Broken Promises

• N I N E •

~ z a y n a ~

"Oh my Allah (God), I'm gonna die. Literally, die by tonight. I'm not supposed to be here. We're supposed to be at school working on our project. I'm not even supposed to be around you. Ya Allah (God), I haven't gone to college yet. I need to get out of here. What if I-"

"Zayna." Ali cuts off my blabbering. "Calm down." He said, putting his hands on my shoulders, making me face him.

I silently nod, but I was still panicking inside.

"Okay, I'm going to drive you back to school. I'll drop you from the back, and problem solved okay?"

"Okay." I take a deep breath trying to calm my nerves.

"Now let's get back to the car." He said pointing towards an endless amount of tress.

"Are you sure you know how to get back to the car?" I said, doubting him.

"Of course! I know this place like the back of my hand." He stated confidently and walked forward, and I follow after him.

Within minutes we made it back to the car. "Get in." I got in and put on my seatbelt. "How do you feel about speeding?" Ali asked.

"I hat-"

"Perfect!" He grins and quickly backed up the car. He speeds down the street despite my protests.

5 minutes later we were at the back of the school. "That wasn't bad," he said.

I looked at him in bewilderment, "that wasn't bad! You almost crashed three times!" I exclaim.

"Key word almost," he points out. "Plus, didn't I get you to school."

"Whatever," I grab my bag and open the car door, stepping out. "Thanks, I guess." I slammed the door shut just like he does.

I can hear him yelling from inside the car but I ignore him and walk to the front of the school, where Khalid's car was.

I walk up to the car and get in. "Sorry I was late," I said.

"Did Ali give you a hard time?" he said, pulling out of the parking lot.

"Huh?" I panic a bit.

"With the project," he clarified.

"Oh my God, he's so lazy. He didn't even do anything." I complain. And that wasn't even a lie, it's true he kept whining the whole time.

"Why don't you tell the teacher?" he said, raising an eyebrow.

"It's like she cares." I scoff. For the rest of the ride, we stayed quiet.

When we got home, my dad was in the front, messing with his car. His hands were covered in car oil, and his forehead gathered with sweat.

"Asalamualaikum baba," I said walking towards the door.

"Walaikum Assalam," he said, before turning towards Khalid telling him to grab something from the garage.

I walk into the house and take off my shoes. "Salam mama!" I yell into the house.

"Walaikum Assalam. And don't yell in the house Zayna!" She said, yelling back from the kitchen. If she doesn't want me to yell then why is she yelling? I just shake my head and walk into my room.

I throw my bag on the ground and before taking off my hijab, I check if it was time for Asr yet. Since it was, I grabbed my praying skirt and prayed. After that I took off my white hijab and let my hair down, it freely fell to my waist.

I hopped on my bed and opened my phone. I had 3 unread messages from Nasreen.

4:39 PM N: Zayna
5:03 PM N: Zaynaaaa
5:14 PM N: Zaynnnn

Z: what?

She immediately answers.

N: I'm bored •_•

Z: what am I supposed to do?

N: why are you always so rude
N: can I come over? Plzzzzz

Z: I'm not stopping you am I?
Z: even if I said no you'd come anyway

N: duhhhh
N: give me 10 minutes.

Z: okay

I close my phone and walk to the kitchen. My mom and Khalid were in there. "Mama, Nasreen is coming over in a few," I told her. Khalid, who was washing his hands, straightened up.

"Tayeb, habibti (okay, dear)." She replied.

"What are you doing?" I asked Khalid, who was still washing his hands.

"This dumb oil won't come off." He said, irritated.

"Well of course it's not gonna come off if you don't use soap." I roll my eyes and squirt some soap in his hands. Slowly the car oil started to come off. "There," I said, smugly.

"Thanks," he said drying his hands.

"Your welcome," I said putting my hands on my hips. That's when the bell ring.

That was quick, I thought.

I run to the front door and open it. Right there stood Nasreen with car keys dangling in her hands.

I look at her shocked. "I got my license!" She grins.

"Oh my Allah (God) really?" She nods. "I'm so happy for you!" I squeal.

"Now I can drive you home," she whispers.

I laugh, "come in."

"Don't have to tell me twice," she said, pushing me out of the way and walks towards my room. I chuckle and follow her inside.

When I got in my room, Nasreen was already on my bed laying down.

"Make yourself at home," I laugh.

"Your bed is so comfortable," she sighs. "So, how's your project going?"

"Don't remind me," I groan.

She chuckles, "I feel bad for you. Especially when he starts going to practice and can't work with you after school."

My eyes widen. "I forgot all about that. Now I have to do the whole thing." I whine.

"Good luck." She stays quiet for a moment then talks again. "Wanna watch a movie?"

"Sure. Popcorn?" I ask.

"Popcorn."

~•~

Okay, it's late, I know. BUT it's 9:45 p.m. where I live, so technically I still updated on time.