"I want to feel free and not caged." -Adam Mathews, IASWAD.
CHAPTER EIGHT: Comebacks, Malls And Accidents
Zamzam Amin
"Zamzam," My father called after me. I was heading out of the house, on my way to school when he stopped me. You know I haven't talked to my dad a lot lately, mainly with all this dare business and him always being at work. I turned around and faced my father who was holding my math text book in his hands.
"Don't forget this sweetie." He handed it to me.
"Thanks baba," I engulfed him in a hug then rushed out of the door. I was already late as it is and it's all Isa's fault! He knows I have to wake up at 7AM in the morning to get ready for school yet he still hogs the bathroom as if I have all the time in the world. He's lucky he does home school so he doesn't have to worry about that. But then again he has to do home school in order for him to be able to box. He's lucky he's sure about what he wants to do and he's doing it. I don't even know what I want to have for lunch let alone what to do for the rest of my life.
As soon as I got into my car I drove off to school.
* * *
"You're so dumb!"I said with a laugh. Amir is so stupid sometimes, but hey that's what I love about him. I also love that we're always normal around each other. We're not like those childhood bestfriends who end up liking each other. I always thought of him as a brother like Isa and Abdirahman.
"What? It's true! In my dream there were aliens and they were hitting me with pop tarts!" He protested with a smile of his own. We approached my locker and I got my stuff out while putting my backpack around my shoulder. Just as I turned around, surprisingly Adam was coming up to me with that stupid smirk of his. Amir caught where I was looking and turned to him as well. The smile that Amir had on his face had now dropped and was replaced with a scowl. For some reason Amir had always had a strong dislike for Adam, stronger than my dislike for him. Adam stopped walking once we were face to face with each other. What ever happened to keeping everything on the down low and not attract attention? I thought with a raised eyebrow.
"Hey, the boys want to apologize to you so come with me to the football field." He gestured for me to follow him. I could already sense Amir's curiosity about the entire situation, I mean who wouldn't be confused? Just as I feared, everyone around us watched as the great Adam Mathews walked down the hallway with Amir and I trailing behind. I bet this looked crazy to the people around us. I mean the most popular good looking guy in school hanging around the two nobodys? I would be confused too.
"I can go alone Amir." I said as I turned to him. He looked reluctant at first but then eventually agreed to leave. I love Amir for being protective but it's not like I need a body guard. I don't need someone with me all of the time. The walk there was awkward, too awkward. "Uhm," He cleared his throat. "So is that your boyfriend or something?" He asked as he looked away from me. Did he seriously just ask if Amir was my boyfriend?
"No, I don't date." I stated, kind of irritated.
"At all?" He asked with a shocked look on his face. What is so shocking about that? "Yes at all." I replied with an eye roll. Pretty soon we were near the gym and were about to head outside to the football field. All the members from the football team were walking around the field carelessly. I saw Simon and Nick staring at me with an annoyed expression on their faces. Why the hell are they annoyed!? Last time I checked I was the one who got kidnapped and was forced to go to a stupid party for a stupid bet! I unknowingly curled my hands into a fist just by remembering what they did to me. "Listen up!" Adam got their attention to us. "Say what you guys have to say to her."
All of them had guilty looks on their faces. "Look we're sorry about what happened. We were drunk and didn't realize what we were doing. I guess it's all my fault since I was the one who made the bet." One of the burliest guys from the party said apologetically. At least one of them apologized so that's good.
"But what's going on between you two?" Simon gave me a scrutinizing look. I turned to Adam who had an unreadable expression on his face. I guess we never really thought about what we'd say if people asked us that.
After a couple of seconds Adam cleared his throat. "Nothing I just wanted to make sure that Scarfy over here doesn't go tattle on us and cause trouble towards the team. I'm thinking about the good of the team, okay? We have our first game in a couple of weeks and we can't afford to lose any members. So don't think I did that because I care about her or anything because I don't." He had a different look in his eyes, a cold one. Wow, what a jerk. It's like the guy from a couple of days ago had completely disappeared into thin air. Why did I even think he was a decent person? I was pretty stupid to think that. Once an airhead jock always an airhead jock. I thought I started to get through to him a little but I guess not. Looks like I'll have to try harder.
"Oh okay. That's a relief!" Nick wrapped an arm over Adam's shoulder with a sigh. Why am I still here? I don't want to be standing here a moment longer. "Well if that's all you guys have to say then I'm leaving." I started to walk away but then stopped when something came to mind. "Also just to make things clear. Don't think that you guys are off the hook that easily, I'm just letting this one go because I'm a nice person. I'm not the type of girl you guys could easily mess with. And no that doesn't mean I'll blow up a building or anything because believe it or not us Muslims do not believe in violence. I don't care about what you guys think of me or what you call me because believe me I've been called a lot of horrible things before. Those names only make me stronger, I could take on anything. Also Adam, just like you don't care for me I don't care for you. So go on and act all tough in front of your boys, be the leader of your little empire because I honestly couldn't care less. But that doesn't mean I'll back down. Now, have fun with your practice." I left them all there speechless. Everyone had shocked looks on their faces especially Adam.
That'll teach them not to mess with me.
* * *
"Why can't you hold me in the street? Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor? I wish that it could be like that! Why can't it be like that? Cause I'm yours~!" I sang a long while washing the dishes. I was so into my zone that I didn't even notice Ihsan come into the kitchen until she started talking. "Wow I didn't know you could hit a high note like that!" She said sounding impressed.
I turned to her with a small smile. "Thanks, it's actually not that hard." I shrugged it off. In our family there's only three people that could sing well and it's my dad, Isa and me. Not that I think I have a good voice or anything. Well Isa and I get our singing abilities from our dad. His voice is amazing Mashallah. I remember when I was little he'd always used to sing me this song called My Little Girl, whenever I was sad. After hearing it, it would immediately make me feel better. Isa also has the same kind of voice except obviously his is more youthful.
When we were little Isa and I would always sing duets at our school talent show and we would win so many trophies. Now I don't like singing in public and the only time I do is when I'm in the comfort of my own home or at the masjid events. "You've got some real talent Mashallah. Anyways I came here so I could steal you for a while. You know have some sister-in-law bonding time. Now go upstairs and get dressed!" She didn't ask, no she commanded. "Ayye, Ayye, sir. I mean miss!" I smirked at the last part. What? Since she's going to boss me around I might as well have a little fun with her!
"Just go." She said with a roll of her eyes and a faint smile gracing her lips.
"Okie dokie, don't miss me too much!" I shouted over my shoulder as I walked up the stairs and into my room. After browsing through my wardrobe for a couple of minutes I finally decide what to wear. I ended up picking a normal black long sleeved dress with a colorful wrap around scarf, my black tight leather jacket, and my black purse. I also put on light make up meaning mascara, filled in my eyerows, put on a little concealer around them, eyeliner and lipstick and then finally made my way downstairs.
"Wow I approve of your outfit!" My sister-in-law exclaimed with a satisfied smile."Thanks girly! Now let's go!"I put on my shoes and opened the door.
"To the mall!" She shouted excitedly.
* * *
"So how's married life?" I asked as I took a sip of my strawberry banana smoothie that I got from Smoothie King. Dang it tastes like heaven in a straw! "It's great! Abdirahman is an amazing guy and I really love him." She had a glint in her eyes when she mentioned my brother. They must really love each other. I'm really happy for them! It's not easy to find someone you could connect with on so many levels, someone you know will always be there for you and care for you. I want something like that.
"I'm happy for you guys." I stated honestly. "Thanks sis." She gave me a small sideways hug. You know I've never really had an older sister before. I always wanted one and now that Abdirahman married Ihsan I feel like I finally got an older sister. One that I could talk to about girls stuff, one that could understand what I'm feeling. It's nice knowing that she's there.
"Hey watch out!" I heard someone scream from in front of me but it was too late. I had bumped into someone and spilled my smoothie all over her. My eyes widened once I saw the girl who was dripping wet because of my drink. "Oh my god I am so sorry!" I apologized to her.
"You're going to pay for this!" The girl shouted angrily as she stared at her now ruined top. "I will pay for your dry cleaning." I offered, still feeling guilty. She looked me up and down as if in disgust. Okay I get that she's angry and everything but how dare she give me that look? "You better." She put a hand on her hip and gave me a look as if I should be intimated by her. Oh god I can't deal with this today.
"Don't worry I will but don't act like I have to do anything. I'm just doing it because it's common courtesy. How much money would that be? A twenty? Here." I handed her the cash and grabbed Ihsan's hand indicating that I wanted to leave. "Wow I'm proud of you! You told her." She gave me a proud look.
"Let's just go." I replied with a faint grin. I hope I never see that girl again. I really can't stand rude people who think they're all that. People who think they're better than others. Just because they have good looks, or they're rich or anything. Allah made us all equal so shouldn't we be treated equally?
That's all I'm saying.
Adam Mathews
"Hey wait up!" I turned around and saw the guy Scarfy was with earlier running after me. I remember him from middle school, we never really got along. I don't know why but seeing him pissed me off. "What!?" I asked in an annoyed tone. He suddenly grabbed me by the collar and brought me closer to him. What is he going to do? Fight me? I couldn't help but laugh at the thought.
"If you hurt Zamzam in anyway I swear I will find you and I will make you regret it." He breathed out each and every word that came out of his mouth slowly as if he really meant it. I roughly shoved his hand away from me and fixed my collar. "Why? Do you like her or something? You know she isn't my type so go for it. She's too... innocent for me. I like bad girls not good ones." I smirked at his reaction. Now I know for sure that he likes her.
"You listen to me and you listen good. She is like a sister to me okay? So if you even think of hitting on her or make any moves I swear I will beat your ass. She's not like those girls you use and then throw out! She's too good for that! She's only doing this dare because she's a good person and she wants to make a change. So don't take advantage of her kindness!" He looked at me with fire in his eyes. "Now I only came to tell you that." He backed away and got inside his car.
As I approached mine I couldn't help but think back to earlier today. I didn't mean to say those things, I was just at a loss of words and I had to come up with something quickly. I mean I'm not a complete ass. "God what is going on with me?" I sighed as I put my key in the ignition and drove out of the school parking lot.
I don't know where I was going but I just continued to drive. All I know is that I do not want to go home and see my father and his fiancé. For once I want to continue to drive with no destination. I want to feel free and not caged.
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STAY
QURUX
MY
QURUXLEYS
MWAH!!:)😘