I left the bathroom with a blank expression on my face, replaying what had happened in there. Vad’s unflinching demeanor. The way his stutter miraculously disappeared. He felt wrong. Wrong in so many ways. My nails dig into my palm as the bell rings, sharp and rattling inside my brain. Students flood out into the hallway, and I desperately search for my favorite person.

  I can’t find her, but Ramish finds me. He places a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, dude!” He’s wearing his usual lopsided grin and it brings me a small sense of comfort—until it drops the second he really looks at me. “Fuck, dude…You alright?” He tilts his head to the side like a confused puppy.

  “Yeah…I just really need some weed.” A puff of air leaves my lungs as I scratch my scalp. I know Ramish wants to push further for real answers, but last time he did that, I gave him the silent treatment for a month.

  “Well, luckily for you…” He hands me a decent-sized, black pencil case. “Our next class is totally skippable and my future wife is probably already at our usual spot.” A pleased grin spreads across his face.

  I can’t help but match his energy, a grin creeping its way onto my lips. “Dude, I thought she had AP Lit right now.” I fall into step with Ramish, heading for the back exit.

  “She does, but my girl is sailing through that class with an A. So, it doesn’t really matter if she misses a lesson or two.” He was so lovestruck it was gross.

  Or maybe that was the jealousy talking. I roll my eyes and that just makes him chuckle. “Don’t get mad that my girl is dope as hell.” He opens the door for me and I thank him with a quick nod, walking outside.

  The warm air wraps around me like an embrace. “I’m not mad at her, you’re just a babbling idiot.” I snicker when he flips me off. We head for the table where Jaylin waits. Other students knew about this area of overgrown grass and old picnic benches, but we were the ones that were here the most.

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  “Took ya’ll long enough.” Jaylin chirps, sitting on the table. I sit down next to her and Ramish sits on the actual bench, holding his hand out. I pass him the pencil case and he unzips it to take out the contents.

  “So…heard you got partnered with that douchebag from this morning,” she says, watching Ramish roll joints for the three of us.

  “Mm…yeah.” I look towards the street, remembering how cold Vad was.

  “That’s it? No drama for little ol’ me?” She pouts. I consider telling her about the bathroom.

  I shake my head. “Nope. Nothing really happened.” I shrug. “He’s gonna do all the work for the project.” I can hear her let out an unconvinced hum. Although she’s the only person who can probe further, she doesn’t. I’m glad she doesn’t.

  “Here you go.” Ramish hands us the joints. I balance mine between my lips, digging in my pockets to pull my lighter out. I light my joint and take a hit, holding it in my lungs for a beat before exhaling.

  “Thanks, man.” I set my lighter on the table for the couple, turning to look back at the street. I take another hit. I love how it fills me and the exhale feels just as good. I tilt my head back toward the sky, eyes fluttering shut. My hair lifts in the wind—and then I hear the click of a camera. A smile breaks out across my lips as I look towards Jaylin. “Really?” My eyebrow raises when I see her pink digital camera in her hands.

  “Don’t complain, babes. You’re totes model material and imma take advantage of that,” she chirps, snapping another picture.

  Ramish pouts and tugs at Jaylin’s skirt. “Eshgham, aren’t I model material too, huh?” He rests his head on her thigh, looking like a kicked dog. Jaylin places a hand on his head and ruffles his dyed dark blue hair, twirling his braided rat tail around her finger.

  “Notice how you’re not getting a verbal response.” I tease, smiling when he flips me off. “Babes, get your dog.” I pout dramatically.

  “Alright. You’re both pretty, girls.” Jaylin rolls her eyes, putting her camera in her hoodie pocket. I watch as her gaze flicks down to the split skin on my knuckles, her lips press together, like she’s weighing something. Then she looks away, her hand absentmindedly playing with Ramish’s hair. “You did the thing again, didn’t you?”

  The question is vague, but it still makes me flinch. I don’t answer. I don’t have to. She brings her joint to her lips and inhales. I can’t tell if she’s disappointed or upset—but the fact she doesn’t push makes something ache in my chest.