Chapter 4: The Key

"Name one," I said.

He didn't even hesitate.

"Being left behind."

Then he walked back to the SUV and drove away.

My mom pulled up beside me with the heater blasting.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing true," I said, and got in.

By June, Connor and Kayleigh were on the evening news.

Channel 8 did a whole segment. "Linden Falls Teens Headed to Westmere With a Startup Already in Hand."

They sat on Connor's porch swing while a reporter asked them questions.

Behind them was a banner with a new owl on it.

It was stiff and flat.

"We've always known we'd build something together," Kayleigh said. "Just the two of us, since we were little."

My mom turned off the TV.

"Just the two of them," she said. "I used to pack your lunches for all three."

The graduation party was two weeks later.

Diane Merrick had invited every family on our street, and mine was on our street.

"You don't have to go," my mom said.

"I have to give something back."

The Merrick backyard had white lanterns strung over a rented dance floor.

A table held a cake shaped like a Westmere pennant.

People went quiet when I walked through the gate.

Then they got loud again, trying too hard.

I found Connor by the drinks, with Kayleigh tucked against his side.

She wore his varsity jacket over her sundress.

Diane tapped a glass with a fork before I reached them.

"Everyone! Just a quick toast."

She stood on the patio step in a white linen dress.