Adaptation

Eleni

I walk out of Tandon, my hands sore from furiously typing for the last two hours, and blink in the sunlight. No sign of Dante. My stomach sinks.

“Have you heard from him?” I ask Amando.

He shakes his head. I reach for my phone.

And a slick, black coupe pulls up in front of the school. The window buzzes down to reveal Dante inside. In unison, we sigh.

“Wait, why were you worried?” I ask.

He glances around. “I’ll explain later. You ready for our day?”

I look at the tiny car, then at the guards.

“They’ll follow behind.” Dante smiles. “Come on.”

I’ve never been able to say no to that smile.

***

I don’t know what I expected when I asked to spend the day with Dante, but I didn’t expect this. It’s a little like the day I first visited the Tandon registrar. We wander the city, shopping aimlessly. Intentionally aimlessly, I realize, like Dante’s trying to create a path no one can follow. Though that sends cold fingers of worry up my spine, I try to just enjoy him. We eat a long, late lun