Mama gave a glance at the screen before her gaze locked onto me.

"You're still playing that game?" The cup of yogurt in her right hand meant for me shook a little, and there was agitation in her voice. "And talking to that boy?"

"Um," I gripped my fingers so hard that the edges of my nails turned white. I had to say something. "I've been cutting down my game time since we had that talk," I started, swallowing hard. "But I wanted to log in today and—"

"I thought I was clear with you," Mama cut into my sentence as she set the snack beside my computer.

I let out a frustrated groan. "I'm only playing today because—"

"Listen to me, Inaya. I want you to stop this right away. If you don't tell him the truth right now, then on Monday, you are going to confess everything to him at school," Mama said sternly.

"Wait, Mama. You don't understand!" Tears started to form in the corner of my eyes. "I...I didn't mean to do anything wrong."

"Inaya, I understood enough. And you're not going to argue with me on this anymore."

Argue was exactly what I wanted to do. And Mama saw it in my eyes.

"Inaya Ofrazita Stonewell."

I swallowed hard at Mama's use of my middle name and Baba's last name.

"A believer can be anything except a what?"

The question caught me off guard. "Huh?"

"I've taught you this. The prophet of Islam said that 'A believer can be anything except' a what?"

I slumped my shoulders, and I looked away. "A liar," I mumbled.

"That's right. And look at where being a liar has gotten you. You withheld information to mislead him, and here he is, laying down his whole heart for you."

"But I didn't mean to!"

"Allah judges every action as determined by its intention. Can you tell me your intentions were good when you started this? Can you, Inaya?"

I curled my hands into a fist. Meeting my mom's dark eyes, I said in a shaky voice, "So, only adults are allowed to lie?"

The moment I spoke the question, I realized I'd made a mistake. I almost outed my dad when I promised not to.

"What do you mean?" Mama's voice lost its fire. "Who lies to you?"

I stepped away, facing my closet doors. Hot and unwanted tears flowed down my cheeks. Mama walked over to place a hand on my shoulder to get me to look at her, but I kept my head turned away. My mom didn't understand. She didn't want to understand. She was so focused on her advice that she didn't want to hear my side of things.

"You have to come clean to the boy, Inaya. And if he doesn't forgive you," Mama continued, ignoring my discomfort, "don't force your guilt on him or be upset about it. Because he's the victim here, not you. You playing the game is one thing, but to trick this boy for so long—not to mention it meant you were being too friendly with him if he's so adamant about seeing you—I expected better from you."

I kept quiet, feeling my heart wrench. Even when she left the room, I didn't feel any better. I remembered the mood Mama had been in when she got home. Maybe Mama wanted to hang out with me because she got out of her depressive episode, and now I'd ruined it with the CrusadEon mess. I sniffled and walked to the bed, falling onto it in a heap.

"What do I do?" I whispered to myself. Normally Baba was my go-to, but I felt I couldn't do that, either. Not when Baba would have to do the same with Mama regarding his actions sooner or later.

Talking to Valentino was another thing that used to help me whenever I was in a sour mood...Valentino! I sat upright. I had forgotten that I had left him hanging again.

I rushed to the computer, but with a sinking heart, I saw that he had logged off like last time after I stopped responding. I stared at the screen, but I wasn't really seeing it. He was about to tell me something about his mom.

Oh, how I wished she could just text him right now and explain everything! But what good would it do now? I slumped in the chair and held my face in my hands. What should I do? Everything was so messed up. A fresh set of tears rolled down my face, and I let out a whimper. Who could help me right now?

My thoughts went to my friends, and I reached to pick up my phone. After sending the group chat a "I'm really upset" text, I set it down again.

If only I had a grandma close to her like Ameena, or siblings like Salah to help talk things out. Glancing at my scrapbook shelf, a face appeared in the back of my mind. It was Aunt Naomi's.

I sat upright and rushed to grab my backpack. I checked over my shoulder and then threw open my closet doors to grab several articles of clothing and spare hijab scarves. I also tucked away my Polaroid camera in a side pocket. I then hid the bag in my closet.

I had a silent dinner and spent some hours doing some relaxing studying that doubled as contemplative planning on what route to take to Aunt Naomi's place. At eleven, I slung my school bag over my back. I knew Mama and Baba were in their room already, but I still had to be careful. I made sure I didn't make a sound when I went down the hall and tip-toed out the back door.

When I showed up at Aunt Naomi's, she looked over my shoulder, and her green-speckled eyes went wide to see no one there.

"Inaya? What are you doing here all alone?" Her voice was loud with concern. "Your parents didn't mention anything."

"They don't know I'm here," I said under my breath.

Aunt Naomi inhaled sharply. "Okay, come inside. It's late. I can't believe you just went up and ran off..."

She pulled my hand gently to let me in. She led me past the pickaxes across the front door and to the loveseat in the living room since the couch had a bunch of fossil specimens and broken artifacts.

"Sit, and let me get you something to drink. We'll sort this out, okay?" Aunt Naomi returned to the kitchen with a mug of tea.

I took the offered drink and stared at the aromatic, dark liquid. I couldn't help but feel out of place. Not because I was with my aunt but more so why I was here. Aunt Naomi's place was for Eid and birthday parties. Not running aways.

"It's chocolate mint tea. It'll help you calm down, and it tastes good, too."

I nodded, still staring into the mug. Valentino's favorite.

She gave me a reassuring smile. "I'll call your parents and let them know you're here, okay? Don't worry."

While Aunt Naomi stepped to the edge of the room's doorway, I pulled out my camera and took a picture of the hot chocolate before returning the printed picture and camera to my bag. I sighed and listened as Aunt Naomi phoned her long-time best friend and put it on speaker.

"Hello?"

"Hey, I know it's late," Aunt Naomi started. "But I need you to not panic."

"Naomi? Are you okay?" The voice on the other end lost its confused sleepiness.

"Yes. But Inaya is at my house."

"What!?" I heard a creaking of the bed, a gentle slap, along with a "Yusuf! Go check Inaya's room right now!"

Aunt Naomi waited patiently, hearing only quick breathing at the other end.

Then came, "Oh my God, it's all my fault. I got upset with her and—"

"It's not your fault. This is normal teenage stuff. I'm surprised Inaya is so level-headed when you tend to get all huffy and stubborn."

"Naomi!"

"Look, Inaya looks sad at the moment. I think she needs some space from you guys to sort things out. You can come pick her up in the morning. Deal?"

"Okay." The defeat was evident in her voice. "Tell her I love her."

"I will. Now, go to sleep. Panicking right now might make things worse."

When Aunt Naomi ended the call and walked back over to me, I had curled myself into a ball, staring blankly into my tea. Maybe this was a bad idea after all.

Aunt Naomi squatted in front of me. "Hey," she said, looking into my misty brown eyes, "I convinced your mom and dad to have you stay here for the night. But we're all worried. This isn't like you. Do you want to tell me what happened?"

I covered my face, although I was sure my reddening ears would give me away.

"I might've done something I shouldn't have."

"Can you explain?"

I couldn't bring myself to say anymore. And being the amazing person she was, Aunt Naomi didn't prod.

"It's okay. We'll talk when you're ready to," she said, placing a hand on my arm. "You can sleep in my room for the night. It's kind of a mess, though."

I looked up and leaned forward to hug her. It was nice to have someone to be safe with when things fell apart.