On Vienna’s last day of senior year, her mother called once, twice, three times. Vienna ignored her phone each time. When the final bell rang, she stayed in her seat, allowing everyone else to clamor out into the halls ahead of her. She packed her books slowly and, as crumpled paper balls flew past the open classroom door, she ensured that her own papers were kept safe.

Her English teacher was already busy at his computer, not paying attention to her. Vienna stared down at her desk, a place she had frequented for the past nine months, and waited for something to untether her from it. She finally looked through the voicemails her mom had left. Why couldn’t her mom just text? All of them were to ask Vienna what she wanted for her big “end of high school” dinner, and to ask Vienna to think about the position she had been offered. Vienna deleted each voice mail, knowing she wouldn’t be able to avoid this conversation once she reached home.

When the noise outside in the hall had settled, Vienna got up. She wanted to say something to her teacher, whether that be to wish him a good summer or to ask why she failed that paper quarters ago. She needed some kind of response or acknowledgement from someone. Instead, she quietly ducked out the door.

With most of the student body gone, some of them for the final time, the empty halls were ghostlike and depressing. One of the few remaining artifacts of the seniors was a poster next to the sports team trophy cases, listing seniors who won honors achievements. Vienna brushed by her name. It couldn’t do her much good now. She didn’t have much in common with the others on the list, anyway.

Vienna shifted her body toward the wall as a pair of freshmen walked by. Her phone lit up with a text from her sister Gwen.

i’m abt to leave w/o u.

Vienna heaved a sigh and hurried through the school’s front doors, not looking back.

In the parking lot, Gwen was drumming her fingers on the wheel of her car. Though younger than Vienna, she had gotten her license faster. Vienna hardly drove when she could avoid it. The amount of control it gave her was uncomfortable.

“Finally,” Gwen groaned. “Let’s go.” Vienna barely got into the backseat before Gwen took off, beeping her horn at the traffic leading out of the school. A guy was in the passenger seat; he turned around to greet Vienna with a wave. “Hey, I’m Levi.”

Vienna nodded at him, trying to be dismissive. She had never met Gwen’s boyfriend, but had heard enough.

Still, the plights of a former senior seemed to interest Levi. “Where are you going for college?”

Under the eyes of a stranger, Vienna felt younger than she should. Everything about her, whether it be her slouching posture or her habit of picking her nails, contributed to it. She didn’t feel mature or ready to take on the world. Sometimes, it felt like she was the only one.

“A school of business.” Even at this point, she hadn’t given it much thought. She was now untethered. Everyone else had safely secured themselves, while she had been too slow, and was now drifting aimlessly in the wind.

She hoped Levi wouldn’t bring up the obvious thing, and he didn’t. Gwen would have already told him everything. It was expected that Vienna would be interested in business; her parents ran an app development company. Every so often, they approached her to ask if she wanted to join the team. The frequency of this suggestion increased recently, when it became clear that she had no other goals for jobs. It was the proposal her mom had called about.

Vienna stared out the window, relieved that Levi didn’t try talking to her again. Instead, his and Gwen’s exchange became a blur of noise.

Gwen pulled into the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. She and Levi went inside to pick up food. Vienna once again felt too young, left behind. She fiddled with her phone, trying to appear busy even though no one was watching her.

Vienna exhaled sharply when her mom called again, but she steeled herself and picked up.

“Last day of high school!” her mom chirped. “Isn’t that exciting! I wanted to let you know that it’s still not too late…”

“I’m aware of that,” Vienna said firmly.

“I also wanted to let you know… if you’re not interested in training to be the CEO, Gwen said she is.”

Vienna’s breath caught. She gripped the phone tighter. “Did she?”

“She’s been thinking that for a while, actually. Your father and I wanted to give you the chance first because you’re older, but if you don’t want to…”

Vienna was silent.

“Anyway, Gwen’s coming into the office next week for an internship.

The world raced by on a never-ending highway. It tore through space, paying no attention to someone drifting along, untethered from the ship. The realization hit Vienna suddenly. She had nothing besides this. Nothing else interested her, she didn’t have any other skills, and she was rejecting what had been handed to her.

“Can I do something like that?” she asked quietly.

“Of course!” her mom said. “I just didn’t know you wanted to.”

She didn’t want anything. But something like this made it easier. “I think… I might want to be your successor,” Vienna mumbled.

“What was that, sweetie?”

“I… I want the job.” Vienna’s stomach clenched. “I never told you before, but I want it. I swear that I can do it, I’m not going to fail you.”

Her mom paused, and when she spoke again, her tone was cautious. “Where is this coming from?”

“I just left high school. I’ve had a moment of clarity. I just realized that… this is what I want to do.”

“This isn’t about Gwen-?”

“It’s not.” Vienna slumped in her seat. “It’s just… I didn’t allow myself to want it before. I didn’t think I deserved it. But I’ll do it.” Possessiveness had come over her. This was her family’s business, and this was destined to be her role. Gwen had other identities, but Vienna only had this. She couldn’t lose it, not even to her own sister.

Her mom seemed to be struggling to comprehend. “I… oh, sweetie, I didn’t know about this. We’ll talk more over dinner, okay?”

“Thank you.” Vienna lowered her voice. Gwen had just exited the restaurant, holding a styrofoam cup and a box of fries. Levi was still inside. Gwen leaned against the driver’s side of the car.

“Just think about it a little more,” Vienna’s mom urged.

“Okay. Be home soon.” The fact that there wasn’t anywhere else for her to go, even on her last day of high school, went unsaid between them.

Vienna hung up and dropped her phone in her lap. Her head fell into her hands. What had she done? She may have a shot at getting tethered, but that tether would also stifle her. Her whole life had led to this moment, to this choice, and now she was stuck forever. Then again, she would’ve been, anyway, no matter what.

Gwen still didn’t get into the car. Vienna watched her stare out into space. Gwen looked as if she didn’t know what to do next. After all, it was the end of her junior year, and next year was her last chance. Not that she needed any more chances, Vienna thought bitterly. But then, a wry sort of satisfaction overtook her. She sat up straighter, waiting for the moment when Gwen would turn and Vienna could look her in the eye.

Gwen would be informed that Vienna was taking the position, and then change would come. But not yet. Gwen was controlling the moment, forcing it to last forever in her own way.

Vienna sat, watching, anticipating a new reign, a time where Gwen couldn’t take control.

Any minute now.