EPISODE TWENTY SEVEN :I'M BEING A B***H

**HADIZAH'S POV**

With only three days left until the winter dance, I was finishing up my drawings for the auction. A shadow loomed over me, and I looked up to find Michael standing there.

"What do you want?" I asked, my frustration evident.

"Nothing, I just came here to clear my mind," he said.

"Well then, Mr. Williams, you're free to sit down and enjoy your solitude," I said sarcastically.

"I wasn't asking for your permission," he countered.

"Well, nobody asked for your opinion," I snapped back.

"Is this about last time?" he asked.

"No, Michael, you're frustrating me. Please, I need my-" I caught myself just in time. "Michael, please leave me alone."

"Is this about your friend?" he pressed.

"Michael, don't get me worked up. Please," I begged.

"Fine," he said, letting out a huge sigh and sitting down. He put on his earpiece and started listening to music from his recorder.

My drawing depicted love in its broken state, but I left it uncolored because I couldn't paint and didn't want to ruin it.

Michael looked at his watch and I realized it was time for P.E.

"We both have to leave," we chorused, heading out together.

I would have loved to smile, but Michael was just Michael-an enigmatic loner.

********

As I walked down the hallway, trying to fix my bracelet, it slipped from my hand and fell. Maya, with a swift kick, sent it skittering into the nearby locker room. She and Lucy snickered as they walked away.

I wanted to slap her but took a deep breath, reminding myself to stay calm.

I opened the locker room door to find Michael standing there in his gym clothes.

"Looking for this?" he asked, twirling my bracelet with his fingers.

"Give it to me," I ordered.

"Hmmm, not so fast, twinkle," he said.

"What the-are you bipolar or something? This is the second time you've called me that. Are you alright? And I don't have time for nonsense right now. I need to get to class," I said.

"I'll give you your bracelet, but on one condition," he said.

"What?" I asked.

"You have to hear me out first," he replied.

"What do you have to say?" I asked, feeling exasperated.

"Well, it's none of my business, but I have to butt in. What's up with you and your best friend?" he asked.

"Point of correction: she is not my best friend and never will be. She's just an entitled brat," I said.

"Oh my God, girls and their stupid fights. Is this even worth it? She's your friend and you know it. Do you know how much she fought with me just because I said you weren't my friend?" he asked rhetorically.

"Well, I don't care. I've apologized, and if she doesn't want to accept it, I'm not wasting my time on her anymore," I said.

"Hadizah, she was wrong not to accept your apology, but you should act mature and swallow your pride. You shouldn't give people an opportunity to laugh at you. Do you know how many people are happy you guys are done?" he said.

He was right, but I was too angry to admit it.

"Thanks for the advice, but sorry, I'm not interested," I said, looking away.

I was scared of this new version of myself. What was happening to me?

"You know, in your religion you're not supposed to keep malice with someone for more than three days, and it's been over a week. You're just being childish," he said.

"Wait, how do you know that?" I asked, surprised.

"I keep many things to myself," he replied.

"Okay, give me my bracelet so I can leave," I said.

"Fine, have it. I've done my part. The rest is up to you," he said, handing me my bracelet.

"Thanks," I said, storming out.

He was right, but I wasn't ready to budge. For once, I wanted to be stubborn.

Entering the gym, the smell of sweat hit me hard, making me feel nauseous. Julian was there, flexing his muscles and talking to his friends. His smile widened when he saw me, and he excused himself from the group to walk over.

"Hey, Nick," he said.

"Julian," I replied, smiling.

"I want to tell you something after gym class. Meet me in the lounge before lunch," he said.

"Okay," I said.

"See you there," he said, as I admired his aura.

I couldn't get enough of him. My cheeks were blushing furiously, and my fair skin didn't help.

******

"You're here," I said as Julian approached.

He showed up with two cups of ice cream.

He handed me one. "So you called me here for ice cream? How thrilling," I said.

"If I'm being honest, I just wanted someone to talk to, and you were the first person that came to mind," he said.

"Oh wow," I replied between bites.

"I'm serious," he added.

"Okay, what do you want to talk about?" I asked.

"Nick," he said, making my heart flutter with the way he said my name.

"Hmmm, who's calling me?" I teased.

"Are you okay? I'm the only one who calls you that. Is there someone else?" he asked.

"Yeah, there's this guy," I said.

"Is he hot?" Julian asked.

"Yeah, he's a 20 out of 10," I said.

Julian giggled.

"Come with me to the dance tomorrow," he said.

"Hmmm," I said, feigning ignorance.

"I know you understand what I'm saying. I just want you to be my plus one at the winter dance slash Christmas party," he said.

"Julian, as much as I want to say yes, I can't. Celebrating Christmas is forbidden in Islam. I can't break the rules for you. I'm sorry," I said.

"Honestly, I knew you'd turn me down," he said.

"Then why ask?" I inquired.

"I just wanted to try my luck," he said.

Yeah, better luck next time. I was annoyed, feeling like I was just his plaything.

I am angry and he knew it.

*Hey I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-, he said but I caught him off.

"You didn't mean to test me. As much as this isn't supposed to hurt, it does coming from you, Julian," I said.

I turned to leave, feeling overwhelmed.

Julian grabbed my arm tightly. "Let go of me," I said.

"No, I won't," he replied.

"I know you're mad, and I'm sorry. I didn't think this through," he said.

"Well, you should have used your instinct before venturing into it," I said.

"Please," he pleaded.

"Bye, Julian. See you tomorrow," I said.

He finally let go. I wanted to tell him that I wasn't mad, that I just had a lot on my mind and took it out on him. But I was stubborn.

I didn't even taste the ice cream before I left.

I would just get ready for the party tomorrow. I was going for my exhibition anyway, not for Christmas. Let's see how it unfolds.

WRITER'S NOTE :

I honestly don't have anything to say other than I'm not getting enough reads for this book. I'm starting to feel the need to stop writing imagine I can't even bagde 2k reads I'm over nine months of writing, if I don't get the number of reads high I might not continue the book again.

QOTD:Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it.