Star Daughter(81)

In the common room, a few excited stars even tried to pull Sheetal and Minal into their game of cards and shells. Minal politely declined. “I wish we could, but Sheetal needs to rest before tonight.”

“Another time!” the stars insisted before letting them go.

“People like you here,” Minal said, smug, once they were alone again. “I made sure of it.”

Guilt gnawed at Sheetal’s chest. All that time she’d been wallowing in self-pity, whining about how her best friend fit in here better than she did, Minal had been doing PR on her behalf.

That ugly shade of envy green didn’t suit anybody, least of all her. She would do better, she swore, and filled Minal in on the conversation with Kaushal and Charumati.

“I always knew you’d end up here,” Minal said finally, when they were back in the champions’ quarters. She parked herself beneath the sconce next to their door. Its miniature starbursts glowed with diminutive silver flames.

“You did?” Sheetal had been prepared for pretty much any other reaction.

“Sure. I mean, look at you.” Minal pointed, and Sheetal instinctively peered down at herself. “I heard what Padmini said. She didn’t touch your hair. Or do your makeup. But she didn’t need to. I’m not stupid, Sheetu. I know you’re changing.”

While Sheetal tried to figure out what to say, Minal added, “Like I said, I always knew. I just hoped I’d get to come along for the ride.”

“You weren’t supposed to get hurt by anyone, though!” It made sense why Padmini had backed off, but Sheetal still kind of wanted to shake her.

Minal’s mouth flattened into a line. “Just a stupid crush. Don’t worry about it.”

Except Minal hadn’t liked anyone that much for a long time, if ever. Sheetal picked her words carefully. “Okay, but what about Kaushal—”

“It’s your birthday. Let’s talk about you,” Minal interrupted. “Just because you’re turning into a star doesn’t mean you can forget about me, you hear me?”

“As if I could.” The very idea made Sheetal laugh. It didn’t matter how long she lived; that was never happening.

“Good. How do you feel about the whole star thing, anyway?”

Sheetal reached for the silver crystal doorknob. “Can we talk about that inside? I mean, you were the one who said I need to rest.”

“Nope.” Minal pressed herself back against the wall. “I live here now. By this beautiful light fixture. We can’t bear to be parted.”

“Riiiight. Maybe you’re the one who needs a nap—”

Loud voices sounded nearby, muffled but angry. It took Sheetal a second to pinpoint the source—Dev’s and Jeet’s room. She shot a nervous glance Minal’s way.

The door flew open, and Jeet blustered into the corridor. “Just stay out of it!” Dev rushed out behind him, calling his name.

It was the most absurd thought to have, but Sheetal couldn’t help noticing how good Dev looked in dark blue. Like he belonged there against the silver-starred walls.

Minal squirmed. “Uh, Dev, this isn’t what we—”

Jeet’s snarl made Sheetal take a step back. She took another one when his skin flashed bright as mercury. This time there was no doubt about it: the light was no trick of her eye, no reflection. It was him. Glowing.

“You’re all the same, just messing with us.” His voice was as dark as a dead star. “I deserve to be here. I worked hard. I did everything she asked. And now I have to give up my turn? Like hell I will.”

Dev laid a hand on his shoulder. “Jeet, man, calm down—”

Jeet shrugged it off. “Don’t touch me!” He closed in on Sheetal. “You think your family likes you? Maybe you should ask your grandmother what she really thinks of half-stars.”

“That’s enough,” Dev said, stepping between them. “If you’re mad at Rati, fine, but you need to stop.”

“You know what? Why don’t you just stay out here if you know so much.” Jeet slunk back into their room and slammed the door so hard the wall rattled.

Minal stared after him. “That was intense.”

Sheetal wanted to agree, but it felt like Jeet had sucked all the air out of the hallway.

“That’s one word for it,” Dev said. Their gazes found each other, and a shock of recognition passed between them, soft and still as starlight. “Listen, can I talk to you? Just you?”

Before she could open her mouth, Minal had pushed her toward him. “Yes, you can talk to her. Just her,” Minal said, smiling victoriously as she patted the sconce. “Now you know why I couldn’t leave my friend here.”

“I guess that’s a yes?” Sheetal said, glaring. They would have to have a chat later about letting people decide for themselves if they wanted to talk to ex-boyfriends.

Dev took her in like he was seeing her for the first time, really noticing her, and she saw her flame mirrored in his dark eyes. “Good.”

Suddenly she couldn’t remember why she was mad at Minal. Or at him.

“Happy birthday, Sheetu!” Minal sang out before disappearing inside their room.

Sheetal was worried about Jeet, worried about Charumati, worried about Dad and the competition and the drop of blood. But in that moment, with her heart swelling at that soulful look, all those things receded into the background like shadows before the sun.