Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions of assault and abuse, alcohol addiction, drug dealing and use, overdosing, illness, and death.

This chapter is a memory from Lahore, Pakistan, in June of an unspecified year when Misbah was 18. Misbah’s parents arranged a marriage for her, although she felt too young to marry.

In February present day, Salahudin, also referred to as Sal, rides to his high school in Juniper, California, with his father, who he calls Abu. Despite the early hour, Abu is intoxicated. The father and son agree to accompany Sal’s mother, Misbah, who he calls Ama, to her doctor’s appointment that afternoon, although Salahudin worries his father will forget to drive Ama. As they arrive at Juniper High, Salahudin’s girlfriend, Ashlee, greets him, and Principal Ernst approaches with a warning that Sal should not skip any more classes. Salahudin ducks into the bathroom to escape from Ashlee, thinking of his ex-best friend Noor, who always made sure he went to classes on time.

He and Noor fought several months ago after Noor confessed that she was in love with Sal. Sal pushed Noor away when she kissed him, saying he didn’t feel the same way, although her kiss “was a blade tearing open something inside” (11).