“We’re filming Sofia and Linli’s love confession,” I say, pointing at the scene in the script. “We always start filming off with a high, to set the tone for the film.”

Emmitt nods, his eyes trailing over the page.

“You’re not in this scene,” I say, raising a brow.

“I know,” he says, leaning an elbow against my desk. “But Mum and I would read the script thoroughly front to back anyway. She said it was good to know the weight of every scene, whether I was in them or not.”

I file that away in the back of my head. It’s the first time he’s spoken of his mother without resentment coloring his tone. “How did your meetings go yesterday?”

“Well enough,” he says, but he starts tugging his earrings. “I would’ve rather been here.”

“You’d rather be at high school?” I ask, slightly incredulous.

Emmitt tilts his head. “High school has you,” he says, as if it’s that simple.

I stare at him, unsure how literally to take that. Emmitt is always flirtatious by nature, so it’s difficult to parse out the true meaning of his words.

“Whatever you say,” I eventually reply. “Is it nice seeing your mom again? It’s been a few weeks, hasn’t it?”

“It’s always nice at first.” Emmitt taps his fingers against my desk, an offbeat rhythm I can’t quite predict. “Mum, for all her flaws, is a really lovely person. But I hate being micromanaged. It feels like I can’t breathe without her watching me over my shoulder, telling me to tuck in my shirt or smooth down my collar.”

I frown. “I’m sorry,” I say, because there isn’t really anything else to say. “At least she let you come back to school today?”

“Barely,” Emmitt says, shaking his head. “I have to figure out an excuse for tomorrow evening. If she finds out what I’m actually doing...” He draws his thumb across his throat in the gesture for death.

“You could use the lie I tell my parents,” I offer, nudging his arm. “School projects are of the utmost importance.”

Emmitt snorts, nudging me back. “I can hear Mum’s voice in my head already.” He pitches his voice higher. “You’re not there to study, you’re there to learn! Yes, those are two different things, Yangyang! You know what—you’ve already been there for a few weeks. Surely, you’ve learned enough about NYC high school students by now. Maybe we should take it off your calendar. Can you pass me my agenda?” He makes a face, wrinkling his nose. “Yeah, no, I’ll need a better excuse.”

I pause, smiling despite myself. “I know this isn’t the point but...young?”