They all stop laughing and just stare at me until I throw up my hands. They’ve obviously planned for every scenario.

I’m wallowing on my bed, staring up at the Hello Kitty stickers on my ceiling, when Ta knocks and walks in. I look at him dramatically, and sigh as loudly as possible. He gives me a knowing look and we start to laugh.

I’m his drama princess, he says. I honestly think I shocked my parents when they realized I wasn’t as normal as their other progeny. My sisters are all so nice and dependable, and then I burst onto the scene like a bulldozer.

Oh well.

Ta sits down heavily on my little vanity chair. We both look at it, willing it to hold. It does, thankfully.

I don’t know who’s more relieved, me or Ta.

“Nervous?” Ta asks. He’s a man of few words, a trait I most definitely did not inherit. Sima did, though, and I always admire how everyone listens when she speaks, just because it’s such a rare occurrence.

I shrug, my playful mood suddenly gone.

“Can I switch schools?” I ask, only half kidding.

He smiles and rubs a hand across his forehead. When did he get so gray? I suddenly have the sinking feeling that time is moving much too fast.

“I’m not sure the other schools are accepting applicants the night before the first day,” he says.

I nod, my throat tight. “Fair point.”

He clears his throat. “It’s going to be okay, you know that, right?”