Jenny shakes her head. “A panel of masters students. I’m in the room for the in-person auditions. But no, I’m not involved in the initial screenings.”

“Okay,” I say. That’s why she’s so easily rejecting. She hasn’t heard his creative piece, how Reid sent a full orchestration. If she listens, she’ll get it. She’ll have to give it back. “Well, I think you should listen. Before you decide for sure.”

“I really…” She stands, picking up a stack of folders. “I can’t. Not only is that very against the rules, I have an eleven o’clock. As I said in my email, Reid can still apply for Winter Institute.” Jenny walks toward the door and shit, I am losing her. She holds the door open, like she expects me to get up and leave. “I’m sorry that coming all this way was a waste of time.”

I don’t move. I can’t move.

Jenny walks away.

I follow her. She can’t just leave. “Wait!”

“I know this is disappointing for Reid but you need to leave. Seriously, I don’t know how you got in here in the first place. The only reason I’m not calling security, quite frankly, is because you’re Aaron’s daughter.”

“It’s my fault!” The words tumble out in one breath, the words I should’ve started with. “Reid’s letter didn’t get lost. My dad is his teacher. It was delivered to my house and I hid it. I’m the reason Reid didn’t RSVP. He didn’t know he had an audition.”

Jenny holds her folders against her chest, her mouth parted, forgetting her annoyance for a second. “Why would you do that?”

“It’s a long story,” I say.

She looks at her watch. “I really do have an eleven o’clock. Wait in my office, okay?”

I exhale because it’s not over yet. The chance is still alive. “Oh my God, thank you!”

Jenny shakes her head. “Don’t thank me yet.”

She’s gone before I can thank her again.

I wait.

Text Fitz that it’s going to be a while.

And wait.

Text Henry that he’s going to have to start rehearsal this afternoon without me.

And wait.

Almost an hour later, Jenny returns with hot chocolate and croissants.

When she hands me a warm mug I… am confused.

“Only ten percent of applicants make it through the initial screening,” Jenny says, picking up where we left off. “From the in-person auditions, one in eight applicants will be accepted. I’m telling you this to emphasize how competitive this program is. And that even if your not-friend Reid Callahan gets an audition, it is by no means a guarantee that he’ll get in. But I think you know that.”

I nod.

“So please, enlighten me.”