I explain the rest of the chapter, and we decide on a talking point for our homework just before the bell rings. We stand up to head for lunch, which we have next, but as we head for the door, Miss Cannon says, “Karina, can you come here for a second?”

I falter and look at my friends.

“We’ll wait outside,” Nandini says, patting my arm. I smile gratefully and go over to Miss Cannon’s desk, which is overflowing with books and papers.

Miss Cannon is my favorite teacher. She’s only a few years older than us and always has the most interesting lessons. When I told her I love to read everything from classics to young adult fiction, she offered me some of the best recommendations and then asked me if I’d be her assistant during after-school tutoring, which runs for an hour every day after ninth period.

I hesitated at first, because I’m not good outside my social bubble of Nandini and Cora. But tutoring means helping someone one-on-one for a few minutes, and even for me, that’s manageable.

Getting my parents’ permission was another problem, but Miss Cannon talked to them. Unsurprisingly, they demanded an in-person meeting before agreeing to let me stay after school from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. every day.

Of course, they have no qualms about me staying late for Pre-Med Society on Tuesdays, even though it means another hour at school, since clubs don’t start until after tutoring. I wish they were as lenient with everything else, but that’s asking too much. I rarely go to the meetings anyway. No one cares if you skip club activities unless you’re on the e-board. And I most certainly am not on the e-board for Pre-Med Society.

As soon as I lean against one of the desks, Miss Cannon says, “Before you say no, hear me out.”

“Yikes,” I say. “That doesn’t sound promising, Miss Cannon.”

“I know, I know.” Miss Cannon sighs quietly, toying with a red dreadlock. “As you know, the English Regents are coming up.”

I nod. Regents Exams are state-mandated exams we have to take every year as per New York law. This year, I have them for English, Physics, Italian, and US History.

“A student in my class reached out for help,” Miss Cannon says. “We’ve worked together a little, but I think he’d benefit more from one of his fellow classmates’ perspectives. Would you consider privately tutoring him?”

I raise my eyebrows. “Me? I think you’re talking to the wrong person.”

“No, I definitely chose the right person,” Miss Cannon says, smiling, before her expression shifts to serious again, her lips pursed. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but instead of helping me during after-school tutoring sessions, you could spend that time with him.”

My mouth dries. “For five days a week?”