“Oh my God, does that mean we’re doing it?” Cora says, nearly screeching in my ear. Some of the people at the end of the table give us dark looks, and I smile apologetically. “It’s official! NCK is going to junior prom!”

“Why don’t I ever think before I speak?” Nandini whispers, casting a glance skyward.

I lean my head against Nandini’s shoulder, still smiling. My best friends might be clowns, but they’re mine and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

Nandini slumps to accommodate me and on my other side, Cora interlaces our fingers. “I really wish we could all go to prom together,” I say. “But with my parents… I don’t know.”

Cora squeezes my hand. “Karina, you know what the poets say. If you want something badly enough, nothing can stop you or whatever. Right, Nandini?”

Nandini nods, grinning at my exasperated expression. She takes my other hand in hers, looping our pinkies together. “You can’t let the world decide your future for you. It’s your life, babe. If you want to go to prom, we should go to prom. You should put your happiness first every once in a while.”

“I’m just being realistic,” I say under my breath, but when they both squeeze my hands again, I return the gesture.

Nandini snorts. “Sure, Karina. We’ll go with that.”

“I am,” I say, my voice rising.

Cora hums, arching a perfect brow. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes. “Don’t you both have homework to catch up on?”

“Oh shit,” Cora says, suddenly flipping through her binder. “Did either of you understand the Italian homework? Because I am so lost. What does question three even mean?”

I look on as Nandini explains, but I can’t help but reflect on our conversation. My parents aren’t here now, so I have more freedom than before, but that doesn’t mean I can do whatever I want. This will last for only so long.

Twenty-seven days until they return and my gilded cage slams shut again.

Copyright © 2021 by Tashie Bhuiyan

Don’t miss Tashie Bhuiyan’s romantic fake-dating rom-com,

COUNTING DOWN WITH YOU

Counting Down with You

“A witty, romantic, deeply insightful debut.”
—EMMA LORD, author of Tweet Cute

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Booklist

Books by Tashie Bhuiyan
available from Inkyard Press

Counting Down with You
A Show for Two