I Wish You All the Best(86)

“Having fun?” Nathan nudges me.

“Yeah,” I say. “Why?”

“Just wondering.” He huffs. “I was worried about you there. After everything happened. You weren’t really answering my texts, and you seemed so distant at school.”

“Oh,” I say. “Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I can’t even imagine what you’re dealing with.” I feel him get closer, like he wants to take my hand or something. Maybe dropping all these plushies wouldn’t be such a bad thing?

“It’s been …” I start to say, but I don’t even know how to finish that statement.

“Rough?” he finishes.

“That’s probably the nicest word you could use.” I see Principal Smith across the room. I don’t think she was at the art show. No doubt she heard all about it though. She gives me a half smile and a short wave when she catches me looking.

I try to wave back.

It’s weird to think this really all happened because of her. She could’ve said no to me, denied me a spot in North Wake. I never would’ve met Mrs. Liu, or gotten to paint as much as I have, or met Meleika or Sophie. Or Nathan.

“Well, if you ever need me for anything just tell me, okay?” Nathan says.

“Okay,” I say.

“Anything,” he repeats. “I mean it, Ben.”

I stare ahead and try not to think too hard about what “anything” implies. “Thank you.”



I actually don’t sleep well that night, which isn’t good because Sophie drops me off at home around one thirty. Laser tag ran a little long.

But it has more to do with the fact that in less than twelve hours, I’ll be meeting Mariam. At least I hope it’s because of that. I’ve still got time to kill when I do finally decide to get out of bed. Mariam’s got a tour of State’s campus scheduled, and some kind of special lunch, but after that we’re totally free to do whatever we want.

“You want to use my car?” Hannah asks.

“Is that okay?”

“Here.” Hannah reaches over the counter and snatches her keys. “Don’t be too late, okay? I’ll see you at dinner.”

“Okay.”

“Just don’t run over any hydrants, please?” Hannah pleads.

I look at her, and smile. “I mean, I can’t exactly promise anything.”

“Ha.” She takes the keys back. “Funny, kid. Now promise.”

“I’ll be careful, I swear.”

Except when the GPS tries to lead me down a one-way street, I nearly run into someone. And then I nearly run over a fire hydrant while I try to get into a parking lot to turn around. This is why I let Hannah drive me everywhere. Eventually I make it to the coffee shop, but when I look around I don’t see Mariam, or anyone who could maybe be Mariam from behind.

Oh God, what if I’m so late they left? It’s only been ten minutes, but maybe they think I stood them up. I have to double-check my phone to make sure it’s even the right day. Definitely Saturday, definitely the time we agreed on. So where are they?

There’s a tap on my shoulder. “Ben?”

“Oh my God!” My first instinct is to wrap Mariam in a hug, because they’re here, they’re actually, really here. But then I don’t remember if that’s haram for them, so I keep my arms to my side and just sort of awkwardly shuffle my feet. Better safe than sorry.

“Oh, please.” Mariam throws out their arms. “I’m sorry I’m late. You’d think I’d be used to traffic.”

“It’s okay.” Their arms wrap around me. “I was worried I’d missed you or something.” We hug for what feels like forever, because they’re here. They’re really here.

“Sorry,” I say, finally letting go. “Guess I got a little excited.” I almost want to cry.

“It’s cool.”

“So, um …” I rub the back of my neck.

Great. It only took point-five seconds for me to get awkward. That must be some sort of record.

“Oh, don’t get all flustered on me.” Mariam nudges me with their elbow. “Come on, we’re getting coffee and you’re showing me around.”

“Can’t promise you I’ll be a good tour guide,” I say.

“Excellent, you always find the best places when you get lost.”

And lost is what we are after just ten minutes, but with Mariam it isn’t so bad. We just sort of wander around aimlessly, picking any direction to go in. There’s this weird used bookstore where everything inside has yellowed horribly, and the smell is unbearable. And once we’re back outside and take in a few lungfuls of actual, sort-of-clean air, we head across the street to a frozen yogurt shop.

My iced coffee is still sitting heavy in my stomach, so I go with a plain vanilla and chocolate fudge. Mariam loads up though. I’m pretty sure at least half their bill is from toppings alone. I see gummy worms and bears, cherries, almonds, and Oreo crumbs. And that’s just the top layer.

“How do you eat all that?” I ask.

“Listen, I didn’t have time for dinner last night or breakfast. And the lunch at the school was a total bust, so I’m treating myself.”

“That combination can’t be good.”