Chapter 8

"Oh my God, Newal. Why did you do that?"

"I did it for you. Can't you see that he broke your nose!?"

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you should go out there, fight for silly reason, then BAM! You got yourself a detention young lady."

"You call getting into a fight and breaking your nose a silly reason?"

"I could have handled it."

"Can't you at least be grateful that you have a sister who loves you and really cares about you?"

"Trust me, Newal. I really am happy for what you did to that guy, but it still doesn't give you the fortunity to go and be all ninja on people. And let's not forget that you got a detention, which by the way, mom is coming ." He rubbed half his face, shifted the pack of ice a little, then sighed .

"I hope she won't a make a scene here. With her son having a broken nose, and her daughter, gotten to a fight, with oops, a god damned detention."

I sighed and stood up. Talking to Farris will give me nothing but a bigger and more tense headache than I already have.

But why did I do that in the first place? To be given the award of 'the best sister'? But ooh, Newal, no one cares.

I can swear it people use me because I'm such a softie. Whenever they stab me with a knife, I hide all the pain, smile and say 'it's ok, you can stab me again'. What a stupid girl I am.

He didn't even say thank you, or I appreciate it, or even a smile, for that matter. He really got that attitude since the fight we had at that café.

"Well, as I can see, you are better off without me, so I will be going to my classes. Salam, Farris."

Before I hear his respond, I quickly went out of the nurse room.

After the fight I had- well, the fight that I was the only one throwing punches- Mr. Wellington wasn't too happy about it. So guess what he did, he went down with a whole lecture of how I shouldn't put myself into these type of situations, that I have to have self discipline, and mostly that I am a girl what would've happened if he ever tired to do something.

That was it, I thought, I wanted to stop him and say everything that was on my mind, but hey, it was the principal we are talking about.

I thought, okay, now this guy too?? Why can't the world understand that I am a strong and a capable girl? I know there are a lot of girls out there that are stuck exactly as my situation, that are like me, but what can we do instead of listening to what the world tells us to do, act and say?

And the bonus? I am a Muslim, girl.

If only I can find a way...

When I was walking to my next class, I saw the group of the seniors on the way to my class. Seniors of my school, the absolute disgusting and worst. They treat any other student as if they rule the world and that they can do anything. Just because they are older, and they have the label, 'Seniors'.

While I was walking through the bunch of these students, I felt a sharp pain on my bottom, making me yelp and quickly look back to who did it.

It was one of the boys from the soccer group, I don't know his name, but he surely is a popular brat.

He  smiled innocently at me, while the others were laughing like donkeys.

Astaghfirullah...I'm so weird.

"What's up, beautiful" he said to me.

I resisted now, good. Unless I would have slammed him on the floor and showed him who the heck I was. But I didn't fight back. I just went back, turned around and head to the girls toilet. I can't learn anything with this state of mine, I just need the time for myself.

I closed the door and sat on the closed seat, tears are burning behind my eyes, threatening to spill, but I held them back.

No, I can't cry for this. Even though I was slammed, even though I was insulted, even though I'm not respected, even though no one understands me, I'm a strong girl. I have been through a lot, and still can go through a lot more.

Where is Nadely when I need her??

I took my phone out oh my front pocket, and texted Nadely,

*At the girls toilet, again. Pls come I need u.*

I just sat there, staring at the side wall, not knowing what to do right now. I really wish if I could sneak out, but I know that I will just deepen the hole of my trouble wider and deeper, so it's better not to.

The door of the girls toilet opened, then closed. I hoped it would be Nadely, but I'm totally wrong. There were clicking of heels on the white tiles of the toilet, Nadely never wear heels. She says they are uncomfortable and since me and her are taller than the normal, we really front need them.

"Newal?" I heard the very familiar voice call my name.

I can't.

I couldn't.

The tears started to flow from my eyes. I opened the stall door, and in front of me, there she is, the one I really need, who gives me comfort just by the sight of her, who I know that she will love me forever.

Mom.

I went and allowed her to hold me between her arms, I hugged her tightly, sobbing on her chest.

I don't know how she have found me, but I don't care. She is here and that is what I really want and need. My mother.

"Mom...today is...today... worst day...I..."  I tried to talk but the sobs couldn't let me, I'm breaking down right now.

"Shh...it's alright, everything will be good. You are a strong girl aren't you?" That made me cry harder.

"Mom? I love you, I love you so much" I hugged her tighter and Burry myself onto her more.

"I love you too, darling. Now stop crying, do you want me to cry too?"

She asked and I shook my head.

"I would...never want you to...to cry, mom" I said, the sobs choking on my words.

"The same for me to, Newal. Come on, let's go home now." She said and I looked at her by surprise. Did she really said that??

"Really? You mean it?"

"I would prefer if you would continue your lessons, but I think what happened today is enough for you and Farris."

See, mom always balances stuff. Even though she could be strict sometimes, she always sees the right and never wants us to do things forcefully. I'm so glad she came.

"But that doesn't mean we won't discuss this matter later." She added.

Ugh...

"But mom? How did you come here? I mean how did you know I would be here?"

"When I was on the way to the office, I met Nadely and she told me to come and see you."

Nadely, my best friend. A pain in the ass, but she's the sweetest of all.

I removed my hijab and puy it around my neck, then I washed my face by the cold water flowing from the tap, dried my face with the sleeves of my sweatshirt, put my hijab again then turned to mom.

"Let's go?"

"Yup." I said and we left the girls toilet.

Good thing it's still ten past ten. Woah...that whole drama happened in the morning?

"Mom, can we bring Nadely too? Please?" I ask her

"I don't know darling, would her parents be okay with it? I don't want to interfere with her studies."

"Please mom, I need Nadely so much right now, you know she's my best friend mom."

"Well, first let me talk to Lizzie about this, if she agrees with it then she can tag along with us" She says and I excitedly nodded my head.

Lizzie is Nad's mom. She is so sweet that she treats me as her daughter. She is cool with everything, so I don't think it will be a problem.

"Now off you go to Farris, I will go to the office and see what they have to talk to about,  after that I'll call Lizzie then we will go." Mom explains and I nodded my head.

I went to the nurse office, where Farris was there and, surprise surprise, Nadely!

"Nad!" I exclaimed and went to hug her, tight. Even though she is not the hugging type of person, I still am comfortable no matter what.

We hugged for a while then let go of each other. Still holding hands.

"Farris told me you got in a fight with Ryan! Girl! You are on fire!"

"You don't know how much I tired not to, but when he and Dan talked shit about Farris, I dont know why, but i just lost it. I think it's my protective sister mode got activated. "

Nadely laughed and hooked her arm around  my neck, making my hijab slip from my head, thank God it's only Farris and her. Unless I would've killed her.

"Sure it did" She says wiggling her eyebrow.

"Thank you" I hear Farris mumble.

"Huh? Sorry I didn't hear you, repeat please?" I say, smirking.

"Thank you Newal, I'm glad that I have a person who got my back." He says smiling at me, moving the ice pack lower from his face. "And sorry too, for everything."

"Thank you for apologising." I said and went to hug him.

"Aww, me too" Nad says and we all three hugged.

If only Fawzan was here. And Noha too.

"Kids, time to go." Mom says peaking through the door.

"Already finished mom?" I asked.

"Here yes, but home? We have a lot to talk about." She says. I subconsciously sighed, Oh no.

"Am I leaving with you too?" Nad asked and I nodded my head at her.

"How could I leave my bestie in this hell hole alone without me?"

"Thank you! My next class was History, you're a lifesaver!" She whispered in my ear and I chuckled.

Hand by hand we went out of the school and to home sweet home.

"~~~~"

"I could eat nonstop of this food! I could eat it all day and night without being weary about it!" Nadely speaks with her mouth full of food. Spitting a bit too.

Nadely and how she eats...

The food she is talking about is our Ethiopian side traditional foods. There are many in types and the way mom cooks them makes them even more heavenly. My favourite from the range of the traditional foods is Tibs, which is meat that is stewed with several flavored chilis and other ingredients, with its own soup.

"Thank you, Nadely, you know you are welcome here anytime."

Nadely bowed herself a little from the table to mom and said "It will be my absolute honour, aunty."

"Can I trade you with Newal, please? I'm so tired of her all the time" mom says and I fake gasped.

"What did you say mother? You've hurted my feelings!" I said while putting my hand on my chest.

"Oh really? Then good because it means you will learn from  your lesson,"

"You know aunty, I always see you as my mother, so feel free to call me your daughter" Nadely says

Farris and I 'aww'ed, Nadely looked at us then rolled her eyes at us and mom laughed.

My head felt a little  lighter than earlier, which could've weighed a thousand pounds. But still there is that weight that I don't think it i will get rid of it anytime soon or that easily, but for now, let me just enjoy my time.

I thought of Nadely and I going for shopping, or maybe we could get ice cream, or-

The ringing of my phone from the coffee table interrupted my thoughts of plan. I stood up and went to grab it.

When I looked at who is calling me, it was unknown. Who could it be? I swiped the screen and answered "Hello?"

I hear shallow breaths. In, out, in, out. It gave me chills and the creeps. Then I heard a cracking noise.

"Hello?" I say into the speaker again.

"You....target.....abduct.....kill" was the words I heard, my blood run cold and my body felt numb.