He smiles at me, reaching forward to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I hope it’s a good one.”

It’s not the worst one, I decide. It’s not the best by any means, but there are people who are trying, who care enough to wish me well and give me gifts, and that counts for something.

And next year will be better.

During film club that afternoon, I sit and watch the actors run lines. Linli and Sofia are Charlie and Vivienne, and have incredible chemistry from years of being best friends. They work off each other in ways that resonate even more strongly through a camera.

As they’re rehearsing the first scene, Rosie directs their body language and expressions. Grant is framing the shot, messing around with different lighting options. I think if his dad saw him, he’d be proud. On a better day, I might voice the thought aloud.

Instead I sit at my desk, glancing between the actresses and the script. Linli is known for her improvisation, and I want to make sure I catch any instances she ad-libs that work better than the actual scripted lines. I’m of the firm belief that a screenplay is adjustable if an actor has a better way to bring the scene to life, evoking the right emotion.

Emmitt’s scenes aren’t being rehearsed today, so he comes to sit beside me, though he leans against the edge of the desk rather than properly situating himself in a seat. “Hey.”

I don’t look up from the script, my head tilted as I listen to Linli and Sofia. “Hi.”

“What are you doing after the meeting?”

I glance briefly to the side, taking in his hesitant expression. “Why?”

He shrugs in a blasé manner. “Just because.”

I turn back to my script, making a small note. “Oh. Well. Going home, I guess,” I say, though I’m already exhausted at the thought.

Emmitt wraps his fingers around my arm, halting my pen, his thumb pressing against my pulse. “Can you spare me half an hour?”

For a brief moment, I consider saying no. I don’t know if I have the energy to deal with people.

But the thought of dealing with my parents is so much worse.

“Yeah,” I say, nodding slowly. “Sure.”

Emmitt squeezes my wrist, his fingers warm against my skin, contrasting the cold metal of his rings. “I’ll be right back.”

I watch as he walks over to Rosie, ducking so he can whisper something in her hair. Rosie falters for a moment, cocking her head as she listens to him, before her face brightens.

“Lin, Sof, come here for a second,” she says, waving them over. Both of them falter midscene, but oblige. “Kaity, you too!”

Meanwhile, Emmitt goes over to Grant, bumping fists before he starts speaking again in a hushed tone.