Counting Down with You(24)

I shrug. “I thought we could figure it out between us first.”

Ace is quiet as he reaches up, taking a lock of my hair between his fingers. I’m hyperaware of the fact that we’re only inches apart, and I almost wish we were closer.

“Come to my house. We can study before dinner as long as my dad knows I’m at home and not skipping out.”

I must be hallucinating. “You want me to go to your...house.”

He nods, apparently unaware of the existential crisis I’m having. He wants me to come to the Clyde residence?

“You can leave before the dinner, but at least we’ll have some time to study.”

I shake my head, trying not to let the shock show on my face. There are a million reasons to say no, the first of which is: “My parents would kill me.”

Ace furrows his brows. “Aren’t they out of the country?”

“I mean, yes, but... I can’t go to your house. They’d know somehow.”

“How?” he asks, seeming genuinely confused. “Are you going to tell them?”

I’d sooner die than tell my parents that I’m going to a boy’s house unsupervised. “Of course not.”

“Then what’s the harm?” He tugs on my lock of hair, causing me to take an uneven step forward. “Live a little, Ahmed.”

“By going to your house to study,” I say dubiously. Does Ace hear himself when he speaks? I can’t imagine what it’s like to glide through life like this.

He nods and, this time, I know I have to say something, before this goes further. “You know we’re from two different worlds, right? I can’t just do the things you do, and I’m not going to suddenly turn my life upside down to work around your schedule. My family...” I trail off, unsure how to finish that sentence.

Ace makes a face, the twist of his mouth rueful. “Sorry. I didn’t mean—I did it again, didn’t I? I overstepped.” He sighs, shifting backward, running a hand over his face. “I only meant that I’d like to study with you today, especially since I missed Monday already. Will you be in trouble if you come to my house?”

I bite my lip. I guess it’s not like I’d really be doing anything wrong by going to his house. “No, I suppose not.”

He nods, eyes scanning my face. “So then...what do you have to lose?”

My dignity, probably. Definitely my eardrums when Cora and Nandini hear about it. My life, if my parents ever find out against all odds.

He must see the answer on my face, because he changes tactics. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. But I’d really like you to come if you can.”

I open my mouth, but I’m stumped. I don’t have a response to that.

“If you’re up for it, meet me by my car after ninth. It’s parked in spot 28,” he says, finally stepping away. “See you later, Ahmed.”

He walks off, leaving me to stare after him and wonder how my school life turned upside down within the span of a week.



13


T-MINUS 23 DAYS

The main reason I end up in front of Ace’s car after gym is because Cora and Nandini both threaten to brutally murder me if I don’t go. I have a few regrets, the biggest one being telling them at all. But if I didn’t, I’d probably start screaming incoherently into the void and never stop.

I call my grandma first, nervously pacing in the parking lot while waiting for her to pick up. My anxiety is returning in anticipation of the conversation, and I have to repeatedly wipe my hands on my jeans to get rid of excess sweat.

I think if I tried to write my thoughts down right now, I’d break my pencil.

“Myra?” Dadu says, after our customary greetings. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. “I might get home a little later than usual today. I have to finish up something for school. Is that okay?”

I brace myself for the blowback, expecting to be reprimanded. There’s silence and then, “That’s fine. Do you want me to leave your food in the fridge, sweetheart?”

For some reason, I keep waiting. Surely that can’t be it.

There has to be more. There’s always more.

“Myra, did you hear me?” Dadu asks. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I shake my head and lean against Ace’s car, trying to gain a hold of myself. “Yeah, I’m fine, Dadu. I’d love if you left my food in the fridge. I’ll call you when I’m on my way home, if that’s okay?”

“Of course, Myra,” Dadu says, her voice warm. “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll see you later.”

“See you later,” I echo.

I stare at my phone after we disconnect, more shocked than I should be. My grandma has never reprimanded me, but I still thought there would be some resistance. Easy acceptance is the last thing I expected.

Then again, maybe I should have. It’s Dadu, after all.

I inhale. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. I exhale.

Better. Not perfect, but better.

I look down at the hand not holding my phone, then immediately jump away from Ace’s car, realizing I’m leaving smudge marks on the exterior.

The car is far too ostentatious. It’s some sort of Mercedes, black and sleek. It probably cost as much as my future student loans.