Closing the door to the dormitory room, he turned to Noah and said, “What’s with the crack of dawn mission?”
“I thought you’d want to make the most of the time. And… I thought the others would respond better to our sudden disappearance if it happened before they got up.”
“Our?”
“I’m going to tag along, if that’s okay.” Noah scratched the back of his head. “I mean, I’ve got some stuff to do there myself, while you’re with your sister.”
Joy rocketed through him at the mention of finally seeing Zaya. How was this his luck? But of course, it wasn’t luck: it was Noah. Noah, who trusted him enough, even after yesterday, not to be a flight risk?
“Noah,” he said, not bothering to disguise his emotion. “This is awesome. How did you even do this? I don’t deserve it, after—”
“Don’t be stupid,” Noah cut in. “I did have to call in several favours though, so be nice to Lowenna and Krish from Squad K when you see them.”
Guilt coursed through him, dampening the sunshine that had installed itself above his head. “Sorry.”
“It was my choice, Zeke. Anyway, I’m excited for some time away from this place as well. Let’s go. Frankie will be fuming if we’re not back at a decent time so she can give you your cake. I’ve never met such a relentless people pleaser.”
Where had he found Frankie, and could he please have four more of her?
“You English weirdos are crazy nice to each other on your birthdays,” Noah continued, as they dashed through the eerily quiet compound. “In Denmark,youhave to provide the cake for your own birthday.”
“Sounds rough.”
“It was.Mordied when I was twelve, and my father could barely use the microwave, let alone the oven. We had to make a mad dash to the shops every morning of every birthday to get a cake for me to take to school.”
“Better than enduring my mum’s awful homemade concoctions. Zaya and I used to suffer through one slice, then sneak it out to the foxes. Luckily, she only ever bothered to make one for us to share.”
“Oh, how you suffered!” Noah said, playfully nudging him.
Noah was quiet on the journey into London. He’d booked a compact car for them, impressing Zeke by driving it using manual mode. The warm air from the heater lulled Zeke to sleep again, and he woke to see the sun beaming low in the sky.
“It’s a good day to have a birthday,” said Noah, smiling over at him.
He sat up. “I haven’t even told Zaya we’re coming.”
“Well… I figured I’ll just drop you off and pick you up in a few hours.”
“What are you going to do?”
Noah hesitated. “I haven’t visited Khyan’s grave in a while. I was going to stop by, then swing by to see his parents.”
“Okay.” He reached for something else to say,anythingelse to say, but his traitorous mind drew blanks.
“And then… I was thinking we could… do something before we head back? Together?”
He flicked his eyes over to Noah, who remained fixated on the road ahead of him. The wordtogetherricocheted around his mind.
“What did you have in mind?”
“It’s a surprise,” said Noah, his voice light and playful.
An electric thrill shuddered through him.
When Noah dropped him outside of Zaya’s block of flats, he teetered on the edge of asking Noah to come inside. After all, hehadsaid he wanted to meet Zaya. But instead, he waved Noah off as he tore around the corner.
Morning was just getting started on Zaya’s road. Only a handful of other residents were awake, walking dogs.
He rang Zaya.
