“She’s fun,” he agrees after a moment. “And as far as I can tell—”

“What? Authentic? Fun? Bluntly honest?”

He just stares at me. “I was just going to say a cool chick, but wow, by all means: keep going. You’ve got it bad, dude.”

“I might have it bad.” I groan, letting myself dramatically fall into his shoulder. We resume walking once the road is clear. “But she’s into Marvyn.” Maybe?

Ming scoffs. “Marvyn’s appeal is just off-brand Haltiwanger appeal.”

“What?”

“He’s the Popsi to your Pepsi, dude. That’s why you two have all this tension. Everyone knows that.”

Ming has long since been one of the only people with whom personal space stopped being an issue. A side effect of having spent so much time together, I guess.

“You’re free now, right?” Ming asks, patting my back sympathetically. “Let’s deal with your drama in the tradition of every stylish New Yorker that’s come before us and go get our shoe on. Cab ride’s on me.”

“Can’t. I have an appointment with Mr. Vu,” I say, handing back the magazine and nodding to the glass office right ahead of us. He emailed last week to say he had an update for me, and I’m hoping it’s good news about a new Columbia interview.

As if on cue, the door opens, and Mr. Vu peeks his head out and looks down at his watch.

Does everyone always expect me to be late?

“Oh!” He smiles, spotting us. “Hello, Henri, Ming. Congratulations on Peking.”

Ming pretends to pat down his hair smugly. “Oh, that? I’d almost forgotten.”

Mr. Vu rolls his eyes and turns to me. “Well, shall we, Henri?”

His voice is soft and calm as always but maybe a bit exhausted. The bench outside his office is always crowded with anxious seniors at this time of the year, and now that I’m a senior, I get why.

“Let’s shall!” I Smile.

“Get this man to Columbia, Mr. Vu!” Ming yells, pinching my shoulder before waving us off.

Fifteen

“Take a seat,” Mr. Vu says, motioning to the chair across from his desk.

“So, were you able to line up another interview for me?” I ask eagerly.

“I’m sorry, no,” he says, and my face drops. “I did, however, take the liberty of reaching out to Ms. Kempf, to ask for a bit of insight on your meeting. I knew it was bothering you, and I thought you might like to know where she was coming from.”

And maybe it’s all the caffeine in my veins, but I can’t contain an audible “pfft” at this one.

“She loved meeting you. She agrees with me that you’re as smart and special as any other student here but . . .”

“But . . .”