“This is the changing of the guard. For the next semester, you will work alongside your prefect guides to help prepare you for the coming year.”
As a circle of red robes forms around us, I’m handed a candle and instructed to get in a circle with the other new prefects.
Everyone sings Eastbrooke’s school anthem.
Tears fill my eyes as they sing about tradition, honor, and glory; friendship, bonds, and love. All things that resonate clearly in my heart in a way they never have before.
Standing here, in a circle with my best friends, has solidified what Eastbrooke means to me. It’s love, friendship, and bonds that I pray will never break. It’s the parties, the late nights, the sneaking out, the homework, the sports, the planning, the clubs. All of those things have introduced me to a world I love. A world that, no matter what happens to me next, will always be in my heart.
I’m beaming with pride when the song finishes, then our candles are taken away and Eastbrooke prefect pins are placed on our lapels. “We proudly present you with this badge,” a prefect says. “A symbol of all that is Eastbrooke.”
Another prefect speaks to us. “The word prefect is from the Latin praeficere, meaning ‘make in front.’ The prefect tradition began here in 1948 with two male prefects. In 1967, we opened our doors to a co-ed population and were ahead of our time when we honored our first female prefect in 1969. For the last sixty-six years, students have been chosen in twos, fours, sixes, and this year, sevens, for their prowess in scholarship, leadership, and philanthropy. Tonight you join a society with only 216 members. Now, we’d like for you to meet some of those who have gathered to welcome you tonight.”
The former prefects create a receiving line. The first hand I shake is that of Regina Bosworth, prefect, 1972. Then Alfred Norman, prefect 1952, and the oldest prefect here.
We shake hands with nearly one hundred former prefects. Many whose names I recognize from Stockton’s walls, including two of its founders.
Then we’re escorted back to our dorm rooms, where I find a prefect’s polo and sweater laid on the end of my bed.
I’m wide awake after the ceremony, so I lean against my headboard and start going through all the millions of emails I’ve gotten announcing January sales at all my favorite retail stores.
I delete them and go through my spam folder.
I’m bulk deleting crap emails when one catches my eye. I quickly click it.
RE: Warren Taylor Agency script request.
Keatyn—
Sorry it took so long, but here’s the script you requested for A Day at the Beach, the working title for the remake of A Day at the Lake. Please see attachment.
Cheers.
I’m just opening the script when a notification pops up telling me I have an incoming call from Brooklyn.
I immediately answer it, praying it’s actually him.
That’s he’s overtaken Vincent and is free.
Or that Garrett found him.
I say a quick prayer then open my eyes.
To find Vincent staring back at me.
“You called yesterday?” he asks.
“Uh, yeah,” I reply. My eyes are fixed to the screen, trying to scan the background for any possible clue or indication to where he may be keeping Brooklyn.
At the same time, I’m patting the bed, searching for my phone. I have to record this.
Put your hands where I can see them,” Vincent orders.
I hold my hands up. “Why?”
“Because I need to know you’re not recording this.”
“Why, are you going to say something incriminating?”
“No, I was seeing what you wanted. You called me last night.”
“I’m coming back to Malibu. I’m ready to make the movie.”
He smiles a genuine smile, looking like the Vincent who I thought was my friend. “Really? When?”
“I’m flying in from New York on Sunday,” I lie. “Where should I meet you?”
“I think you know.”
“On the beach?”
He nods.
“I want to talk to Brooklyn.”
“I’m afraid he’s unavailable at the moment.”
“Is he alive, Vince?”
“Yes, Lacey, he’s alive. We’re just waiting for you to join us.”
I nod, end the call, and immediately open the script and read the ending.
Even though it’s late, I call Garrett.
“I just got the new script!” I tell him.
“Keatyn, what time is it there?”
“I don’t know. Late. Were you sleeping? Did I wake you?”
“I was taking a quick nap. It’s okay. What did you learn?”
“Well, first off, Vincent changed the name of the movie to A Day at the Beach. He added a bunch of special effects things that I sort of skimmed over but—have you ever seen the original?”