The bell tinkled, and everyone scraped their chairs back and headed for the doors. There was a tangible note of relief, of escape. The English final had been very simple; Mr. Linski had gone easy on them, thankfully. Jaya sighed; another exam down, only three more to go today and then they’d be done with the semester. Homegoing was tomorrow and then they’d all scatter to the four winds for winter break. She’d go home and see Appa, Amma, and… Kiran. And, of course, the engagement preparations that were already underway. She stood and was grabbing her backpack when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Jaya turned to see Grey looking down at her.

Her heart thundered. They hadn’t spoken since the yacht gala, except for him to smile at her occasionally, taking her completely by surprise. Usually she was too astounded to respond. But he hadn’t approached her at all, and he hadn’t mentioned their interrupted conversation from that night. Jaya had begun to think he was letting go. It had shattered her already broken heart, but it had been for the best.

“Hi,” he said, smiling.

Jaya tried to speak, only her throat closed up and not a single sound escaped. Clearing her throat, she tried again. “Hi, Grey.” She lowered her eyes and moved to go around him. “Sorry, I have to leave now.”

He turned to walk with her. “Are you going to Homegoing tomorrow?”

Jaya stopped and stared at him. “What?”

He stuck his hands in his pockets. A few people brushed past them toward the exit. “Homegoing. Are you going?”

“Y-yes. Daph wouldn’t take no for an answer.” She paused, not able to read his expression. “Why?”

“I’m going too,” he said, half smiling in that way that made her heart stutter for a moment before she reminded it that it had no right to stutter that way.

“Grey,” she said, shaking her head. “We’re not going together.”

“I didn’t ask you to go with me.” He grinned impishly.

Jaya stopped, surprised. “Oh. No, I suppose you didn’t.” She gathered herself again. “And we can’t dance or talk to each other either. In fact, I should get going, as I said.”

Grey continued to smile, as if he could see through her words to the real feelings lurking underneath. “Okay.” He turned and sauntered out of the room.

Jaya stood looking after him for a long moment. Homegoing? But he’d said he wasn’t going. Why would he go to a social event like that? And why was he asking her if she was going? What had changed? Jaya’s blood thrummed with a mixture of anxiety and, against her wishes, longing. She squared her shoulders against it. There was no chance of them ever becoming more. She’d made her unequivocal choice; she was going to be engaged to Kiran. It would be best if Grey left her alone.