Counting Down with You(89)

“No, no, don’t kick me out.” He holds his hands out in a pleading gesture. “Please, come on. Just give me something to work with. I really like her.”

“How can you like her if you don’t know anything about her?” I ask, shaking my head.

“Well, I’m trying!”

I huff a laugh. Trust boys to do the bare minimum and chalk it up to effort. “Try a little harder. Maybe talk to her yourself?”

“If you asked me for help with Ace a few weeks ago—” Samir starts and I throw another piece of paper at him. “What? There’s no one else here. Come on, I just covered for you yesterday! Are we going to pretend you’re not attempting to date some random white guy?”

“Leah isn’t Bangladeshi or Muslim,” I say pointedly. “That’s two facts right there. Did that help?”

Samir groans again. “I know that already. But if you can do it, maybe...”

The sentence stops me in my tracks, and I stare at my brother imploringly. Lionheart, whispers a treacherous voice in the back of my head.

“Come on, Myra Apu. Please?” Samir says.

I sigh. “If I tell you something about her, can we both return to peace and quiet?”

“Obviously. You think I want to be in your room? It smells disgusting in here.”

I gape at him. “It smells like cinnamon.”

Samir wrinkles his nose. “Yeah, and lavender and vanilla and peppermint. None of that shit goes well together. Stick to one.” He waves a dismissive hand. “Just tell me the thing.”

“You are the most annoying human ever,” I say, but the words hold little heat. “All right, fine. Her favorite book is Jane Eyre.”

My brother squints. “Her favorite book? Really?”

I sigh and point at the door. “Out. Out, out, out.”

“No, wait,” Samir says, raising his hands placatingly. “That’s cool. Do you have a copy?”

I do, somewhere around here, but God knows what condition Samir will return it in. “Nope.”

Samir worries his bottom lip between his teeth. “Where can I get one?”

I almost tell him to Google the closest bookstore, but then I take note of how earnest his expression is.

I guess it wouldn’t hurt to go a little above and beyond to help him. Ace and I planned to meet at the aquarium today anyway, and it isn’t that far off from where I have in mind. “I might know a place...”

Two Stories is as magical as last time. I catch sight of Genesis near the register, but she’s with a customer this time.

“Knock yourself out,” I say to Samir, my own eyes snagging on the young adult shelves.

“What? I don’t know where anything is.” Samir gives me an aghast look. “How am I supposed to find Jane Eyre?”

I shrug. “Beats me.”

“What kind of sister are you?”

“The kind of sister who came to a bookstore with you when I could’ve easily sat at home and minded my business,” I say, poking his shoulder.

Samir groans. “You’re the worst,” he says, before his eyes fall on Genesis. “She looks like she works here. Let’s ask her.”

“She’s clearly busy,” I say.

“I’m a paying customer, too. She can make herself available,” Samir says and walks off before I can protest what an entitled mindset that is.

Ugh.

I linger behind him, regretting all the decisions in my life that led me here. When he reaches her, Samir says, “Hey, can you tell me where to find Jane Eyre? My sister won’t help me.”

I glare at him. Behind Genesis, the other customer wanders off, so at least there’s one less witness for when I inevitably murder my brother.

Genesis turns and her expression brightens when she sees me. “Oh my God, hi, Karina! Is Ace with you?”

I shake my head. If only. “Not this time. I’m here to help my annoying little brother find a book.”

“Forget about her,” Samir says, waving me off. “I am literally begging for your help to find Jane Eyre. Dude, please.”

Genesis raises her eyebrows. “Begging me? Well, I guess I’d better help then.” She looks at me and adds, “Come by with Ace next time. I miss that little punk.”

I don’t have a chance to reply before she whisks Samir away, leaving me alone. It’s not like I mind, anyway.

The young adult section is empty when I get there, so I have the freedom to pick through titles without worrying I’m taking up space. As I run my fingers along the bindings, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

I take it out to see a text from my cousin Fatima.

hey sis!! I saw your last post on IG and I just wanted to check in... still just friends??
My last post on Instagram was Ace and me holding hands on top of his piano. I don’t see any way I can lie myself out of that.

With a sigh, I reply: a little more than friends...

Fatima’s reply is immediate. not to sound pessimistic but is this rlly the move, myra???

I wince. it’ll be okay but thank you for checking in!!! I hope things are going well w/ you! always rooting for you  

Fatima’s response is slower this time, but when it comes, it settles in my chest heavily. I’m always rooting for you too!!! I just don’t know how long you can make this work I’m sorryyyy.