1 Chapter 1/Bruised knuckles

It was just another normal day of school. Just another normal Religion class I was attending. But, what wasn't normal was Aarib Feroze striding through the door ten minutes after bell rang.

It wasn't only my mouth that was hanging open, my eyes that went wide with shock, but every breathing soul mirrored me, including Mrs. Adam, our Religion teacher.

"Mr. Feroze, I'm glad you could make it to class," Mrs. Adam says in her usual sweet tone in which she addresses her every student. Rude, or not.

Aarib hardly attends any class. So if he shows up to any of them, the teachers don't scold him for being late, which is usually all the time.

Aarib nods without glancing over the teacher, and takes a seat on my left. I try not to overlook at his bruised knuckles, as well as the cut on his jaw, along with the bandage on his head. This is his usual way of showing to school. Nonetheless, he still looks beautiful.

His ocean blue eyes are always alert, always looking around for something like he just. . . I don't know, wants to pick a fight with. His chocolate brown hair are never tamed, sticking out in every corner, but somehow he still manages to slay them.

I try to focus my gaze on the notes sitting on my desk, and ears to Mrs. Adam. From the corner of my eye, I see him scribbling in his black journal that he carries with himself all the time.

"Okay class," Mrs. Adam says dropping the chalk on the table beside her duster. "I've written two topics on the board, as you can see." Islam and Christianity "I'll be assigning each one of you a partner with whom you'll write an essay 5 pages long. You will be marked on this assignment so put all your effort in it."

Everybody in the class groans about getting another homework today.

"Jessica with Ashton, Mike with Bolton. Aarib with Haya. . ." And then I was no longer listening to her.

I sneak a glance at my assigned partner but immediately regret my decision. He looks mad, almost frightening. His knuckles go white from gripping the edges of the table too hard, while beads of sweat form on his face. His full lips press into a thin line .

I don't know why he hates me so much. He probably hates the whole world except for his mates.

So, I shouldn't worry about that.

Right?

"Miss Aayra?" I call out, raising my arm. From my peripheral vision I see his head whip in my direction. She turns her attention to me and nodds. "Is it compulsory to do the assignment in groups?"

"Yes, sweety. Is there a problem?" I shook my head 'no', and went back to making notes. Till the bell rang, I avoided meeting Aarib's eyes.

Then I was out of class as fast as lightning.

~

"No, no, and no. Did I just say no?"

I am at Zoha's. She's my best friend, and a year senior, and she is not at all happy about Aarib as my partner. She doesn't like him, but then I remind myself that nobody likes him. I dig my spoon in my favorite ice cream ; cookies and cream, then put a spoonful in my mouth, humming in delight.

Ice-creams should be given out freely.

"Stop ignoring my 'no's'!" she whines, flipping on her front, and placing her chin on her hands.

"What am I supposed to do? Reject?" Her desk chair was not at all comfy, but considering she was sprawled all over the bed with no space for me, I had no other option than to improvise.

Her expression turned slightly. "You are supposed to think smartly, and change partners."

"I don't wanna do that, Zoha. He's also a human like us. Maybe life has been a lot harder for him. And don't you notice the bruises on his face? They seem painfull."

"He's a human without a heart! And his bruises should tell you that he is not a guy to mess with." I am so glad I didn't tell her about his reaction upon hearing us being partners. She would literally drag me to Mrs. Adams house right away and get me some other partner.

I stand up, stretching my arms above my head. God, it feels good! "We aren't discussing this matter again," I say, marching over and giving her a brief hug.

I know there is something wrong with Aarib. Something nobody can figure out, but the thing is, I don't think anyone has ever tried. But I will. I will find out what his problem is, why he hates the world so much. And if in that process I get my heart broken, then I will be the only one to blame.