The Weight of the Stars - K. Ancrum Page 0,28

home first?” Alexandria asked.

Ryann looked down at Shannon as she slept, curled in a ball. “No. Generally after parties Ahmed’s parents make us breakfast. They’ll probably be expecting us.”

8 HOURS

Ryann squinted against the sunlight and turned over. She pulled the sheets over her head, then she sat up abruptly. This was Alexandria’s house and this was Alexandria’s bed. She glanced over and was both relieved and disappointed to see Shannon sleeping next to her.

Ryann moved to swing her legs over the side and nearly stepped on Alexandria, who was curled up on the floor.

Alexandria’s forehead was pressed hard against the edge of her bookshelf. She’d flopped over, then curled up close, tucking her knees up by her chin. Ryann gazed down at her in a daze.

Alexandria’s face looked completely different when she was asleep. Ryann was so used to looking at Alexandria when she was angry that she didn’t exactly know how to feel about Alexandria’s face when it was soft and tired. She had blue-black bruises deep underneath her eyes, and her short hair was thoroughly mussed. She made a small noise and then chewed on her lip in her sleep.

Ryann snorted quietly. Charlie did that, too. She’d thought that was something only babies did, but apparently not.

Suddenly, Ryann heard a noise behind her. She turned over, startled.

Shannon was sitting up, awake and watching the both of them. She was making an expression that Ryann had never seen her make before. “I’m not—I mean—I didn’t want to wake her,” Ryann whispered.

“It’s too late for that,” Alexandria said, waking up. “Are we going to get breakfast or not? I’m starving.”

2 HOURS AND 25 MINUTES

Ahmed stared at the three of them for a full minute when he opened the door.

“Okay … okay. We’re doing this … okay,” he mumbled, rubbing his hand over his face. Ryann grimaced. Things had been so chaotic and distracting she’d forgotten about explaining Ahmed’s circumstances to Alexandria.

Shannon rushed forward and fell into Ahmed’s arms. Ahmed cupped her head gently and swayed with her as he gently stroked her hair.

“Sorry I didn’t text before we came,” Ryann said.

Ahmed opened his eyes and shot Ryann an irritated glare over Shannon’s shoulder. Then he glanced back at his house anxiously before stepping onto the porch. “Did Ryann talk to you about my family?” he asked Alexandria, closing the door quietly behind him.

Alexandria shrugged. “Did she need to?”

“Kind of. Especially if she was going to bring you here unannounced.” Ahmed scowled in Ryann’s general direction.

“I am so sorry,” Ryann whispered sheepishly.

“What could be so complicated that we have to whisper on the porch?” Alexandria asked. “I mean, it couldn’t be that ba—”

“I have two dads,” Ahmed blurted.

“That’s not that—”

“—and a mom,” Ahmed interrupted. “They’re all my parents, and I don’t need you saying anything weird or making any weird faces at them or asking questions.”

“Like, a stepmom?” Alexandria asked, narrowing her eyes.

“No,” Ahmed and Ryann said in unison.

“They’re all his parents,” Shannon said softly. “They’re all together. It’s been that way forever, I think.”

“So like…” Alexandria narrowed her eyes even further. “Is it a secret?”

“No,” Ahmed said quickly. “It’s just. People talk … and they say things about my family … and I don’t want you in my house if you’re not going to watch your fucking mouth.”

“I wouldn’t bring her if I thought she wouldn’t, Ahmed,” Ryann said seriously.

“I know, it’s just … my dad got really upset when he learned people were making fun of me for it. It was a long time ago, like literally in middle school, but still.”

“Ahmed,” Alexandria said. “I’m not here to make fun of your family. I wouldn’t.”

Ahmed looked embarrassed. He rubbed his arm and glanced back at the house. “I know I haven’t been the nicest to you,” he said haltingly. “And … you have every right to get back at me. But please, please don’t hurt my— They’re happy like this and it’s hard to explain that … It’s just … I like them this way and they’re good parents.”

“It’s okay,” Alexandria said. “You already apologized. Stop griping about it already. If you feed me, we can be friends. I won’t say anything weird or make your dads and mom sad.”

“Okay…” Ahmed nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

“No problem.”

CRACKED

Mr. Bateman looked up from his notebook as they walked into the kitchen. Mr. Rossi was behind him at the stove, frying something in a large pan. He was wearing a frilly yellow apron that was clearly Ahmed’s mom’s and was also way too short