Broken Promises

• E I G H T E E N •

~ z a y n a ~

"Zayna!" I heard my mom yell from the kitchen.

I quickly threw my hijab over my shoulder before making my way to the kitchen.

"Shoo? (what?)" I asked.

She raised her eyebrows.

"I mean na'am (yes)," I said, quickly correcting myself.

"I thought. Here," she said, handing me an envelope. I looked at it confused. "Give this to Saba." Right, the money.

"Hader (yes ma'am)." I walk back towards my room and grab my school bag. Then the doorbell rings.

I run up to the door and open it. I then turn around, ignoring Nasreen, and go to Hala's room.

"You guys done?" I asked both girls.

"Yep," Hala nodded, walking out with her ponytail swinging side to side.

Before Saba could follow her, I stopped her. She gave me a questioning look.

Yesterday after I told her what happened, she had just nodded her head and made her way out of the room. I didn't know what to take from that.

"Take this." I handed her the envelope. "When you see your brother today, give it to him."

"Why can't you give it to him yourself? And what is it?" She questioned, examining the envelope.

"It's from my mom. Just give it to him."

"Okay," she shrugged and put it in her bag. Before I could walk away, she started talking again. "And about yesterday, I'm glad you told me because it now makes more sense. I knew you wouldn't do it on purpose. I won't mention anything to Ali if you don't want me to."

I smiled at her and softly said, "you can tell him if you want."

She returned the smile before walking out of the room.

I was hoping she would tell him. Maybe then he'd understand, and I wouldn't keep feeling as guilty.

"Mama! We're leaving!" I called out to her as I got to the front door.

"Tayeb (okay). Nasreen, drive carefully," she responded, walking into the living room.

Nasreen grins, "I know, khalto (auntie)." With that, she pulls all of us towards the car.

~•~

"Thanks for the ride Nasreen," Saba thanked, closing the door and running after Hala.

"Your welcome!" Nasreen yelled after her, earning a few looks.

"You have to be so loud?" I demanded, trying to hide behind her. I could feel everyone's stares. To say I was uncomfortable was an understatement.

"Yes. How else is she supposed to hear me?" She replied in a duh tone.

"You're impossible," I muttered underneath my breath before pulling her arm towards the school building, trying not to be noticed.

"Ugh, school," she groaned as we made it to her locker. "It's so boring," she whined.

"We're not halfway through the first semester yet," I pointed out.

She grumbled and reluctantly opened her locker.

My leg was bouncing up and down as everyone was passing us. Some of the seniors would look at me, then turn around and whisper to their friends. I can already imagine what they're saying. 'Oh look it's the girl that got food all over her' and 'isn't she the one the new girl made a fool of' or maybe even 'it's trash girl.'