Page 22 of Even If the Sky is Falling
She was a little surprised that they’d wordlessly decided to continue to share the sofa. There were several other couches in this market—since there was more than one furniture vendor. But Maya didn’t want to be the one to suggest going elsewhere. In a bizarre turn of events, Tarek Mizra was the only thing keeping her brain from falling into the spiral of despair right now.
And if at some point in the night the three tones went off, this moment...thisconnectionshe’d rediscovered would end. No more of Tarek’s laughs. No more of him making her smile whenever he noticed darkness sweeping in to consume her. No more squeezing her hand before her tears fell.
And then life would go on. He’d be her professional rival and the son of her father’s enemy again. This little protective bubble with their three positives would burst, and all the challenges that seemed almost insurmountable in Maya’s normal life would be back.
And that was the best-case scenario. The worst-case scenario was that the asteroids that she couldn’t see or hear but could be barreling toward earth right now would hit while they slept.
Maya’s fists clenched and she squeezed her eyes shut. She needed to be close to Tarek. To feel the comfort that only human contact could give her. Snuggling a cat was nice, but even a cat lady like Maya needed people.
“I probably won’t sleep right away,” she said. Or sleep at all. She was tired, but she was too anxious.
“Yeah, me neither. Plus...I kind of want to get back to this book.”
Maya smiled. “So then should we just keep reading?”
He grinned, nodding. They got back into the same positions they were in before, except a little closer. They had to—they only had the one blanket between them. They read silently for a while until Tarek snorted.
“What?”
“Sorry, this is really funny. Are all these books like this?”
Maya shook her head. “That author is particularly funny. They’re not all funny, though.”
He turned to look at the cover again. “It’s like...it’s hiding something.”
“What do you mean?”
“The book. You can’t really judge it by its cover.” He turned and looked at Maya. “I always thought that about you.”
They weren’t supposed to talk about when they were young, but she was curious. “Why?”
“You were kind of quiet, I mean. You still are, when you’re not swearing or yelling at me about tikka sauce. But you were bookish.”
She snorted. “I’m still bookish. I mean, I’m reading right now.”
“Yeah, that’s just it. You’re quiet and read a lot, but it turns out you’re reading very funny andverysexy books.”
She laughed. “So, you’re surprised I’m not a prude.”
“I never thought you were a prude. That’s my point. I never judged you by your cover. I always knew there was more than what others saw.”
She believed him. Mostly because back when they were little and she’d had that massive crush on him, it was because he always...noticed her. She didn’t think he could possibly return her feelings, but she wasn’tinvisibleto Tarek. She had this memory of a big party at the Mizras. There were a lot of people there—and a lot of other teenagers. Her sister, his brother and sister, plus the kids of all the other aunties and uncles. They were all playing a board game in the basement and Maya had been eliminated early. Tarek played until the end, but Maya had the next book in her favorite series with her, so she sat in the corner and read. Really it was no wonder that she had a reputation for being dull and bookish. But anyway, the game must have ended because there was a commotion with all the kids heading up the basement stairs. Maya didn’t know where they were all going, and it wasn’t the first time she’d been left behind like that. She figured she’d stay in the quiet space and keep reading. But then Tarek was in front of her.We’re going out to the backyard, Maya. You’re coming, right?He had his hand out to help her get up.
It was such a small thing. But it was a memory that stayed with her—Tarek making sure she wasn’t left behind.
She chuckled. “You haven’t changed much.”
He shifted a bit, settling into his seat. The movement brought them closer still, maybe unintentionally, but neither of them moved to correct it. They were touching now. Not quite leaning on each other or even pressed together, but there was no space at all between their legs.
“What did you think of me back when we were kids?” he asked.
She raised a brow. “Fishing for compliments?”
He laughed. “Yeah, maybe. Get back to me on that.” He yawned, then rubbed his face. “I can’t believe we’re still here.”
“We’re never getting out of here.” She’d said it lightheartedly, but still tensed the moment the words were out. They’d been alone forhours. Maya was used to assuming the worst was going to happen, but it was far past the time when even optimists should panic. Her breath hitched.
Suddenly, Tarek’s hand was on her chin, gently turning her face so she could look at him. She’d love to say she found strength in his resolve. In his positivity. But the only thing in his eyes was the same fear she felt. His hand slid over her cheek. “I’m terrified, too, but keeping your three positives at the front of my mind is helping.” His hand slid down her face, then he took her hand in his. She was pretty sure he was doing it because he needed to touch someone alive as much as she did. Maybe even more.
