Puppy Dog Eyes

"'What's going on? You missed the city-wide finals a couple of weeks ago. Then you didn't even show for the practice this Saturday!'
She tenses, 'I was sick.'
'And you couldn't have called?'
Aisha tucks her hair behind her ears. She gives him one of her sweet smiles. 'I'm really sorry Mr. Friedlander...'"
Chapter 12, pages 108-109 of Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos

This quote makes me wonder how long Aisha can keep up this "good-on-the-outside" look. It also shows how even though Nadira is there, she isn't willing to correct her sister's lies in front of others.
Later in the chapter Nadira is called in to talk to her teachers about Aisha's personal problems, and why she hasn't been as committed as usual. I feel that the teachers/principal should've called in both Nadira and her sister. This might have been very difficult because of their legal status but it would have been very interesting to read.