Sarah stood quietly, watching everyone mingle after the concert. Jill never actually said hello, but Sarah could see her over the heads of everyone else. Jill saw Sarah watching and waved and mouthed "sorry" before turning to leave. It looked like she was with her parents, and Sarah wondered if they were going out to eat too, or if they were just going straight home.

For the most part, the adults shuffled out pretty quickly, but the singers were all still riding an adrenaline high and were happy to chat and laugh with friends while they could. Finn was talking to one of the few adults still in the room, a dad or something. The older man was asking him about the football team, and what Finn knew about the new sophomores on next year's team.

Sarah was just considering whether she could sit down and pull out her novel when she felt an arm wrap around her elbow, pulling her toward a side door.

"I need to go to the bathroom," chirped Bri right in Sarah's ear. "Come with us."

"I'm, what?" stuttered Sarah. She had immediately tensed up at the touch and pulled back against Bri, but she did relax a little when she realized that Alexa was moving in the same direction. Bri and Sarah followed Alexa's big curly hair as it bobbed past the chatting students still filling the auditorium aisles.

Out the doors, around a corner, and they were at a restroom. Alexa took a stall, but Bri just turned to Sarah, holding both her arms.

"So, what's with you and Finn?" said Bri. Sarah already knew Bri liked Finn, and had expected the other girl to be upset. Instead, Bri sounded enthusiastic, she sounded like she was smiling, even though her face was still.

"Nothing," said Sarah. "I mean, we were in the hospital, so I guess he feels attached? Plus it's really his fault I had my first seizure, so maybe he feels guilty. He just sorta invited himself to drive me tonight too."

"But he likes you?" Bri's eyes were wide, and there was a hint of a smile at the edges of her lips.

"No? Yes? I don't know," whispered Sarah. "I'd rather he didn't. He's kinda annoying."

"He's cute!" exclaimed Bri. Bri had frowned suddenly when Sarah called Finn annoying.

"I guess," said Sarah.

"So you really don't mind if I go for it?" asked Bri, smiling again.

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"I thought you were already going for it," said Sarah.

"Sarah, he's cute and he's a star and he's smart," said Bri. She trailed off, blushing. "I tried last year, but we kinda all decided he was gay or something. I mean, a boy like him and he's never seemed interested in anyone. But he's got a crush on you, so there's a chance."

"He doesn't have a crush on me," said Sarah.

Giggling erupted from the stall. "He's got it bad, but don't worry, we'll protect you," said Alexa.

"Yup," agreed Bri. "I never would have guessed he was just awkward. Guy like him..."

Sarah was blushing now. "I should tell you, he invited himself to Alexa and our study thing on Saturday. I probably should have said no."

"It's fine," said Bri. "I'd say to let him down easy, but you might need to be blunt. Don't worry, I'll be there to catch him."

"Oh, hey, Bri," said Alexa. "You did that urban exploration photography thing last year, right? Sarah was talking about a painting thing she wanted to try, and she was looking for something a little apocalyptic. Like an old abandoned factory or courtyard or something. Like all cement and steel with maybe a few weeds, and nothing that looks like a person has seen it in years."

"Ooh! I know lots of places," said Bri. "What did you have in mind?"

"I don't know," said Sarah. She glanced at Alexa, trying to hide her blank thoughts. She didn't really paint, just sketch sometimes, and Urbex really wasn't her thing.

"Well, if you want something really cramped and drippy, the old steel plant has some really dramatic stuff. It's hard to get into though, there's a guard there most days. You could try the old state hospital too, it's creepy, and there are lots of long straight hallways and little cubby rooms. It's pretty empty though, so you'll just have peeling plaster and old linoleum to work with. Or maybe try the yards on the west side of town, there are a couple of really big warehouses that are falling down. They're pretty empty too, but the broken roofs made for really dramatic lighting inside. And no one is ever around on weekends, at least they weren't when I was over there."

"Ok," said Sarah.

"That sounds great," said Alexa. "How long were you in jail for trespassing last time?"

"Thppt." Bri blew a raspberry at Alexa before turning to the mirror. She pulled the elastic out of her hair and was running her fingers through it to smooth everything back down. "They didn't even call my parents, just told me to take off."

Sarah got into her bag and handed Bri her hairbrush. "You're amazing," said Bri.

"Listen," she continued. "Don't worry about Finn tonight, or even this week. Just be nice, and keep being oblivious."

"I'm not oblivious," protested Sarah.

"I'll take care of him if I have to sit on his lap," she said. Bri had worked out a few tangles and was putting her hair back into a high ponytail that lifted her hair off her neck. She handed the brush back to Sarah, who absentmindedly dropped it into the open mouth of her purse.

"Well, all right then," said Alexa. "Shall we? Unless Sarah wants to talk about whoever it is you do like? We've got tips and would love to help."

Sarah's face went beet red, right up to her hairline, and she started edging towards the door. The two girls giggled and followed her, taking an arm on each side as they skipped back to the auditorium.