Chapter 2

The roses ended up in Jim's hands.

I turned, dazed.

My brother lit up. "Lena! How did you know I love bluish-purple?"

Then he tossed me a light little arch of the brow.

A smug curl at the corner of his mouth.

"We're going to be at the same school, after all. I should know what you like, shouldn't I?"

Mom beamed. "That's right, it's not every day two of you get into the same university, and a good state school at that. From here on you'll have to look out for each other."

"Lena." I couldn't stop myself from stepping forward. "Didn't you see the messages I sent you?"

Elena blinked. "Oh. Winters up north are cold, sure, but you're not the one going to school there. Why are you worrying about that?"

My shoulders sagged.

I knew.

She hadn't read them.

The day my MIT acceptance letter came, I sent her more than twenty messages, giddy.

Only the last one mentioned worrying about the cold northern winters.

That I might not get used to it.

She'd only seen the last line.

No.

She hadn't even opened the chat.

She'd just glanced at the last message showing in the preview.

"Lena, we may be at the same school now, but don't you go forgetting my brother because of it!"

Jim came up smiling and slung an arm around her shoulders. "You two were classmates for years, walking to school and back together.

"So what if my brother didn't get into a good school? You can't just look down on him for it!"

Elena laughed.

That I was in love with her, Elena.

There was no way she didn't know.

Nobody sits in front of a fire and fails to feel the heat.

"What does he have to do with me?"

Elena flicked a careless glance at me.

Then turned and walked off.

Jim froze for a second.

The smile spread into something smug.

He shot me a look.

And turned and walked off too.

Jim and Elena huddled together, talking about something.

My sister was busy telling her friends how impressive her little brother was.

Only I sat in the corner.

Staring blankly at the orange juice in front of me.

I went to the restroom and came back out.

Mom and Dad were speaking to a guest, all deference. "Professor Thomas.

"This is our younger son. His name is Jim Delgado.

"We've focused on developing his mind for science and engineering since he was small.

"This boy won silver in a physics competition back in high school. He's very passionate about physics.

"Professor Thomas, you said you were still looking for a final protege. We promise you, Jim will not disappoint you!"

Dad nodded gravely. "That's right, Professor Thomas. I'd stake twenty years of my business reputation on it."

I stood a little way off, gripping my cup.

Watching my parents' devout faces.

The two of them, who out in the world always kept their chins tipped up.

Right now, in front of this Professor Thomas, their smiles were close to fawning.

All to get my brother recommended.

The head of a publicly listed company.

A designer well known in her field.

Both of them willing to bow low in front of Professor Thomas.

Professor Thomas smiled. "Of course I trust the two of you, and I trust this boy's ability even more.

"But if I don't come across that physics prodigy, then yes, I'll take him."