Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating(71)

Deirdre: my parents don’t really support your dad’s policies so nope.

And somehow that clears up my tears, unclogs my throat of the lump that’s been slowly rising throughout my entire conversation with Abba. Because finally—finally—I know exactly what I have to do. And maybe I’m angry enough now to actually do it.





chapter forty-one


ishu


IT’S DIFFICULT TO NOT THINK ABOUT HANI WHEN I seem to spot her everywhere in school. After the past few weeks, I know her schedule inside out. I know what classes she has, when and where. I know all the times she goes to her locker, and I even know her favorite spots on the school grounds for when she doesn’t want to spend lunch with Aisling and Deirdre.

I know that I should try to avoid her, put her out of my mind. But I can’t help staring at Hani when we’re at our lockers between classes, or watching her from the window overlooking the tree she loves sitting underneath during lunchtime.

There have been way too many times that I’ve almost run up to her, to tell her everything happening with Nik and my parents, or all my plans for the Head Girl elections. I’ve always stopped myself at the last moment.

Because no matter how I feel about Hani, it doesn’t change that she’s still friends with Aisling and Dee. That she’ll never stand up to them. She’ll never choose me over them. And there’s nothing I can do to change that.

I wake up on the weekend determined to get everything back on track. Everything with Hani, Aisling, and Deirdre has made me lose sight of what’s really important: Head Girl, Leaving Cert, getting into the best possible university.

When I call Nik on Saturday morning, she picks up after just two rings.

“Do you ever sleep in?” Nik groans as a greeting.

“Sometimes,” I say. “But not the week before the Head Girl election campaign!”

Nik heaves a sigh. “Of course not.”

“Look … I need your help. I want to win this thing, okay? And now it’s going to be more difficult than ever. I don’t have the popular girls on my side—in fact, I’m pretty sure Aisling’s new goal is to ruin my fucking life … but I need to win. You need to help me.”

There’s the sound of rustling on Nik’s end of the line, and the creak of the bed. I try to picture her shifting around in her bed, but it’s tough when I have no idea what her bedroom even looks like. I’ve never been to visit Nik in London, and now I’m not sure if Ammu and Abbu will let me.

“Ishu …” Nik finally says. “You know that I lost Head Girl, right? They didn’t even make me deputy Head Girl. I don’t think I’m the person you want helping you.” She says it like there’s a line of people waiting to help me and I just happened to choose her. Like she isn’t the only person right now who I can ask for help. But saying that will definitely make me sound pathetic—even if Nik is my sister and probably already knows I’m a bit pathetic, especially after she had to rush down here to sort out all my problems. I definitely don’t want to remind her of it, though.

So I just say, “Please?” and to my surprise, she actually begrudgingly agrees to help me.

“So, tomorrow … we have to make a presentation to our year about why we want to be Head Girl, and why we’re the most qualified candidate for the job,” I say. “I was thinking I’ll just go up and … talk.”

There’s a pause on the phone line, before all I can hear is Nik’s giggles.

“And what? You’re planning to win them over with your charming smile and personality?”

“I can be nice to people,” I say. “I’ve learned how to tolerate the people in my year. Hani … taught me. I’ve been to parties with them. I’ve had conversations with them.”

Nik is still laughing. “Like … actual conversations? Not just glaring at them as they try to talk to you?”

“No, actual conversations!” I say. “Though … obviously things are different now that Hani and I are broken up and … everyone thinks I’ve cheated.”

That, at least, sobers Nik up a little. “Well, then this presentation is the perfect time for you to set the record straight. Tell everyone the truth … you didn’t cheat! The teachers know the truth—they’ll back you up.”

I know Nik is right, but I also know Aisling. She’ll find a way to twist everything around to make me out to be the bad guy.

“Maybe,” I say.

“Look … I can help you put something together,” Nik says. “We can do a digital presentation. A PowerPoint of why Aisling is a bitch.”

I have to stifle a laugh. “Okay … a PowerPoint … that’s a good idea. I can prove why I would do a good job as Head Girl. I can show all of the things I’ve already done … “But I’m having a hard time trying to think of anything I’ve done that proves I would be a good Head Girl. Sure, I consistently have the best results in the school, and with Hani’s help I’ve almost become acquaintances with people in our year that I never would have spoken to before. But … does any of that show I can be a good Head Girl?

“Ishu? Hello? Did the line cut out?”

I shake my head. “No, everything’s fine. Just … thinking, I guess. About Monday.”