Anxiety rises like a wave over me. We always start filming with a bang, and Rosie and I have been planning this for weeks. How can she bail on such an important day of film club?

More than that, where is Sofia? Are they together?

“Does anyone know where Sofia is?” I ask aloud.

Kaity and Linli shake their heads, also attached to their phones, presumably calling Sofia the way I’m calling Rosie.

My phone buzzes, and my nerves jump in anticipation. Then I realize it’s just another text from Anam.

ANAM RAHMAN: are you sure you can’t come early???

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to manage my irritation. It’s not Anam’s fault that Rosie is apparently off gallivanting with her crush.

ME: I’m rlly sorry I can’t but I should be home in 2 hrs!!

Another call to Rosie. Voice mail.

My phone starts ringing, and I have my hopes up for all of two seconds, until I see Anam’s picture flashing across the screen.

I blow out a harsh breath and pick up. “What’s up?”

Anam coughs. “Apu, are you sure you can’t come early?”

I grimace. “Sorry, Anam, but today’s a really important day for filming.” If only Rosie remembered that. “But I’ll be home right afterward.”

There’s a long moment of silence and I check my phone to make sure the call hasn’t dropped. I bring it back to my ear just as Anam says, “Apu, I’m really—Ma and Baba are just...”

“Ignore them,” I say quickly. “You know how they are. As long as you don’t engage, they won’t, either. It’ll be fine, I promise. Just lock yourself in your room. Or see if you can go over to Nazifa’s. I’m sure Mishti Auntie won’t mind.”

“I don’t think that’s going to work,” Anam says, her voice uncertain. “I really wish you were here.”

I sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. “I’m sorry, Anam. I can’t. I’m kind of running the show here. But I’ll be home soon, okay?” Another wave of panic rushes over me when I see Linli frowning at her phone. “Listen, I have to go, but I’ll see you later, all right? Just ignore them.”

“Apu—”

“Love you, too, Anam,” I say quickly into the phone before hanging up and walking over to Linli. “What’s wrong?”

She holds her phone out toward me. “Sofia’s Snapchat location is still at school.”

My blood starts simmering under my skin, anger creeping into my veins. “Okay. Let’s go find her, and then we’ll see if we can find Rosie.”

My phone buzzes again, and when I check, it’s three texts from Anam.