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PLAYLIST

“Bust Your Windows” by Jazmine Sullivan

“Mad Woman” by Taylor Swift

“Wildflowers” by Tom Petty

“Feeling Good” by Nina Simone

“killing boys” by Halsey

“Adore You” by Harry Styles

“Beyond” by Leon Bridges

“Jackie and Wilson” by Hozier

PROLOGUE

“What’s wrong?” I ask Or try to ask Only my throat is sore and dry, soseems to help “Mom?”

She wipes away the tears in a rush “Sweetheart”

Everything in the strange white roo to clearon a s with an array of , dull, horrible ache What the hell happened?

“You were in an accident,” says Dad, answering the question I hadn’t yet asked He rises from a chair in the corner of the room “Do you remember?”

Before I can answer, Mom’s there with her tre You keep going back to sleep”

None of this makes sense “What”

“The doctor told us that we have to ask you how you’re feeling and what you can remember,” she says

“W-wait,” I stutter “Where’s Ryan?”

They share a worried glance

“What’s going on?” I ask

“What do you ree of the bed “How do you feel?”

“Can you ers and toes?” asks Dad

“I feel confused and frustrated” I stop to s again Still not helping “But yes, ers and toes are fine”

Mom rushes to fetch a plastic cup full of water with a straw sticking out for me I try to take it slow, try to just sip it, but it tastes so good

“I don’t remember an accident,” I admit once I’m finished

“Another car hit you and you lost control”