Wednesday arrived, there were two days to go before the valentines' ball. Our preparations were complete on the side of the student council, students were already at the school finishing up the decorations and settings. I looked at my phone, and noticed that I had not replied to my dearest hot-friend the night before. I was too tired to message anyone when Riad had dropped me off at home, I'd only left his house around eleven in the evening.
'Hi, do u have a date for the ball yet?' The message from Sean read.
Sean was insisting that I find myself a partner for the evening. I couldn't care any less about finding one. I purely wanted to enjoy the evening itself. I was also shy about asking someone to be my partner but I refused to ever tell anyone that. Imagine the student council president being afraid to ask someone out as their partner? Couldn't be me. My mother said I should just go with Sean, but I could not do that to myself. He was the 'it' factor at our school. All the girl's wanted a piece of his chops. They would instantly think we were a pair if we went together (they already thought we were, but I shut those rumours down with precision). Surprisingly, Sean had declined every single advance from every girl so far. I'd spoken to him and asked why he didn't even accept girl's numbers; he would reply saying: "Not my type." I took him at his word; however, I had the thought that perhaps he wasn't a 'straight' guy. It was rude of me to assume so without asking him.
I decided to reply to Sean while I finished the last of my breakfast:
'No. I don't have a date. Don't care.' I pressed send.
He replied almost immediately.
'Morning, thanks for answering my question so quickly (not).'
'Morning, sorry, was busy last nite.'
'Hooking up with someone?'
'Yes, your mother was so gentle with me.'
'comedian. Why are we friends again?'
'Cause we both don't have any other friends. besides each other.'
'tru.'
Sean sent me another message before I put my phone down:
'wanna go together? as partners or whatever.'
My mind was taken away from Sean's message. I was surprised as a ghost walked into the kitchen and sat beside me. It was my older brother, the mysterious, not so-gentleman himself. He looked half-decomposed as he walked in. He most probably had drunk himself into a coma the day before. His brown hair stood on ends, and he smelled like he hadn't showered in a week.
"And so, baby-Bruce returns to the land of the living," I said to him.
"Mmm," He replied.
He licked his lips attempting to gather saliva to moisturize his lips. He looked at my breakfast, and snatched my bowl from me. He took the opportunity to drink the milk from my bowl.
"You are so disgusting." I stated.
He let out a ravenous burp, and wafted the musty-foul fumes into my senses. I gagged from the foul beast's pig-nature.
"A present for my younger sister." He finally said.
"I hate you so much." I replied.
"It's just some sibling love, little-Tami."
"Don't call me that."
"Why? You think you're big now cause yer' in the final year of school?"
"No, because I hate that nickname."
"Whatever, poop-locks."
"You're so mature for your age, Bruce."
My mother appeared in the kitchen, half-undressed and struggling to fit on her company-uniform. She saw the foul-boy and scoffed at him as she tied her hair back.
"Mother," Bruce said.
"Nice to see you again, Brucie. So, you still remember where your home is, I see?" She replied with a hairpin in mouth.
"Of course, I just used my nose to track the scent of your smelly-perfume." He chuckled.
I gave Bruce a dirt-eye, and decided to help my mother tidy herself up so that we could leave.
"Were you at Hayley's?" My mom asked.
"The one and only."
"She's still hasn't broken up with you?"
"No, she hasn't. We're going to get married one day."
"That's going to be a stain on our family name," My mother scoffed.
"Tell me," Bruce began, taking my bowl and pouring cereal and milk into it to enjoy for himself, "What you been up to?"
"Nothing, just work." My mom replied.
"Anything new with little-Tami recently?"
"Stop calling me that. And you could just ask me directly," I interjected.
"She's coming home late now; a boy drops her off at home in the evenings." My mom said.
I turned to my mother with a sour brow.
"Why'd you tell him that?" I asked her.
"He wanted to know." She replied.
Bruce whistled like a child learning about love.
"Ooo, a boy?" Bruce chirped at me.
I grew frustratingly angry at his tone.
"Shut up. Just eat your breakfast with my bowl that you stole."
"What's his name? What he look like?" Bruce asked with a mouthful of cereal.
"She won't tell me, and I can't see his face at night." My mom replied.
I finished helping my mother tie her hair and neaten her shirt. I rushed her out the door so that those two could no longer talk about my personal life.
"Enough, I told you he's an acquaintance." I stated.
"Taking after your brother now, Tamina?" Mom said jokingly.
"Let's go before I walk myself to school." I spoke.
The car ride was silent, purely due to my annoyance with my family. My mother whistled a tune as she sang along with a song on the radio. Then, the newscaster spoke to the audience listening in:
"Valentines' day is but two days away, send a letter to your secret admirer! Better yet, announce your love! Send and receive the love to others tomorrow." He spoke.
My mom turned the volume down as she turned to me. I interrupted her before she could speak.
"Don't." I said.
"I wasn't going to say anything." She replied.
"Don't lie, you were going to ask me,"
"Ask you? I have no question in mind," Her grin was wide, she was devious in her intent.
I huffed and sighed. The morning was already too much for me.
"Just…" My mother began.
"Spill it," I interjected.
"Is that boy going to be your valentine?"
"Mom, for the last time, we aren't even friends, we are just acquantainces. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Sure, honey…Are you going to go to the valentines ball?" She asked me.
"I have to, I'm the president of the school."
I remembered that I did not respond to Sean's text message. I didn't want to, I did not know how to reply to his question
"No, are you going? Like with someone?" She asked me.
"No."
"You should, it's your last year of highschool. What about Sean? Has he asked you? Why not go with him?"
"He did ask me, he said we can go as friends."
"You'd be surprised, my child."
"About what?" I asked.
But she did not answer. We arrived the outside of the school. My mother let me out and waved goodbye.
"Will you be home early today?" She asked.
"I don't know, I'll see." I replied truthfully.
I made the mental note to myself that Riad would definitely not come to school that day. I was going to visit him and berate him for not showing up. I was at least happy that he was talking to me more.
'I mean talking to someone in general…' I corrected my brain.
I rushed myself to my first class after my morning meeting with Mr Greene, I hadn't realized I was going to be late after our long conversation. The halls were empty as students already set themselves inside their classes. Before I walked into my English class, I checked my appearance with my phone-screen, ensuring that no snagglers of dirt or food were going to surprise me. I readied myself, and opened the door into class. My teacher, Mister Adler, had a look of wonder and confusion on his face, I assumed because I was late for class.
"I'm sorry, sir, I'm never late to class," I apologized.
"No, do not worry, miss Marshe. I know to trust you. It's just because we have a new…face in class." Mister Adler replied, "Take a seat next to mister Miller."
I looked to my left, at the class. And my mouth was agape.
"Riad?" I said in shock.
Riad was in class. At school. In the flesh. He did not speak, nor lift his head up to see me. He kept his eyes on his schoolbooks. His beard was still unshaven, but at least he had taken the time to somewhat style his much-too long hair. I did not know if I should have spoken to him in class, we sat right in front of the room. My classmate Dani, who sat the other side of me, tapped me on the shoulder sometime during class:
"Hey, you know that boy? You said his name earlier," Dani asked me in a whisper.
"Somewhat. I've seen the register with his name," I lied. I did not want to tell her the truth about how I knew Riad.
After the gruelling two-hour class was over, mister Adler left, and we had ten minutes before our next teacher arrived. I turned to look at Riad, he hadn't shaved, it was school policy that all people were to keep their faces cleanly shaved. The worst was probably his uniform, his shirt was untucked, and looked far too tight on his frame. He'd probably ordered the uniform without trying it on first, a mistake I had made as well. I could see Riad's muscles suffocating the entirely of his short-sleeve shirt. I reminded myself not to stare, though I wanted to. I was surprised that he had defined, veiny arms with such a skinny frame. Riad turned his head away from his notepad, immediately catching me gazing on him.
'Why the sudden look at me now?' I begged the gods.
To say I was embarrassed because I scanned his frame is a mistake, I was embarrassed because I was caught looking at him. I jolted my vision in the opposite direction, in an attempt to misdirect his thoughts that I was looking at him. We both sat right in front of the class, our tables next to each other. I realized that Riad had taken Sean's spot in the class, it was usually him and I together in the front. I looked behind me, and saw Sean staring at me from the back of the class. He pointed to Riad, and motioned a question to me, 'Who's he?' I turned back to look at Riad, still eyeing me down.
"What?" Riad asked me in a hushed-tone.
"N-Nothing. I'm just surprised that you are here." I whispered back.
"You asked me to come."
"Yes, and I thought you wouldn't come."
"I can go home if you want."
"No! I mean, thank you for coming to class."
Riad went back to his book, writing down what I assumed was more poetry. Then, two students walked up to Riad's desk - Trent and Misha. They were the loud and proud couple of the school. I was told that they were dating since the beginning of the second grade, and they never had separated since. Trent was a son of an American diplomat, and Misha was the daughter of a semi-famous singer in Russia. I still remember seeing the diverse number of students my first day of class. I was told it was because our school was an international school for prestigious students. Plainly put- a school for people with money and notoriety. I couldn't say anything myself, my family was also notorious.
"Hi there, what's your name?" Misha asked Riad as they stood in front of him.
Riad did not reply to the blonde-girl, and carried on writing notes in his book.
"You good bro?" Trent asked Riad.
To no reply as well. The couple looked at me for guidance, I shrugged my shoulders back. I knew Riad was not going to reply to them, let alone acknowledge them.
"Hello?" Misha asked.
"Bro, we are talking to you," Trent remarked.
I decided to put myself into the situation.
"Sorry, he's just very busy, I'm sure he's catching up on a lot of work." I said quickly.
Misha and Trent looked at each other, then me. Misha laughed and Trent clicked his tongue.
"This think's he's hot shit or something, babe," Trent remarked.
"I heard you never attended school once this year yet. Such a b-a-d b-o-y," Misha chuckled.
He grabbed Misha by the arm and the two walked back to their desks behind me. I peered at Riad, he had a blank expression on his face. Then, a pencil flew at Riad, it rebounded off his head onto the floor below. I looked behind, to see the couple giggling away. I was getting furious, but I ended up not expressing my anger out loud. I picked up the pencil from the floor, and tossed it in the rubbish bin in class.
"I guess no one needs this," I said out loud so the couple could hear.
I sat back down to see Riad merely staring at his notebook.
"You okay?" I whispered.
And he looked at me with those eyes again. Eyes that seemed to peer into my soul – begging for someone. I could feel my heart slow and rise inconsistently. He was lonely and filled with a sadness inconceivable. I felt at fault, a sense that I should have not asked him to come to school. I felt at fault, I felt at fault.
"Riad, meet me in the front of the school gates at lunch." I said to him.
He looked at me with confusion.
"Just meet me there," I said.
The next class, Advanced German, was a drudge to get through. But after the pain was over, I made my way to the front entrance of the school. Riad followed behind me, he kept his head focused on the ground on front of him. As we reached the front gate of the school, I turned to him.
"Listen, the security is going to stop us. Tell them you are sick, tell them I am taking you home." I said to him.
I knew he was suffering.
"Why lie? What are you doing?" He responded.
"Just say it," I said, "They like me, they won't question us any further."
I walked through the security gate, Rafael and Mohamed, the security-guards, greeted me. They were surprised to see Riad walking with me.
"Afternoon, Miss Marshe. How are you doing?" They asked.
"I'm doing well! I hope you both are just as good."
"Of course, you always make our day, miss." They both looked at Riad behind me. "Is there an issue?" They asked me.
"He's really sick, I'm escorting him to his car so he can get home." I responded. They both looked at Riad to inspect him.
"Never seen you before, what's your name?" Mohammed asked.
"R-Riad." He responded shakily.
The uniformed man inspected Riad with a stern eye. I dared not say a thing further to cause doubt in our lie. Mohammed smiled as he stood back.
"Nice to meet you, Riad."
"And I, you." He responded.
"Go on, you two. And get better, Riad." Mohammed said.
He stood to the side and let us pass through. I hurried Riad behind me, and we rushed out of the school.
"Where did you park your car?" I asked with a whisper.
"Further back…" He trailed. I could see worry on his face.
The trip to Riad's abode was quiet, I did not know what to say to him on our ride there. He seemed…sad. I wished to say something to lightened the mood, but my mouth would not open. His apartment was surprisingly, clean, for a change. His books and notes were stacked in the corner of the room, and his dishes were in the sink. He quietly left his keys on the table, and sat down to read one of his notebooks. I seated myself on his couch, turning on the television to drown out the awkward silence between us.
'What do I say?' I asked myself, 'I was rushing it with him, I didn't consider the fact he may not be up to it.'
I had not noticed that he walked up behind me. I could feel his hand as he placed a palm on my head. He turned my head in his direction.
In that moment, we caught each other's gaze. His eyes were pure, comforting and unwavering. I quickly turned away again, and focused my eyes on the television, I could feel myself embarrassed, face hot to the touch. 'Why am I being such an idiot?' I thought.
"Tamina." Riad finally spoke.
I kept my gaze on the television.
"Thank you-" He said.
"It's my fault, I shouldn't have rushed you…" I spoke abruptly without intaking his words.
Then, my brain had finally processed what he'd said to me.
"Wait… what did you say?" I asked, looking at him.
"Thank you." He repeated.
"Thanks? Those classmates were being absolute idiots to you."
"They were," he began, "but you got me to go back to classes. I don't care what they do or say to me."
I did not know how to respond.
"I have not been outside in…a while." Riad stated.
"That's…definitely not good for you." I replied.
"I know…" He trailed off.
Riad placed a hand on his temple. I motioned for him to sit next to me on the couch.
"Here, we need to talk." I said to him.
He obliged and seated himself close to me.
"Riad, would you like to be my friend?" I asked him.
My hands shook with ferocity.
"Friends?" He asked me.
"Don't be an idiot. Yes, I said friends. Let's be friends."
"Tamina…" He trailed, "Aren't we already friends?"
My imaginary hand slapped my head for me. Of course we already were, what kind of non-friend-mutuals would spend time together like we did? I knew it was due to my hesitancy, I was afraid deep down, that he only saw me as some nagging-cleaning woman that wanted to drag him to school.
"I-I know that," I began, "I meant to be good friends."
"Good-friends are different than normal friends?" I twisted my words to not seem like an idiot.
"Good lord, have you lived under a rock? Do you not know what friends are?" I teased.
I'd spoken too soon, I smashed my palm to my mouth. 'What have you just SAID, Tamina!' I reprimanded myself in my thoughts, 'He doesn't have friends you IDIOT.'
But Riad chuckled, he seemed to take my distasteful prod kindly.
"Two years going strong as a hermit with no friends." He said through his chuckle.
I was happy, he still had the human emotion of laughter.
"I should tell you as well then, as friends. About me." Riad said.
"Are you…sure?" I asked him.
"Might as well. If we're going to be friends, that is."
I let out a smile.
"I am all ears." I responded.
Riad looked scared at first, I could see him fidget with himself. I decided to let him get the courage himself. He took a breath and shook his head to let go of his fears.
"So I'm sure you have noticed…" He trailed off.
"That you like music?" I blurted out.
My brain could not keep calm for even a moment. He chuckled again.
"You are very impatient, aren't you?" He said.
"I'm sorry, it's my brain. It works like I'm still six years-old."
"Don't apologize, I need your idiot-energy." He joked.
"My what?" I stood up from the couch, "I am no idiot! I am the top learner at school! I ain't no idiot!"
"Yes academically not an idiot, but definitely an idiot emotionally." He snidely remarked.
Riad held himself from laughing at me.
"You're mean!" I shouted, and I playfully slapped his shoulder.
I could feel myself smiling widely. Riad was taken aback from my slap and recoiled his body from me. 'Oh no…' I said.
"Ouch, You are a meanie…" He joked.
"That was like a baby slap, don't be a wuss!" I yelled.
"I'm- I'm calling the police." He said in a cry-joke voice.
"Shut up." I said.
Riad then took the chance to slap me back, he was surprisingly tough, as I jerked from the force of his playful slap. I would not take his teasing lightly and pushed him back.
"Oh, so it's like that?" He said.
"I will beat your ass." I said.
"You could try, but look at these fine muscles. I'm a demon in disguise." Riad jokingly prodded his biceps.
"Yes, the muscles of a middle-schooler."