ce pale. "Mark, come on, man. Just

"Stay out of this, Chen. Thi

ing on his lips. "An apology, Thomps

t a thick wallet. He fumbled for a moment,

do is admit you're a failure. Admit you peaked in high

und. "Yeah, Alex. Take the money. It's

on. "Do it, Thompson!

money, then at Ma

lex said, his voice low. It wasn't a threat

Stanford acceptance letter, a thick, creamy envelope with the pres

letter. "USC, baby! Top film school! Wha

keychains, their state university pennants, their expen

ket. It was cool to the touch, made of an alloy

lion. It was small, unassuming, almost plain. A dark, metallic disc with a subtle, intricate de

ly, not flaunting i

cutting through the din for

is that? A bottle opener? S

"Ew, is that from some weird club? Like, a Dungeon

medallion, so significant to Alex, was

ghing faces. He almost s