“I’ll queue up some ideas,” I tell her retreating back.

Which isn’t a lie. I will. They just won’t necessarily have anything to do with our Twitter feud. This has to be where it ends. It was embarrassing enough when it was a tiger against an ant; it’s another thing entirely when it’s a tiger attacking a family. And as determined as Jack was not to hear me out, the truth is, I understand that—the pride. The loyalty. The ridiculous lengths you’ll go to when it comes to protecting your own.

We used to have that, once upon a time. Now, I guess, the front lines are just me and 280 characters on a phone screen.

Jack

Wolf

This. Has been. The longest day. Of my entire existence Bluebird

Oh hey look who’s alive!

Wolf

Barely, though

Wolf

Sorry I’ve been MIA

Wolf

And to answer your question: be Spider-Man. That is what I want to do with my life Wolf

But since that is a biological impossibility I have turned my attention to slightly more realistic pursuits Bluebird

Disappointing, but go on

Wolf

Honestly? What’s probably going to happen is I end up in the family business Bluebird

Maybe don’t go on. This is starting to sound like the opening to a Godfather movie Wolf

Believe me, I have made PLENTY of offers people have no problem refusing Wolf

But family business aside, I guess I like working with apps Bluebird

Like making them?

Wolf

I guess, yeah. I mean I’m obviously not a pro at it but it’s fun to tinker with Bluebird

Well? Have you made any?

Wolf

REALLY dumb things

Bluebird

Show me

Wolf

You might not like me anymore

Bluebird

Who says I like you now?

Wolf

Um OUCH

Bluebird

How about this? If you don’t show me I won’t like you anymore Wolf

That logic is cruel but sound. You asked for this Wolf

macncheeseme.com

Bluebird

Is this … is this an app for finding emergency mac and cheese Wolf

Like Spider-Man, I am only looking out for the citizens of New York Bluebird

Oh my god it says there are 203 places within a three-mile radius of me where I could get mac and cheese RIGHT NOW

Wolf

Really though is there any other reason for people to live in this city Bluebird

I AM SO OVERWHELMED

Wolf

Mac and cheese fan?

Bluebird

You should do another one of these but with cupcakes Wolf

Your feedback is noted and appreciated Bluebird

Really though, this is super cool

Wolf

Thanks. You’re like one of two people on the planet who has the access link, so be honored I guess Bluebird

WHAT? You should be sharing this shit with the world. It’s your moral responsibility Wolf

With great power …

Bluebird

Comes delicious responsibility

Bluebird

I think I’m gonna get mac and cheese, I’m not kidding Wolf

This is my legacy now, huh?

Bluebird

And hey your dreams technically didn’t NOT come true Bluebird

Since you’re posting your app on the world wide … web Bluebird

Get it?

Wolf

I’m blocking you.

Bluebird

WEBS. Like SPIDER-MAN’S!!!!

Wolf

Blocked

Bluebird doesn’t answer me for a few moments, then. I assume she’s just hustling her way out the door like I am, until I reach the 6 train platform and see another notification come in that makes my stomach drop.

Bluebird

Do you think it’s weird that the app hasn’t outed us yet?

Bluebird

Like maybe we are lab rats in this app’s experiment or something Wolf

IDK. It is weird though

Bluebird

Are we going to do something dumb like not tell each other who we are until graduation Wolf

Do you want to know?

Bluebird

Sometimes

Bluebird

You?

Wolf

Sometimes

Wolf

I feel like

Wolf

Ah sorry that sent too soon

Wolf

I don’t know. What if you think I’m someone I’m not and you’re disappointed?

Bluebird

I feel the same way

Bluebird

Just kidding. I’m embarrassingly hot. I’m actually Blake Lively Wolf

Well this is awkward because I’m sitting with her right now, so Bluebird

SHIT. Not again

Wolf

XOXO gossip wolf

I spend the rest of the ride to the Upper East Side typing and deleting messages back, wondering if I should just leave it at that or say what I want to say. The trouble is, I don’t know what I want to say. If I want us to stay in the dark, or if I want all our cards out on the table.

But if I’ve learned one thing from occasionally being too impulsive for my own good, it’s that once you open a door like that, you don’t get to close it again. Right now, Bluebird is nobody and everybody at once—but right now, Bluebird likes me. And I’m worried that in changing that first bit, the second one might change too.