Page 103 of Reasons We Break

Chandani doesn’t notice. “What’re you doing here?”

“Getting new glasses.” Simran jabs her thumb behind her. “With my parents.”

That’s a hint that she’s busy, but Chandani only waves to her parents. TJ does the same. “Oh, good. I wasn’t going to say anything, but the glasses you’re wearing right now are godawful, worse than those other ones. What happened to them, anyway?”

“I fell.”

“Thank god. I mean, not for the banged-up face. But sometimes things happen for a reason.” Chandani nudges TJ. “We can find her way nicer glasses, right?”

TJ looks anywhere but at Simran. Simran’s unsure what to do. They haven’t seen each other since the hospital, and that feels like eons ago.

Chandani looks between them. “Oh, for god’s sake. Do you bitches have some kind of drama going on? Without telling me?” She sounds more upset that she was left out of it than that there was drama in the first place.

At that moment, Simran’s father returns with a pair of rectangular frames. “What about these?”

They’re not Simran’s type, but she reaches to try them on anyway. Chandani bats her hand away before she can. “No, Uncle ji. Let’s keep looking, though.” She smiles brightly. Simran’s father, looking bemused, drifts away again. Chandani glances back at TJ. “Well?”

TJ examines her sharp nails. “Nothing’s going on.” Her voice is flat. Simran struggles to remember what exactly she said to TJ. She’s burned so many bridges lately, it’s hard to keep track.

“If you don’t want to tell me, just say so.” Chandani rolls her eyes. “I’m going to find better frames for you, Simran. We clearly can’t depend on Uncle ji to solve this crisis.” She disappears. Leaving Simran and TJ alone.

Simran peeks up from the price tag she’s pretending to examine, only to find TJ mirroring her. They both quickly look away. This isridiculous. If Simran’s plan works...she’ll be out of the Lions soon. It’ll be over, and didn’t she say she was going to repair those bridges when it was?

Simran sets down the frames just as TJ starts walking away. “TJ, wait.” TJ stills. “Neetu’s hosting a backyard party tonight. Do you want to come?”

TJ faces her. “What?”

Simran’s confidence falters. “Her family is hosting Gurjeevan’s—”

“I heard you. But you told me to leave you alone.”

Simran winces internally. “I’m sorry about what I said. That...”Wasn’t me. Except it was. Sheisthis person now.

TJ doesn’t wait for her to finish anyway. “I don’t understand you. For months, you’ve avoided me, now you’re inviting me to a party? Why? You just need someone to go with?”

Simran’s mouth goes dry. “That’s not—”

Chandani returns at that moment. “I’ve got the perfect frames. Jassa won’t be able to keep his hands off.” She cackles, shoving them into Simran’s hands.

TJ makes a disinterested noise and turns for the exit. “I’m going to Sephora.”

Simran watches her leave. Chandani rolls her eyes. “Bitch. Anyway, Simran, these will lookamazingon you.”

Feeling defeated, Simran puts them on and lets Chandani snap pictures. They’re dark green with golden accents, the circular shape complementing her “angled face,” whatever that means. Simran gets them, mostly to get Chandani off her back.

Once Chandani leaves, Simran’s mom comes up to her. “So is TJ coming to the party?”

Her return from being a ghost is kind of jarring. What else did she hear? “No.”

“Then her mom won’t either.” She sounds relieved. Simran knows the feeling—fewer lies to prepare. Maybe it’s for the best, then. But her heart still feels heavy.

Simran’s phone rings. Private number.

“Who’s that?” her mom asks.

“Hillway. Just a second.” She walks into the mall corridor, where it’s crowded and busy. “Hello?”

“Manny will meet you tonight at five,” Nick says without preamble.