I watch as the senior boys jump and run, playing football. All of them are covered in sweat but none seem to mind. I have never understood the fun in football. All you do is run and run and run and chase after a ball. Not to mention tackle and shove each other on the way. Who in their right mind would want to run? Who likes running?
I don't understand people.
I peel my eyes away from them and focus on a girl sitting against a tree with her belongings scattered around her in the shade. It seems like she is listening to music as she moves her head side to side with the earphones in her ears, and jotting down something in her notebook.
Sometimes I wonder what is going on with people's lives. Are they happy with it? Or do they want to swap it with someone else? Are they breaking down inside while keeping a smile on their face?
"....any problem? You've been zoning out a lot today." I manage to catch the last few words my English Lit professor (whom I forgot the name of) says as the girl in front of me shakes my desk to get my attention.
I look at him as he waits for an answer. I clear my throat a little. "Uh, I am sorry Sir. It won't happen again."
He raises an eyebrow, "You said the same last time."
I breathe in oxygen. "I really mean it this time."
If he says I said the same thing last time again, I will jump out and escape from the window beside me.
Thankfully he doesn't, saving me from something I wasn't even going to do. Mainly because I'm that lazy and I don't have that much guts to go through with it.
The Professor whose name I still haven't remembered nods lightly before continuing the lesson. I notice some of my classmates still looking at me so I glare at them and they look away abruptly.
My phone vibrates in my coat. With my eyes trained on the professor, I take it out and hold it behind my desk. Satisfied he won't catch me, I glance at it to see the notification. I sigh and unlock it before checking out the message.
Immediately I put my palm on my mouth to quiet down the snort that left me as soon as I saw the meme Layla sent to our group. Typical Layla.
I type a quick reply and send it. A second later, another reply comes which is from Noora.
Noorie:
If you disturb me again with your stupid memes, I'll come to your class and break your phone.
Majnu:
How dare you call my memes stupid?! Noorie I thought I knew you better than that! T-T
Me:
You do realize she isn't gonna reply to you anytime soon now, right?
Majnu:
Yeah, I know. It's Noora after all.
I'm just really bored. This chemistry class is making me go insane.
Me:
It is chemistry after all. And you need to focus on the class if you want to pass.
Majnu:
Look who's talking.
I grin and put my phone back in my coat just as the professor turns around and looks at me.
That was close.
Sighing I hold my pen and start copying down the notes.
I really like English Lit, I do. But sometimes, I am in no mood to study and today is unfortunately that day. Still, I push myself to work. I need to graduate from this college.
Finally the bell rings and I get up and scurry out of the classroom.
Reaching my locker, I stuff my books in it and start making my way to the cafeteria. I debated waiting for my friends but then decided they would find me at our usual table as always.
Plopping down on the rock hard seat, I take out an apple to eat. I don't really feel hungry today so I decided to keep it light.
A huff breaks me out of my trance and I look up to see Manal taking a seat with a scowl on her face.
I raise an eyebrow at her, "What's got you so riled up?"
She rolls her eyes in annoyance. "Tons and tons of homework! I mean seriously, who does Sir Zain think we are? Just yesterday he gave us numerous questions and goes on and repeats the same thing today. I haven't even completed yesterday's work!" She throws her hands up in frustration.
A hand smacks Manal's head from behind. "Who told you to waste your time watching Netflix?" Noora asks, shaking her head.
She and Layla proceed to take their own seats as Manal rubs the back of her head and gives Noora a glare.
"I didn't waste my time watching Netflix. I just took a little break. For your information I had been studying practically the whole day yesterday."
Noora gives her a blank look. "Like I believe you."
"Noorie," Layla speaks up, "give her some break. Now no one can match your level of studying, which is literally every minute of every day."
I nod. "She's right," I tilt my head towards Layla.
Noora rolls her hazel eyes and shrugs, "Whatever."
Noora Nawaz is the classic nerd of our group. She loves studying and is basically wikipedia in a human form. She is even ahead of the teachers, as she likes to learn the new chapters before hand. I can never understand her mind and what goes on in it. She likes to speak her mind and can be very blunt at times,lout she also knows when to stay quiet.
Layla Sheikh is the shy type but only with people she's not close to. She's dramatic, hates attention and in general a very funny person who is obsessed with memes. She also is very kind and a sweetheart just mostly not with us. Mostly. Sometimes, she has her days of talking less even with us, but she overcomes it soon.
Manal Ali is the total opposite. With her dark stormy eyes, she almost mostly has a glare set. Anger comes to her like Noorie runs to study, if that even makes sense. Manal is the loud, sometimes scary, moody, rude at times, and the fearless girl in our group. She hates studying and loves movies and adventures. But because of us explaining how she needs to focus on her studies because this is college, she is getting there.
Lastly, there is me. Insha Azeez. I can say that I am a little like Manal but mostly in the terms that I don't mind attention and when I get angry, which is very rare, I also don't shut up. I am certainly not shy. Although, according to the three I don't talk that much. I don't mind being around people but if they get on my nerves, that's a whole different thing.
Moreover, one of the most prominent things about me, as my friends say, is that I zone out a lot. Anytime, anyplace. I don't know how this happens, but even I can't argue about this being not true. I would find myself staring into space out of nowhere, and then they would have to shout at me or shake me to bring me back to their existence.
All in all, I feel all four of us share some traits which made us best friends but also we can be completely different the next moment and still get along.
"Do you guys wanna go get smoothies when college ends?" Manal questions excitedly. Have I mentioned, Manal is the biggest foodie of all?
I grin. "Do you even need to ask?" We share looks.
"I don't know guys, I need to start a new book today. I don't wanna waste anymore time." Noorie says. I watch in entertainment as Manal glares hardly at her with annoyance on full display.
"You're such a nerd, man." Manal replies with distaste and a deep scowl.
Noorie glares back. "I'm a nerd? Fine. Now don't come running to me when you don't know how to answer the questions." She sneers. "At least I have a brain, something you clearly lack."
"Oh so now you're gonna throw your favour in my face?" Manal shoots backs. "What a great friend." She puts on a show of clapping her hands. "And you may have a 'brain' but I know how to enjoy my life unlike you who just wants to stick your nose in books your whole life, pushing away your friends."
Layla looks between the both of them. "Guys, stop."
I sigh. "You both are making a big deal out of nothing." I look at Noora. "You're coming with us. End of discussion." She clenches her jaw but nevertheless agrees.
"Drop it. I don't want to go anymore. Especially not with her." Manal states.
I glare at her. "Yes you will. Now enough with these arguments."
Manal makes a face and busies herself with her phone just as the bell rings, signalling the end of lunch.
We get up and make our way to the cafeteria doors.
"I'll catch you guys at my locker after the last class!" Manal shouts as she walks away to her class.
Layla nods and with a wave goes her way.
I slip my arm around Noorie's and drag her to our next class which we have together; Psychology.
"Come on Noorie, cheer up already." I whine to her.
She shakes her head. "She's such a witch."
I grin. "But you love her."
I see a smile forming on her lips. "Unfortunately."
I give her a little push and we chuckle.
Noora and Manal were the first two people to become friends. They knew each other longer than us and they have their own close relationship with each other. Apparently, a kid was being bullied four to five years ago and they both happened to be there at the same time, witnessing that scene. Without knowing the other was gonna do the same, they both had marched up to the bully from different directions and yelled at him in their own manner. From then on, they got to know each other and became the closest friends.
Because of their almost similar personalities in terms of anger and a blunt nature, they get involved in as many small fights with each other as they get along and have each other's back. They refuse to take shit and see others taking shit as well.
That came out wrong.
The third person to join the group was me two years ago. Noora was my first class project partner when I joined and because of the project we got to know each other a lot and soon I was introduced to Manal as well. We three got along really well and I became the peacemaker between them when they got into fights. We became the perfect trio.
Layla soon joined our group a few months later after I did. The way she joined was saddening but in her words, she realized whatever happens we should always be grateful. Me, Noora and Manal were in a park that day two years ago and we saw Layla crying on a bench alone.
We had approached her and tried our best to console her without asking the reason. And within the conversations we found out she attended the same school as us. From that day we would invite her to sit with us. Trying to divert her mind from whatever she was facing at that time, we cracked jokes, played silly games and told her things about ourselves. Along the way, we all had a soft spot for her and slowly but surely, she came out of her shell and started talking and sharing more and more.
We found out the reason she was in that state on the bench that day was because her parents had unfortunately divorced.
Since then, we four became a permanent inseparable group and shared a close connection with each other. And also, frequent fights.
•°•°•°•°•°•
"There you are! We've been waiting for years!" I say dramatically once we spot Layla finally gracing us with her presence.
She gives us a soft smile. "Sorry guys, I got held up in class."
Manal nods. "Okay okay let's go now. I can hear my stomach growling." She ushers us to the gate. Turning back we see Noora still on her spot, typing away on her phone. "Noorie! Come on."
Noora barely glances at us but says, "Let me just send a quick text to mom that I'll be a little late today." She types more for a second before looking up. "Done."
"Why couldn't you do this earlier?" Manal questions as we reach the main gate.
Noora gives her a look. "I was busy studying. Duh." She deadpans.
We roll our eyes playfully and proceed to walk.
Once we reach our destination, we each give our orders of smoothies. Manal ordered two slices of chocolate cake in addition. We take our seats on one of the tables and Manal dives in.
"Mannu, let me have a bite." Layla counters.
Manal shoots her a glare. "Get your own."
Layla whines and huffs. "Manalllll-"
"Shut up. Both of you." Noora snaps. I snort and sip my vanilla smoothie.
Layla huffs again.
Suddenly, Manal perks up. "Hey, have you guys heard about Warda's party?" She asks excitedly.
I raise an eyebrow. "Warda's party? No. Is she having another one again?"
"Yes." Manal replies. "You know the usual, all girls party/get together/voluntary sleepover."
"So, did she invite us?" Noora asks.
"Of course! Why would she not invite us?" Manal questions in disbelief. "We're going."
Layla shrinks back in her seat. "I don't know guys. I don't like parties."
"Oh come on Layls. It will be fun. You really need to loosen up." Manal pesters her.
"When is it?" Noora sits up.
"On the weekend probably. I think this Saturday."
Noora thinks and hums. "I have no problem. I'm coming."
Manal directs her gaze to me. "What about you, Insha?"
I sigh. "I'm not sure. I have to ask my parents if they are staying home. Otherwise I would have to stay with S-" My phone starts ringing. "Just a minute, I'll be back."
I pick up my smoothie and walk to the secluded part of the café.
"Assalamualaikum Mama." I greet once I pick up the call.
After exchanging words, I hung up. Now I have to stop at a store to buy a few things for my younger brother, Safeer.
Sighing, I turn around and start walking but suddenly out of nowhere a guy comes running towards my direction and collides into me, making my precious smoothie fly over and fall.
I hold back a big gasp as my widened eyes look at the boy standing in front of me, who is looking at my now wasted smoothie.
I feel annoyance creep into my veins along with anger at him because clearly, he wasn't looking where he was going.
His emerald green eyes(which are very beautiful by the way) snap to my grey ones as he runs a hand through his midnight black, slightly messy hair.
"Watch where you're going." He says.
Um, excuse me? Where I am going?
"Excuse you? You were the one running in a crowded cafe and you bumped into me. You have some nerve to call it my fault, especially when it was my smoothie that got wasted." I grit out angrily.
"Well, you should have got out of the way then." He retorts, rolling his eyes.
Is this guy for real?
"You should have used your brain then this wouldn't have happened in the first place." I snap. "Shove that attitude up your ass and admit what is right."
He narrows his eyes a little before letting out a small chuckle.
Chuckle? Is this person nuts?
"Alright alright, fine it was my fault. My sincere apologies." He gazes into my eyes with a little amusement.
Boy, haven't you heard to lower your gaze?
Like you're doing exactly the same right?
Shut up conscience.
"You're lucky it wasn't my phone." I clutch my phone tightly in my fist, thanking Allah it didn't also fly and crash. "Otherwise..-" I clear my throat.
Pretty eyes just stare at me, contemplating what to say. I unconsciously fix my hijab a little. "Um, I will buy you another one." He offers.
What? A phone?
No, a smoothie you stupid.
I mentally facepalm myself.
Of course.
I shake my head. "No, no. That's fine. You don't need to do that."
After all, there's no point in arguing more. My smoothie had already succumbed to its death.
He smiles a little. What's with him smiling? "I do. After all, I just wasted your precious smoothie."
How did he know it was precious?
"No, I said it's fine. Just be careful next time." I mumble, making a move to walk past him.
"Wait!" He blocks my way. I jumped a little.
"What?"
"I didn't catch your name." He says.
"I didn't throw it."
I mentally smirk. JD would be proud of me.
Pretty Eyes chuckles. Then after a minute, he says, "So you don't wanna give me your name?"
I furrow my eyebrows. "I don't go around giving my name to strangers." With that I walk past him to my table.
Manal, Layla and Noora all stare at me.
Manal is the first one to speak. "What was that?" She nods towards where I and Pretty Eyes was standing.
I shrug and cross my arms. "That guy collided into me. My smoothie is no more." I sniff.
Layla rubs her palm on my back soothingly. "Patience, my dear. It will be okay. Your smoothie will stay in our hearts."
I nod, understandingly.
Manal and Noora facepalm at the exact time.
Layla and I laugh.