THEO:Hey, did you hear Allen White from Dartmouth just got busted for running a Ponzi scheme? Isn’t that crazy?
BRYAN:You will not distract me with college gossip. We know how you feel about Hannah.
THEO:Friendship feelings. Manager feelings.
BRYAN:Is that what the kids are calling it these days?
THEO:Don’t make this a thing, Bry. I’m already having a rough morning.
BRYAN:Because the girl you like went out with another guy?
THEO:Because if I don’t come up with a brilliant plan to patch them back together, I’m afraid my band is going to implode.
BRYAN:I rescind my earlier encouragement.
BRYAN:T? You still there?
Chapter 43
Theo
Saturday, October 19, 2024
We’re here,” I say, spinning the steering wheel and pulling the van into a well-lit parking lot packed with beat-up, bumper-sticker-covered cars. A large auditorium glows in the distance.“You guys can open your eyes now.”
For a million reasons, this is probably a terrible idea. But that seems to be all I’m made of lately.
The Saints uncover their eyes. Ripper leans in from the back seat to peer out the windshield. “Are we at a . . . school?”
“Not just any school,” I say, watching Hannah. She blinks a few times in the passenger seat, then gasps.
“This ismyschool!” She twists to me. “But why?”
“Not just your school.” I’m having fun with this. “Your school on the night of the Fall Bash.”
Her hands fly to her mouth. I’d hoped for enthusiasm, but this is almost disturbing. “Don’t tell me . . . ”
“That’s right. The Future Saints are playing the school dance. Welcome back to Bonita Vista High.”
Hannah cackles in a way I find unnerving.
Ripper scratches his head. “You want us to play a high school party? Are we that hard up these days?”
“Of course not,” I say. Kenny is still sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed in the back seat. “Ken, what are you doing?”
“Appreciating the moment,” he says in a zen voice. “No one argued or talked about theNew York Timesthe whole car ride.”
I reach back and clap him on the shoulder, then turn to Rip. “Listen. Tonight’s about having fun. There’s no pressure to sell tickets or manage a crew. No worrying about how you’re going to get reviewed. Just some amps and a whole ton of teen spirit.”
Ripper shrugs, which I decide to take as a ringing endorsement of my plan.
Hannah looks at me with wide eyes. “You actually got Principal Herrera to agree to let me back inside?”
I frown. “See, when you say things like that, you worry me. I arranged it with the student council. They’re in charge of the dance, and they were thrilled. I assume the principal gave his okay.”
Hannah’s eyes grow wider.
“The students really wanted you,” I say. “Apparently they love you on TikTok.”
