She went around to each group, going through what we had prepared so far and what we still needed to do. It didn’t sound too difficult. I had everything all set up, basically, since I’ve been keeping up with everything since the very beginning. I’m the daughter of a business owner, and I’ve been using Abbu’s work as an example every step of the way, and I’m Priti’s sister, which means she’s micromanaged everything. I’m kind of thankful for that now.

When presentation day comes I am fully prepared, but I still feel butterflies fluttering around in my stomach.

Chaewon: TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!!

Jess: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I keep typing and erasing, typing and erasing. I’m not sure what I can say, and I’m not sure what I feel. I’m excited, but also relieved. Today is the day all of this stops. The whole mess of me and Flávia and Chyna started with this henna business, after all. Maybe some semblance of normalcy will return to my life after today. Though after everything that’s happened, I seriously doubt it.

Jess: meet you guys at my locker before school?

Chaewon: yes!!

Nishat: see you there

We gather at our lockers with excited grins. It feels like Christmas has come early for everybody involved in the competition. We’ve been working so hard—each and every one of us—and today is the day we get to show the world what we’ve accomplished. We get to claim the fruits of our labor—or try to, anyway. We spend the first class setting everything up once again, all of our stalls and banners and posters. I put up the poster Jess made me—the lesbian flag with all of its different shades of pinks and whites and reds. I can feel the others in the hall eyeing me with disdain, but I don’t care.

Flávia catches my eye from the other end of the hall as I put it up. I smile and she smiles back, waving at me. I feel my heart speed up and I take a deep breath. I have to keep my feelings in check.

My phone vibrates in the pocket of my shirt. Two messages. From Flávia. I glance around, trying to catch her eye again, but she’s in an animated conversation with Chyna.

Flávia: good luck

Flávia: hope you win :)

My stomach plummets. I have no idea what to say back.

Me: thank you, good luck to you too

It’s the only thing that feels sincere. I want to tack on an I miss you, because I desperately do; I even type in a heart before deleting it.

Chaewon and Jess come up beside me as I slip the phone back into my pocket. Chaewon hooks her elbow with one of mine, and Jess takes the other. They both smile.

“Ready?”

“Ready.”