Flávia’s eyes rest on me now. I can’t read her expression.
“Nishat?”
She’s staring at me with so much expectation. I open my mouth, but there’s nothing to say. Not really.
I pick up my bag instead, unzipping it and digging around to find the henna tubes.
“Here.” I reach out and hand them to her. She takes them wordlessly, her expression still unreadable.
I wish that she would get angry. That she would get upset. At least, with Chyna, I know she hates me. I know she’s taking pleasure in all of this.
“You can report me to Principal Murphy. Whatever,” I say, after all of the henna tubes are emptied out of my bag. Flávia looks at them, at me, at Chyna—who is growing smugger and smugger with each passing moment.
“Principal Murphy?” she asks.
“She stole from you. That’s not tolerated in this school. Come on.” Chyna waves her hand at me, motioning for me to follow her, but Flávia shakes her head.
“We’re not going to Principal Murphy.”
“What?” It’s Chyna’s turn to frown. “Why not? She stole from you.”
“I don’t care.” Flávia shrugs her shoulder. “It’s not a big deal, Chyna. We’re not telling Principal Murphy.”
“Flá.” Chyna growls out through gritted teeth.
“Chyna, please.” For a moment, they hold each other’s gaze. I’m sure Chyna will argue. Will refuse to listen to Flávia. Will do something. Chyna always gets her way, after all. But she doesn’t. Instead, she spins around and stomps away wordlessly. She doesn’t even throw me a nasty look, like she usually would.
Flávia stares at her retreating form before turning back to me.
“Nishat—”
“I’m not apologizing.” I zip my bag closed and swing it over my shoulder. And I’m not thanking her, either. Though I don’t say that out loud.
“Okay.” She breathes. “Just … did you really think that would work?”
“Whatever.”
“Really? If I hadn’t stepped in, you would probably be getting suspended right now.” There’s a throb of anger in Flávia’s voice now. Somehow, it’s the exact same pitch as before, but I can feel the anger resonating through it.
“Wow, thank you so much for saving me from getting suspended.”
Flávia shakes her head again. Slower, this time.
“Look, I know you’re angry about what happened, but you’re too caught up in … whatever this is. Victimizing yourself. You don’t even realize what a brat you’re being.”
I almost have to laugh at that. Whatever happenedtome, like somebody didn’t make it happen.
“I don’t care Flávia, okay? Report me, don’t report me. Do whatever you want.” With that, I turn around and walk away. My footsteps echo a little too loudly in the empty hallway. My heartbeat is still trying to find its normal pace as I search for Priti.
She’s not where I left her, and not in any of the surrounding hallways either. Finally, I hear the sound of her voice coming from one of the classrooms farther away; it’s choked, like she’s trying to keep in her tears.
“Were you just going to pretend?”
Ali’s voice doesn’t sound much better, but her voice is a mix of anger and sadness. “It was a mistake!”
There’s a beat of silence. Then Priti’s voice comes angrier than I’ve ever heard it before. “I can’t believe you. It’s like I don’t even know who you are anymore.”
“I came clean to you, isn’t that worth something?”
