The Smartest Girl in the Room by Deborah Nam-Krane

sleeping."
    "Oh, brother." He stroked her face and ran
his fingers through her hair. She started to shake her head, then
squirmed. "No, stop," she said. "It tickles."
    "Sorry, but didn’t you say you had places to
go, people to see, things to do?"
    "Like what?"
    "Like Zainab?"
    Her eyes popped open. She sat up straight and
looked around. "I’m on a bench," she said. "I’m outside, on a
bench." She turned to look at him. "Outside, on a bench, with you."
She blinked. "And we were up all night. And then I hurt your knee
and we walked all the way here from the North End." She sat back
and turned her head to the street. "I need to change. I need to go
to Zainab’s. Um..." she licked her lips. "Where are my bags?"
    "In my car."
    "I should get them, right?"
    "Why don’t you stay here, and I’ll go get the
car."
    "I think it’s better if I keep moving. I’m
cold."
    They walked silently, unable to form words.
Then Emily suddenly laughed.
    "What’s so funny?" Mitch said hoarsely.
    "Zainab went out drinking, and I got coffee
and pastries. Guess which one of us is going to be more awake?"
    They were on Fairfield Street. "Yeah, but I
bet you had more fun."
    Emily didn’t say anything, but smiled and
took his hand as they crossed Boylston. They made their way into
the Prudential and then to the Food Court. "Why don’t you sit for a
minute and I’ll get you some tea." Emily nodded and sat down,
closing her eyes.
     
    ~~~
     
    When she opened them, there was a steaming
mug of tea in front of her and Mitch was sipping his coffee.
    She sat up and blinked. "How long have I been
sleeping?"
    "Five minutes."
    "Ugh." She sipped her tea. He’d put just a
little milk and sugar in. She smiled. She really liked him.
    "What’s your plan with Zainab?"
    "I don’t know." She looked up to see him
smiling at her. She wished they could stay there all day. "Care to
make a wager as to what time she got back last night?"
    Mitch looked at his watch. "I’m going with
three-thirty only because everything is closed by then."
    "What about the frat party?"
    "Hmm. That could have gone a little longer.
Maybe we should call her."
    After about eight rings, Zainab picked up.
"Hello?" Mitch said after waiting thirty seconds in silence.
    "Mitch?" a voice finally managed.
    "Zainab, is everything alright?"
    "Everything’s alright."
    "Where did you guys end up last night?"
    "Last night? Where did we end up?"
    "Did you go to the club?"
    "The club."
    "Did you go anywhere else?"
    "Anywhere."
    Mitch looked at Emily, then back at the
phone. "Where are you now?"
    "Now."
    "Zainab, what are you doing right now?"
    "Talking to you."
    "Right, but where?"
    There was silence for a moment. "Um, on the
wall."
    "Why are you on the wall?"
    "Because it’s flat and I can sit."
    "Why don’t you go to bed?"
    "It’s too far away."
    "Okay, Zainab, you go back to sleep,
okay?"
    "But I am sleeping."
    He hung up. "I think she made it to the frat
party. I’m not sure how she made it home."
    "What was that about a wall?"
    "I think she fell asleep on the wall."
    Emily stood up. "Let’s go."
    Twenty-five minutes later, they pulled up in
front of Zainab’s apartment. Mitch looked at Emily for minute. She
bit her lip and kept her gaze on his mouth. "So," he said at last.
"Friday night. The dork from your favorite class."
    "You are going to be so unthreatened, you’ll
be disappointed."
    "Just so you know, I think the word you’re
looking for is ‘relieved’."
    She smiled and shook her head. "Why don’t you
help me with these bags?"
    She buzzed Zainab’s apartment. No answer. She
buzzed again, growling in frustration. She buzzed one more time,
and finally Zainab answered. "Hello?"
    "Hello, study buddy!" The door buzzed after a
second, and Emily pushed it open. Mitch pushed in her bags.
    "Do you want me to help you upstairs with
those?"
    "I don’t think Zainab’s awake enough to
process that."
    He looked down at his feet. "So I’ll see you
on Friday?"
    "Yeah," she nodded quickly.