“But … are you sure you aren’t feeling a little sick? Because I’m sure Ammu and Abbu will let you stay at home if you are.” She gives me a toothy grin, like she’s thought up the best idea possible. Like I haven’t considered staying home today instead of facing school.

But I’m not sure which is worse—staying home with Ammu and everything she said yesterday, or going to school with judgmental Catholic schoolgirls. I suppose Catholic schoolgirls are better than dealing with Ammu alone in our house.

“I’ll be okay, Priti,” I reassure her. I try to give her a grin of my own, but it must come off as more of a grimace because Priti doesn’t look like she believes me.

Still, the two of us change into our school uniforms and pile onto the bus, Priti casting wary glances at me the entire time like she’s afraid I’m going to have a breakdown at any moment. Inside, I am having something of a breakdown. There’s panic bubbling in my stomach at the very thought of stepping into the school again, but I try to bite it down. There’s nothing to be done about it, and I don’t want to hide myself away. I don’t want anyone to think I’m ashamed. I’m definitely not.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Priti asks me at the entrance of the school, edging close like she’d attach herself to me if she could.

“You want me to ask my teachers if I can have my little sister tag along with me all day?”

“You can say that I’m like your emotional support … sister,” Priti says.

“That’s not a thing.”

“If people can have emotional support dogs, why can’t you have an emotional support sister? Bengali culture doesn’t like dogs so that’s just discrimination!”

“Priti … I’ll be okay. I can take care of myself.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince Priti or me, but saying it out loud gives it some solidity.

“Okay,” Priti finally concedes. “Come find me if you need me, okay?”

“Okay,” I promise.

Priti leans over and gives me a quick hug before disappearing into the school.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I can hear the chatter of girls milling around the entrance and hanging around their locker doors, getting ready for class.

“Hey.”

I almost jump from surprise. When I turn around, Jess and Chaewon are looking at me with wide eyes.

“We were waiting at your locker yesterday after school. We … wanted to talk to you,” Jess says.

“But you never showed up?” Chaewon says it like it’s a question. One that I don’t want to answer.