Page 145 of Sexting the Pakhan

“Not about that.”

She seems to accept this with caution. “Mama says lying is bad unless it’s about surprise parties.”

“That’s a complicated rule.”

“Nadia says that too.” Mila pats the blanket over my stomach like she’s comforting me. “You can sleep more if you want.”

“I’m awake now.”

“Because of the bear noise?”

“Yes.”

She nods and looks toward the hallway. “Nadia, he’s not being scary.”

There is no answer.

Mila raises her voice. “He said your name sounds sensible.”

A small voice from the hallway says, “That’s not what he said.”

I turn my head slightly. The other girl stands half-hidden behind the wall, wearing blue pajamas and holding a book against her chest like a shield. She has the same curls, the same dark eyes, the same small face as Mila, and yet there is nothing the same about her expression.

Mila is open doors and raised hands.

Nadia is a locked box with a knife inside.

I say, “Good morning.”

Nadia doesn’t move closer. “You were making sounds.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“Were you having a nightmare?”

Mila whispers loudly, “Nadia, that’s private.”

Nadia whispers back, “You asked if he was a bear.”

“That was medical.”

“It was not.”

I look between them. They are identical, but only in the way a flame and a blade can be made of the same light. Mila fills the room without trying. Nadia stands at the edge of it and notices everything.

I say, “It was a nightmare.”

Nadia’s face changes a little. Not softer exactly. More careful. “I get those sometimes,” she says.

Mila leans against me. “She doesn’t like loud rain.”

Nadia’s face goes pink. “Mila.”

“What? It’s true.”

Nadia looks at me as if daring me to comment.

I don’t.