It was a Saturday in November, more than a week since she’d made the decision to get engaged to Kiran. They’d had a short conversation a few days ago, mostly about the semantics of it all and when her high school semester would be over exactly. This wasn’t a romantic move for either of them, and Jaya knew that. The cold practicality suited her new reality just fine.

It was now time to tell Isha about the engagement before the announcement ran tomorrow and their relatives began to reach out. Jaya finally felt able to talk about it to her sister, though she knew it wouldn’t be an easy conversation, in part because she was still so raw herself. She didn’t hold Isha responsible in any way for the engagement—this was simply something Jaya needed to do for the greater good, even if it meant hurting others she cared deeply about. Without her permission, Grey’s face flashed into her mind, as it did many dozens of times each day, and she pushed it away. She wondered if this pain would haunt her for the rest of her life, like a long-ago broken arm that still ached when you bumped it against something.

Jaya sat at a table in a sunlit corner of A-caf-demy Bistro with Isha. The café was too bright with light and color, and the baristas behind the industrial-style counters were smiling garish smiles that made Jaya want to squint.

“So, how are you, Ish?” she asked, forcing her mind to the task at hand. “I feel like we haven’t spent a lot of time together these past couple of weeks.”

Isha took a sip of her cappuccino and wiped her foam mustache away with the back of her hand. Jaya winced, but didn’t say anything. She didn’t quite have the energy. “I know! Life has been so crazy. But I’m loving St. Rosetta’s. I’ve made so many friends!”

“I’m glad you’re happy,” Jaya said, picking up her chai latte and taking a sip. “This is just what you needed. A change of pace.”

“Yeah.” Isha nodded heartily. “So, how’s Grey?”

Jaya felt such an exquisite ache rack her frame that, for a full moment, she couldn’t speak.

Isha frowned. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” Jaya managed to say. “I’m fine. Why are you asking me about… Grey?”

“Well, you said you were keeping an eye on him, right? And I’ve seen you guys walking to and from class together. Plus, you sit at his table and are friends with all his friends.” She paused, as if she were unsure. “I just meant… how’s all that going?”

Jaya took another sip of her chai latte. “It’s… I’ve decided to stop all of that. Because I have some very important news.”

Isha raised her eyebrows, expectant.