Chapter 3

It was M7md sitting at the corner table playing with his phone. I felt my jaw hit the floor, what’s he doing here? Isn’t he a senior? Why is he in this class with us then? The questions filled my head as I turned around to see Manal’s reaction, I saw her eyes widen with surprise and then her expression changed from surprise to happy I rolled my eyes of course she’d be happy, she loved her cousin and she always wanted to be at the same class with him. I made my way to the opposite corner to where he was sitting. He was too busy playing with his phone to notice us entering the class, Manal was right in front of him, he raised his head and a look of surprised crossed his handsome face, then he immediately grinned at his cousin, they said their greetings. Manal finally asked him how was it possible that he’s at the same class as ours he said something about taking this class as an elective. I was playing with my pen the whole time to avoid looking at their direction. There is still 5 minutes left for the period to start, the class is filling up.

“Manal shfeech wagfa, come and sit next to me”  M7md tapping the table next to him, I couldn’t help it and looked if Manal was going to sit there. Manal shook her head

“Laa ana already m7joz ley mkan next to Noora” pointing her finger to where I’m sitting, M7md turned his head and looked shocked for a moment but collected himself, gave Manal a small nod and a tight smile. COULD THIS DAY GET ANY WORST?? And on cue Nayef strolled into class with two guys I’ve never seen before, I guess they’re new. They’re both tall with tanned skin, one of them is slightly taller than the other, they both look alike and both of them are very handsome although the shorter guy looks more attractive. Hmm maybe this day isn’t so bad. Nayef looked around the class, he spotted M7md first, his smile broadened “ Halla Bil 7abeeeeb wallah” Nayef’s voice was full respect, M7md gave a little chuckle in return “Hallaa feeek” Then Nayef turned his head to where I was sitting the smile never leaving his face “ la la w b3d Noora o Manal with me in class, it’s official I’m never skipping this class” Nayef laughing softly at his own joke and Manal giggled next to me. I sighed when I saw Nayef and his two friends making their way to where we were sitting. The shorter guy never taking his eyes off me, I felt my cheeks burning I immediately dropped my gaze and played with my hands. Nayef sat right next to me and his friends followed his lead and sat next to him. There was just a chair between M7md and the short hottie.

The bell rang indicating the start of the 2^nd period, the teacher introduced himself as Mr. Ryan Athens, gave us a brief summary of  what he expected from us and asked us to introduce ourselves one by one. The students stood when it was their turns and introduced themselves. It’s Manal’s turn, she stood “ Hey, I’m Manal Al-**** and I’m a seriesoholic” smiling her dazzling smile and a few students including myself and my twin answered: Hello Manal. Manal giggled and took her seat It was my turn now, I stood and said “ Hi, I’m Noora. I love watching tv shows and football and I like reading as well” I was about to sit when Nayef shouted “She talks in her sleep too!!” I gasped embarrassed of what my brother blurted out and said “NO I DON’T” “Yes you do” Nayef said with a chuckle “last night you asked Messi to marry you” The whole class burst with laughter I stomped on Nayef’s foot and yelled “STOP LYING JERK” and punched his are HARD. Mr. Athens started to yell until the class finally calmed and the laughter faded. Mr.Athens pointed his finger at me “You! Go and sit in that empty chair RIGHT NOW” I stared at him in horror. “No, please don’t make me move. I’ll stay quiet I promise” I said with a pleading look “Noora now!” Boy, he looked angry. “But..” I started saying “NO BUTS NOW” and then he looked at Nayef “ and you switch places with, Manal is it?” Manal  nodded and quickly stood to change places. So now it’s Nayef, Manal, empty chair, tall hottie, short hottie, me and then M7md. Kill me. Now. 

Chapter 2

Sitting in my room, phone in hand, listening to music, and checking twitter. I heard someone knocking, yelled for whoever is outside to come in. It was my sister Nayla, she came in and started talking about school and how she loved her first day I was nodding along and listening to her stories, and then half an hour later, Nayef came barging in, God, this guy never knocks. He apparently was bored and wanted to sit with us and chat. The three of us ended up watching movie “Wanted” it was Nayef’s choice.

First period I was sitting next to Manal talking and whispering to her and the teacher keeps shushing us until he had enough and decided to move me, I’m now sitting next to a guy called 3abdulla, he’s one of my guy friends we’re not close we just say our hi’s and hello’s when we see each other. I was doodling in my notebook when I felt him looking at what I’m doing.

3abdulla: shitsawin? Smiling at me I looked at him and answered: wala shay bs mtmalila o ga3da a5arbi6 smiling back at him He took the pen out of my grip and wrote NOORA SUCKS with his large and messy handwriting across the paper. I laughed and tried to get the pen back from him so I could write in his notebook but he moved his hand out of reach and I leaned across the table and grabbed his hand and took the pen. We burst into laughter, the teacher stood in front of me yelling at me: Noora bra3 elclass dilwa2ti!! I stood trying to hold my smile but failing, looked over to where Manal was sitting, she had a horrified look in her face she was looking at the door and then she looked at me shook her head I frowned at her reaction and made my way to the door. The hallway was quiet, I closed the door and turned to my right and M7md was there just a few steps away I gasped surprised to see him.

M7md was tall and really attractive, but right now he looked furious, I smiled trying to act unaffected but deep inside of me is terrified of him, yes he scares me, in fact he scares everyone at school. I said “ Hi M7md” with a shaky voice, I don’t know why he’s mad, he couldn’t have seen me with 3abdulla could he?

“Shkinty etsawin fil 9af?” said M7md his voice was low, too low I guess he did see me. My heartbeat was racing and all I said was “ ha? Mmm .. “ M7md: Noora, Jawbay!! I stuttered at first didn’t know how to answer then I gathered what little left of my courage and said: knt ba5th mn 3abdulla my pen but he wont let me so I I.. my voice trailed off He was looking at me his mouth forming a thin line indicating how angry he was at me, my eyes immediately fell to the floor not being able to hold his gaze when he’s this mad.

M7md: etha chftach la9ga fi 9bay chithy matlomin ela nafsch sam3a!!

I started to get angry, how dare he to threaten me. I snapped back at him: Ent mo u5ooy wala ubooy wala 7ta my cousin malak 59 feni!!

A look of hurt crossed his face; I immediately regretted what I said. M7md: Tabeni agool 7g u5och?? .. Oh yeah did I mention that M7md is one of Nayef’s friends? I scoffed and said: btfatin 3ali ya3ni? Cham 3mrk ent?

He looked PISSED he was about to say something when the bell rang I gave him my back and stormed away. I went to the toilet cause I know he wont follow me there, I looked at myself in the mirror my face was flushed, my ponytail crooked (that probably happened when I was trying to get the pen) I fixed my hair quickly and headed to my next class, I saw Manal next to the classroom and she was about to enter, I called her name and she stopped and waited for me by the door.

Manal: Noora sh9ar? she looked concerned I gave her a small smile and said: don’t worry I’ll tell you all about it in class. Trying to reassure her, she just nodded. I entered the classroom but something stopped me in my tracks…

Chapter 1

Summer is over and it’s the first day of school. I’m finally a junior, just one year to go. Dressed in my school uniform I’m ready before it’s even 6 am. I always stay up the whole night when it’s first day of school.

Waiting at the dinning room for my sister and brother to get ready. I have to wait for about an hour and a half at least. Decided to check twitter in the meantime, one tweet caught my eyes: “ Can’t Sleep “ Mohammed Al- **** tweeted it 30 minutes ago, I wanted to hit the RT button but decided against it.

I whatsapped my bestie “Manal” asking her if she’s up but she didn’t answer she must be asleep. I’ve known Manal since grade 9, it only has been 2 years but it’s like I’ve known her my whole life. Oh and M7md happens to be her cousin :). BTW I have a major crush on him, it all started when I was having a water fight in the middle of the schoolyard with Manal, we were wet and our shirts were sticking onto our skin, Manal saw M7md and ran towards him so she could complain about how I started the fight.

Manal: M7md!! Choof Noora shnw sawat feeni pouting her mouth

M7md looked at her, flares of anger flying out of his eyes and said: Entay mtsti7in? wain ga3din e7na, shnw water fight w hal sowalif!! Manal looked so scared

I looked at Manal’s expression and laughed then suddenly his eyes turned to me halting my laughter to a stop and he said: Entay e5t Nayef ? I nodded ‘cause I was too scared to speak 3abalich u5och yr’9a etsawin chithy? Etha chafach he’ll kick your ass right now!!! 

His voice raising with every word, the students near us were looking at us giving us sympathy looks. I stared at the ground while he continued yelling at us. His last words were: Thiglaw tra entaw banat may9eer ely etsawona yala a7in ro7aw your class.

Ever since then I was crushing on him. Hard.

Skimming through twitter while eating my cereal, suddenly someone screamed into my ear making me jump off my seat. Of course it was my twin brother Nayef what a typical Nayef thing to do! Nayef looks like me, he has tanned skin, large almond shaped eyes, straight nose, and semi-filled lips. We looked almost identical except for the eye color and his strong jaw. Girls at school find him very attractive, some even chase him around school but fortunately he’s oblivious about it.

Nayef: Machftay shaklich laughing and imitates me I ingnored him and went back to my cereal. My sister came into the kitchen and gave me a huge smile I smiled back at her knowing the reason for her smile is that she’s excited about being in the same school with me and Nayef. She’s two years younger than us, but her features resembles us ya3ni you can tell we’re all related. 

Our driver is waiting for us in the car as we all climb in. I checked my phone saw a message from Manal saying that she’s on her way, told her us too. It was a short ride to school, I climbed out of the car quickly wanted to find Manal, Nayef stopped to say hi to some of his friends at the gate while I hurried inside. I stopped to scan the yard for Manal’s familiar face when I found his eyes, M7md, looking at me and I stared right back at him not taking my eyes off him. And then I felt someone tugging my hand jolting me back to reality and I turned my head to see Manal grinning at me, I yelped and pulled her into a hug. 

Walking to the class with Manal to pick up our schedules, I heard my brother’s voice behind me saying to his friend: inshallah akon fl 9af m3a Noora 3alshan etsawi kl my homework I smiled and rolled my eyes Nayef puts his arm around my shoulder and says: Btsawin ley elhomework la? I shook my head and say: Mafi amaaaal! pushing his arm off of me Manal was looking at us and smiling.

Nayef: Hey Manal! Shlonach?? Smiling warming at her Nayef has always praised me that I chose to be friends with Manal because he thinks she’s a good and well-mannered girl, well, she is. Manal widened her smile a notch: Halla Nayef, el7mdllah b5air as2al 3nk.

Shorty we arrived at the class and got our schedules, Manal and I have almost an identical schedule except for two classes, which was awesome because last year we didn’t have any classes together. Unfortunately Nayef is with me in four classes.

First day of school went by quick, Manal and I skipped all our classes and stayed in the yard chatting and catching up with the rest of our friends, nobody at school kept track of the attendance because it was just the first day.