I’m looking out my window into the hallway, still processing everything my mom and I talked about. I’m watching everyone walk up and down the hall. Joey waves every time he passes. I hate how such a small gesture makes me feel so giddy.

By now I recognize everyone who walks by. The woman in scrubs with a completely bald head. Like, not even cut short, but just bald. She’s beautiful. The man whose lab coat has an ink stain on the pocket. I wonder if he’s washed the coat and the stain won’t come out, or if he hasn’t washed it yet, or maybe he just keeps getting the same ink stain on every single lab coat he owns. The woman with the bright dragon tattoo on her forearm. I’ve named the dragon Spike.

The room across the hall is still empty, and I hope it stays that way.

But now I see someone I don’t recognize at first. It’s a teenage girl, and she’s got her phone out, clearly taking selfies. She’s trying to subtly practice looking nervous or scared, her hand to her mouth, her eyes open wide. She taps her screen, doesn’t like what she sees, and tries another pose, this time with her hand on the side of her face. She seems to like this one better, so she keeps walking. Until she stops right outside our room. She looks up, checking the number on the door, then sees me and jumps.

That’s when I recognize her.

Kelsey is here.