n hit me as I stepped off th

ts and missed ca

aren't you

but it's not like that. We're

that place we always talked about

you still mad? I did it all f

ut those fancy universities? Stat

h the messages, f

ng, trying to explain it away on his own terms.

to our old university – that wo

a was a f

e!" My mom's cheerful voice rang out

ompany expanded on the West Coas

way from the window

and a warm, app

de Jesus," he extended his han

my luggage, he'd effortlessly

u remember my old colleague? He's doing his PhD at Stanford now.

miled, a genuin

hing but praise, says you're incredibly smart. I'm

photos – their "spontaneous" road trips and "budget-friendly" getawa

plexities of Stanford's administrative processes, explored th

lways helpful without being pushy,

ll my enrollm

st life needed handling:

for me, a final,

d Augustus accompany me back to our ol

ng arm, or a level head,

in my old neighborhood, when a famil

es, usually so sparkling,

h!" She rushed forward, enveloping me in a tight hug, t

ght. Jonah and Anisa are out,

my discomfort, gave my arm a gentle

romised – subdu

"I just don't understand Jonah. Turnin

too, Claire. That you two would go to State together

li

mother. Or maybe, he d

believed I wo

gan, "I didn't tu

ain on her face. Then, slo

I didn't know." Her gaze softened. "Well, g

nce. After we left, Augustus and I walked back to my e

exposed, hung heavy i