It was officially break time. I closed my math book and stacked it in the compartment next to my chair with all my other stuff. I was about to leave my ballpoint on the desk but thought better of it and threw it with my books––you know, in case someone stole it.
I hauled myself out of the chair, happy to finally be able to stand. What I wasn't happy for, was the interruption from my right. It was a great thing that Zayn and I had coincidentally chosen sciences and English Lit. Which meant we were in the same class. For this whole year.
I wanted to smack my head against the desk.
Zayn had just thrown my notebook––that he'd been using to make notes for in all the classes––at my desk. I was about to glare at him but the class erupted into chaos since the teacher had just left.
"Z!" A very high-pitched girly voice called from some rows in front of us. I looked to find the source of this voice. It was a slender girl with the tallest legs I had ever seen on a female. She wore a thick layer of makeup that made her look like a barbie doll and her grey sleeveless top was tucked into her black capris, showcasing a lot of her porcelain skin.
She gave me a very mean look and threw her hair back, sashaying toward us. Specifically, Zayn who had made no move to get up. Neither had Anas who was chatting with the guy next to him. I had yet to see Zeeshan. It was as though he had vanished.
"Why are you still sitting here?" Barbie asked, concern plastered over her perfect face. I wondered if I was as pretty as her and then quickly shoved down that thought. It was pathetic. "And why next to her?"
I shifted on spot, wondering why I was standing like a fool. And also because suddenly everyone's eyes were on me. It was the first time there wasn't a teacher lurking on our heads and I prepared myself for the nasty comments that were sure to come soon.
"What do you want, Biya?" Zayn drawled, throwing his arm around my chair with his legs spread wide.
Her eyes were narrowed at me. "Can you leave and stop staring at my boyfriend? I don't get these so-called religious people. Always looking at us in disapproval and then going around staring at other people's—"
"Oh please," I cut in, trying to mask my hurt. Zayn had a girlfriend. Who knew how many he'd have had. And why did I think he wouldn't? He was a grown-up male and unfortunately not religious at all. "Firstly, I have no interest in your boyfriend. Secondly, just because you have insecurities about yourself, don't blame other people for looking at you in any way." I sidestepped her and left before she or anyone else could say another word.
I was still huffing and puffing when I entered the cafeteria filled with boys and girls and weird smells. I quietly went and sat in the corner, opening my lunchbox. Last night's biryani sat in the plastic box and my mouth watered. Ammi made the best dishes and this was my personal favourite. I hated making her work in our small kitchen in the hot weather where there was no AC.
Since Ammi's memory was very weak, I saw that she had forgotten to put a spoon and went in search for one, hoping there'd be time left for me to eat all of it.
The break lasted for twenty minutes usually and that time used to pass like seconds when Zayn and I used to spend it together, talking and laughing and stealing each other's food.
I smiled in reminiscence.
Ten minutes later, I still hadn't found a spoon and now Zayn was in the cafeteria with a rowdy bunch of teenage boys. I wondered if they played some sort of sport together. The familiarity they shared mixed with the synchronized movement definitely signified that they were, in fact, a team. And Zayn seemed to be the captain.
Boys shook hands with him in what I assumed was greeting since they'd met after a long three months. At least, they were long for me.
I managed to escape without being seen and kind of, sort of got lost on the way. I looked around me, finding no human as far as my sight went.
And then I heard it.
"The heck you doing here?"
It seemed to be Zeeshan's voice, coming somewhere from behind the bushes. He wasn't talking to me. There was someone else with him. I decided that I didn't want to know. I looked to the left, finding a long line of trees and on my right was a dangerous forest. The back was where I came from and I didn't want to go back lest Zayn noticed me.
"Relax, big bro," A girl responded while I debated sitting on the bench right in front of the bushes. "I was looking for you. Where have you been? The break's about to be over. Talk quickly."
It was the comment about the break being over that had me sitting on the slightly wet bench. The sun thankfully faced the other way, giving me some peace.
Last thing I wanted was to snoop in on someone's private conversation. So, I tried to tune their voices out. The keyword here being 'try'.
"You shouldn't have come," Zeeshan sounded stern. And his voice contained an element that wasn't ever present. "This is no place for a sweet, innocent girl like you. This bad boy here will corrupt you. Go play or something."
I couldn't help but grin. This sounded a lot like Zayn and me when we were younger.
The girl scoffed. "I'm not innocent. Or sweet. And we're the same age, Zeesh. Stop treating me like I'm your baby sis."
I could've sworn Zeeshan had just drawn in a sharp breath. Maybe I was delusional. Or maybe I was snooping on their conversation. It was a good thing it didn't seem private though. That meant I could listen while eating my biryani. Like a live show.
"How many times have I told you we're not siblings? Dear God, woman, when will you understand I can't keep playing the role of your brother in front of the whole school. I thought I made my feelings clear on pro––"
"Oh my Gosh!" The girl sounded frantic, as if she wanted to do anything but have this conversation. "Do you smell that?"
Before I could comprehend, the girl was standing in front of me, hands over hips.
I awkwardly waved my hand in the air, squeaking out a, "Hi,"
"Hey, you can't just leave . . ." Zeeshan strode out after her and his eyes narrowed on me.
The girl looked back and chewed her lip for a second before pouncing on me. She jumped on the bench and wrapped her arms around me.
"Oh my Gosh, girl!" She squealed in exaggeration, puller me closer till I couldn't breathe. What the heck was she doing? "I missed you soooo much."
"Uh . . .?"
She forced my hands to her by the back and whispered in my ear. "Just pretend, please. I'll explain later."
I knew it had something to do with Zeeshan and if the girl wanted a small favour, I could be kind.
I squealed, wrapping my arms around her, not wanting to think about the peace I felt. It was so good to have close contact with someone after the long day I'd had.
. . .
Not even a second after Zeeshan had left, the bell rang indicating the end of break. I scrambled up, closing my unfinished lunchbox.
"What class do you have?" The girl––who I now know to be Hoor––asks, slurping the remaining bits of her chocolate milk.
I press my lips together, unsure what to make of this newfound sort-of-friendship. "Chemistry lab,"
She made a face and I laughed, covering my mouth. "I was thinking of joining you but I have a slightly tolerable class—aka geography."
I frowned. "Joining me? We're in different sections, so how can you––?"
She waved a hand in the air. "Trust me, girl. Everything you've never imagined happens in this school."
My frown deepened as I continued walking next to her, hoping she'd lead me in the right direction. "Does anyone here even follow the rules? Zeeshan is in my section but he didn't attend any of the classes."
She scrunched up her button nose. "That's because he's one of the three."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"One of the three?" She suddenly stopped walking, facing me. "Tell me someone told you about them. Tell me."
"Uh . . ."
She threw her hands up in the air, thankfully walking again. "Zayn, Anas and Zeeshan are the kings of this school. Last year, they got elected as the student council members and somehow became even cockier. To make things worse, Zayn is the football team's QB and Anas and Zeeshan are the second in command." She chuckled at herself. "Sorry, unlike most girls, I don't pretend to know anything about sports."
I brought up a defensive hand in the air. "Excuse me, girls can be interested in sports."
"Are you?" She challenged.
I silently shook my head. "I'm the laziest person in the whole world. The only reason I'm walking right now is because we have to get to class. But after the things you've told me about the 'kings', I'm not sure I want to be in the same class as them."
"I haven't even told you anything about them yet. Just remember one thing: if you stay out of their way and follow their rules, you won't get picked up on."
"Great," I muttered. "Nothing I love more than a bunch of guys telling me what to do."
She giggled, swatting my arm. "Let's be best friends, kay?"
I stared at her with wide eyes and opened my mouth to speak but a loud voice cut me off.
"Hey, new girl! Your mom up for some fun with me?"
I sucked in a sharp breath, increasing my pace and ignoring whoever the heck he was.
If only I could survive today, the rest would be fine.
Or so I thought. I had no idea what awaited me until it was too late.