The bar wasn't as important as peace and harmony in her family. She could do without the adventure, but she couldn't do without the love and support of her family.
"I can't," she said again, but this time with more conviction. "I'm not ready. Please stop trying to convince me because nothing you say is going to work. This is not the right time for rebellion."
Drova studied her for a long moment, those large eyes seeing too much. "When will you be ready? When you're fifty? A hundred? Because newsflash—immortality means you could spend centuries being not ready."
The thought was sobering.
"I promise that I won't wait that long. I just need a little more time to think, to plan. I can't, just can't."
"Yes, you can." Drova rose to her feet and walked toward the sliding door. "The only thing stopping you is you." She paused, one hand on the light switch. "Ruvon's at the bar, waiting for you. Did you at least text him that you are not coming?"
Arezoo winced. "Not yet. I was about to when you knocked on the shutters and scared me to death."
That was a lie. She'd meant to delete Ruvon's contact from her phone so she wouldn't be tempted to talk to him.
"Text him. It's not fair to leave the guy hanging."
The expression sounded strange to her, one more of those lost in translation, but she could infer what Drova had meant from the context.
"I will. I promise." After a short pause, she added, "I'm not ready." She hated how small her voice sounded.
"Let me know when you are ready to fly the coop." Drova flicked off the light, raised the shutters, and slipped out into the night with barely a sound. Arezoo quickly lowered them again, sealing herself back in her safe, dark room.
The only light was the soft glow her phone's screen emitted from where she'd left it on her bed.
Arezoo picked up the phone and dictated a message to Ruvon because her written English wasn't good enough to type it.Sorry, but I can't come. I hope you are enjoying your evening.
She powered down the device so she wouldn't have to see his response.
As she lay in the dark, Arezoo thought about Drova's words, about rebellion getting easier with practice.
The first step was the hardest, and after that, if the sky didn't fall, the next one was less difficult, and the next one after that even less so.
It was probably true, and one day she would find out, but it wouldn't be tomorrow or even a week from now. She was in no rush to embrace her independence.
