You Asked for Perfect(25)

“I’ve only seen a couple episodes,” I say, grateful for the subject change. “Maybe I’ll watch it next year.”

Pari’s expression shifts. She gives me this kind smile. “Almost done, Ariel.” She sighs and rests her head on her arms, staring at the screen. “We’re almost done.”

*

I wave at Janet as I drive into the Jewish Community Center parking lot. She smiles and steps out of the security booth, taking my license and checking the picture. Protocol demands it even though she’s known me since I was a little kid. “Nice to see you, Ariel.”

“You too! How are you?”

“Oh, you know, pretty good. Glad those hot days seem to be behind us.”

She waves me forward, and I pull into the giant lot, driving around to get to the soccer fields in the back corner. Usually Rachel gets a ride home with her friend’s mom, but the friend is home sick today. I park and climb out of the car.

It’s a shockingly nice day. Cool with the right amount of sun warming my skin. I stretch my arms into the air and yawn, closing my eyes, enjoying the slight breeze. I’m early, so I put in my headphones, and play Simon & Garfunkel. Their familiar voices comfort me.

I should study or at least turn on my Crime and Punishment audiobook, but it’s only a few minutes. I can let myself relax for a few minutes. Sometimes, I go running with Dad’s ancient iPod instead of my phone because it forces me to empty my mind, do nothing but listen to music.

I close my eyes and lean against the hood of my car as “The Boxer” plays. I must nod off because my buzzing phone stirs me. I glance down.

It’s Amir: What are you listening to?

I look up, to my right and then my left. Amir is leaning against a large tree overlooking the soccer field.

I bite my lip.

He waves and gives me a half smile, which for whatever reason is infinitely more stomach fluttering than a full smile. I grin, too wide and telling, then rub my hands against my jeans, trying to flex out my sudden nerves. The sun shines on him, revealing light streaks in his dark hair.

I walk over, and for a moment, I stand in comfortable silence at his side, inhaling his scent of spearmint and basil. My shoulder is only an inch from his. If I shifted my feet, our arms would brush together. From up here, we can see the entire soccer field. The girls are finishing up practice, drilling field goals, one after another. The familiar sound of the thwack of the ball carries up to us on the hill and stirs something in me. I miss it, the focus, the exhilaration of concentrating on nothing but the game.

Amir sighs and closes his eyes. I stare, shameless, taking in the stubble around his jaw, the slope of his nose, the curve of his lips.

He shifts toward me and cracks his eyes open. They’re golden brown in the sun. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it? Perfect quidditch weather.”

I raise an eyebrow and fail to tamp down a laugh. “Quidditch weather?”

“It’s a real sport! National leagues and everything.”

“Nerd,” I say.

He grins. “I know. But seriously, I want to join a team in college.”

“I’m a little intrigued.”

“I’ll show you videos of matches later, I promise, when it’s not so nice out.” He exhales a slow breath. “I wish we could have this weather forever.”

“Fall is the best season. It’s a fact. So, I guess you’re getting Sara from practice?”

“I am. You’re getting Rachel?”

“Yup.”

We enjoy the silence for a bit longer, but then Amir says, “Calc test tomorrow.”

I stiffen, but then smirk as I say, “You trying to ruin this nice day?”

“You’re ready. I know you are.”

It’s true our last study session together went well, and I’ve been acing all the practice problems at home, but still, if I don’t pass tomorrow, if I don’t get an A tomorrow…

I grip the car keys in my hand, the metal teeth pressing into my skin.

“You’re ready,” Amir repeats. I look at him. His gaze is steady, assured. “Ariel, I promise you’re ready.”

I nod and breathe out, releasing my grip on the keys.

Singing erupts from the field. The girls are skipping around and laughing. “I think practice is over,” I say.

Amir nods. “Looks like it.”

“I should probably get Rachel home. Study some more.”

“Eh,” Amir says.

He leans back against the tree, and so do I, and this time our arms brush together.

It is a beautiful day.

*

I read the test instructions twice.

Okay. I can do this. Right? I can do this.

It’s Friday morning, and the clock is ticking as everyone concentrates on their tests.

Okay, focus. Write out the steps.

I tackle the first problem. Easy. Almost too easy. I check my work. It’s correct. Then I check it again. Still correct.

I take my time with the rest of the test, glancing back and forth a dozen times to make sure I input the right numbers into my calculator and triple-checking my work. As I flip to the final page, Pari gets up to turn in her paper. Then more students, one after another. When Amir gets back to his desk, he pulls out the third Harry Potter book, a well-worn paperback. I laugh, quick and soft, but he hears and glances at me. “Nerd,” I whisper, pointing to the book.