Lies We Tell

32 : The Past, The Present, The Future

Marisol's efforts to avoid Zahra felt more purposeful, and Zahra couldn't even fault her for them.

She watched the way the sailor hung around the law student, leaning in at her side to speak softly to her. The two of them had been keeping their distance from everyone else all morning, and they'd gotten quiet first last night in their bed. Normally she wouldn't be so acutely aware of their distance, but Zahra felt guilty, and it was all she could think about.

"People want Priya here. Can't say the same about everyone else."

Zahra winced at the memory of the bitter words that had escaped her last night. She might not always get along with Marisol, but even she knew she had crossed a line. The only problem was that she didn't know how to go about fixing it.

"Earth to Zahra."

She blinked and twisted her head to smile softly at Bobby. "Hey, Bobs."

He gave her a knowing look. "I miss her, too."

Zahra laughed softly even though her heart pinched as his reminder. "Believe it or not, I wasn't actually thinking about Priya," she admitted. She glanced back at Marisol again.

Bobby followed her gaze and held out a piece of his croissant in sympathy. "Feeling guilty about your little blowup last night?"

Zahra grimaced, snatching the croissant piece quickly and popping it into her mouth. "Yes."

"It wasn't that bad."

She shook her head. "I basically told her no one wants her here."

Bobby winced. "Okay, so it was a little bad." He popped another piece of croissant in his mouth, chewing furiously.

"I know," Zahra mumbled. "I feel really bad about it. None of us deserve to go home at this point." She looked at Bobby pleadingly. "How do I tell her that?"

Bobby looked flustered. "Uh, this isn't exactly my area of expertise-"

"I know how to apologize, Bobby. I just don't know how to get her to listen to me."

He sighed. "You've got to try, though. Having this hang over your head will ruin what time you have left here."

For a moment, Zahra held her breath, then she released it in an abrupt gush. "You're right. I've just got to do it." Plucking another piece of croissant from Bobby's hand, she popped it into her mouth as she stood up straight. "Wish me luck."

"Luck!"

Despite their seclusion, Marisol and Graham really did seem happy. As Zahra drew closer, she couldn't miss the genuine smiles on their faces as they exchanged quiet words just like she couldn't miss Marisol's expression of disdain when they noticed her arrival.

Zahra rushed to explain herself when she saw them move as if to leave. "Please don't go just yet. I'd really like to talk."

"Seems to me like you said your piece last night," Marisol muttered. "Why should you get to say anymore?"

Zahra blew out a sharp breath. "Because that was awful of me, and I regret it. I mean that." She locked eyes with the law student. "Hear me out?"

Marisol studied her for a moment before turning to Graham. "Give us a moment, babes?" At his affirmative nod, she gave him a swift kiss before letting him go. Once he was out of earshot, Marisol turned back to Zahra. "Say what you need to say."

"I'm sorry," Zahra confessed. "There's absolutely no excuse, but I was upset last night, and I completely took all of my frustrations out on you." She paused, then added, "I know you might not believe me, but it's the truth."