With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Check-In
It’s our fourth day in Spain, and half the class is buzzing. It’s officially April 1 and a lot of college acceptances will be rolling in, in the morning East Coast time. Some people keep wasting their data checking their phones for updates.
I’ve already made up my mind that I won’t check mine until I get back home. Amanda is going into a job-training program straight from graduation so although she smiles at our excited classmates, she also doesn’t seem as pressed as everyone else. Pretty Leslie looks bored as usual, like the only care she has in the world is the chip in her manicure.
Instead of starting with our usual morning tour guide, Chef Ayden has an announcement.
“All right, class. Your instructors tell me that with the exception of one or two of you”—Chef points a finger at Malachi—“most of you are doing really well.”
We all laugh and I elbow Malachi in the ribs. He smirks and bends down so his mouth is super close to my ear. “They just don’t want the rest of you to feel bad. I’m actually the best student here. My cuts of jamón ibérico would make you believe in God.”
I bite back a chuckle at his exaggerated Spanish pronunciation.
“Ahem.” Chef coughs into his hand and raises an eyebrow at me. “Instead of a moderated tour this morning, I thought you all could have some free time today and explore the city. Just don’t go farther than the old city walls. And don’t forget your shifts begin at noon.”
He shoos us out. “Emoni, a moment?”
I wait for everyone to walk away, but I see Malachi standing near the bottom of the hill, clearly waiting for me.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay with Chef Amadí? We went to culinary school in Paris together and I know she can be a bit intense.”
Whoa. I didn’t know that’s how they knew each other. “At Le Cordon Bleu?” I don’t know much about culinary institutes but even I know that’s one of the most famous and best schools for cooking in the world.
He nods and I realize then I don’t know much about Chef Ayden or how he came to be our instructor, but I’m glad he is. And I’m glad to be paired with Chef Amadí. “Chef Amadí has been great. I couldn’t imagine working with anyone else.”
“Great. I’m happy it’s working out. Get going; I don’t want to cut too much into your free morning.” And then as I walk down the hill I hear him yell out, “And don’t spend too much time with Malachi. He’s a bad influence, that kid!” But he has laughter in his voice when he says it and I can tell he made sure he was loud enough for Malachi to hear him.
Malachi is laughing when I reach him. He scoops my hand in his and we walk in silence behind the rest of the group, and for a single moment I feel like the sunlight sneaking over the hill is also sneaking inside me.