Chapter 10

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I see mom watching her favourite Arabic series from here.

Huh, guess she won't need help then...

I went to the kitchen to have a glass of water, those junkies made me thirsty. And the overall sepcenspes that happened today.

I took a glass out of the dark wooden cupoard and went to the fridge to take out the bottle of water.

After I drank at least five glasses of water, I just sat there, staring at the floral designs that are printed on the tiles of the floor.

What would I possibly do to make a perfect revenge on him. And incase you all are saying just forget about him, you don't know what he did to me in the past.

I was the patient one, pretending like nothing was or is happening, but it really has to end, soon.

He knew that I had feelings for him, but he just used it as a power to control me and weaken me, not after today though. What he did today was enough to enlighten the flames inside of me. He fought with my brother, he disrespected me.

The problem is, I am a talk but no action person. For instance, I told Ryan this isn't over out of anger, but I have no clue of what I would be doing. Maybe, I should just-

"Salam Alaikum" I hear a rushed whisper in my ear and let me tell you, I was scared out of my wits.

I jumped to my side, in the process, falling from the chair and a loud thump, hitting the floor.

When I looked up, dad was smiling down at me, humour clearly glinting in his eyes.

"Dad! What was that for??" I said standing up from the floor and I turned to him crossing my arms.

He threw his hands up in surrender and said "I was just saying the Salam! Not trying to wake you up from your thoughts, " he said in sarcasm filled voice.

Oh. Was it that obvious?

"What are you saying? I was just drinking water."

"It is empty, darling" he says and I look at the glass.

Again, Oh.

"Yeah, I was drinking it, and I was thinking to refill it" I said and he shook his head.

"You don't have to put that much effort to not tell me something, sweetie," he said shrugging off his coat and putting it on the dinning chair.

"No! Dad, it's just nothing at all, really, I was literally just drinking the water. "

"Sweetheart," he stood I front of me and put his hands on both side my cheeks.

"I won't force you for anything by any means, okay? I know you will have your own time to share it for us. And when that time comes, I will gladly listen to you." he said.

Aw, dad. I wish I could, but this is between me and him.

"Okay, dad." I whospered. I held his head and kissed his forehead. He wraps his arms around me and I hug him back.

"So cute you are dad and Newal." I snapped my head up from dad's chest and to my right to see Farris standing by the fridge, his nose covered in bandages.

"What can you say, this is our style." I say flicking my hair.

"Anyway, mom is calling you both to the living room. I think it's like a family discussion. She doesn't look happy at all" he whispered the last part and went out of the kitchen.

I looked at dad with a panic expression on my face. He looked at me with a worried expression, making me more nervous and panicked.

"Dad? "

"Let's go then. We don't want your mom to wait."

"Oh,yeah, right." I said and walked ahead of him.

I went and sat on the sofa, closer to Farris. And dad sat next to mom. I hear footsteps rushing down the stairs and when I look up, Fawzan and Nadely were looking at us.

"Family discussion? Now?" Fawzan whined.

Nadely looked at me and I gave her the 'please don't leave me alone' look. She gave me a sympathetic smile and went to the door,

"Bye everyone, mom called me, she needs help in the..um...groceries! So, yeah, see you soon!" She said.

"Before careful, darling" mom said sweetly to Nadely and she nodded.

"Don't worry, bye! " and with that, she is out of the house.

"Fawzan, sit" mom said and he obliged.

The air is thick among us, making me more and more uncomfortable. I don't know what happened, but something is wrong.

She is looking down at her phone, reading something.

She looked up at me, then down at her phone, she sighed and looked up at me again. Her eyes are blazing with anger, which is the total opposite of what she was earlier.

Oh, no. Something is definitely not right.

"I don't know what to say, read it for yourself." She said and handed me her phone.

"Is it about my fight?" I asked her before reading it.

"Not at all, something very different." She says sternly.

My whole body tensed, my hands turned cold and my stomach dropped, what is it then?

Farris scooted closer to me, and Fawzan towered me.

I looked at the screen and started to read the text,

___________

Mr. And Mrs. Sherif

I am writing to inform you that your child, Newal Sherif  is showing very misbehaving and inappropriate actions to the overall school community. I would greatly appreciate your coopreation in  working with me to resolve this issue.

I made this personal between you and I, since this action isn't as easy as the other mistakes students make.

I would like to meet with you again as soon  as possible to resolve these problems your child, Newal Sherif , has made and done.

Sincerely,

Principal McKellen

__________

My mouth is wide open, my hands are shaking slightly, and my eyes are stinging from the tears that are threatening to escape and fall.

Inappropriate actions? What is Mrs. McKellen talking about? I never even talked to any student I don't know, let alone do anything inappropriate. The only thing wrong I did was fighting with Ryan, which he deserved it well.

I am in completely in utter shock, not knowing what to do. Fawzan gasps and returns to his place, his face shocked as well.

I looked at Farris, and his face held, confusion? He looked at me intently,  as if searching answers beneath my dark brown eyes. But unfortunately, there is nothing that I am hiding, I never did anything.

"What have you done, young lady?" Mom says and I look at her, her face is frowning, and her eyes are unmoving from mine.

"Mom, Wallah I didn't," I started but got interrupted by her.

"Stop. I don't need to hear your unnecessary begs or complaints, tell me straight forwardly, what did you do?" Mom said in a voice where you you know that the storms and lightning will be hitting on soon. And here, the target is me.

"The only thing I did was fighting with that guy, mom, nothing that else, and the reason is because he fought and broke Farris' nose! I can't belive it, now the school is against me?? And you think I did wrong" I said not looking at her.

"You fighting with a boy to make it uo for your brother doesn't make it better, either. The school wouldn't lie about these type of situations, so surely, the problem is with you and only you."

"Mom, I-" Farris started, but mom cut him off,

"Don't even try to get into this, Farris. Stop defending your troublesome sister,"

"Troublesome? You call me troublesome, mom? And I did that for Farris, mom, I just couldn't stand it when we were in the same class while he was talking about Farris in a bad way. Don't you trust me?"

I said.

"Well, this text message says otherwise." She says.

I look at dad, who was looking at the floor saying nothing at all.

"Dad? Do you belive them more than me? Wallahi I didn't do anything!" I said and he looked at me.

His expression was... shame, he shook his head at me.

"Newal, you could be hiding stuff from us, I totally respect that, but I didn't thought it would be such a big thing."

"What? No, dad! I didn't hide anything big at all, or even small for that matter!" I yell and Fawzan widens his eyes at me, probably warning me not to yell.

"I am sure it is something to do with you not coming yesterday, right?" Mom says.

Oh my Lord, I can't stand them.

"Well, if you really think it has to do with me sleeping over at Nad's home, then no, because, I could've done something worse before that maybe you all would be embarrassed about me." I say. Farris squeezed my arm and Fawzan slapped his hand on his mouth.

"Newal Sherif, what did you just say?" Mom says calmly, too calmly.

"I said what I've said and th-" Without me noticing, mom reached from her place and slapped me, hard.

I held my now stinging cheek and quickly looked at her,tears running down my cheeks, I let them, too much emotions was stored toady.

"Why?!" I yelled at her.

"Newal..." Dad said, he was standing from his place, his face doesn't looked pleased, but I don't know if it is about me, or the fact that mom just slapped me.

"Newal, you are grounded for a whole week. No sleep overs, no nothing." She says and I shook my head,

"But I already ha-"

"Newal! Go to your room, now!" She yells and I flinched.

I stood up from my place, and looked at dad, he is looking at the floor now, Fawzan has tears in his eyes and Farris was looking at me, pain etched on his face and as long looking guilty, as if he did anything. Something passed between us, and I slowly nodded my head.

I felt mom pushing me from behind, staggering me forward,

"Hurry up and go," she says "You two, go to your rooms, too." She instructs them and they stood up too.

When I reached to my room, I felt a hand  over  my shoulder, when I turned around, Farris was looking down at me, biting his lip and his hands deep in his pockets.

Why does he look nervous?

"I am sorry," he said, and I looked up at him, confusion overbearing me.

"You don't have to be, you didn't do anything," I said and he shake his head.

"You will understand sooner or later, but I want you to know that I love you so much, I didn't mean to do anything to." He voice cracks and he hugs me tightly.

"Okay? Why are you being like this, weirdo?" I say, and he let go of me.

"I'm gonna be in my room, if you need anything text me, okay? I think mom grounded us too. But I'll sneak out." He says and let out a humourless chuckle.

"Alright?" I said and patted his shoulder, "No matter what, it's alright to make mistakes, Farris." I said and slipped in to my room.

Why did he act weird?

And weirder than that, he did something, that he thinks I am going to get hurt with?

I hope it is not a big deal of a thing or a mistake, because, I can't deal with anything right now. My mind is only occupied with what could be the thing that I did. And mom being made at me, and my whole family, of a thing I never did.

What I remember doing, was entering the school, from the school gates, walking to my locker, and going to my first class, then Ashley, then Ryan, then that was it, I went to the nurse room and came home.

My head is hurting me more the more I dig deeper about this. The bang I got earlier is enough for now,

The bang... silly me...

I went to my drawer and opened the first one, took out my pills and went to my night stand  to grab my water. I rubbed my temples and decided to go to sleep, even though it's pretty early for that.

I am now changed into my fluffy pink onesie, the one that I wear when I feel happy, I wore it hoping it would bring ,you happy spirits or anything magical to happen, but if course, nothing comes this easily.

I went I  the bathroom and looked at the mirror, my hair is and even looks tangled, I should brush it now, but I don't have the energy to do that. And since my hair is thick and long, it would take a very long time to brush it.

Disadvantages of having a curly hair,

I just twirled it and put it in a bun, I can't do it today, I will do it in the morning, or not.

After reciting my prayers of the night, I jumped on my bed and cuddled into my duvet.  I closed my eyes, begging sleep to overcome and drown me into my own world, where there is no trouble no arguing, no fights, or anything negative, just peace all over the world, equality for everyone, no racism, and mostly, postive vibes only...

The door of my room creaked open, I opened my eye and turned around to see who it was,

Well, I was not expecting what I am seeing right now...