15 ??Welcoming party?? (1/2)

LEIA

There was a welcoming party at our school tonight. I couldn't fathom why we had to have a party for the sole purpose that we were attending school again. It was clear that the rest of the class—or the entire school—did not share my views.

Apparently the girls had planned what they were going to wear months ago. The guys weren't any better. They were also discussing which clothes they were going to wear.

I mean, come on. Is there a man—a real man—left on this entire planet? I didn't get why men had to act like girls. I did not like that. Maybe others did.

I mean, sure, I liked a man who knew how to dress up well but blow-drying their hair and getting it styled? It was just . . . puke-worthy.

Was I the only one here who didn't want to attend this crazy event?

Hoor groaned next to me. ”I'm not in the mood for a party. My head is throbbing already and all that music . . . ugh.”

Thank God I wasn't the only one.

”It's our choice whether we want to attend it or not, right?”

She looked at me like I was crazy. ”You're supposed to pay three thousand and that is, like, compulsory. If you don't come, you have to pay a fine and let's be honest, it's not like my parents grow money on trees.” She laughed. ”I totally just translated that from Urdu to English.”

I smiled, already thinking about the money I had to pay. Damn, this school was expensive.

Hoor was still rambling, ”I mean, why should we pay for an event? Did we ask them to hold it? No, right? And—” She halted in her tracks, greyish eyes wide.

I looked to the front and almost groaned. There they stood. All three of them.

Hoor grabbed my arm, angrily flipping back her perfect hair. She continued talking, walking past them and then—

”Hoor?”

”Leia?”

Zeeshan and Zayn both called at the same time. I turned my furrowed brows toward Hoor, silently asking her what her deal with Zeeshan was. Also, maybe I was trying to ignore Zayn completely.

Anas let out a low snort. ”You both are pathetic. I wonder if Zayn would lose just like Zeesh did, eh?”

Zayn's shark-like eyes tightened. ”You know I never lose.”

Anas nodded, unconvinced. ”Time will tell.”

Hoor and I shared a disgusted look. They were doing nothing to hide the bet. Maybe they weren't openly talking about it but . . . ugh. Zayn was infuriating.

I gritted my teeth and shot Zayn a look that had him look a little guilty. It was a relief he wasn't a complete douchebag.

”Is it necessary to come to the party tonight?” I asked no one in particular. ”I'm busy.”

Zeeshan and Hoor seemed to be in a staring competition, completely ignoring me and Anas looked at Zayn as if waiting for him to answer.

”You don't come, you pay a fine. The choice is yours.” Except, the look on his face told me I didn't have much of a choice. He would, no doubt, find a way to force me to go.

I hummed distractedly.

”So, are you coming or what?”

”I'll see.”

My tone caused Zayn's lips to tighten. I noticed. Then looked away.

”Thirteen thousand,” He said.

My head swiveled in his direction. ”What?”

”If you don't come, that's how much you'll have to pay.”

Okay . . . WHAT?

He must've noticed my expression because his lips lopsidedly curled upward in a debonair smile. ”See you tonight.”

I seethed out a breath after the group went. ”Ugh. I hate him.”

”You sure?” Hoor asked with a grin. ”Because I'm pretty sure you have teensy tiny feelings for him. Don't you?”

”No,” I outright denied. ”Of course not. Zayn is . . . It's complicated.”

She snorted.

”Please don't snort. It reminds me of Anas.”

She laughed, swinging an arm around my shoulder. ”So, what are you wearing then?”

”Clothes.” I deadpanned.

She swatted me away. My weight was so less, I practically hit the wall. Dammit, why was I such a lightweight?

”Be serious.”

I sighed. ”I'll see what the worst thing in my cupboard is and will wear that.”

”Oh my God, same! Thanks for the idea! It will be our way of defying the rules.” She clapped her hands. ”Now, I'm excited.”

I wish I could say the same.

. . .

I got home by three o'clock and other than sleeping, I didn't feel like doing anything. Still, I showered because it was damn hot outside and my body was glistening with sweat. Then, I prayed the morning prayer and went to the kitchen in search of food.

Labeeb already stood there, his back to me. I softly placed my hand on his shoulder and turned him towards me.

”What's wrong?” I asked, seeing the look on his face. ”Did something happen at school?”

He shook his head. ”There's no food. Do you think Mom's memory is getting worse?”

I nervously chewed my bottom lip, not wanting to tell him that Mom didn't forget to make food; we just didn't have anything to make. The refrigerator and freezer were empty and so were the racks and cupboards.

”Is there something you're not telling me?”

I smiled at him, ruffling his raven-coloured hair. ”No, my love. You know how busy Mom is with her work so she must not have gotten the time to buy groceries.”

His eyes were sad, downcast. ”We also don't have that much money, am I right?”

”Of course we have money. Come on, get my car keys from the round table, we'll go get groceries right now.”

”Really?” His smile was so dazzling, it warmed my heart.

I returned his smile and he went off to get the keys.