The car was black, and the driver said nothing and I sat in the back and watched the city move past the window. My graduation gown was still on. I hadn't thought to take it off.
My phone buzzed against my leg.
I pulled it out. An email notification from the Chen Studio application portal. I had been checking it for three months. Every few days, sometimes more, always the same blank status page telling me my application was under review.
I opened it.
Thank you for your application to Chen Studio. After careful review, we regret to inform you that your submission did not progress past the vetting stage. We encourage you to reapply in the future.
I read it twice.
Then I put the phone face down on my knee and looked out the window.
I had started building that portfolio in my first year.
