Love From A to Z

Zayneb discovers that salukis are dogs. She agreed to go to the shelter but now regrets it because she’s been afraid of dogs ever since she was bitten by one as a child. On the way there with Adam and Hanna, Hanna tells Zayneb about the dogs at the shelter and their difficult pasts. Zayneb is afraid of the dog Ariel when they arrive because Hanna said she sometimes bites. She lingers at the edge of the yard while Adam and Hanna play with the dogs. On the way home, they talk about different Muslim people’s ideas about dogs. When they arrive at Zayneb’s, Adam doesn’t say goodbye in his usual friendly manner. Zayneb hopes he texts her later.

Kavi messages Zayneb another update about school: Ayaan has been removed from the student council because of her social media activity. Zayneb wants to apologize to her, but Kavi says she doesn’t want to talk. Afterward, Zayneb messages Ayaan anyway, but Ayaan asks to be left alone. Then, Zayneb gets a message from the Emmas asking her to meet up at the mall in Doha. She journals about Adam and the shelter. Hanna sends her photos from the day, but Adam still hasn’t said anything.

Adam avoids his dad because he’s always upset on the anniversary of his mom’s death. He retreats to his mom’s old downstairs room to work on his project. He’s been redoing the room as a surprise for Hanna since he came home. He thinks about telling his dad about his diagnosis while working. He’s started feeling weak and shaky, which is what happened after the shelter. He couldn’t even say goodbye to Zayneb. He wants to message her but wonders if there’s any point in “hanging around with her” when he’s sick (101).

Adam’s friend Connor comes over to be with Adam. Connor knows it’s the anniversary of Adam’s mom’s death and doesn’t want him to be alone. Meanwhile, Adam thinks about his various friends. He’s glad for them even if they’re all different from him. Then, he and Connor talk about their crushes, and Adam admits that he likes Zayneb. Connor reminds him that Emma P. likes him, too.

Zayneb starts taking a yoga class with Auntie Nandy, hopeful that it’ll make her calmer. She doesn’t like the class and sneaks out. She wanders to the gym’s pool and gets in the water. Her worries disappear as she breathes and swims. Then a middle-aged woman confronts her about wearing inappropriate clothing in the pool. Zayneb starts talking back but then stops herself and gets out of the water.

Zayneb gets ready to meet up with the Emmas. She checks her phone, but Adam still hasn’t responded. She considers telling her sister, Sadia, about him, curious as to what she’d say.

Zayneb meets up with the Emmas, who reveal that Adam is joining them, too. They all talk about Adam, his mom, and Emma P.’s crush on him. Zayneb realizes that Adam isn’t talking to her because he probably likes Emma P.

At the mall, Adam watches Zayneb staring at her food while sitting with the Emmas. He tries to catch her eye, but she doesn’t look up. Then, the Emmas ask Adam to join them at the dunes the next day. Adam wonders if Emma P. still likes him and feels disappointed when Zayneb gets up and doesn’t come back.

Zayneb leaves the mall without saying goodbye and goes home. She starts washing some dishes and thinks about Adam and the Emmas while working. She puts on some pajamas and watches Little Women. The story makes her wonder about her messy personality. She keeps thinking about Adam and her friends at home. Kavi starts messaging her, and they get on FaceTime to talk. Kavi is at school, and their classmate Noemi pops into the frame. The girls tell Zayneb how things have been at school. They discuss Fencer, social science, and being Muslim. Noemi shares and listens, too. Zayneb is surprised Noemi has an open mind, because Noemi is white and doesn’t know her that well. Kavi and Noemi explain that they’re going to try to help Ayaan and keep pushing back at Fencer.

Auntie Nandy gives Zayneb her mom’s old burkini. She talks to Zayneb about what happened at the pool. She doesn’t like how the woman treated Zayneb and thinks that Zayneb should stand up for herself.

Adam starts to feel sick while at the movies with his friends. He sneaks out of the theater and calls a taxi. The driver notices that Adam isn’t okay. He helps Adam to the door when they arrive at Adam’s house, introducing himself as Zahid. Zahid leads him inside and stays with Adam until he seems okay. Adam stays in bed the rest of the day. His vision is blurry, and he can’t move his legs. He tries to get up but falls. He’s afraid, but he doesn’t want to tell his dad and Hanna what’s happening.