“Now say that to me in Spanish.”
I glare, and he rewards me with a triumphant smirk. “Get moving.”
I stomp upstairs, taking care to hit every step as loud as I can. As soon as I walk into my room, I beeline for the window and check Jesse’s driveway.
His truck is still there. Three days, and it hasn’t moved an inch.
Why hasn’t he called me back? I’ve even left the metal door in my room unlocked every night since Khalto Safa’s visit.
I’ve considered the grim possibility that Jesse simply doesn’t want to see me anymore. Without the curse forcing us together, am I back to being the Canyon High social butterfly he can’t stand?
The thought cuts deep. I can’t imagine going back to a world where Jesse isn’t one of the best parts of my day. A world where I walk past him hammering at his porch and don’t say hello, because he frightens me and I’m not accustomed to being disliked. Where I forget what it’s like to just be myself around someone.
A world where he looks at me and my heart doesn’t ache.
I turn away from the window with an aggravated exhale. At least Rainie, Aida, and Lucia have gone back to calling and texting me like the month of separation never happened. Prom is tomorrow night, and they’ve been begging me to come with them.
I’d thought about it. After all, I bought my ticket months ago. I have a dress. Prom was something I’d looked forward to for years. Baba has even given me a pass for the evening so long as I come home by eleven o’clock sharp.
But even though life continues to march forward, I’m still stuck.
In my sleep, the orange eyes follow me. I see shadows that aren’t there in the corner of my eye, urging me to acknowledge them.
She knew that if there wasn’t anyone willing to serve the curse, it would claim every Haikal life still roaming the earth. Including yours.
I don’t understand why the curse hasn’t taken me. Mama, Khalto Safa, and Teta were the last ones able to serve the curse until I opened the door. Until I passed the test.
When I said no, I broke the bargain. I dropped the Haikals’ end of the deal.
So why am I still here?
The next morning, I wake up to a text from Jesse.
Meet me at Lake Lasem,it reads.Let’s have a picnic.
I reread it five times, double-checking it came from Jesse and not an eerily manipulative spam number. Since when does Jesse willingly attend a picnic, let alone initiate one?
… why?I text back.
The response comes instantly.Heard you nailed the graduation speech audition. Figured we’re due a celebration.
The corners of my mouth turn up in a reluctant smile. I hadn’t gotten the chance to give him the good news. The Canyon High grapevine works its magic once again.
Another text lights my screen.It might take your mind off prom.
I hesitate. I want to demand an answer for his radio silence over the last four days, but it won’t do any good over the phone.
Okay,I type out.See you in an hour. I’ll bring sandwiches.
I tiptoe to the kitchen, and after a cursory investigation of the fridge, I whip up a couple of cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches. Baba hasn’t woken up yet, so I leave one of the sandwiches on a plate for him and scrawl out a note.
Gone to prepare for prom with Lucia, Rainie, and Aida. Enjoy your dayoff guard duty and go hang out with Mr. Talbot or that cute librarian lady. Love you!
I hate to lie to him, but if he knew I was going to meet Jesse, he would flip out. Or worse, call his new best friend—Jesse’s dad—to tattle.
After packing the sandwiches and a couple of juices into a basket, I head upstairs to get changed. It takes longer than it should to make it up the steps. The numbness in my hands and feet has traveled to my calves and crawled up to my shoulders. I promised myself I’d tell Baba if it got worse, but he’s been sohappy.We FaceTimed with his parents, who didn’t seem at all suspicious or wary of me. Teta Maha gushed about how much I looked like her mother, while Gedo Galal complimented my Arabic and grilled me about my grades. I’ve gotten a flood of friend requests from cousins and relatives on my dad’s side, and I’ve spotted Baba wiping his eyes and smiling down at his phone more times than I can count.
He may not have died from the Haikal curse, but he was a victim of it, too.
