Only on the Weekends

Dean Atta

• Publisher: Quill Tree Books
• Year: 2022
• eBook ISBN:
  9780063158009
• Print ISBN:
  9780063157996

From the Stonewall Award-winning author of The Black Flamingo comes a romantic coming-of-age novel in verse about pursuing the love we know we deserve. The ideal next read for fans of Kacen Callender, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Becky Albertalli.

Mack is a hopeless romantic—likely a hazard of growing up on film sets thanks to his father’s job. He has had a crush on Karim for as long as he can remember, and he can’t believe it when gorgeous, popular Karim seems into him too.

But when Mack’s father takes on a new directing project in Scotland, Mack has to move away, and he soon discovers how painful long-distance relationships can be. It’s awful to be so far away from Karim, and it’s made worse by the fact that Karim can be so hard to read.

Then Mack meets actor Finlay on set, and the world turns upside down again. Fin seems fearless, and his confidence could just be infectious.

Award-winning author Dean Atta crafts a beautifully nuanced and revelatory story in verse about the exquisite highs and lows of first love and self-discovery.

Is first love worth holding on to at any cost, or is true love waiting where you least expect it?

• Love Triangle: When Mack meets confident, charming actor Finlay on set, he’s torn between the boy he’s always wanted and the one who makes him feel seen for the first time.
• London to Scotland Romance: Mack and Karim try to make it work across the miles, but distance and doubt begin to test their relationship.
• Lyrical YA Novel: Experience every heartbeat and heartbreak through unforgettable poetry that captures the intensity of being a teen in love.
• Coming-of-Age Story: A powerful journey of self-discovery and learning to demand the love you deserve, set against the backdrop of film sets and new beginnings.
• Gay Romance: An authentic and heartfelt story perfect for fans of Kacen Callender, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Becky Albertalli.

Part One

Friends

September

Food Tech—Monday, second period

I don’t have a partner

But I’m happy to work alone.

It’s a new school year

And my first food tech class.

It’s the only lesson I have

Without either of my best friends,

Femi and Sim.

Food tech’s the only elective class

I couldn’t convince either of them to pick.

I tune out the noise of the room

And read the recipe card

Miss Rossi just slid in front of me:

VEGETABLE SAMOSAS.

“There’s too much chatter at the back.

Maz, please come up front.

You can work with Mack.”

I feel the heat rise through my neck

And across my face

When I hear Miss Rossi say my name

Because it sounds like

Working with me is Maz’s punishment.

Maz and I have never chatted before.

But sometimes

I spot her walking home along Bow Road

With her cousin, “K.”

Karim.

King of our year.

The hottest boy in school.

Captain of the basketball team.

Polite.

Handsome.

Wholesome.

Modest,

Despite unbelievable beauty.

Never a bully,

Despite being strong and tall as a tree.

Hopefully,

The Future Love of My Life!

Is this my chance

To discover more

About this boy I can’t help but be drawn to?

Maz dumps her bag at the table’s side,

Pulls out the stool, and grabs the recipe card.

“Don’t you mind being the only boy in this class?”

“Not really,” I reply.

“I just wanna learn to cook.”

I line up the utensils.

Maz piles up potatoes.

“I know what you mean. When we’re in Egypt,

I get to help Gidda and my aunts in the kitchen.

But Dad does all the cooking in our house here.

He says he wants me to focus on homework.”

“Is Gidda your mum?”

Maz smiles and hands me a potato to peel.

“‘Gidda’ means grandma in Egyptian.

My mum died when I was younger.

Cancer.”

“Same,” I say.

“My mum died of cancer when I was a baby.”

Awkwardness runs through my stomach.

I run the peeler down the potato.

I can’t look at Maz.

“I’m sorry,” she says.

“I’m sorry, too.”

“I guess you can’t talk about food

Without talking about family,” says Maz.

“True.”

I push peelings into a pile.

“Is your dad a good cook?”

Should I lie?

“We mostly eat takeaways.

Dad’s always busy with work.

He’s a film director,” I say,

As casual as possible.

“We need to cut the potatoes into small cubes.

Okay?”

Did she hear me?

We cook together.

Just the sounds of chopping

And breathing

Over our quiet thoughts.

We don’t talk about K.

We don’t talk about Dad either.

Next Week—Monday, first period

I wait in line with Femi and Sim,

For Mr. Charles to let us into English class.

“Hey, Maz.”

I step out of line,

As she passes me in the corridor.

“Hey.” She turns back and waves.

“See you next lesson!” I wave back.

Femi and Sim exchange a glance.

“See you next lesson,” Femi mimics:

Exaggerated high-pitched voice and a goofy wave.

Sim bursts into hysterics.

“You into girls now?”

Femi rests his hand on my shoulder.

“You know I only have eyes for you.”

I put my hand on top ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Prologue: Present Day
• Eighteen Months Ago
• Part One: Friends
• Part Two: K
• Part Three: Weekends
• Part Four: London
• Epilogue: Present Day
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author
• Books by Dean Atta
• Back Ad
• Copyright
• About the Publisher