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glanced at Jenny, a slightly quizzical look on his face. “And I’m a junior. Why does it matter?”
    Dean Dresden smiled patiently at his son. “Because sophomores have to work in pairs or small groups.”
    “But juniors and seniors don’t? That’s a weird rule.” Isaac rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “That’s a shame. It seems like Waverly would
want
its students to be creative.”
    Dean Dresden frowned. “Isaac, I’m not sure this is the right time for this.”
    “Sorry, Dad.” He crossed his arms in front of him and glanced at Jenny. “I just think that a lot of schools are so regimented, they crush creativity. And we just landed in one that ostensibly encourages it—except, for some reason, not for sophomores or freshmen.” He got to his feet and wandered over to the almost-empty bookcase, where he picked up a prism-shaped paperweight and passed it back and forth between his palms. “Just seems weird.”
    The dean wiped his hand across his face and turned to Jenny. “Jenny, what do you have to say? Besides that my son is destined for a profession in law?”
    Jenny felt her entire face turn red. “I’d say that… yes, I agree with Isaac.” She glanced at him and felt her face turn even hotter. “I think it’s really important to be able to explore our artistic interests. I’d really love the chance to do this on my own.”
    “All right, I give up.” The dean cleared his throat. “An artist is an artist. I’ll send an e-mail to your adviser and let her know I’ve approved you for an independent project. But before you go…”
    Jenny’s heart dropped. She exchanged another glance with Isaac but had to pull her eyes away quickly. His eyes were like quicksand, and she didn’t want to get caught staring at him in front of the dean. “Yes?”
    The dean grabbed two of the paint samples from his desk and held them up for Jenny to see. “Put your artistic eyes on these. Which do you think is a better color for this room?”
    Jenny bit her lip to keep from smiling and scratched her head as she made her best deep-in-thought face. “I’d say the sunflower yellow. It would look nice with the dark wood. And it’ll make everyone happy to be in here.”
    The dean nodded. “That’s what I thought, too. Not that my presence isn’t cheerful enough.” He smiled again. “I look forward to seeing your project at the end of Jan Plan. I hope it’ll be worth the wait.”
    Jenny mumbled something in reply as the dean walked her to the door. Over his shoulder, she caught a glimpse of Isaac’s electric eyes watching her. “Nice to meet you,” she said, trying to say “thank you” with her eyes.
    Isaac gave a slight smile. “You, too.”
    A chill ran down her spine as Jenny turned and marched through the empty foyer. She felt like she was floating on air, the whole glorious month stretching out in front of her like a blank canvas. She was glad she’d taken the chance of asking for the dean’s permission. He wasn’t as intimidating as she’d thought.
    And his son was even cuter close-up.
     
    Instant Message Inbox
BennyCunningham:
People are hanging out in Richards’s basement tonight. You coming?
TinsleyCarmichael:
I hadn’t heard about it.
BennyCunningham:
That’s because you and your husband are too busy cuddling to party!
TinsleyCarmichael:
Jealousy is unattractive, Benny. You’ll find a boyfriend someday.
BennyCunningham:
Don’t be a bitch! U know we just miss you. Come out!
TinsleyCarmichael:
I’ll think about it.

7
A FRIEND OF A BOYFRIEND IS A FRIEND OF AN OWL .
    B rett tightened her cropped Anna Sui military jacket around her as she squeezed past a pair of tank-size strollers outside CoffeeRoasters, the tiny coffee shop in downtown Rhinecliff, on Tuesday morning. She pushed the glass door open and stepped into the humid café, trying not to compare the dingy coffee shop to the cute SoHo bistros where she could have been breakfasting. She’d gotten back to Waverly that morning and was