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Neil places a hand on Sean’s shoulder. My kingdom for more guys who can express physical affection without needing to justify their masculinity afterward. “Still on for Beth’s Café before graduation?”
“Absolutely. I never miss Beth’s,” he says. “Godspeed to you both.”
“Quad life,” Neil says.
“Quad life!” Sean replies with a whoop, and I experience such extreme secondhand embarrassment that I might burst into flames. Then the two of them exchange a brief but complex handshake before Sean leads us out into the daylight.
* * *
We knock out some of the easy clues as we drive downtown—yeti ice cream at Molly Moon’s, a display of Washington-grown apples at a corner market (something local, organic, and sustainable).
On our way to the Seattle Public Library, Neil tells me more about the Quad. He and Sean were best friends most of elementary school, and same with Adrian and Cyrus at a private school. Sean and Adrian used to be neighbors, so by middle school, the four of them were spending time together pretty regularly. Neil even goes to Sean’s family reunions every year.
The conversation feels weirdly natural. Somehow, Neil and I are getting along, which necessitates a mental reminder that I’m going to destroy him at the end of this. That was the whole reason we teamed up.
I get lucky with downtown parking, and I can’t help admiring the building as we head inside the library. It’s an architectural marvel, geometric shapes and bright colors and displays of public art. And it’s always busy. There’s an awkward moment on the main level with Chantal Okafor and the Kristens, where we clutch at our armbands, but when no one lunges for anyone else, we all exhale in relief. Then Chantal lifts her brows and looks pointedly at McNair. All I can do is shrug, since there isn’t enough time to explain.
“It’s—really red,” Neil says when we get to the Red Hall on the fourth floor. The shiny curved walls make it feel like we’re inside someone’s cardiovascular system.
“Any other insightful observations?”
“That whoever designed this was probably a little sadistic?”
We submit our photos before our phones buzz with another Howl update.
TOP 5
Neil McNair: 10
Rowan Roth: 10
Iris Zhou: 6
Mara Pompetti: 5
Brady Becker: 4
“Wow,” I say. “We pulled way ahead.”
“Naturally,” Neil says, but he’s clearly pleased.
With the library clue conquered, I can’t get what Sean said earlier out of my head. He’s not the most forthcoming about his personal life.
“Do you… usually go to Sean’s house?” I ask, trying to sound casual as we retrace our path through the Red Hall.
“As opposed to…?”
“I, um, saw them earlier, Sean and Adrian and Cyrus, before the game started. They said you’d had a family emergency and that they hadn’t been to your house in a while. They’re your best friends, so I didn’t get it, I guess.”
McNair’s quiet for a few moments. “Doesn’t… everyone have their secrets?” he says finally, flatly. His tone isn’t cruel, but it’s not exactly warm either.
Just when I think we’re making some progress, beginning to open up to each other, he shuts it down. Except—something’s wrong. His face has gone ashen, and he has a hand against the wall, as though he can’t remain steady without it.
“Hey. Are you okay?”
“I’m—not feeling great,” he says as he sways, pressing his head into his elbow. “Dizzy.”
“All the red?” I ask, and he nods. He looks miserable. Some instinct I wasn’t wholly aware of kicks in. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”
