chapter 35

good girl!

The Goon Squad sat inside the tree fort on the edge of Gordo’s property, sweating from their phone heist and frantic escape from the shack. The tree fort was their hangout, and inside it the walls were plastered with street signs and posters, including one of New York Yankees’ Thurman Munson and a popular ’70s’ swimsuit model named Farah Fawcett. 

Mazz held Stevie’s phone gingerly in the palm of his hand like it was a time bomb. Gordo and Quiet Cal hovered over his shoulder, gazing at the home screen that, to them, looked like it had come straight out of Star Wars. Mazz slowly read off the names of the apps in bewilderment. “Insta…gram, Snap Chat, Spahd-if-fee . . . what are these things?” 

“How about the one that says ‘Music,’ ya dope?” Gordo said. “Turn that one on.” 

“How?” Quiet Cal reached over Mazz’s shoulder and tapped the icon in the shape of a music note. Stevie’s playlist appeared on the screen. 

“Woah,” Gordo exclaimed. “Did you see that? The whole thing just changed!” 

“What are all these?” Mazz said, pointing at the list of artists’ names. “Bee-yonk, Rye-hannah, Drake, Kenny Cheese- knee? They sound like snacks you’d put in your lunch box, not music.” 

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