Broken Promises

• T W O •

~ z a y n a ~

I was sitting in English, bored out of my mind. The teacher, Mrs. Wilson, was busy doing a seating chart. Why? I don't know.

"Okay, cla-" She was interrupted by the door to the classroom opening. I turn my head but look down instantly.

Ya rabi (God), what is he doing here?

"What's your name and why are you late?" Mrs. Wilson asked him.

"Ali Akram," he said blankly.

"Mhm, and why are you late on the first day of school might I ask?"

"Sorry, it won't happen again." Anyone who heard him could tell he didn't mean it.

"Alright," she took a deep breath. "Take a seat, I'm about to put you in assigned seats anyway."

I could feel him walk past me but I kept my eyes on my desk.

"As I was saying, I assigned your seats and you stay in these seats for the rest of the year."

My eyes widened. Oh no. Ya Allah (God), keep him away from me. Please.

The teacher started calling names. Everyone started moving around. Then I heard my name, "Zayna...let's put you in the front." I grabbed my stuff and sat in the front. I felt like my heart was about to jump from my chest. "Okay, that's it." I breathe a sigh of relief.

My happiness ended when he opened his mouth. "Uh, I'm not sitting anywhere."

Idiot, shut up! Go sit in the back!

"Oh sorry Ali, you can sit beside Zayna." Both his and my eyes widen.

"What?" He asked.

"Go sit beside Zayna."

"Can I somehow get another seat? Like that back seat?" Well maybe if you just shut your mouth in the first place.

"No I want you beside Zayna, and in the front, so I can keep my eye on you."

Ali grumbled underneath his breath and reluctantly got his stuff. As he got nearer I lowered my head and kept my eyes down. I felt his presence beside me, and my hands were slightly shaking.

I've been avoiding him for four years. Ya Allah (God), why now?

"So for the rest of class, you're going to get to know the person next to you. I want to see everyone talking." The classroom was then filled with talking voices but neither Ali nor I opened our mouth.

"Zayna, Ali? Why aren't you guys talking?" Oh my God, I have never disliked a teacher on the first day, but right that moment I did. "Talk you guys." What if I didn't want to?

Out of nowhere, I felt Ali get closer to me. Ya rabi (My God) help me. "You know she's gonna make us talk whether you like it or not."

I kind of figured that out, you dimwit.

"So it looks like you're not gonna talk so I'll talk. How's life without me Zayna?" His voice was cold.