I couldn't help gushing, "Brandon, that's incredible! Our university should do a whole spread on you! You're making the alumni look good!"

It hit me that Richard used to be the golden boy in all the alumni magazines. Even now, years after graduation, he still had students who worshipped him.

Maybe he was always meant to be that unreachable star.

"Is this dinner to celebrate Brandon's big MS move?" Aurora asked between bites.

"You got it." ...