THE SUN BAKES INTO HER FOREHEAD AND THE MAKEUP SEPARATES FROM HER SKIN, SITTING JUST ON TOP NOW IN THE HARSH MID-DAY VALLEY HEAT, LIKE A MASK. SISTER, STUDENT, DAUGHTER, INDIVIDUAL. HER CHOICE TODAY. HE LAUGHS AT HER AND HE DOESN'T KNOW WHY-SHE MAKES HIM NERVOUS. SHE'S BEAUTIFUL TOO. THE LOCKER SLAMS SHUT, SHE SCRAMBLES THE COMBINATION, AND THE SPOTLIGHT BLARES INTO HER RETINA. SHE GETS INTO HER GOLD CAR — IT STARTS. CRUMBS ALL OVER THE CLOTH SEATS, DOOR CREAKS. HE TURNS IT UP, LOVES THIS SONG. LOTS OF BASS. GOING TO THE BIRTHDAY PARTY, WE'RE NOT THAT CLOSE ANYMORE. WALKING ALONG PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, WALKING PRETTY FAR THIS TIME. School wasn't easy and summer's finally over: Sweet fucking renewal. COLD SODA IN HAND. FEELS LIKE HEAVEN. SO HOT OUT. NIGHTCLUB. POLO SHIRT. LIMO DRIVER. EXERCISE.