Ace is quiet as he reaches up, taking a lock of my hair between his fingers. I’m hyperaware of the fact that we’re only inches apart, and I almost wish we were closer.

“Come to my house. We can study before dinner as long as my dad knows I’m at home and not skipping out.”

I must be hallucinating. “You want me to go to your...house.”

He nods, apparently unaware of the existential crisis I’m having. He wants me to come to the Clyde residence?

“You can leave before the dinner, but at least we’ll have some time to study.”

I shake my head, trying not to let the shock show on my face. There are a million reasons to say no, the first of which is: “My parents would kill me.”

Ace furrows his brows. “Aren’t they out of the country?”

“I mean, yes, but... I can’t go to your house. They’d know somehow.”

“How?” he asks, seeming genuinely confused. “Are you going to tell them?”

I’d sooner die than tell my parents that I’m going to a boy’s house unsupervised. “Of course not.”

“Then what’s the harm?” He tugs on my lock of hair, causing me to take an uneven step forward. “Live a little, Ahmed.”

“By going to your house to study,” I say dubiously. Does Ace hear himself when he speaks? I can’t imagine what it’s like to glide through life like this.

He nods and, this time, I know I have to say something, before this goes further. “You know we’re from two different worlds, right? I can’t just do the things you do, and I’m not going to suddenly turn my life upside down to work around your schedule. My family...” I trail off, unsure how to finish that sentence.

Ace makes a face, the twist of his mouth rueful. “Sorry. I didn’t mean—I did it again, didn’t I? I overstepped.” He sighs, shifting backward, running a hand over his face. “I only meant that I’d like to study with you today, especially since I missed Monday already. Will you be in trouble if you come to my house?”

I bite my lip. I guess it’s not like I’d really be doing anything wrong by going to his house. “No, I suppose not.”

He nods, eyes scanning my face. “So then...what do you have to lose?”

My dignity, probably. Definitely my eardrums when Cora and Nandini hear about it. My life, if my parents ever find out against all odds.

He must see the answer on my face, because he changes tactics. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. But I’d really like you to come if you can.”

I open my mouth, but I’m stumped. I don’t have a response to that.