"I'm also trying to get a degree," I said, the words coming out slightly muffled against his palms.
He let go of my face so fast I nearly fell off my stool. "What?"
"A degree," I said, and now I was definitely smiling. "In education. I'm taking classes online."
Elio stared at me for a long moment, his mouth open, his eyes wide. And then he made that sound—the high-pitched, excited scream that made Amir startle in the living room and then immediately start laughing.
"You're so smart," he said, and he sounded like a proud parent. "My little brother is getting a degree."
"I'm not little," I said, but I was laughing too.
"After that," I continued, because now that I had started, I couldn't seem to stop, "I want to get my teaching license. Become a real teacher. Maybe work at one of the schools here."
Elio was already nodding, already planning. "How about you aim for the highest? Become a lecturer."
I made a face. "I don't want to teach adults. They're annoying."
