On this November morning, they were visiting the local university for the annual college day celebration. Alexis had signed up for the field trip because it got her out of school for the day. She didn’t really have much interest in college. Her plan was to get a major recording contract before the age of seventeen. There were dozens of other high school buses from neighboring towns in the parking lot: Donna, McAllen, Mission, Hidalgo, and Weslaco school districts. Alexis wondered how many cute single boys were also visiting the university today. She reached for the side pocket of her backpack, where she kept her makeup. “Are you looking for a pen?” a gentle voice asked from behind her. Alexis turned to see the round face of Justin Peña. “A pen?” he repeated, turning bright red. “I’m sure you want to take lots of notes. I hear it’s very competitive to get into college nowadays.” Alexis stared at Justin as if he were speaking a foreign language.
