Page 127 of Reasons We Break

She doesn’t wait for a response before setting off into the crowd. The lights are dimmed, dance music blaring, so it’s hard to make out where people are. Luckily, Charlie’s wearing a bright colour—satiny pink—and she spots him at the buffet. She grabs a plate and pretends not to see an auntie in line in order to cut in next to Charlie. Toor Uncle and his wife are standing with him, pointing out various foods.

“Have the mattar paneer—”

“Oh, youmusttry the saag, Charlie—”

“Don’t go without taking the tandoori—”

Simran decides to rescue him. “Take one thing at a time,” she tells him. “I’d start with the saag.” She smiles at Toor Uncle and Auntie, and they (tentatively) smile back. Simran will have to work alotto redeem herself from the backyard party. Once they’re gone, she turns to Charlie. “How’s it going?”

“Good. Everyone’s friendlier than TJ led me to believe.” His voice is wry as they move down the buffet line.

“I didn’t realize she told you anything about our family drama.”

“She didn’t.”

It dawns on Simran that Charlie isn’t a star at school politics for nothing; he’s always intuited far more than he lets on. “Well, if you really understand what’s going on, then you must know it didn’t help that there was a photo going around of you twokissing.”

Charlie smiles slightly. “Not my fault.”

“Why do I get the feeling you actually enjoyed that part?”

His smile widens in answer. It’s honestly a wonder TJ and Charlie weren’t exposed sooner. Before they reach the end of the buffet table, Simran asks, “Can I ask you a favour?”

He falls back. “What is it?”

They lean against the wall. To anyone observing, it would look like they’re people-watching while they eat. “You can never tell TJ. Or anyone.”

The fact that he hardly blinks is testament to the strength of their high school friendship. “Name it.”

She pulls a USB from her purse and presses it into his hand. He doesn’t look down, but his fingers curl around it even as he gazes at her.

Casually, she looks back at the dance floor. After a moment, he does, too. “You’ve probably heard some rumours about me lately.”

“I have,” he agrees.

“TJ’s probably said I’ve been acting strangely.”

“She has,” he agrees.

“I can’t say anything about it or you’ll be in trouble, too,” she tells him. “But, hypothetically, if anything...suspicious, ever happened to me, I’d want you to give that to the police.”

“Thepolice,” he repeats sharply, and she can tell she’s surprised him.

“Yes.”

Charlie says nothing for a long moment. Then: “What, exactly, do you think might happen to you?”

Simran lets the silence sit until there is no real question what she’s thinking might happen. Charlie’s poker face doesn’t slip, and they both smile at an auntie who passes as if they’re just making small talk.

“TJ’s not the only one worried about you,” Charlie says once the auntie’s gone. “Am I helping or hurting you by doing this?”

From across the hall, TJ herself looks up, sees them, and stands. Simran stops being coy. “You’re actually keeping me alive.”

He swallows. And pockets it at once. “Okay.”

As TJ approaches, Simran wonders if this was a bad idea. But she honestly couldn’t think of anyone better to give it to. Most people don’t associate her with Charlie at all—their quiet high school friendship is vastly overshadowed by TJ’s relationship with him. Without a clear connection to Simran, he’s safe from the Lions. “Don’t ever plug it into a computer. Keep it somewhere safe. Secret.”

“I will.”