One of YAs fizziest writers is returning to freshen up an old, beloved trope: the fake-dating scheme.
Sparks, of course, fly.
But back to10 Things I Hate About Pinky.
Courtesy Sandhya Menon
The novel publishes June 30, 2020, and isavailable for pre-order.
Pinky Kumar grinned at her friend Ashishs prone figure.
This is amazing, she said, touching Ashs face.
Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing
It looked waxy and pale, and his lips were the exact right color of death.
Well, what deathprobablylooked like, anyway.
You said Sweetie did this?
Yeah, she took a stage-makeup class last year, Ash said, cracking open one translucent eyelid.
Does the hair look okay, though?
I did that myself.
You look like you could start shredding on a guitar any minute.
Ashish was lying on the couch, his arms crossed on his chest, barely breathing.
Ash himself was leaving for Hawaii later today.
Okay, do you have what you need now?
Ash said, shifting a bit on the couch.
This wigs pretty itchy.
Pinky stepped back and took a couple of pictures with her phone.
Let me get a wider angle.
What charitys this for, again?
Ash asked, peeking at her through the fringe of his wig.
Dont you ever listen when I talk?
Pinky asked, huffing a bit.
This is, what, like, charity number thirty-two youre helping this week?
He had a point.
Its for the GoFundMe page of that nonprofit Super Metal Death, Pinky said, taking another picture.
They used to be just Metal Death, but they really amped up their community-outreach efforts last year.
Ash raised a thick eyebrow but kept his eyes closed.
Right, of course, Super Metal De
Pinky peeked out the big bay window.
For just a moment, Pinky felt a surge of panic.
Her mom was, at the best of times, an extremely formidable adversary.
Ash said, cracking open one eyelid.
He itched his scalp, and his fingers moved his wig so it was now half covering his face.
Pinky stood there, frozen in indecision, and then it was too late.
Her mother rushed to the couch, frowning.
Is that a doll?
Also, why was her mom so quick to judge all the time?
Why couldnt she approach this situation with a joyful curiosity instead of freaking out?
No, its not a doll.
Her mother stopped short, her face going sallow.
Pinky stared at her mom without smilingand then grinned.
You totally believed me, didnt you?
Ash sat up, grinning too, and Pinkys mother shrieked and jumped backward.
Its just Ashish, Mom, Pinky said, giving him a fist bump.
Pretty sick beat face, right?
her mother said, blinking at the big dude on her couch.
Is that really you?
Hey, Ms. K, Ash said, waving and pulling off his wig.
Her mom looked at the wig for a long moment and then back at Ashish.
Its for Super Metal Death, Pinky explained.
Im raising money for them.
Theyre crowdfunding to bring hot meals to band members from defunct bands.
Did you know that eighty-two percent of formerly famous band members now live in homeless shelters?
She took a seat beside Ashish, her fishnets digging into her thigh a bit.
Theres no way that statistic is right.
Adjusting her position, Pinky swung her black military-style boots onto the couch.
People dont realize how brutal the music industry can be.
But her mother was glaring at her, no longer listening.
Get your shoes off the couch.
Whats the big deal?
Were going to get them cleaned soon anyway.
There was a tense silence, and then her mother smiled a little at Ashish.
It was very nice seeing you, Ashish, she said.
yo tell your parents I send my regards.
Ash stood, looking nervous under the cadaverous makeup.
Ah, I better be going.
See ya, P. Have a good summer vacay, Ms. Kumar.
You too, Ashish.
See you when I get back, Ash.
Have fun in Hawaii.
And tell Sweetie I said thanks for lending her makeup skills to a great cause.
Once the front door had closed behind him, Pinky leaned back against the couch, her arms crossed.
The clock on the wall ticked.
Her mom said, in a super-calm voice, Wheres your father?
I guess hes still at that meeting in Menlo Park.
So you invited a boy here when youre home alone.
Thats against the rules, as you well know.
Four days into summer break and youre already Her mom broke off and rubbed a hand over her forehead.
Pinky said, her heart starting to trot.
When her mom remained silent, she changed tack.
Anyway, it wasnt aboy.
It was just Ashish.
She turned off all the candles and grabbed another remote to launch the motorized blinds covering the big windows.
Were not leaving till tomorrow afternoon.
Ive got plenty of time.
Pinkys moms stare turned icy.
No, youvehadplenty of time.
Pinky, come on.
I just want you to be a bit more responsible.
Stop spending your time on these ridiculous ventures that dont mean anything
Pinky held her breath for a moment.
Why is that so hard for you to understand?
Why is that so hard for youto understand?
They stared at each other, at one of their many, many impasses.
Finally, her mother exhaled, broke eye contact, and unbuttoned her suit jacket.
Taking it off, she hung it carefully over one arm.
One day, Pinky.
She shook her head, beginning to turn away.
One day youll understand that Im not your enemy.
And one day youll see why it hurts my heart when you insist on making these weak choices.
Pinky threw her hands up in the air, her ankh pendant swinging with the force of her movement.
I didnt make a weak choice!
Name one weak choice Ive made lately!
Aside from this one?
All right, her mother said, turning slowly to face her again.
Pinky felt her face close off.
Shed completely forgotten about freaking Preston, her last boyfriend.
she said, as if she didnt know where her mom was going with this.
Shed sneaked him in her window and her parents had caught them).
Her mom gave her ayou know exactly what Im talking aboutlook.
He got mandatory community service for something you still havent disclosed to us.
Whats your point, Mom?
Someone who isnt prone to finding themselves on the wrong side of a jail cell.
As her mom walked off to the kitchen, Pinky narrowed her eyes.
Whatd her mom think Preston was, a ghoul?
It would probably become her summer project or something.
One thing was certain: This summer vacation was going to majorly, definitely, monumentally suck.
**
Related content:
