Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan

Author:Sara Farizan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Published: 2014-07-31T15:01:00+00:00

Twenty

Driving the four of us home, Dad has the BBC world news on at a low volume so he can keep complimenting me on the play. It’s kind of nice seeing him and Mom so happy about something I’ve done, though Dad does mention that he wishes I were as good at science as I am at acting. Baby steps, I guess. Nahal has to ruin it by bringing up Tess Carr. She’s always such a killjoy.

“Yeah, she got really sick all of a sudden. I feel bad for her,” I say sincerely, hoping we can drop it and just talk about what a great job I did.

“She was pretty good at the beginning,” says Nahal.

Yes, she was, Nahal. Why don’t you fling yourself out of the car and hitchhike the rest of the way home?

“Her poor father looked so upset when he took her home,” Mom says. “It’s horrible when your babies get sick, even when they aren’t babies anymore.”

We drive in silence for a few minutes. No one brings up the kiss and I am grateful. Dad puts in a CD and everyone perks up again.

“Not this old Persian stuff!” Nahal gripes as Dad yells, rather than sings, the lyrics in Farsi. Mom covers her ears with her hands and Dad sings even more loudly.

When we get home, I mention Saskia’s party. After that kiss, I really want to go. I can tell Mom’s torn.

“Are her parents going to be there?” I don’t want to lie to her. She must sense something in my hesitation. “I don’t want you to go, Leila. There will be other parties. I promise, when your winter break starts you can have some friends over for pizza, okay?”

That sounds so lame. But whatever. This is only the party of a lifetime, celebrating my triumphant stage debut. No big deal. I can skip that.

Half an hour later I am pleading with Nahal to drive me to Saskia’s party. I tell her I’ll give her fifty bucks, but she just laughs in my face.

“Mom won’t let you go, huh?”

I nod, feeling embarrassed that it has come to me pleading with my brownnoser sister.

“I used to make up stuff about going out, too. I’ll tell Mom you’re sleeping over with me. Go get ready, but leave your cute clothes in a bag and change in the car.”

I’m impressed that Nahal is not only agreeing to this, but she’s done this sort of thing before. So much for being the perfect daughter.

Nahal’s excuse works like a charm. Of course. Mom thinks it’s wonderful that we’re bonding, and says she always knew this day would come. She gives me a big hug. I feel so guilty that I almost back out. Almost.

“I love you, Leila joon. See you tomorrow.” Mom’s not naive. I just don’t think she’d ever expect Nahal to lie to her, or to lie for me for that matter.

“I love you, too, Mom,” I say before I rush off to Nahal’s car.

As soon as we get out of the driveway, Nahal puts on the heavy metal station.

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