Exchange - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I knew it was probably the only copy in town. After a moment of hesitation, I asked, “Hey, could I borrow that when you’re done?”

I braced myself for rejection. Most guys were hostile now that I wasn’t pretty, like my appearance was some kind of personal offense. But this guy just smiled, revealing a cute set of canines.

“It’s actually for my dad. He’s the head of the math department at UCLA. You’re from Southwood High? You like math?”

I nodded. His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Give me your number. I’ll let you know when he’s finished.”

I scribbled my name and number on a sticky note. He grinned. “So, you’ll be here all night?”

I pointed to my spot by the shelves, where my copy of Set Theory and the Continuum Hypothesis lay open, and nodded again. He picked up my notebook, flipped through it, and his jaw dropped.

“Whoa… are you… are you working on Szemerédi’s theorem? That’s what my dad’s PhD students are researching! He said his biggest wish is to see it proven before he dies! No one’s been able to crack it since the ‘70s! My dad’s been working on it for almost thirty years, and he’s barely made a dent. Are you… seriously a high school student? You’re a legend!”

I blushed. After years of being treated like an idiot, this was a new and strangely satisfying experience. Before I could respond, he snapped my notebook shut and started dragging me towards the exit.

“Hey! Where are we going?” I pulled my hand free.

He looked at me with utter reverence. “I have to take you to meet my dad! If he finds out I met the future of American mathematics and didn’t introduce you, he’ll disown me! No, worse, he’ll deport me! I’ll never taste another burger again!” He shuddered dramatically.

Then, as if remembering something important, he stuck out his hand. “Oh, right. I’m Alex. Alex Chen. Nice to meet you… future Fields Medal winner.”

I laughed. I could definitely use a mentor. I let him lead me out. At Alex’s house, his dad and I hit it off immediately. After a long discussion, Professor Chen realized I was just one step away from proving the theorem.

But neither of us could figure out that one crucial step. Hours flew by. Alex brought us bowls of tomato and egg noodles, and I realized how hungry I was. Mid–slurp, Professor Chen had an epiphany. He was transferring Alex to Southwood.

“Sacrificing one measly son to protect a rising star of mathematics? Totally worth it.” I later found out Alex had already won a national physics competition and gotten early acceptance to Harvard.

On the bike ride home, Alex grinned. “So, I’m really gonna be your classmate? Can I be in the acknowledgements when you win the Fields Medal? My dad refuses to put me in his because I chose physics over math.”

Who knew a hotshot physics prodigy could be such a dork? I laughed. “Absolutely. Anyone who tries to stop me will face my wrath.”