Summary

In “October,” Selin reads a short story called “Rudolfio” for Russian class. She is impressed by the ending, which depicts the character Rudolf going to hell. Irina Nikolaevna facilitates a discussion surrounding the text but also asks the students about their first kisses. Selin lies and says she had her first kiss at summer camp, at age 15, with a boy who played the mandolin. In the bathroom after that, Svetlana complains to Selin about the Slavic department’s nosiness.

Selin debates dropping the Chance class after an unsatisfactory lecture. She listens to the latest R.E.M. album with Svetlana in Svetlana’s room. Svetlana confesses to being in love with Scott. Selin reads a poem in Real Change about first kisses and wonders if she is losing her mind.

Juho invites Selin to a High Table dinner to meet his fellows...