Chapter 1
Lizzie
Professor Morrison snapped his book shut. “Don’t forget, your essays will be due the Thursday before spring break. I’ll be grading during the break so get them in on time. No extensions.”
The usual chorus of groans went up. Lizzie Wakefield closed her laptop and shoved it into her backpack.
“Wait, the Thursday before break?” someone called out. “That’s like three weeks away.”
“Three and a half. Plenty of time.” Morrison was already erasing the board. “Get started now and you won’t be stressed later.”
Chairs scraped. Bags zipped. The classroom erupted into noise.
“Oh my god, I’m leaving the week before break even starts.” That was Esther Stevens, practically bouncing as she grabbed her stuff. “I cannot wait to get out of here.”
Her friend Shauna threw her backpack over her shoulder. “Seriously? You’re going early?”
“Hell yes. Why would I stick around when I could already be on a beach?”
“Fair. My parents booked Cabo for like three weeks. I’m going for at least two.”
Lizzie stood and threaded her way toward the door where Maya was waiting, arms crossed, looking amused. “Spring break is literally four weeks away and people are losing their minds.”
“To be fair, you’re going to Vermont.”
“Okay but that’s different. That’s family obligation. These people are excited.” Maya shifted her bag. “We booked the house yesterday and my mom’s already made a spreadsheet. A spreadsheet. For a ski trip. Such a boomer move.”
Lizzie chuckled. “I doubt your mom qualifies as a boomer.”
“Whatever, she’s already in micro manager mode.”
They headed down the stairs into the cold February afternoon. Campus was starting to wake up from winter. A few brave souls sat on the grass even though it was barely fifty degrees.
“Vermont in March sounds freezing.”
“It is freezing. But my parents are convinced if we just do the same vacation we’ve done every year, we can pretend Dad didn’t come out so he could move in with Peter.” Maya’s voice flattened. “Nothing says ‘functional family’ like forced skiing with your mom, dad, and dad’s lover. And all three of your dysfunctional siblings.”
“That sucks. I’m sorry.”
“Whatever. It’s fine.” Maya shook it off. “What about you? Spring break plans?”
Lizzie adjusted her backpack straps. “Mrs. Morgenstern needs people at the bakery. I’ll probably pick up extra shifts.”
“That’s it?”
“I want to submit some essays too. Work on my novel. Honestly, I try not to think about it too much.”
“About spring break?”
“About things I can’t afford.”
Maya stopped walking. “It doesn’t have to be some crazy expensive trip. You could do something. Like a day trip to Coney Island or something.”
A voice cut through the air, high and bright and impossible to ignore. Cynthia Shaw. She was about twenty feet ahead with Emma Trusseau, walking toward the parking lot, talking loud enough for half the quad to hear.
“...and the hotel is super close to the beach, you can see the water from the room,” Cynthia said. “We went there last year. I love it so much.”
Emma laughed. “Okay but Florida in spring break? Isn’t it going to be packed?”
