The buzz of Zaid’s phone cut through the drone of his afternoon history lecture. A message from his mom lit up the screen.
Mom: Bring Sami and come home the second your last class ends. Don't be late. It's important.
A knot of worry tightened in Zaid’s stomach. Her texts were never this cryptic. He quickly typed back.
Zaid: Is everything okay? What's wrong?
Mom: Everything is fine. It’s Sami’s birthday. We’re throwing him a surprise party, then I’m taking you all out. Don’t spoil it!
Relief, followed by a wave of warmth, washed over him. A party. A normal, happy family thing. After the heavy tension surrounding Khamis and the unspoken sadness with Bassam, it was exactly what he needed. He found Sami after his last class, making up an excuse about his mom needing help with groceries, a
