Ironically enough, even my parents have noticed. Everything they ask me to do, I do, but in complete and utter silence. Every time I look in the mirror, my eyes are dead, and I have to assume they’re even more dead when I’m around them.

Once or twice, Ma gives me a sharp look and asks what’s wrong. I shake my head and continue on my way. Baba only frowns at me. When they think I’m not looking, they exchange inscrutable looks.

The one person I refuse to let worry is Dadu. I don’t tell her about anything that’s going on. I don’t know how to tell her. I’m afraid that, if she finds out what my parents said, it’ll set something bigger and scarier into motion.

Back when I thought there was a chance of my parents agreeing, it was okay to involve my grandma. Now, knowing they’re against it, I wouldn’t dare bring her into it. I don’t want to imagine my parents’ anger if they thought I turned her against them.

Even worse, Dadu might feel guilty for my misery, and I can’t stand that idea. She has enough weight on her shoulders from all the loss in her life, without me piling onto it. It’s not her fault our family’s a disaster.

Every day is as monotonous as the last. Nothing in the present matters anymore now that my future is written.

It’s Friday when things are uprooted from the ordinary.

I’m gathering my things from my locker during my lunch period when someone’s shadow looms over me.

I tiredly turn to face them, and I’m taken aback at the sight of Xander Clyde.

“What?” I ask. My voice sounds dead even to my own ears. If I had the energy, I’d wince.

But I’m not going to fake a happy expression for Xander, of all people. He’s low on the list of people whose opinions I care about.

“I wanted to talk to you,” he says, glancing around halfheartedly before looking back at me. There’s no one in the hallway, since it’s already fifteen minutes into lunch and most people are inside the cafeteria or outside enjoying the burgeoning spring weather. “Is now a good time?”

I turn back to my locker. “No.”

“You don’t look busy.”

“Can’t you take no for an answer?”

“You’re being difficult,” Xander says, closing my locker. “No wonder you and Cora are best friends.”

I give him a flat look, but there isn’t much heat behind it. He’s an irritating fly buzzing near my ear when I’m in the middle of facing off with a pack of wolves.

“Fine. What is it?”