So in reality, my parents have built up a whole lot of nothing in their heads. Yes, Reid and I have super hot make-out sessions in my basement, in his car, and pretty much anywhere we can be alone. No, it has not progressed beyond second base. It’s not for lack of wanting to, at least on my end. Sometimes I get so lost in kissing Reid, I’m the one pushing the boundaries. Last night, Reid unhooked my bra for the first time in the back of his car, but not before asking, Is this okay? I nodded and kissed him, because consent is sexy. Reid’s always checking in like that and it’s kind of adorable.

But he’s also always the first to pull apart.

Before I get lost in that memory again, I palm the envelope in my hand. It’s big, like acceptance letter big, and I am dying to know.

I should not open Reid’s mail.

Absolutely not.

I open Reid’s mail.

Carefully peeling back the gold sticker, I split the envelope slowly, meticulously, so I can re-glue the seal. Reid is at a rehearsal for Districts—a regional audition-only festival—and he’s coming over tonight, but I can’t wait until tonight. I’m too excited and I need to know.

I pull the letter out of the envelope. It begins with Congratulations, and I pump my fist in the air because Reid did it, we did it. The invitation to audition is personalized, noting the unique strength of the composition portion of Reid’s application. The Melted portion. And I am just so happy for Reid I want to call him and scream, but I can’t because he’s in a closed rehearsal. He also probably wouldn’t love that I opened his mail before him. But he’ll forgive me, for sure. Because Reid got in. Well, okay, he got an audition. But he’s going to get in. He’s—

My eyes pause on the last line of the letter.

Your audition slot is Saturday, February 6th

at 3:30 p.m.

Please RSVP no later than Wednesday,

January 20th.

I’m confused. So confused.

Because February sixth is Melted. Reid wouldn’t choose an audition slot that weekend.

This must be a mistake.

Unless it’s the only weekend.

I pull my phone out of my back pocket and Google the Albany Institute’s audition calendar.

It’s bold on the home page:

ALBANY, NY, AUDITIONS: FEB 6–7

I click into the FAQ.

Time slots will be mailed to accepted students. Based on the volume of auditions, we cannot accommodate individual requests.

No.