *(leaning over)* They'll be at this for a while. You might want to come back later. YOU: Uh, yeah. Good call. <%= next() %>

YOU: You lied to my face *for years*! You let me believe my best friend hated me! Do you have *any idea* how hard that was for me to deal with? ALLEN: I... YOU: What am I saying? Of course you do! You watched me cry in front of you *as you were lying to me!* You are just–! Gah! *(You get up and start walking away.)* ALLEN: Where are you going? YOU: I'm done, Allen. ALLEN: You're "done"? You can't just leave! YOU: Watch me. *(You storm off.)* <%= next("textanja1") %>

YOU: *(sighing)* ...Fine. <%= display("calling2") %>

YOU: How exactly are we going to "track down the source of the bones"? It's not like there's a bone depot we can investigate. KAZ: Ah, that's where you're wrong. <%= display("calling16") %>

YOU: So... what, we look for news stories about missing skeletons? KAZ: Nah, that's the slow way. We're going to do things the fast way. <%= display("calling16") %>

*(They get out their phone.)* YOU: Wait, what are you doing? KAZ: I'm calling Mount Pleasant. YOU: The *cemetery?* KAZ: *(dialing)* What else, the road? * [[Don't.|calling3]] * [[What are you going to ask them?|calling4]] * [[We can't just call random cemeteries.|calling5]]

<% s.anjaheight = true; %> YOU: I don't know how much more Anja time I can take. Do you know how hard it is to perform academically when you have a six foot tall Swedo-Polish Amazon staring daggers at you? KAZ: Oh come on, that's not fair. We're 5'11" and three quarters. <%= display("needabreak3") %>

*(You stare up at the portrait of the newspaper's founder Osgoode Terauley opposite your desk and let out a long sigh.)* YOU: I am a failure in every part of my life. Osgoode would have a fit if he saw who was running his paper today. <%= display("needabreak1") %>

GRAVEYARD GUY: This job isn't easy, you know. YOU: I didn't say it was. GRAVEYARD GUY: You know who came in here today? My ex-fiancée. She was burying her mother. YOU: Oh. I'm sorry. GRAVEYARD GUY: It was at *my own cemetery.* And did I even get a courtesy call? No! * [[I'm sure she had a lot to worry about.|graveyardguy26]] * [[Why would you have needed a courtesy call?|graveyardguy27]]

YOU: Ex-*future*-mother-in-law. <%= display("graveyardguy8") %>

YOU: Hey, not everything is about *you*. Have you considered that maybe she didn't want to see her ex on the saddest day of her life? <%= display("graveyardguy8") %>

YOU: Hey, don't blame me! I didn't plan the funeral. GRAVEYARD GUY: You might as well have! It was completely amateurish. YOU: Why, because you weren't invited? GRAVEYARD GUY: I don't have to explain myself to you! YOU: I didn't ask you to! You were the one who started this line of conversation! GRAVEYARD GUY: Oh I'm sorry, did *I* call *you* up at *your* job and ask *you* if *you* had lost any bones?! No. That was you! YOU: Well I'm starting to wish I didn't! GRAVEYARD GUY: Why don't you just go, then?! Run away from me like everyone else! YOU: Fine! You are *weird*! Goodbye forever! *(You hang up the phone.)* * [[Well that's enough of that.|graveyardguy1]]

GRAVEYARD GUY: Oh, sure, take her side. Typical. YOU: Excuse me? GRAVEYARD GUY: You know, you women are all the same! You've never worked at a graveyard a day in your life! YOU: Hey! Just because you bury bodies in the ground all day doesn't give you the right to be a total dick! GRAVEYARD GUY: God, the *gravedigger* buries the bodies! I *manage* him! YOU: Well then I feel sorry for that guy!! *(You hang up the phone.)* * [[Well that's enough of that.|graveyardguy1]]

<% portrait() %> YOU: I'm doing a school project on cemeteries in Toronto, and– GRAVEYARD GUY: A school project? YOU: Uh, yes. GRAVEYARD GUY: For what class? YOU: History. Grade 12 Canadian history. GRAVEYARD GUY: They cover local graveyards in Canadian history now? YOU: It's independent study. GRAVEYARD GUY: Who's your teacher? YOU: His name is Marc Sherbourne. GRAVEYARD GUY: Never heard of him. YOU: I... don't see why you would have. GRAVEYARD GUY: *(sighing)* Fine. What's your question? * [[Can you tell me about the history of Pine Hills?|graveyard28]] * [[Have you ever heard of bones going missing?|graveyardguy29]]

<% portrait() %> YOU: Could I talk to a manager, please? Or whoever's in charge. GRAVEYARD GUY: That's me. I'm the site manager. YOU: Perfect. GRAVEYARD GUY: Is there a problem? YOU: Oh, no. No problem. I– GRAVEYARD GUY: People don't normally ask for a manager when there's no problem. YOU: Uh. Well, I was just calling to ask if you'd had any incidents of bodies or skeletons going missing ever? GRAVEYARD GUY: ... YOU: Hello? <%= display("graveyardguy12") %>

<% portrait() %> YOU: I'm writing a news story about local cemeteries, and I was wondering– GRAVEYARD GUY: A news story? YOU: Yes. I– GRAVEYARD GUY: You sound a little young to be a journalist. YOU: It's a student newspaper. Can I ask my question or...? GRAVEYARD GUY: *(sighing)* Yes, fine. Go ahead. YOU: Thank you so much. * [[Can you tell me about the history of Pine Hills?|graveyard28]] * [[Have you had instances of bones going missing recently?|graveyardguy30]] * [[What's it like running a cemetery?|graveyardguy20]]

GRAVEYARD GUY: ...Why would you ask me that? YOU: What? GRAVEYARD GUY: You think I just lose corpses all the time, is that it? You think I'm terrible at my job? Is that how little faith you have in me? * [[It's not personal.|graveyardguy13]] * [[I don't even know you.|graveyardguy14]] * [[...Sorry?|graveyardguy15]]

YOU: It wasn't personal. I just– GRAVEYARD GUY: What else could it be? It's *my* job you're talking about. YOU: Look, maybe I should call back another time... <%= display("graveyardguy4") %>

YOU: Dude. I don't even know you. I have no opinion on how you do your job. GRAVEYARD GUY: Right no. You just think I lose corpses all the time. Think I'm just dropping them under the couch. YOU: I didn't say that! <%= display("graveyardguy4") %>

YOU: ...Sorry? I didn't mean– <%= display("graveyardguy4") %>

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")) === 300) { %> **<a href="javascript:newgame()" data-passage="badnews0">start episode</a>** <% } %> <% if (Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) === 210) { %> **<a href="javascript:newgame()" data-passage="badnews0">start episode</a>** *continue your save file from episode 2* <% } %> <% if (!(Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) > 209)) { %> **<a href="javascript:newgame()" data-passage="badnews0">start new game</a>** *skip previous episodes and begin a new save file from here* <% } %> <% if ((Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) > 300) && (Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) < 310)) { %><%= chapterlink() %><% } %> <% if (Number(localStorage.getItem("ku_youaregreat")) > 300) { %> **<a href="javascript:newgame()" data-passage="badnews0">restart episode</a>** *your progress from this episode on will be deleted* <% } %> <% } else { %> **<%= link("start new game","badnews0") %>** *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/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/hooded.png" /></div>

### 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**, and **Cat Manning** for all the testing and help-giving. Thanks also to Emily Short and Astrid Dalmady for being wonderful lovely supportive people 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>

YOU: Agh. I feel like I'm *so close* to being able to communicate. Isn't there *anything* you can tell me about yourself? Something I can grab onto? HIM: <%= emoji("skull") %><%= emoji("coffin") %><%= emoji("fr") %><%= emoji("gun") %> YOU: France. Death. No, I know all that. But what about before? Who were you *before*? <%= display("memorial18") %>

<% portrait("kaz1") %> *(You hang up the phone and rub your face.)* KAZ: Well? YOU: Let's just say that's a no from them too. How many is cemeteries is that now? KAZ: Um... most. The only one in the city we haven't called is Pine Hills over in Scarborough. Want to take it? YOU: Sure. Might as well... *(You dial the number. A guy answers.)* GRAVEYARD GUY: Pine Hills Cemetery. YOU: Hi there. * [[I'm doing a school project on cemeteries...|graveyardguy9]] * [[I'm writing a news article about cemeteries.|graveyardguy10]] * [[Can I speak to a manager please?|graveyardguy11]]

YOU: Isn't it cramped in there? GRAVEYARD LADY: It's cozy. YOU: That's not the first adjective I'd choose. GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh, come now. They're designed to fit a body after all. YOU: A very stationary body. Don't you toss and turn? <%= display("graveyardguy23") %>

YOU: With the door closed? GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh my yes! It is a coffin after all. YOU: And you're not worried about suffocating? GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh, there's *at least* eight hours of air in one of those things. Especially if you're not moving around. YOU: That is kind of terrifying. <%= display("graveyardguy23") %>

YOU: Aren't you afraid of being buried alive? *(She laughs.)* YOU: I mean. If there's a coffin with a body in it at a cemetery, that's kind of like the most likely thing to be buried in the ground. GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh, well I don't sleep at work, dear. My coffin is in my house. YOU: You have a coffin in your bedroom. GRAVEYARD LADY: Frees up a lot of space when you don't have a bed! You know, you should try it. YOU: Excuse me? GRAVEYARD LADY: Yes, why don't you come to the office? I've got some lovely coffins that would be *perfect* for a bright young lady like you. * [[Nooooooope.|graveyardguy24]] * [[Boy, look at the time.|graveyardguy25]]

YOU: Is it really that much better than a bed? GRAVEYARD LADY: Miles better, dear. They're perfectly designed for the human body. YOU: For *dead* human bodies. GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh, it hardly makes a difference if you're unconscious. They don't call it an "eternal rest" for nothing. YOU: That, uh... wow. <%= display("graveyardguy23") %>

YOU: What...? Why? How did you even— GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh, you spend enough time around coffins you're bound to get curious. I took one sleep and that was enough to convince me. Burned my bed the next morning. YOU: After *one* sleep? <%= display("graveyardguy23") %>

GRAVEYARD LADY: You really should come down and try it. I've got some lovely coffins that would be *perfect* for a bright young lady like you. * [[Nooooooope.|graveyardguy24]] * [[Boy, look at the time.|graveyardguy25]]

YOU: Nope! No. Uh. No, that's fine. You're, um, that's very nice but... no. GRAVEYARD LADY: Oh, you'll come around some day. *(She laugh.)* We all end up inside one eventually! <%= display("graveyardguy16") %>

YOU: Boy, look at the time. I've really got to... go... But um. Thank you? GRAVEYARD LADY: Any time, dear. And just remember, there's a always a coffin here with your name on it! <%= display("graveyardguy16") %>

YOU: Well, I don't know... I'm sure she had a lot to worry about... GRAVEYARD GUY: Oh sure, *she* had a lot to worry about. It's always everyone but me. Why should anyone care about the lowly cemetery worker? YOU: Hey man, this woman lost her *mom.* Maybe a bit of compassion is in order? GRAVEYARD GUY: *I* lost my ex-mother-in-law! Doesn't that mean anything anymore?! * [[Ex-*future*-mother-in-law.|graveyardguy5]] * [[Hey, I didn't plan it.|graveyardguy7]] * [[It's not all about you.|graveyardguy6]]

YOU: Why would you have need a call? Couldn't you have just found out from like... the burial schedule or something? GRAVEYARD GUY: The "burial schedule." Do you even know the first thing about cemetery operations? YOU: Not really! That's why I called you. GRAVEYARD GUY: You know, I'm in *mourning* right now. I don't need to talk to you. I just lost my ex-mother-in-law and no one cares! * [[Ex-*future*-mother-in-law.|graveyardguy5]] * [[Hey, I didn't plan the funeral.|graveyardguy7]] * [[It's not all about you.|graveyardguy6]]

YOU: Can you tell me anything about the *history* of Pine Hills? GRAVEYARD GUY: We do have a website. YOU: No, I know-- GRAVEYARD GUY: We've been open since 1928. I'm not going to be able to summarize it all on the phone. YOU: I'm more asking about your perspective. Since you've been working there have you encountered anything of note? Like, for example, I don't know, some bones disappearing? GRAVEYARD GUY: ... YOU: ...Parts of corpses going missing? Stuff like that. <%= display("graveyardguy12") %>

YOU: Um. Have there been any instances of corpses going missing from graveyards in recent history? GRAVEYARD GUY: ... YOU: At your cemetery, or others, or... <%= display("graveyardguy12") %>

YOU: I was just wondering if there had been any incidents of missing or stolen bones at your cemetery recently? GRAVEYARD GUY: ... YOU: Say... in the last few months? <%= display("graveyardguy12") %>

YOU: What's it like running a cemetery? GRAVEYARD GUY: It's very satisfying work. YOU: Oh yeah? GRAVEYARD GUY: It has to be. Seeing as how you get no pay and basically no respect from anyone. Like if you don't enjoy it, you shouldn't get into it. ...You're not looking to enter the field, are you? YOU: Um, no. GRAVEYARD GUY: Good. Because I can tell you're not cut out for it. YOU: That's a rude thing to say, but okay. Has anything weird ever happened around here? GRAVEYARD GUY: It's not really that weird a place. YOU: Well like for example, have you ever had something... unexplained happen? Say some bones going missing or something? GRAVEYARD GUY: ... YOU: Hello? <%= display("graveyardguy12") %>