Something Like Right by H. D. Hunter

Author:H. D. Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

LESSON 3.5

Student Clubs Look Great on College Applications

Feven shook her head, twisting side to side with her hands in her pockets. The sharp wind cutting across the Broadlawn grounds chilled us both.

“It’s never going to work,” said Feven for the millionth time.

“You’re just a hater,” I responded. “It’s the perfect plan.”

“I can’t miss church, Zay!” she replied. “I’ve never missed it. Not even one time. Even if I’m sick, my family will literally bring me to church and pray over me. ‘Be thankful, gwalay. Somebody has it worse than you, daughter.’”

“But you won’t be missing church. You’ll just be at a different one. My aunt’s church is pretty cool. Maybe a different place of worship is exactly what you need.”

“Ugh. Maybe…”

“Take your time, Feven,” I said. “Just remember, I’m the planner. You’re the genius. You’re supposed to look at my ridiculous ideas and be skeptical. And then I’m supposed to surprise you, defying all odds.”

Feven snickered. “Well, we can definitely agree on the me being the genius part,” she said, snapping another green bean off between her teeth. “Hey, by the way, how’s that book your mom sent you? It sounded fascinating.”

I shook my head, searching for the right words. “It’s … amazing. I read a little bit of it every night. There’s so much I never knew. I won’t even know where to start talking about it when I see my ma,” I said.

“Looks like her plan worked, then,” said Feven. “Wow, whoever convinced you to hear her out was really on the nose. Perfect advice. Ten out of ten.”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Thanks again. It’s funny—this is the longest we’ve ever been apart, but the book makes me feel so close to her. You know … you always mention your parents, but you’ve never really told me much about them.”

Feven looked down at her shoes. “You’re asking for a lot today, Zay.”

“I don’t mean to be pushy,” I said. I felt a hot flash of nerves that I might be saying the wrong thing again. “I just—I’m sure they’ve had such interesting experiences, traveling here from Eritrea and all. Probably could teach me a lot about you as well.”

“There’s nothing else to know about me! You’re so nosy, Zay.” Feven pointed her fork at me, moving it around in tiny circles with narrow eyes. “You know Habesha people don’t go around telling people our whole lives.”

“Look, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t feel like it. I’m just saying—I wanna know.” I raised my hands in defeat.

Feven looked back down at her tray but smiled. “New topic. Have you talked to Kenny?”

“A little, the other day. I’m worried about him,” I said.

“Why?”

“He’s still hanging out with that Demarco kid. And, I don’t know. I just … I have a feeling he’s into some dangerous stuff. And it feels like only so long before he gets caught up. I wish he would just stop hanging out with those guys and come back to school.

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