Tashie Bhuiyan

My classmates are staring at us in disbelief. Well, they’re staring at him, and I’m more of an afterthought. I’m pretty sure Ace has never smiled in public before, so this is an anomaly for everyone.

It doesn’t help that the person he’s choosing to smile at is me.

I have no idea what’s happening, but I do know I want to sink into the ground

“So what’s your book about?” she asks.

I turn to her in surprise. I closed the book after my mom’s rebuke, but the story is still fresh in my mind. “You want to know?”

“Of course,” Dadu says, smiling warmly at me. “You can tell me during the Uber ride.”

Something dislodges in my chest as we approach the exit. “That sounds great.”

“Good morning,” I say, wrapping my arms around my two favorite girls. “Isn’t it a beautiful day outside?”

Nandini rolls her eyes, running a hand through her short curls, still wet from the gloomy weather. “It’s raining, Karina.”

“Exactly,” I say, slipping my way between her and Cora, who laughs as she scoots aside to make room.

Before I can protest anymore, they both press a kiss to the top of my head

Ace slips in front of me, gently pushing me behind him. “I’ve got it.”

What’s going on?” His eyebrows are furrowed now. “Do you need me to take you home?”

I think Ace can tell, because there’s a hint of mirth in his eyes—which now look more green than blue, but are still somehow a mix of the two—when he sees me take my last bite.

“Would you like another slice?” he asks,

“So are you...all right? Are you going to be in trouble?” he asks.

Ace tilts his head, his stormy eyes meeting my dark brown ones. “Any time, Ahmed.”

There are so many burdens she carries that I wish I could help her with, but there’s only so much I can do.