"Juls?" Kent's voice resonates through the apartment. "Juls?!" Five seconds later, he's in my doorway, his chest heaving, backpack on, and shoes and coat still on. "Are you okay? What's wrong? I heard you scream." He farts, and I cover my mouth and smile.

"I got in," I say softly. "I'm in, I got a spot in the Northwestern program." I'm so thrilled that tears well up in my eyes.

"You got in?" He asks, a big smile on his face, and I nod excitedly. He rushes over and gives me a ...