21 ??Was I wrong to be annoyed??? (1/2)

LEIA

I didn't want to go back home. Not today, not ever. As soon as the bell rang, I knew it was impossible to stay. The professor bid us farewell and soon everyone was out of the classroom. I wasn't so enthusiastic.

Slowly, I put my stuff into my backpack, thinking how I would spend this week with Ammar. Life would be hell. I had trouble breathing just thinking about it. Once my bag was full, I zipped it up and went on to wear my robe.

I was halfway through when the pocket of my robe vibrated. On instinct, I looked up and saw Zayn with his friends. They were all staring at me. Great. Now, they knew I kept my phone in my pocket.

I almost slapped myself, reminding myself that I'd turned off my bell and nobody could hear anything. They were probably staring for no reason. Boys. The vibration was really messing with my head, though. I put on an innocent face and continued to zip my jilbab.

”Hey, Zayn,” I heard some random guy say, ”You're coming to the party tonight, right?”

Zayn was silent and I knew what he was busy doing. Staring holes into my head.

Zeeshan answered for him, ”Of course, he'll come. You throw the best parties, bro.”

Party. I scoffed on the inside. God only knew what happened. There would be half-naked girls and they would probably throw themselves at Zayn. He might not refuse this time. I was saving myself for you. You promised, Leia.

I refused to feel guilty. Yes, I wanted to marry him. Yes, I promised. But my circumstances called on me to take a stand for myself. Could I have made better decisions? Yes. I went right into the hands of the devil and if I had any sense, if my mother hadn't instilled any of that crap in my head, I would've asked Zayn for help. He would've done anything for me—would still do anything for me, judging from the look in his eyes earlier—and I wouldn't be indebted to him.

I closed my eyes on a wince. I was so naïve. So crazy to believe just anyone. Trust came at a heavy price, as I later learned.

”I'm not coming,” Zayn grumbled. ”You guys have fun.”

”Seriously?” Random Guy shouted. ”You're not going to come?”

”That's what I just said, didn't I? Do you want me to repeat?” The whole room trembled at the thunderous voice as Zayn reminded everyone who he was. Dangerous. Scary. And at the moment, very angry.

”Uh n-no,” He stuttered.

I heard a half-laugh from Anas as soon as the guy left the classroom along with other boys.

”What's funny?” Zayn did not sound amused. At all.

I hurried into my dressing and as soon as I was done, I took my bag and left. Once I was outside the gate, I took out my phone.

6 missed calls.

Ugh. Ammar.

I quickly dialed him back, knowing how much he'd complain about it later. What were you doing? Why don't you ever pick up my calls?

He picked up on the first ring. ”When I call, I expect an answer.”

See? No greeting. No how are you.

After the night he'd given me, he should've asked how I was. But it's not like it mattered. I wasn't okay. I wasn't even remotely fine.

”Assalaamualaikum,” I said—peace be upon you, not wanting to lose my manners just because he sometimes lost his. ”I was in class and we're not allowed to keep phones.”