A Bit of Earth by Karuna Riazi

Author:Karuna Riazi
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2023-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

Sixteen

How had everything spun out of Maria’s control so quickly?

She’d only had moments to adjust to Colin’s intrusion before Mimi and Rick tumbled in.

That didn’t go well at all, at least at first.

“You told them to meet you here?” Colin ranted, pacing back and forth in front of the bench.

“I didn’t tell them, but it’s not like it’s hard to find me,” Maria said, her arms folded. “I’m not suspended from some big famous music school, after all. Or a spy. Or something.”

“You totally left like a spy, though. I was worried,” Mimi interjected. The other girl didn’t even shrink under the murderous glare Colin sent her, which didn’t impress Maria at all.

Not even a little.

She was more focused on those last words. “I was worried.”

Did Mimi truly mean that, with all her precious friends and their cool names and attitudes and outfits?

She probably didn’t. She couldn’t.

“I didn’t want to bother you,” Maria mumbled. That wasn’t any more true than Mimi missing her. Maria Latif didn’t worry about bothering people.

Mimi shook her head. “You wouldn’t have. I’m sorry. I know I was dashing in and out of the room, trying to make sure everyone had what they needed and then my mom . . . anyway, next time, just tell me.”

Next time?

Maria was opening her mouth when Colin’s harsh voice broke in again.

“Um, can we focus? I don’t care what happened at the party or whatever, but these two being here is a big problem.”

“These two?” Mimi snorted. “You could just say our names, Colin. You know them. We were in day care together at Imrana Auntie’s house when we were teeny, remember? I bit you once for breaking one of my crayons. We have history. It won’t hurt you to say hi.”

Colin glowered. “Right now you’re trespassing on my property, so watch your mouth.”

“Your property? Excuse me, Mr. Fancy Boarding School—oh, wait, you’re not there right now, are you?”

Colin shot a look at Maria, who deliberately looked away. She didn’t know it was some big secret.

“This garden hasn’t been taken care of in a long time.” Rick spoke up suddenly, making Maria jump.

Colin narrowed his eyes. “So what?”

Rick just looked at him quietly. Noodles the ferret popped its head out to stare as well.

“We’re sorry we barged in like this,” Rick said after a moment. “But if you and Maria are going to bring it back to life, you can’t do it alone.”

Wait, what?

“Wait . . . what?” Mimi blurted out, as though hearing Maria’s thoughts. She looked between Colin and Maria. “Are you guys redoing the garden?”

“No,” Colin said firmly, as Maria answered, “Yes.”

He glared at Maria. “This is my garden, remember?”

“I found the way in, remember?” She turned to Rick. “Are you saying you want to help?”

Rick shrugged. “I like plants. And I help my dadima all the time.”

“Yes, we totally love gardening in our family,” Mimi gushed, finally catching on to the subject. “Seriously, we can help. Do you have tools? Plants? Tarp? Soil?”

Maria’s head was spinning.

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