When I was a kid I wasn't the pretty girl in our school nor was I athletic. I was the invisible girl. The bullied. In three years I was bullied at school. There wasn't an ugly word I haven't heard of me.
In those three years I lost hope on the world begging my lord to free me from here. And my lord granted me my wish for the sake of his love for me. We moved from San Francisco to Miami where I could rebuild myself and then here New York where I can finally forget my past.
My past is something I want to forget. My struggles is something I run away from. My insecurities is something hidden. That's why I began painting using my sentiments as an excuse to hide my scars.
No one knew I was bullied, not even Khaled who I tell everything to. I act like I don't care what everyone think of me. I act like a tough girl who can stand up to herself. I act like the girl in my dreams so much so I became her.
My ideal self who can do whatever she wants without thinking about others. And I'm proud of myself.
Finally I've changed and I'm ready to move on. But when Amir said what he said, I was triggered. Not because I am insecure now but I remembered the vulnerable girl who would sit at the corner where no one could see her.
The rain was pouring down on me as I took small steps. My hijab, my clothes, myself was soaking wet, even my shoes was ruined. Thank God I left my bag with my computer in Amir's car.
I freezing, and the clothes I had didn't help. I only had a white silk blouse with a dress pants and my white convers. I thought I was going to hot today. Remind me to never trust the weather here.
Suddenly I felt a hand clasped around my wrist and turned me around, I jumped slightly in shock. I looked up to find Amir panting slightly and soaking as I was.
As soon as I met his blue eyes that were searching for something on my face, I darted my gaze else where.
"Look at me." He grunted. I didn't.
"I will-" he grabbed my chin to face him. And I don't know what he saw in my eyes but his face became soft. I whipped my face and wrist from his grip and started to walk away. I obviously didn't get far as he gripped my wrist again.
"Let me go." I hissed. "I'm walking home."
"No you won't." He clenched his jaw.
I wanted to say something but my sneeze got Amir more determined to get home fast for his grip hardened.
"Leave me alone! Don't you have somewhere to go!?" I snapped.
After that without a word he bagan dragging me but I used all my strength to stop him.
"Why are you so stubborn?" He snapped.
"I'm not going anywhere with you." I snapped back.
"Don't make me do something you won't like." He growled.
This guy, can't he just home by himself!?
"Just go by yourself!" I almost screamed.
Then he did something I never thought he'll do. He threw me over his shoulder like a sack of patato. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" I panicked and started to punch his hard back. "PUT ME DOWN NOW!"
He didn't even budge. My hijab would already be on the ground if it wasn't for the rain that made it stick on my neck.
I trashed around but was stopped when his grip on my hips and legs tightened. I could only scream. I sneezed again and again unable to scream anymore.
Why is he always so persistent? God I want to kill him.
"He-" I sneezed again. I didn't know I was that sensitive to cold. I mean I hate cold but I didn't realize my body agreed with me.
Finally he threw me gently on the passengers seat and close the door before I could say anything.
A second later he came inside with a blanket that was probably in his car.
"Here." He gave it to me and with a glare I took it and wrapped it around me. I sighed when warmth found it's way to my body.
We were both dripping with water. Amir's hair became damp but weirdly he was warmer than me. I could feel his body heat from here.
I sneezed.
He glanced at me as he drove away.
"Don't catch cold on me." He mumbled making hard to hear him.
"Why do you care? Are you afraid that I'll pass it to you?" I snorted.
"Sorry." He said out of blue. I whipped my head to him not believing my ears. Amir is apologising. To me. Now that is something I would enjoy if I wasn't sneezing none stop. "For whatever I said that made you angry."
I didn't reply or said anything as we reached home. I went directly to my room and closed it after me.
**********
In the end I got cold. I woke up with a massive headache and right now I'm laying in bed. I have school. I should stay home but I have two tests that I do not want to miss. Plus today is that match at the hunted gym. I want to see who Led is.
Get up Layla, you're not going to die by a mere cold.
I got up and went straight to the bathroom. I almost screamed when I saw the person in the mirror.
Dang I look horrible. My hair looks like a bird nest and my face like a tomato. I can cover my hair with the hijab, That's why I'm glad that I'm a muslim. You won't have a bad hair day in school.
I brushed my teeth and watched my face before I covered it with powder.
After I got dressed I went downstairs locking the door behind me, I asked the reception for a key to my bedroom and luckily I got one.
I didn't want someone to 'accidently' walking in my room. To take a medecin for my pounding head I poured my self a glass of juice and sat on a chair, taking my time drinking. I still had 30 minutes until the starts.
"How are you feeling?" A voice made me jump.
I turned to glare at Amir. He looked rather refreshing today. With his blue shirt and light grey jeans, you can see summer on him while I look like winter with my black jeans, black shirt and dark grey hijab which I had it up like a turban.
I didn't bother to be colourful. If I were any other girl I would say he look dashing but I'm Layla Abdullah and would never admit that.
"I'm fine." It seems like my voice does not agree with me because it came out very husky as I grunted.
"Yeah I can see that." He sarcasted, fetching a bottle of water and chucking it down. "Don't go to school like that. You look like you'll faint any time soon."
"And who's fault is that?" I muttered under my breath.
"If you weren't so stubborn, we wouldn't need to stand in rain that long."
Ugh I can't deal with him now.
I placed the glass on the counter and passed by him to the front door. Amir stopped me by grabbing my arm before I could get far.
"I'll drive you." He said meeting my eyes.
I let out a breath laught." I have two hands and feet thank you very much. Now let go." I challenged him by holding my nose high to meet his giant figure.
"Are we seriously doing this again? Here I thought you had a lesson last night." He growled before he commanded. "Stay here. I'll go get my phone." He gave a pointed and squeezed my arm.
I sighed looking like I have up but you should know better.
When he walked around me, I sprinted to the door before he could catch me again.
I prayed that today would go by fast but little did I know, it was going to be the longest day I had throughout my years of living.
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Later beauties â¤