Ana María nods, her lips pressed into a smile. I’ve never understood what she sees in Tony. She’s the kind of pretty that makes people do double takes, whereas Tony is just… Tony. A bit snarky at times, a bit funny at others, entirely obnoxious always.

On my other side, Camila and Olivia are talking about this influencer that I’ve never heard of before.

“Oh, her eyebrow game is so strong.”

“I know, but it’s not like I have hundreds of dollars to spend on that shit.”

Before I can open my mouth to ask who they’re talking about, Ari whispers into my ear again.

“My mom told me to ask you whether you prefer a soft or a firm pillow.”

“I don’t—”

“She’s gonna freak out if I don’t come back to her with an answer.”

I can’t help but smile at Ari. I love it when we’re able to do this—when we’re able to have our own private conversations even though we’re sitting at a table full of people. If it wasn’t because of these whispered chats, I wouldn’t normally say much during lunch.

“I guess… soft, maybe?” That’s the way my pillow is at home, but it’s only because I’ve had the same one since I was little. For all I know, firm pillows could be so much better, but I don’t wanna cause Nancy any more trouble than I already am. Because Ari didn’t just talk to her manager at the store. She talked to her mom, too, and convinced her to let me move in with them so I’ll be able to make it to my early-morning and late-night shifts.

Ari nods once. “Soft it is.”

“Are you sure your mom is okay with everything?” I ask. “I don’t wanna be—”

“She is more than okay,” she interrupts me. “And, you know… I was thinking. Once you move in, we’ll be able to do fun stuff after school—when we’re not working, of course.”

“Yeah,” I say, nodding slowly to myself. “Totally.”

PRAISE FOR

INDIVISIBLE

“In a world divided by so many labels, this story is a reminder that there are no boundaries for love. It shines a light on the difficult choices people make for their family and community and reminds us that each family is a little world.”

—Yamile Saied Méndez, author of inaugural Pura Belpré Young Adult Medal winner Furia

“A heartening tribute to the power and endurance of familial love.”

—Adi Alsaid, author of Let’s Get Lost and North of Happy

“Indivisible is a heartbreakingly poignant and timely coming-of-age story of the human cost of a morally bankrupt immigration policy.”

—Jeff Zentner, William C. Morris Award–winning author of The Serpent King

“Insightful.… The uncertainty and heartbreak faced by families separated by deportation is brilliantly displayed.”

—SLJ