“It’s fine,” he says, running a hand nervously through his hair and straightening his tie. I try to hide my smile, thinking about how my first few days here I was so concerned about what I looked like, and now it doesn’t even cross my mind.

“Sit,” Professor Lutkiss says, gesturing to one of the chairs across from the desk in his office.

I sit down and wipe my palms on my pants.

“I’ve had a chance to look over your project,” he says, laying out my pictures on the desk. For my project on where I am in my life, I’ve taken a picture of a broken magnifying glass lying on the steps outside the library, a guy and a girl walking away from each other on their way to class, and a picture of Drew, sleeping on the couch, his face covered by his arm, looking peaceful. The one of Drew is in black and white, except for his shirt, which I’ve colored blue. I hesitated about putting in the picture of Drew, but I wanted my project to be honest. Besides, it was a practice picture I took a long time ago, so it wasn’t like I was stalking him down.

“Okay,” I say, not sure if I’m supposed to say something.

“I think you have great potential,” Professor Lutkiss says. “And I’d like to invite you to apply for the program. But only if you feel you’re one hundred percent committed.”

“I am,” I say. “I’m positive.”

“It’s not going to be easy, Ally,” he warns me. “And there’s no guarantee you’ll actually get in.”

I nod seriously. I totally expected this. I mean, if it were easy, you wouldn’t have to be invited, right?

“I think you have a lot of raw talent, but that can only take you so far. You have a lot to learn as far as technique, and you’ll have to commit yourself to doing that.”

“I will,” I say, nodding to show that I recognized the seriousness of the situation.

“And please, please understand that you may have to resubmit your portfolio a few times before you’re accepted.”

“I understand,” I say, nodding again, and trying not to freak out. YAY, YAY, YAY!

“That’s great,” Professor Lutkiss says. He stands up and shakes my hand. “You can get the application from my secretary.”

“Thank you so much,” I say, picking up my bag. That’s it? I was expecting something a little more intense—hard questions that would leave me sweating and involved critiques of my pictures. I guess it’s all dependent on my portfolio now, and how good it is. Which I’m kind of nervous about. But still! I got invited to apply!