When I finally got home, I tiptoed into my parents’ bedroom. By the sounds of the snores, I could tell they were both fast asleep. I went over to the right side of the bed, where my mother lay passed out, and kissed her softly on the cheek, careful not to wake her. Despite all her crazy antics, I was glad she hadn’t given up her matchmaking schemes entirely. Maybe she did know what she was doing. And maybe . . . just maybe . . . I needed her after all.

Ghosted

It had been exactly two days, nineteen hours, and twenty-nine minutes since the last time I had heard from Zain. Not that I was counting. I wish I could say that I spent the time casually going about my day, totally cool and confident with how the date went. But in reality, I spent every waking minute dissecting the entire night in my head, replaying every single minute, picking it apart to the bones. I checked my phone obsessively while simultaneously hating the fact that I had allowed myself to become so invested after just one date. A million insecurities clawed at the back of my mind, preventing me from thinking clearly: Why hasn’t he called yet? Will he ask me out again? What if he isn’t interested? What if I wasn’t pretty enough? Maybe it was just a pity date after all. By the time Tuesday rolled around, I was a total mess.

“So he hasn’t texted or called you since Saturday?” Liv asked.

I nodded and buried my head in my knees. “What do you think it means?” I asked, my words smothered behind my sweatshirt.

“Maybe he’s following the three-day rule,” Hannah offered. “You know, when a guy waits three days before asking to see you again, so he doesn’t appear desperate.”

“No one follows that rule anymore.” I looked up at Tania and Liv. “Right? That rule no longer applies, right?” My voice rose with uncertainty.

“I suppose it depends on how interested the guy is,” Liv said. “I’ve had guys call or text back the very next day. Sometimes even the same night.”

I buried my head once again. There was a hollow pit forming in the base of my stomach.

“I just don’t understand what happened.” I squeezed the corners of my eyes. “That night seemed so . . . perfect. He kept leaning in close to me. We practically laughed the whole time. He even held my hand as he walked me to my car—and not just a flimsy hand-hold but like this.” I interlocked my fingers to show them. I could still feel the warmth of his fingers as they wrapped around mine. I swallowed the lump that was rising in my throat. “I just . . . I . . . I really like him.”

The room was quiet, none of us knowing what to say.

After a few moments, Tania broke the silence. “Okay, let’s break this down. What did he say to you after he walked you to your car?”