Broken Promises

• S I X •

Asalamualaikum! This one is pretty short. But enjoy! :D

~ z a y n a ~

"Would you at least try doing it?"

"No, I'm not doing this. You do it." I groan as he throws the paper at me. It's been 10 minutes of me trying to convince him to finish his work for the project. We were in the library after school since Mrs. Wilson didn't give us time in class. Instead, we have to do it on our own time. Stupid, I know.

"Ali," I complain.

"Zaynaaaa," he mimics. There was a hint of a smile on his face.

"This is due by the end of the month. And you have barely done anything." I slap the papers back on the library table. "Now," I order.

He looks at me amused and lifts the paper. "How about never?" He put the papers on my head.

I huff. "You're so annoying," I murmur.

"Heard that." I stick my tongue out. "Very mature, Zayna, very mature."

"Says the one not doing his work." I throw the packet at his face.

"Ooo, someone's getting mad." He snickered.

I take a deep breath and try to calm myself down. "Can you please do your work?" I said, giving him my best puppy eyes.

He looked at me and seemed reluctant. "Ugh, fine." He sighed and put his phone up.

"Yes," I punched the air, grinning. Ha, it still works.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see him shaking his head with a small smile on his face.

I got back to my research, not noticing the time passing by. "Zayna." I ignored him. "Zayna. Zayna it's 5:30."

I looked up, alarmed. "What?!" I looked at my phone and sure it was 5:30. "Why didn't you tell me?" I started packing up my stuff.

"I didn't want to disturb you. You seemed to be in your own world." He scratched the back of his neck in a cute way.

Did I just say cute? All that work must have messed with my head. I shake the thoughts off and rush out of the library.

"Wait, Zayna!" I hear footsteps from behind me. Ali appeared next to me at lightning speed. Damn, he's fast. "I play soccer and football, of course, I'm going to be fast." Wait, did I say that out loud? "No, you didn't, but I can read your expressions." I look at him eyes wide. That's creepy. "Don't look at me like that. You're an easy person to read, plus I've known you since I was 7. I know you like the back of my hand."

"Yeah, right." I cross my arms and stop to look at him. I raise my eyebrow at him, "you don't know anything about me. It's been years, people change."

"Oh really. Your favorite color is black. Your birthday is December the eighth. You hate spiders and cockroaches. You love playing in the rain. Are allergic to dogs. A neat freak. Practically a genius, and hates getting lower than a 90. Stubborn as hell. When you're mad your nose scrunches up, your eyebrows scrunch together, and your jaw tenses. When you're upset your eyes get big. When you're happy your cheeks turn a slight pink, and you can't hide your smile. When you're annoyed you roll your eyes. When you're amazed you're eyes twinkle. Want me to keep going?" I look at him in disbelief. I shake my head no.

"Were you stalking me?" I couldn't help but ask.

He chuckles, "No, Zayna. You're just an open book that certain people can read." He winks at me and walks down the hall, and turns the corner. I stand there in shock, not knowing what had just happened.

I broke out of my thoughts when my phone rang. Khalid. Oh, shoot, I forgot about him.

I answer, "hello?" I try to act casual, but it came out as a question.

"Where you at? I've been waiting here for the past 15 minutes." He said, annoyed.

"Sorry, sorry. My partner was being lazy, so it took us longer than I thought." It wasn't a lie. Ali was lazy.

He sighed, "hurry up I'm waiting." He hung up. I make my way towards the front of the school. I instantly stop. I spotted Khalid's car, but that wasn't what caught me off guard. Ali's car was right beside Khalid's. He was leaning against the front of his car. I'd have to pass him to get in Khalid's car.

I slowly walk up to both cars. Khalid was looking back and forth between Ali and I. Ali was looking at me, mischief in his eyes, smirking in my direction.

I make my way to the passenger door, passing Ali. Please don't say anything, please, don't say anything. "Zayna." Idiot, can't you see my brother is in the car. I just turn around to see what he wants. "You forgot something," he hands me the paper packet. But it had his name on it. I was about to say something when he beat me to it. "I'd lose it. Just keep it with you. See you tomorrow after school." He purposely made his voice louder so Khalid can hear. And with that, he passed by me, pumping into my shoulder, and got in his car.

I quickly got into the car with my brother who was fuming. Before I can say anything, Khalid angrily asks. "He's your partner?"

"I didn't have a choice," I defend myself, raising my hands in surrender.

He narrows his eyes at me as he looks at me for a bit longer, then his face relaxes. "Be careful. I trust you, but I don't trust him." On that happy note, hint the sarcasm, he pulled out of the school and drove home.

"Get down," he said once we got home.

I roll my eyes. I really do, do that when I'm annoyed.

I got down and noticed Khalid not moving. "Where are you going?"

"Mama needs some stuff." I nod and close the door. As I walk into the house, Khalid drives away.

I take my shoes off and quickly go to my room. I make up my Dhuhr prayer and pray Asr. After I'm done, I walk into the kitchen.

"Salam mama," I said and grabbed a cup from the cupboard.

"Salam," she answered. I filled my cup with water and sit on top of the counter. "Get down."

"Why?" I whine.

"Because you're going to break it." She said, pushing me off.

I gasp dramatically, "are you calling me fat?"

She chuckles, "yes, now go ya bakara (you cow)."

I pretend to wipe tears. "You're mean."

"And you're annoying me." She put her hands on her hips, "go do something."

Suddenly there were sizzling sounds. Mom runs back to the overflowing pot. I explode in laughter and slowly walk out of the kitchen.

"Karma!" I call back. She looks at me shaking her head, the smile still evident on her face.

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