“Hey, Mina, I had a question about this line,” she says, pointing to a highlighted portion of the script. “Do you think it would make sense to portray Charlie as feeling shame? I know it’s not written into the text, but I was talking to Noojman about it, and before we started dating, I felt really bad about having feelings for him, because he was my best friend. It felt like I was breaking an unspoken rule, you know? Like I was breaching the contract of our friendship. I felt ashamed of myself for not knowing better, for endangering what we had as friends. So I thought maybe I could channel that?”

I nod immediately, making a note in my own script. “I think that’s a great idea, Lin. And it definitely makes sense. Confessing your feelings runs the risk of ruining your friendship.”

Linli snaps her fingers, pointing at me. “Exactly. I thought Charlie might be feeling some of that shame, especially since she resorted to anonymous notes.”

“You’re brilliant,” I tell her, squeezing her hand. “Just run it by Rosie first, so she also knows what you’re trying to evoke.”

Linli pauses. “But Rosie isn’t here?”

“What?” I look up and my head turns in a slow semicircle, scanning the room for my best friend and coming up empty-handed.

Rosie has never been late to any of our film meetings. A nervous sweat breaks out on the back of my neck, but I tell myself I’m just overreacting. I take out my phone to text Rosie: where are you?

At the same time, I realize I have two unread texts.

ANAM RAHMAN: what time are you coming home

ANAM RAHMAN: ma and baba are being uhhhh

I reply quickly. after film club!!

Then I turn to Linli. “I’ll take over directing for now,” I say, standing up.

At my side, Emmitt is watching silently, but he offers me a supportive smile when we meet eyes.

But we quickly come to the realization Sofia is missing, too. All of the club members start whispering, trading looks. Linli gives me a hopeless look and Noojman comes up behind her, rubbing her shoulders.

I check my phone again, but there’s no response from Rosie. There is another text from Anam, though.

ANAM RAHMAN: do you think you can come home earlier??

I furrow my brows. sorry, we’re filming a big scene today but I’ll be home right afterward!! promise.

Then I text Rosie again. I wait a minute, and when there’s no response, I dial her number, raising my phone to my ear.

It goes straight to voice mail. Is her phone off?

I stare at my screen incredulously and try calling again. Voice mail. Again. Voice mail. Again. Voice mail.