Free Circle of Jinn by Lori Goldstein Page B

she’s got the cheer part down. “And since I trusted you, it’s your turn to trust me. I’ve been thinking about your first-day outfit. Because, now that you actually talk to people, it’ll be kind of like your very own cotillion.”
    Henry stifles a laugh. I turn to glare at him when I see Zak out of the corner of my eye. He’s on the far side of the lot next to the high school. He’s facing the brick wall, so I can’t see his face, but if the motion of his hands is any indication, he’s one unhappy Jinn.
    Chelsea’s still outlining her strategy for my fall wardrobe and so I shuffle back for a better angle. Henry shuffles right along with me.
    Covering with a fake cough, I say, “Zak.”
    â€œAnd?” Henry’s shock makes him slip and use his normal voice.
    â€œGlad you asked!” Chelsea says. “Layering’s a must. I’m impressed, Hen-Hen.”
    Hen-Hen?
    I can’t go there right now because Henry’s “and” actually refers to the individual I now see leaning against the redbrick wall in front of Zak.
    Though his hair is a bit longer and shaggier, his height and the way he’s dressed make him look like Zak’s twin.
    â€œOh,” Chelsea cries. “Henry, we must vacate. Mom’s expecting us.”
    There’s only so much teasing I can leave on the table. I nudge Henry’s foot with my own and whisper, “Mom?”
    He grunts and kicks me right back.
    Chelsea drops down into the driver’s seat and drapes her hand over the side of the door. “Azra, want a ride?”
    â€œYeah, why don’t you come with us?” Henry says, tipping his head toward Zak. “It’s not safe to leave you in an empty parking lot alone. Who knows what sorts of species may be lurking.”
    Chelsea giggles but I know Henry’s covertly referring to Zak and whoever he’s with, since Jinn are technically a separate species from humans.
    â€œI’m all set.” I point to my bike, secured to the fence with the new black-and-yellow U-shaped crossbar that Nate insisted I needed. Two weeks of using this fancy bike lock that matches his own, and I still can’t open it on the first try. “Besides, I should say good-bye to Nate first.”
    Henry reluctantly walks around the car and opens the passenger-side door. “Pop in later?”
    â€œIf I can. Might be hard with it being my first night home.”
    Chelsea frowns. “How sad! Probably got used to having someone to share your bed—”
    I jolt like I’ve been stung by a nasty greenhead fly.
    â€œâ€”room,” Chelsea finishes. “Well, see you later, Ra-Ra!”
    Ra-Ra?
    Henry laughs. He then mouths “Get home” right before his lips meet Chelsea’s cheek.
    Good. Great. Happy for him—them.
    Or at least I’m trying to be.
    I take a deep breath and focus my attention on Zak and mystery boy, who are still in a heated discussion. What’s going on?
    I slip my phone out of my pocket and send Zak a text:
    Leaving Nate at practice. On my way home. Can we talk?
    While I’m waiting, I resist the urge to stash myself in the trunk of Nate’s hybrid as a stowaway and instead text my mother that I’ll be home tonight.
    She replies:
    Kiddo, that’s wonderful! Mrs. Reese is being released, then? I’m so relieved and can’t wait to have you home and hear all the details. I’m at Sam’s. Be home in a while. *Make* us dinner, if you want.
    Yeah, so, I didn’t exactly tell my mother the truth about why it was taking so long to grant Megan’s wish. She thought Megan wished for her mother to come home, which, considering we can’t heal humans, isn’t something I could easily do. The only options were to wait it out and hope Mrs. Reese would be sent home soon or to come up with a genie trick. She wasn’t keen on me going the literal route, and so she agreed to let