EPISODE FOURTY THREE 43: ETHINA

ETHAN'S POV.

Today's the day I get my girlfriend back. The plan is already in place, and Hadizah is ready to help with everything. It's a good thing I have great friends.

After this, I plan on getting Michael, my best friend, back too.

"Dee, are you cool?" I asked.

"Yep, I'm helping you get your girlfriend who hates me back. I'm totally cool with it," she said sarcastically.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine."

Her eyes suddenly darted to another locker, where Julian stood beside it.

"Hadizah," I called, snapping her back to reality.

"I'm sorry, you were saying?" she asked, flustered.

"You know he's not a good guy, right? You don't have to spend all your time thinking about that douchebag. He doesn't deserve someone as good as you," I said.

"I know, but it's not that easy, you know," she replied with a forced smile.

"I know, and if you need any help, I'm here anytime, any day."

"Thank you," she said.

"Quick, she's coming!" I whispered. Immediately, we started acting like we were in some kind of loving conversation.

If it were real, I'd say fire was coming out of Lina's ears.

"Now let's go to the library and see the magic happen," I told Hadizah.

"Let's just hope it works, okay? Rose is one of the hardest girls I've ever met in my life," she said.

"She's the hardest, not one of them," I corrected.

"Yeah, go on before she changes her mind-or her friends do," she said.

"Thank you very much," I said and headed off.

I stopped in my tracks when I heard something heartwarming over the school's news speakers.

"Why can't he just understand that I love him so much? He's literally the air I need to breathe. I can't stand not seeing him by my side. I don't want to see him with another girl," a voice said.

"Who's that supposed to be?" a chorus of voices asked.

"Who else? It's Ethan, and I love him. I'm going to apologize to him so I can have him back," the voice replied.

I froze. That was my Lina. My Rose.

"Wait, what the f*ck? Am I on air?" she asked.

"Sorry," the voices replied in unison.

She didn't know the whole school just heard her confess her love to me. She must wish the ground would swallow her up right now.

I need to find her. Where would she hide from her supposed shame? Somewhere with as few students as possible...

---

I reached the library and saw a familiar red sweater-the one I gave her for Valentine's Day.

I walked over quietly, but she didn't notice me at first.

"How do I get out of this freaking school? God, I'll forever be remembered as the girl who confessed her love to a boy like her life depended on it," she muttered, frustrated.

"I loved it. It was cool and romantic," I said.

She shrieked in fear, almost toppling over, but I caught her just in time.

"You! What do you want?" she asked, standing up and leaning against a shelf.

I moved closer. Close enough for our breaths to mingle. Close enough to kiss her. Close enough for her to know how I truly felt.

"Don't act like you didn't just tell the whole school how much you're in love with Ethan Hunters," I teased.

"Well... well, okay, fine! Ethan, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for pushing you away. I'm sorry for thinking you'd cheat on me when it was just my fears talking. I'm sorry. I love you, and I hope we aren't broken beyond repair," she said.

"No, we aren't broken beyond repair. I love you too, every bit of you."

She might get mad, but it's worth a try.

I pressed my lips against hers, feeling the ethereal softness of her plump lips, tasting rich and decadent like dark chocolate. The electric shock I felt was out of this world, and she moved her lips to match the rhythm perfectly. Pulling apart felt like forever.

"Get a room, guys, and stop reminding us how single we are," Daniel said, walking past.

We just smiled and melted into a heartwarming hug.

"I hope you liked that as much as I did," I said, hoping for a positive reply.

"Yes, but I didn't just like it. I loved it, and I'd do it again anytime," she said.

"I'm glad," I said.

"Me too," she replied, and the sparkle in her eyes told me everything. I hoped it would never fade, that we'd grow into it forever.

My heart was hers forever-I was sure of it.

HADIZAH'S POV.

"I said let go of me, Julian! What do you want from me?" I snapped at him. God, why did I ever get involved with him?

"I just want to talk to you, okay? That's it. If you'll just spare me a few minutes," he pleaded.

"I don't have a few minutes for a liar! Who knows what you'll do next? Post my nude pictures? Tell everyone I eat wolves for breakfast? Go on, Julian. Do it," I dared him.

"Hadizah, I just wanted to give you my heartfelt apology. I'm so sorry for everything I put you through. I still love you, Hadizah, and I know you still love me," he said.

Typical. He just couldn't help but think so highly of himself.

"No, just look at yourself. You're a liar and a cheat. You told me you were a Muslim, and I believed you! But in reality, your sister put you up to it. You don't even know how to pray, let alone know who God is!" I said angrily.

"Nick, just listen-" he began.

"I told you-you lost the privilege to call me that. Now, if you'll excuse me," I said, walking away.

"Hadizah, I converted," he said.

I stopped in my tracks. Those words-I converted.

"Really? You did?" I asked again, turning back.

"Yes, I really did. A few weeks ago," he replied.

"So what if you converted? Look into my eyes, Petros. Whatever I had for you, consider it over. My heart is now a sacred place. I determine who goes in and who goes out. And you, Julian, will never be accepted in again," I said, my voice steady as I turned and walked away, tears welling in my eyes.

I stopped one more time. "I hope Allah forgives you. I hope you make it as a good Muslim man. Salaam." With that, I walked away from Julian forever.

I felt a weight lift from my chest. I was glad to finally push that thorn away from my heart.

---

At lunch, I sat alone. Ava wasn't with me-I told her I needed space, and she understood.

I poked at my spaghetti with a fork, my mind lost in thought, until a huge shadow loomed over me.

"Can I sit here?" he asked.

"You don't have to ask. I don't own the school, Michael," I replied.

I stood up, ready to leave.

"Hadizah, I will not have you walk out on me again, okay?" he said.

He grabbed me by the arm and spun me back around. My chest hit his so hard that I winced in pain.

"You intentionally did that, didn't you?" I said angrily. "You intentionally made my breasts hit you. You're just like the others-all you want is to sleep with every girl you have around!" I shouted.

"No, Hadizah! Why would you think that? I would never think of you in that way. I would never want to harm you," he said, grabbing my hands again.

This time, I couldn't take it. I grabbed the fork from the table and stabbed him with it.

Blood. It spilled instantly, and I froze, realizing what I had done.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, panicking.

But the sight of blood-the growing crowd of students-it was too much. Everything started spinning. I felt dizzy, and then everything went dark.

The last thing I heard before slipping into the void was one word:

"Twinkle."

JULIAN'S POV.

I sat on the couch in the living room, rethinking my life and how much I had screwed up. I poured myself a glass of non-alcoholic wine and took a sip, but it tasted like kerosene in my mouth-like my body was rejecting it.

"Lian," someone called out.

"Yes? How may I help you?" I asked.

"Do you need anything?" she asked.

"Nothing, Sister Maryam. Just something little... Can I place my head on your lap? My mom used to do that for me whenever I was sad," I said softly.

"Uhmm, sure. Here you go," she said, gently laying my head on her lap.

"Is this okay?" she asked.

I only nodded in response.

I expected her to ask questions, but she just let me be. It was quiet until Anna walked in.

"So now that Hadizah's gone, you've moved on to her?" she said.

I raised my head, already exhausted and in no mood to deal with her nonsense.

"Please just leave," I ordered.

"Julian, this wasn't part of the plan! So now you've decided to betray Mom?" she asked accusingly.

"I'm not betraying anybody! It's you-you're a stupid b*tch! You had to go and ruin my relationship with the girl I freaking loved. I can't believe I have to say this, but Anna, you're miserable! I don't even think you want to be happy, because you'll forever be parallel to it. Can't you let those around you be happy?" I snapped at her.

"Julian, that's enough. Leave her be," Aunt Maryam interjected firmly.

"No, I'm not stopping. Someone needs to knock some sense into her f*king head!" I retorted.

"Wow, I'm so happy we've had this conversation. If that's all you've ever thought about me, then shame on you, Julian," she said, her voice breaking as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Shame on you! Fck you! Screw you! And I hope you see the fking light one day," I said, my anger boiling over.

"Julian, I'm your sister," she said, tears streaming down her face.

"And sisters don't make their brothers sad," I shot back coldly.

"I didn't tell Hadizah about the bet. Please believe me," she said, desperation in her voice.

"You've always been a liar and a manipulator," I said, anger coursing through my veins, threatening to burst out.

"I just want you to know that I'd never want to see you unhappy," she said softly, wiping her tears before walking up the stairs.

I shook my head. I couldn't trust her-not until I was sure.

"Aunt Maryam, I need my privacy. I'll be in my room," I said, turning to leave.

"Yeah, take all the time you need, okay?" she said gently.

"Thanks," I replied, jogging up the stairs.

Once in my room, I threw myself onto the bed and cried. I cried for forgiveness, for clarity, for peace.

MICHAEL'S POV.

I walked into the sitting room, the pain in my arm was seriously stinging, but of course, I did not want to worry anybody about my pain.

"Honey, why are you home again today? Aren't you supposed to be at the dorms?" she asked.

"I've still got five more days of staying home. I'd like to spend some time with Kiran," I said.

"At least he's talking to someone who could peer-pressurize him," Marion said.

"And what the hell does that mean?" I asked.

"You don't have to argue, just leave it," Kiran said. He had sensed that Marion was talking about him. Kiran's not that type of guy.

"I won't leave. Just 'cause of his dad, that doesn't mean he's a bad guy," I said.

"Michael really, it's nothing. Just leave it," Kiran said again.

"Dad, I think you should just have this idiot's name removed from the family register. He doesn't even deserve to be called a Bridge," Marion said.

That was the height of it. Marion had lost so much hope that he was telling Dad to disown me. Then who really was I-just a screw-up?

"It's fine, Marion. I know you don't like me. I'll tell my dad to come pick us a week earlier. I don't want to be a bother," Kiran said.

"No, K, you can totally stay. It's nice having you around," Mum said.

"I know you don't like me, Aunt Rachael. You don't have to lie about it. Because of the way I talk, dress, and think, it's not anybody's fault though-it's mine, and I accept it," Kiran said. He quickly cleaned his tears and walked to my room.

"You see what you did? He's our cousin!" I said.

"And you are supposed to pick him over us?" Marion replied.

"You are just jealous. His dad allows him to do whatever he wants, and you are just stuck here, 'cause of a stupid mafia group. I can't deal with this right now. I'll go meet Kiran," I said and walked off. Things just kept getting worse and worse.

I walked up to our rooftop for some fresh air until I heard an argument.

"Just 'cause my brother told you that he likes you doesn't mean that you get to treat him like shit, OK?" Kira said.

"What? I didn't ask him to confess his feelings to me. He's just some entitled wannabe," Chloe said.

"You should be glad he asked you out. My brother, he's the best person that could ask a girl. He would never play with your heart. Not like Michael, who you won't get over your stupid crush with," Kira said. Her words hit like a dagger, but she was right. Kiran is a bad boy, but he is a good person.

"I'm not a charity case. I'm not going to throw myself at your brother just because the guy I like doesn't like me back," Chloe said.

"Then don't insult my brother because of that. Turn him down gently, please. I'm begging you-he doesn't deserve it," Kira said. She walked out, away from Chloe, but she caught me staring at her-a huge mistake.

"Get out of my way before I do worse," Kira said.

I quickly moved to avoid her wrath. I definitely didn't want to add her issues to what's going on. I sighed and retired to my room.

..

Something is off about Hadizah; she's been acting weird these days. I think the heartbreak did more to her than expected.

She had stabbed my arm with a fork out of anger, and she also thought I was trying to sexually assault her. There's got to be more to this, but I've got a test tomorrow, so I need to study.

*****

"You have one hour to finish this test. Any form of cheating or talking will not be allowed," Mr. Graham's stern voice echoed.

"Hadizah," I called, because she was always my seatmate during Geography.

She didn't answer and just took out a pencil.

Thirty minutes into the exam, I was done, but Hadizah hadn't written anything. This exam takes about thirty percent of our overall marks-she could fail Geography at this rate.

I did something I never thought I'd do for a girl.

I took her answer sheet and wrote all the answers to it. I tried as much as possible to copy her handwriting, but it was hard because I'm left-handed and she uses her right hand.

"Time's up," Mr. Graham said.

We all stood up to submit, but Hadizah still didn't say a word to me. This is getting out of hand.

******

I went to get my water bottle from my locker room, but through the hallways, there was a massive crowd.

"What's going on?" I thought.

I walked through the crowd trying to find the problem.

To my shock, I saw Hadizah on top of Dylan, beating the life out of him.

She delivered several punches like a skilled professional. Blood was everywhere. It felt like she was blind to everything around her, and punching Dylan's face was all that mattered.

I rushed over, trying to pull her away from him.

"Hadizah, stop all this!" I said.

"No! Leave me alone. Bastards like him don't deserve to walk the earth!" she cried out, her voice trembling with anger and sadness.

"But you don't have to stain your hands with his blood," I said, desperately trying to reason with her.

"Leave me alone, Michael. You're no different from them, keeping massive secrets from me!" she shouted, tears streaming down her face, as she stormed off.

But not this time. I wasn't going to let her go.

"Hadizah, wait!" I called after her.

"Michael, leave me alone!" she yelled.

"I'm not going to!" I replied firmly.

Before I knew it, Ava and Daniel were already following me.

"You guys better go," she said, her voice quieter but filled with pain. She kept walking until she reached the garden.

"Hadi, I'm your best friend. Please talk to me. Is it about Julian? I'll beat him up for you, okay?" Ava said.

"Thank you, but I don't need your help, okay?" she said. "You can all leave. You can't help me," she cried, her voice breaking as she shouted.

"Why can't we help?" Daniel asked.

"Because you wouldn't understand," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Why can't we understand?" I asked, stepping closer, my voice firm but gentle.

"Because I was FREAKING RAPED, OKAY? I was RAPED when I barely knew my right from my left! I was eleven years old!" she shouted, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her face.

That was when I realized the depth of her pain. My precious jewel had been tainted by another monster. The irony of life-it gives and it takes.

WRITER'S NOTE :

I didn't think that things were going to take this kind if turn, which bastard did this to our girl, let's make sure that he pays for it, I could have literally cried for out girl, she doesn't deserve it at all. I'm happy that Ethan and Rose are back, just comment so I can know your thoughts.

QOTD : Never Give Up.