Counting Down with You(37)

“Kill me first,” I beg hopelessly. “At least it’ll be quick.”

“See? This is why she should’ve told Ace to go fuck himself,” Nandini says, running a soothing hand down my back.

They’ve both been around my parents enough to know how strict they are. Every time Nandini and Cora are over, my parents grill them about their future prospects and their grades and just anything and everything that no high schooler ever wants to talk about.

I’ve been to my friends’ houses only a handful of times. Nandini’s parents are chill and mostly leave us alone when we’re over—though, that might be because she has older sisters who have already taken the brunt of their expectations. Cora’s parents are a dream come true, always accepting us with open and welcoming arms, constantly checking in and offering anything we need.

Being around their parents explains their personalities. Cora is loud and bright with unconditional love. Nandini is calm and no-nonsense with everlasting support. Both of them are the best friends I could ask for, but even when they get it, they still don’t get it. I don’t expect them to.

“Her parents aren’t going to find out,” Cora says, rolling her eyes as she stabs another piece of lettuce. “Who’s going to tell them? You? Me? Karina? Ace himself?”

“I wouldn’t put it past him,” I mutter.

When someone takes the seat beside me, I don’t have to turn my head to know it’s Ace, because both Nandini and Cora fall silent.

“What now?” I ask, sitting up straight to look at him. My heart is flipping uncertainly, but I manage to keep my expression mild.

Ace’s countenance is cooler than I’m used to, but it’s not entirely standoffish. “Nothing. I just wanted to sit with you.”

“You...wanted to sit with me.” This nightmare never ends. I’m going to die. Death by Ace being... Ace.

He turns to my friends. “Nandini Kaur and Cora Zhang-Agreste, right?”

They nod, eyes wide.

Ace hums and unwraps a lollipop, offering it to me. “Want one?”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I—you know what. Sit wherever you want.”

I turn my attention back to the girls, ignoring Ace’s presence at my side. If I stare at him for another minute, I’m going to keel over. He seems more than content with that, plugging in his earphones and leaning his head against his hand so he can stare at me quietly.

“Let’s move on,” I say, wiping my sweaty palms against my jeans.

Nandini squints at me. “Are we all mass hallucinating?”

“I ask myself that every day,” I say. “We should’ve known the world was coming to an end when a Cheeto was elected president. No offense to Cheetos.”

Cora’s eyebrows furrow as she watches Ace watch me. It’s incredibly convoluted. I’m trying not to think about it. “Can he hear us?”

“Probably,” I say, offering Ace a glance. He doesn’t show any visible reaction, but his foot hooks around mine underneath the table, making me pinch his leg in surprise.

Nandini ignores Ace’s obnoxious grin, her eyes steady on mine. “Anyway, I was thinking we could all go see the new Marvel movie since your parents are out of the country. Maybe during spring break next week?”

I smile, gratitude blooming in my chest. “Sure. Should we catch the first show so it’s half off?”

Nandini nods. “That’s what I was thinking, too. And we’ll have my employee discount, so it’ll be even cheaper.”

“Sounds great to me,” I say, pushing Ace’s hand away when he starts poking my rib cage. My entire body feels on edge, prickling with awareness of his warm gaze.

Going to the movies. Right. Usually, I ask Samir to cover for me when I sneak out with my friends, but since my parents are out of town, it’s a nonissue. “What do you think, Cora? Are you down?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t get over the fact that your...boyfriend is sitting with us,” Cora says, still staring at Ace. “This is so weird.”

I wave a hand in front of Cora’s face. “He’s just like anyone else. Pretend he’s a stranger.” I wish I could take my own advice.

Cora mutters something unintelligible under her breath. Then, “Maybe you should invite your boyfriend to come with us, Karina.”

“Cora,” Nandini hisses, slapping her arm. “It’s a girl’s trip.”

“You’re no fun.”

Ace is smirking now. It’s barely there, just a wry twist to his lips, but I see it all the same. “Stop being an asshole,” I say to both Cora and Ace.

Cora snorts and squeezes my hand. “I love you, K.”

I sigh, lacing our fingers together. The motion is grounding enough to calm my heart. “And I love you.”

When I glance to the side, Ace is still watching me. As soon as our eyes meet, he playfully mouths, I love you, too.

God, he’s a dumbass.

A dumbass I’m growing impossibly fond of.

When he continues to stare at me with mirth lining his features, I reach forward to flick his forehead. “Please do me a favor and take a long walk off a short pier.”

“With you by my side? Without hesitation. I’d happily sink to the bottom of a lake with you.”