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Her fingers trembled as she held her phone. He…needed her? How was she supposed to respond to that?

Changing the subject seemed like the best option.

Come hang out with us at State and watch Tyler cream everyone.

Does “us” include Calvin?

Yes, he and Melanie are a package deal these days.

Eye roll

He’s gotten…better. Not as much of an ass hat.

He will always be an ass hat

Rory laughed at that, shaking her head as she watched Jay’s typing bubble bob on her screen.

State is too far away. I can’t wait that long. Come visit me next weekend.

Rory sucked in a breath. Could she do that? She closed her eyes and tried to picture the paper calendar hanging in the kitchen downstairs, suddenly remembering the soccer game.

Can’t, soccer. When will you be home next?

Thanksgiving. We’re supposed to travel and see Abuelita. But maybe I’ll come early and surprise you. ;)

It’s not exactly a surprise if you tell me about it, you know

Okay but you don’t know HOW I’ll surprise you. It’ll be epic.

Her phone dinged again, but this time, a different banner popped up at the top of her phone. It was from Tyler. She tapped it immediately.

Doom-scrolling again, Ry? I see those lights on. Go to bed.

Rory smiled, sitting up in her bed and glancing out the window. Tyler’s room was across from hers, their windows facing one another. His room was also dark, but she saw the brightness of a phone screen through his open curtains.

She leaned back and texted.

I’m not doom-scrolling. I’m happy-scrolling.

It was a lie. But what Tyler didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. Right?

No such thing. All social media is doomed.

Cynic. I actually love watching girls show off their fake lives on Instagram.

Sounds like the definition of hell.

She shook her head, wondering what he was doing up. He was usually adamant about going to bed on time. Tyler was notorious for being grumpy if he didn’t get enough sleep, and he hated being on his phone. Yet here he was, laying in his own bed, also texting.

Her stomach turned. Maybe he wasn’t just texting her. Her fingers flew over the keyboard.

What are YOU doing up so late?

Making sure you’re not doom-scrolling

I smell a lie

I smell doom-scrolling