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talking about their hairdos.
    â€œYou know,” Brooklyn said, “don’t feel guilty about leaving the party without her. Most people would have bolted. That’s why I don’t understand why Taylor didn’t. Was she wasted or something?”
    â€œTaylor doesn’t drink or do drugs,” Simone said. “Swear to God. Taylor has always been sober as a saint.”

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    Â Â  TUESDAY, AUGUST 5            11:41 AM

    Â Â  Sage Ranch Road    •    THERMAL, CA
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    â€œYes, rehab.” The nurse repeated the news to Taylor when she returned for the second hourly checkup. “But clinically speaking, this is more than just a rehab. It’s a center for rejuvenation. You’ll see. It will transform you.”
    â€œBut I don’t drink or do drugs,” Taylor said. “You guys know that, right? There has to have been some major misunderstanding, which I’m sure we can very easily straighten out.” She pushed herself to sitting on her bed. “Now if you just let me call my assistant . . .”
    The nurse pressed her hand down on top of Taylor’s. “I’m sorry, dear. But you have here the leading specialists in the world of addiction and spiritual psychology. They will help you heal. You will get through this stage soon enough.”
    â€œStage?”
    â€œDenial,” the nurse answered unemotionally. “It’s just a stage. It will pass. Takes time. Part of the process.”
    Taylor scanned the room. She noticed a lens the size of an eyeball mounted into the corner above the door. “What’s that?”
    â€œA camera for your security. And safety.”
    â€œYou are lying!” Taylor fully expected someone to barge into her room any moment and announce she was being filmed on a hidden camera TV show. “You’re joking, right? You must be kidding me. This is not real.”
    The nurse pursed her lips, scribbling into a notebook. Taylor stood on the mattress, extended her hands toward the ceiling, and trampoline-bounced in an effort to grab the camera.
    â€œMs. Prince, I’d recommend you just lay back down. You’ve been through so much already.” The nurse looked up from her notepad. “You really need your rest.”
    â€œWith all due respect, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.” Taylor sat down. “Just let me call my mom or my assistant!”
    The nurse stared blankly back at her.
    â€œDon’t just stand there,” Taylor added. “Get me a phone so I can get this straightened out!”
    The nurse’s expression turned grim, fearful. She stepped backward toward the door and pressed the buzzer on the wall. The door unlocked. “The doctor will be right with you,” she said, opening the door and stepping out. “You can discuss this with him.”
    Taylor lunged to catch the heavy metal door before it closed, but just missed the handle before it snapped shut, the electric zap sounding as it locked. She pulled on the handle. When it didn’t budge, she yanked it harder with both hands. Taylor pounded on the door and started screaming for them to open it. Whoever was “them.”
    â€œPlease, return to bed,” a male voice said sternly from a speaker built into the wall. “The doctor will be right with you. There is no need for alarm.”
    Taylor darted toward the room’s only window and traced the outline of the square frame with her fingers looking for a latch.
    There was none.
    Taylor clutched her head in frustration, reaching for a fistful of hair. But her hands only slipped through. She pulled frantically several times, then patted and clawed all around her scalp.
    They shaved my head!

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    Â Â  TUESDAY, AUGUST 5            11:44 AM

    Â Â  Frontier Valley High School    •    TWIN OAKS, CA
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    â€œI’m sorry,” Brooklyn