AVA'S POV

I stepped out of the bathroom wearing my robe. I followed my nightly routine, pulling my hair into two sections and leaving my baby hairs out in the middle. I've always been obsessed with my blonde hair since childhood; it matched my sky-blue eyes perfectly.

I put on joggers with a band at the end, stopping just above my ankles, and a top that reached my navel. Stepping onto the balcony, I let the snowy breeze brush against my face.

Slow, low footsteps approached. I knew who it was before even asking. "What do you want, Avery?" I inquired.

"Can't I just come say hello?" he retorted.

"You're very annoying, you know," I remarked.

Just leave, I said.

He walked back to the door, but he stopped like he had had enough of it.

"You know what Ava, I'm not gonna leave and we are going to solve this, right here, right now, You can be unreasonable and stupid sometimes. What did I do wrong that you refuse to answer?" he asked angrily, a side of him I hadn't seen before.

"You have no right to be angry at me, Avery. If you think I'm in the wrong, then go take a hike," I said, tears streaming down my cheeks. My anger had melted into sadness.

I sat on the bed, tears flowing freely, feeling utterly desolate. When my older brother sat beside me and put his arm around my shoulders, I couldn't help but catch a whiff of his cologne.

"Let go of me," I snapped, pulling away.

"Ava, please, let's talk about this," he pleaded, his eyes matching mine, impossible to ignore.

"I'm not interested in talking. Please leave," I said, wiping away my tears.

"Ava, either we finish this talk or I sleep here tonight," he said, dangling the key to my room.

"Don't be stupid, drop my damn keys," I said, feeling a headache coming on.

"You know I never bluff," he said.

"Fine, you win," I conceded.

"Good," he said.

"You want to talk, Avery? Let's talk. Let's talk about the fact that you didn't call your sister, your only sibling, for five years. Let's talk about how you abandoned me, the only family I had. Let's talk about how you're the worst brother anyone could wish for," I said, my voice trembling.

I sat in front of my dresser, feeling like I'd emptied the void in my heart. Avery knelt in front of me, hoping for answers, but I wasn't ready to give any.

All those years he was gone, all those lonely nights, all those mistakes I made and now regret.

"Ava, please talk to me," he pleaded, his large hands hovering above my slim ones.

My voice cracked. "Avery, why did you never call me when I was in California?" I asked.

"Dad only visited once a year for business. But you never called, not even on my birthday. You were far away, yet still here in my heart," I said, placing a hand over my chest.

"Why did you do it, Avery? Why did you abandon me? How could you forget that I was your little sister?" I asked, tears welling up again.

"Avee," he said, his voice softening.

"I never wanted to stop calling you. I missed you every day. But Grandma severed all ties with you. She hated that you reminded her of Mom. You never listened to her, always defending Mom, even after everything she did. I'm sorry, Avee, I'm so sorry," he said.

My grandmother, the woman who despised me for resembling my mother, drove a wedge between us.

"You should have at least called me once, Avery. I went to an all-girls school; I never had a brother figure," I said, sniffing back tears.

"I'm sorry, and I promise to make up for everything you missed while you were away. I promise to be the big brother you missed. By the grace of Almighty Allah, I'll make it right," he said.

"You promise," I asked as my voice cracked.

"I promise," he said.

"Fine, I forgive you and I give you another chance to correct your mistakes," I said.

"Wouldn't lose it for the world," he said.

"Look at you, talking like a big old sheikh," I said, chuckling.

"Come here," he said, pulling me into the brotherly hug I desperately needed.

HADEEZAH'S POV

I needed to get my binders from my locker. As I approached, the noise became unavoidable.

"F***er, I wonder if you're even a man down there. Poor idiot can't even see with two eyes, the doctors had to add two more " Dylan taunted.

Dylan had everything I wanted in someone I didn't want anymore: a bully, a racist, and he particularly targeted me because of my hijab. Today, his victim was Freddy, held by Ryan so Dylan could torment him.

Freddy groaned in pain as Dylan hit him repeatedly in the stomach. I wanted to help, but I cowered in fear. Allah, forgive my cowardice.

Suddenly, Ashley intervened. "Let him go, you f***er," she demanded.

Dylan smirked. "Stay back, princess," he ordered.

Ashley didn't budge. "Make me, you jerk," she retorted.

"Why would such a beautiful damsel stoop so low for this loser?" Dylan mocked.

"If he's a loser, how come it took your own mom nine months to make a freaking joke?" Ashley shot back.

Dylan was visibly affected. I would've cried on the spot if I were in his shoes.

"Don't talk about people's moms like that," Ryan warned, stepping forward.

Dylan motioned him to stop. "I'll take any crap from anyone, but don't you dare talk about my mom like that," he warned.

"If your mom meant so much to you, maybe you wouldn't treat girls like disposable items, defiling them," Ashley accused.

"I don't force them," Dylan defended.

"But you still do it," Ashley countered.

Ashley helped Freddy up.

Hoping to get to the clinic I think.

Who would have thought that Dylan would keep shut. I thought sarcastically.

"Run along you coward, you think your pretty girlfriend will be here to protect you, you are wrong, the day you become a man maybe I'll Leave you alone," Dylan said.

"You know what you are, Dylan? You're a despicable excuse for a human being, a vile stain on the fabric of humanity. You thrive on the pain of others, relishing in your attempts to assert dominance over the weaker ones. But let me tell you something: your reign of terror ends now. Your days of tormenting others are numbered, and justice will catch up to you sooner or later. So enjoy your hollow victories while they last, because karma is a relentless force, and it's coming for you with a vengeance," she declared.

Anger flashed across Dylan's face. I remained hidden, hoping to avoid his wrath.

"I'm going to get you for this, you b****," he threatened as his voice echoed.

Ashley took Freddy, probably to the school clinic. She glanced in my direction. "I know you're there, Hadi," she said.

I emerged cautiously. "Oh," I murmured, feeling exposed.

After class, we headed to the cafeteria. Ethan approached our table where Ashley, Ava, Capri, and I were seated.

"Hey, everyone," he greeted.

"Hi," everyone chimed except me.

I was terrified of Rose.

"Ash, are you playing for the boys' football team tomorrow?" Ethan asked.

"The boys' football team? Are you sure about that?" I questioned innocently.

"Ashley here is a sensation in the football world. At the age of fifteen, she's already been scouted by Chelsea, so she plays for the boys' team occasionally," Ethan.

"Wow, that's impressive," I said, genuinely amazed.

Ashley, however, seemed preoccupied. "Thanks for the compliment, but I'm really not in the mood right now," she replied.

"Okay, I'll get your answer later," Ethan said before walking off.

I had secretly hoped he would ask me if I was going to his concert. Thankfully, he didn't.

"You seem a bit down today," I observed.

"It's nothing for you to worry about," Ashley dismissed.

"Okay," I said, deciding not to pry.

"It's my mom," she began.

"Your mom causing your bad mood? That sounds absurd," I remarked.

"Try having a mom like mine," both Ava and Ashley said simultaneously.

"Is this some kind of planned thing?" I asked.

"Believe me, it's not," Ava assured.

"Ever since my dad died, all she cares about is her business, making it stronger and bigger. She hopes I'll take over someday. I'm just tired. Even my eight-year-old brother, Ashton, doesn't know what it's like to have a loving mother because she's never home," Ashley confided.

"Even when I got my first period, my own mother wasn't there. Can you believe that?" she continued.

"Oh, I understand now," I said, trying to empathize.

"You don't have to be sorry; it's my life," Ashley said.

"We should head to class," Capri suggested.

We made our way to Geography class with Mr. Graham. Michael ended up sitting next to me again.

Why did I always end up next to this guy? Things had been awkward between us since our last encounter. Not that it meant anything to me, of course. But it was still weird how we always ended up in close proximity.

Flashback :

Immediately the snow fell.

It felt like only his cologne was in my midst, it smelt so manly and haram.

This feeling was weird, like really, really, really weird, but I had to brush off the feeling.

I would never break the rules of my religion because of a boy never.

"Are you OK," he asked, as I was still in his arms.

"I'm fine thanks," I said, getting away from him and still feeling chilly.

"Here is your jacket keep it," I said, getting it off me.

"Don't be stubborn, just have it and you will return it tomorrow at school, OK," he persuaded.

I had no other option than to take it cause I didn't have time to argue because of my mum.

"Fine, thank you," I said, grabbing the jacket and smoothening my hijab.

I only do this when I'm nervous or in an awkward situation.

Adunni keep you head in the game what is wrong with you.

I told myself.

I left and home I headed.

But trust me I knew he kept his eyes on me.

Those green eyes that every girl in Kings and Queens Academy want.

They were on me, the hijabi.

End of flashback.

I jerked my head hoping to get my brain back in class the real reason I was here not because of some boy who has a tattoo.

Mr Graham stared drawing some geographical whatever on the board, but I still need to take some notes even if I wasn't interested.

"Oops," I said as I made a mistake on the drawing.

I started rummaging through my bag looking for my eraser.

Turns out I forgot it. Silly me.

"I forgot my eraser," I mumbled to myself.

"Here, you can have mine," Michael offered.

"Thanks," I said, feeling our fingers brush against each other. Damn it.

I focused on the board, but I could feel his eyes on me throughout the class.

What is it with this guy, he such a freaking harami (a doer of forbidden act in Islam).

Turn out that he is actually a big brain, answered all the questions he was asked without stammering or stumbling.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, I heard sighs of relief from my classmates.

"Practice starts by four sharp, I hate tardiness," he said like he owned me.

"You do know you are not my dad right," I asked him.

"I know, but at this point, I'm your boss," he said.

"Have you ever heard about being nice, it's a good attribute if you could try it," I said.

"Thanks for the advice, but no thank you," he said.

"You know what just forget it," I said.

"I have a class bye," he said.

"Jerk face," I said.

"I heard that," he said.

Good thing you have ears," I said. But mummbled the last part to myself.

Hmmmmmm, I let out a sigh.

Resting my head against my locker, I hoped to give my brain a break.

Then, Miss Melissa entered the class with four students, two boys, and two girls.

"Wow, look how handsome he is," someone whispered.

"She's the best dancer on TikTok," another voice exclaimed.

"I can't believe they're at our school," someone else said.

"I need an autograph," another person chimed in.

As I looked closer, I recognized one of them-it was Julian.

WRITER'S NOTE :
Wassup ma people.
Ramadan Kareem.
Hope you have a great Ramadan.
QOTD :
What are you planning to do this Ramadan.
Mine is to finish more than half of the Quran (Holy Book). And my laatul Qadr should be filled with Barkah (Blessings).
Salaam (peace).