3:58

Malia gulps down the punch,

throws the cup at me,

laughs.

I need to tell you.

Tell me what?

I mean, it’s no big deal.

What!! she demands.

Well, just that

my grandfather,

and Mrs. Li, Mr. Cohen,

and maybe some others, well, you should know

that they are        here.

Her eyes widen

and she coughs.

But my parents. They’ll tell my parents …

Don’t you think they were going to find out anyway?

Malia picks up the cup,

throws it at me again.

We hear the loud screech

of a microphone,

a muffled voice,

the show is starting.