You Asked for Perfect(57)

My eyes widen. “Wow, call me out.”

She grins and puts her hands down. “Sorry. I’m observant.”

“Well, maybe we could be in it together again. We have that AP Gov test coming up. Want to study with me?”

Pari gives a soft smile. “Yeah, that sounds nice. Can I bring Isaac?”

“Absolutely. I’ll see if Sook can join, too. It’ll be a group study hang.”

“We probably won’t get much work done.”

I grin. “I’ll get a B if you do.”

Pari’s smile reaches her eyes. She holds out her hand for a shake. “Deal.”

*

“I’m here! I’m home!” I shout, closing the front door behind me.

The Naeems are already here for Shabbat dinner, their voices echoing from the kitchen. Amir stands in the entryway.

“Shabbat Shalom,” he says.

My cheeks warm. “Shabbat Shalom.”

“Where have you been? I didn’t see you after class today.”

I scratch behind my ear. “Oh, you didn’t. I was—”

“Tatala, come here!” Mom calls from the kitchen.

“See you in a second.” I hurry away before Amir can press. He didn’t see me after class because I had to leave school early to finish getting ready for tonight. It was my first time skipping class. Amir has been so kind, so forgiving, again and again. And I want to show him I know it and I appreciate it.

It was kind of scary, walking out of the school doors, knowing I was missing material. But my parents literally encouraged it. They gave me a fake doctor’s appointment note and even said I could skip once a month until graduation if I want. They think it’ll be good for me.

And it did feel kind of good.

Sook and Malka met me after class. They’re still preparing while we’re at Shabbat dinner. Things weren’t quite ready when I left, but they were almost there. I hope this works. I hope Amir fully comes back to me.

Ten minutes later, we’re all settled at the table, except for Mom and Rachel. They say the prayer for the candles. “Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech haolam asher kideshanu bemitzvotav vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel Shabbat.”

As Rachel sits, I lean over and whisper, “We’re having a sibling date tomorrow night, okay?”

“What are we doing?”

I grin. “It’s surprise.”

She narrows her eyes but grins, too. “Hmm, okay.”

After this weekend of surprises, I’m planning to sit down and finish my Harvard application on Sunday. Now that I’m officially second chair, there’s no reason to wait to hit submit. I’ve done all that I can, and I’m scared, but I’m ready for the rest to be out of my hands.

The house smells amazing, thanks to the giant pot of matzo ball soup on the stove and the cedar plank salmon Dad made. Everyone’s phones sit on the breakfast bar, stacked on top of each other so no one is able to check without us all seeing it. Even though we don’t turn off electronics for Shabbat, I love that we go off the grid for at least an hour.

“What a beautiful table,” Mrs. Naeem says, using the tongs to fill her plate with spinach salad.

“Gorgeous,” Mr. Naeem agrees. “Amir, you should take a picture.”

“Dad, stop,” Rasha says. “Leave him alone about the photography.”

Mr. Naeem tsks. “I’m simply saying it’s a beautiful table. I understand Amir here is going to be a fine doctor. Right, Amir?”

His eyes shine with pure happiness. “Right, Dad.”

As the conversation moves on, I nudge Amir and whisper, “When did that happen?”

“During the disappearance of Ariel Stone.” He raises an eyebrow. “I was…frustrated. And I let out that frustration by finally telling my parents to stop pushing photography. And by telling them, I mean, yelling at them. Loudly.”

“Very loudly,” Rasha chimes in. She kisses his cheek. “You fit right into the family now.”

Rasha pops a piece of challah in her mouth, and Sara grabs the rest of her slice. “Hey,” she says. “There’s enough to go around, you know!”

“Yeah, but I wanted yours!”

Sara giggles and Rachel laughs, too. They’re funny that way. One usually can’t laugh without the other. Rachel’s eyes are bright. While we were preparing dinner, she wouldn’t stop talking about a new pirate she discovered. A girl in her class did a presentation on her, and Rachel was so interested that she demanded we go to the bookstore so she could find out more about her. My parents said yes after confirming it was for fun and not an assignment.

They’ve been watching us both carefully, and they’re also trying to make changes. Next week, they’re going to petition the school board with a bunch of other parents to try and get back fifth-grade recess. Maybe the next generation of kids will get to stay kids a little longer.

I’m making changes, too. In addition to dropping AP Spanish lit, I promised Rabbi Solomon I’d visit twice a month to chat. It’s nice to have someone to talk to, and I’m enjoying the stories in the Talmud. My school stress isn’t going to disappear, but I can look for more ways to dial it back.

“Want some challah?” Amir asks.

Sitting next to him at a table with our families feels wonderfully normal. “Yes, please.” Amir passes me a slice, fingers brushing against mine. He gives me that half smile I love so much, and I can’t bite back my own goofy grin. The table is full of munching and laughter, and a feeling of contentment settles over me.