But neither did that guy getting his ears surgically altered to look like an elf’s, Ajay thought but didn’t say. Finally, he sighed. “Can’t we just go back to the way things were? I want to be your friend, Bridget. It seems like you need one.”

“You make me sound like some charity case.” She spit the words. “Not like a real friend. Don’t worry. You don’t have to keep earning brownie points by bringing me lunch and pretending to listen to me.”

He finally shifted to face her. “Bridget, I honestly like you. And I like you reading to me. These last few weeks have been great.”

“You mean it was great until you figured out I’m just some mentally ill liar.”

His phone buzzed, providing a welcome distraction, at least until he saw who it was. His mom. He bit his lip. He’d forgotten to tell her that he’d be home late. If he didn’t answer, his mom would call every five minutes until he responded. And if he still didn’t pick up, then she would probably demand the police put out an APB, as well as send his picture to Interpol and call the local news team.

“Hi, Mama,” Ajay said brightly. He tapped his finger against his lips so that Bridget wouldn’t say anything to give away her presence.

“Why are you not at home, son?”

“Sorry, I was um, in a study group. I’m on my way home. I know I’m getting a late start on dinner, but don’t worry, I’ve got something fast in mind.”

“Have you even packed?” She sounded tired.

“Mostly,” he lied.

They said their goodbyes, and Ajay put his phone away. The car was dead silent, and the silence had a weight to it. The darkness pressed up against the windows. It was starting to rain. When Bridget turned on the wipers. Ajay was glad for a sound other than the tires’ hum and the tapping of the rain. It felt like all the color had leached from the world. Everything was black or shades of gray.

“So how do I get to your house?” Her voice was matter-of-fact.

“You can just let me out on the corner of Thirtieth and Barbur. That would be the easiest.”

Ajay waited for Bridget to argue, or to confront him about whom it would be “easiest” for and why. Instead, she just said, “Okay.”

When she pulled up to the corner opposite the Chevron station, he said, “Look, Bridget, we’ll talk about this more when I get back from Seattle, okay?”

Her voice was lifeless. “Sure.”

After getting out, Ajay leaned in the open door. “I wish…,” he started, and then his words trailed off.

“Thank you for going to Bob’s house with me,” she said. “I really appreciate it.” As she spoke, she let the car drift forward.