The four college students walked into the professor's office. They were still wearing their party hats.
Tick, tick, tick went the clock. The students shifted from foot to foot.
One by one, they handed him their excuses. A crumpled paper. An apple core. A doodled note.
The professor read each one in silence. Tick, tick, tick. He set them gently on his desk.
Then the professor reached into his desk drawer. He pulled something out.
It was a yearbook photo — the professor himself, wearing a silly hat and holding a giant slice of pizza.
The students stared at the picture. Their eyes went wide. 'I was your age once too,' the professor said.
Arjun stepped forward. 'I'm sorry,' he said quietly. He placed his hands flat on the desk.
One by one, the other three set their excuses down too. They looked at the professor with clean eyes.
The professor nodded. He pushed the four exams toward them. 'Good luck,' he said.
At the library table, they huddled together. Pencils scratched. Pages turned.
Arjun smiled at his friends. The sun warmed the table as they studied side by side.