Chapters (93)
- Cover
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Forty-Eight
- Forty-Nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-One
- Fifty-Two
- Fifty-Three
- Fifty-Four
- Fifty-Five
- Fifty-Six
- Fifty-Seven
- Fifty-Eight
- Fifty-Nine
- Sixty
- Sixty-One
- Sixty-Two
- Sixty-Three
- Sixty-Four
- Sixty-Five
- Sixty-Six
- Sixty-Seven
- Sixty-Eight
- Sixty-Nine
- Seventy
- Seventy-One
- Seventy-Two
- Seventy-Three
- Seventy-Four
- Seventy-Five
- Seventy-Six
- Seventy-Seven
- Seventy-Eight
- Seventy-Nine
- Eighty
- Eighty-One
- Eighty-Two
- Eighty-Three
- Eighty-Four
- Eighty-Five
- Author’s Note
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- Books by Kelly Yang
- Back Ad
- About the Publisher
Walking home from Claire’s house, Ming forwards me a video. It’s of Ming playing her solo at her concert and over the beautiful music is Florence’s voice talking about how much Ming means to her.
“She sent this video to her parents last night,” Ming says on the phone. “After Claire’s trial, Florence told me the real reason she didn’t want to introduce me to her parents that night. It wasn’t because she’s ashamed of me. It’s because she was afraid I’d look at her differently if I found out her parents aren’t married.” Her voice cracks. “Oh Dani . . . isn’t this video the sweetest?”
I smile and blink back a happy tear. “It really is,” I say. I swipe to look at the video again. Wow. The things we don’t know about each other. And the real reasons we do what we do.
My phone dings with an awaiting message. I think it’s Claire, texting about when we’re going to the police tomorrow.
“Hey, Ming, can I call you right back? I’m so happy for you!”
I hang up with Ming and look at the message, but it’s not from Claire. Instead, it’s a Messenger request from someone named Bree. I open it to read.
Hi Dani, I saw your speech and really need to talk to you. Mr. Connelly was my debate coach from 2014–2016.
I don’t reply. It’s probably one of his old students, looking to scream at me for tarnishing the image of their beloved coach. I don’t need that right now. I need to be in the right state of mind if I’m going to go to the police tomorrow.
That night, as I’m lying in bed, my mom comes into my room.
“Do you want me to go with you to the police tomorrow?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No, Mom, it’s okay.” I know how the police make her anxious, being a first-generation immigrant and all. Frankly, having her there will make it harder for me to say what I have to say, because I’ll be worried about her listening to my testimony and getting emotional instead of focusing on the facts.
“Are you sure? I can get the time off from Rosa,” she says. “I know I haven’t been coming to your things at school, and I’m sorry. I’ll make more time from now on.”
I smile. “Thanks, Mom, but I got this one,” I tell her. “I would love for you to come to my next tournament though.”
At the thought of my next tournament, my face falls. Will there be a next tournament for me?
My mom pats my back and says good night. As I’m reaching to turn off the light, my phone dings. It’s that girl Bree again.
Please. I really need to talk to you. Can we connect?