I’ve refreshed the USC page on Naviance—our high school’s website for tracking college applications—a hundred times myself, so I’m not surprised that Rosie’s been doing the same.

“I hope they’re preparing a parade in honor of your acceptance,” I say, offering her a small smile as I turn to the dial on my locker.

Rosie grins. “And I hope USC is doing the same for you.”

Then we fall into an awkward silence, Rosie holding her binder closer to her chest while I sift through my locker.

When it becomes unbearable, I offer an olive branch, turning to her once I’m done gathering my things. “So, uh. Remember how I’m helping Emmitt with his photography contest? So we’ve been going to the different boroughs?”

She angles her head curiously. “Yeah. Why? Did something happen?”

I tuck a loose strand of black hair behind my ear, unable to meet her gaze. “Well... I mean, it’s kind of hard to explain. Long story short, he kissed me?”

“What?” ask a group of freshmen behind me.

I swivel around in surprise. Brighton and Christina are staring at me with wide eyes while a handful of other freshmen trail after them with their mouths open. Christina is holding out a film club folder in her hand, as if she meant to hand it to me, but my words stopped her in her tracks.

“What?” Rosie repeats at my side, her can of Pringles falling to the ground and rolling at our feet.

“Who?” ask the freshmen, pressing in around us. “Who?”

I wince. “Don’t be so loud.”

Rosie is spluttering, her face turning increasingly red. “He—he kissed—”

Kaity stops in the middle of the hallway, on her way to her locker, just a few feet down from mine. “Ezra kissed you?”

“No,” I say immediately, but my own cheeks are flushed with heat now. I can tell by the way everyone is looking at me that no one believes me. “No, it wasn’t—”

“Oh my God,” Kaity says, taking a slow step back. There’s a bright, yet wicked, look in her eye. “I’m about to win so much money.”

“Wait, but I—”

Before I can finish my sentence, Kaity turns around and heads in the opposite direction of her locker, toward the main staircase. There’s even a skip to her step.

At the same time, Christina shoves the folder at me. “Congrats, Mina!”

I gape at her. “Why are you congratulating me?”

Brighton grins. “It’s okay. We won’t tell Ezra you kiss and tell.”

“I do not kiss and tell!” I turn to Rosie in dismay, but she’s still staring at me in unadulterated shock. “Rosie, can you please tell them—”

“They’ve already left,” she says as her hand reaches out to grip my arm.

I twist my head, seeking out the freshmen, but they’ve all disappeared.