Beautiful Things (A Muslim Love Story)

Chapter Seventeen: Fifty Shades of Stay

"Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top."  -Meghan Trainor

Asiyah

I brushed my hair so that none of it was tangled. It was golden and wavy, so I tied it in a high ponytail before rushing downstairs.

"Okay, I need to go right now," I mumbled, pinning on a scarf. "Are you sure you don't need anything?"

"I'm fine," Emma smiled. "Look, I'm standing and making breakfast. Want some?"

"No thanks, I need to go. I'll grab something. You sure you're fine?"

"I just fainted. Calm down."

"Just fainted?" I asked.

"I passed out for five minutes I'm fine!"

"Fine!"

I ran outside and started my car. I needed to go.

Oh, and my birthday is tomorrow. Twenty two vicious years on this earth. Just ask Taylor Swift.

On the way I wondered about my family. Especially my sister, a lovesick girl, seriously.... in love and sick at the same time. She's been moody lately, sick and weird.

Finally I arrived and jumped out of my car. 

"Hi," I smiled to my friends. I hugged Aria and then Ali. 

"Guess what? I got in."

"Awww!" Aria exclaimed. "Siya, that's amazing."

"That's perfect," Ali cried. "Your life. It's perfect."

"My life isn't perfect," I frowned. "I mean, I did get into law school, but-"

"Your like is fricken perfect!" remarked Aria.

"No."

My friends and I were all gathered in a very spacious coffee shop. Not just Ali and Aria, but all my other friends, including Adam.

"I guess both heading to law school," he smiled. "Just in different places."

"You should of applied to CC, like me!" I sighed. 

"Yeah."

"Well, law school is still a dream away. University awaits!"

I laughed and joined the rest of the crowd, when someone standing at the door caught my eye.

"Um, just one sec," I told everybody. I emerged from the crowd and quickly walked over to a decent looking guy leaning against the door. He had sandy blonde hair and blue eyes.

"What are you doing here?" I inquired.

"What am I doing here? It's a free country. I can go to any coffee shop I like."

"No, YOU weren't invited," I told him. 

"Where's Emma?" he asked.

"Why do you care? You weren't invited! Your brother was!"

"Where is she?" he kept asking. "Is she okay?"

"Listen. Your brother was invited here. You weren't."

"And what about Emma? Is she okay?"

"Why in God's name do you care about my sister?" I cried.

"Is- is she sick?"

"Why do you care? And where is your brother?"

"She didn't tell you?" he whispered.

"Tell me WHAT?" What happened to Peter?"

"Wow. She didn't tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"Now I get it," he frowned. "Emma knows that he's dying but didn't tell, and was in so much shock she's sick to her stomach."

The silence was so intense I didn't dare break it.

"I was right. She didn't tell you." He started to run his hands through his hair.

Ugh.

"Wait, what do you mean, he's dying?" I asked.

"After the accident? He told everyone he's okay? Turns out it affected something inside of him. I bet he was really good telling your sister he would be OK."

"Oh, and you say that with a smile," I sneered. "You disgust me."

"You know what?" he whispered. "Say what you like. Just make sure Emma's okay."

And with that he left the shop.

"Who was that?" 

I turned around to see Ali smiling. She was holding her coffee in one hand in mine the other.

"Some jerk. Come on. Let's go."

I was in shock, anger, and confusion, but I put on my best fake smile and continued to laugh with my friends.

..............................................................................................

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked her.

"I didn't want it to affect you," Emma responded. 

"What?"

"I mean, you have such a perfect life, and I didn't want to ruin it!"

"For heaven's sake, I don't have a perfect life? Why does everyone keep saying that?"

"I'm sorry! I just-"

"Em," I interrupted. "You're beautiful and you have great friends. And now...."

"It's being ruined!" she cried.

"No! Don't say that Emma! This is just a test from God. Be patient."

She was silent. There was a slight flicker in her deep brown eyes, then it was gone. Emma turned away from me.

"I'm a big girl," she whispered. I heard tears in her voice. "I can take care of myself.'

"Come here Emma!" I cried.

"No, I can't. Nobody is in my life. Not even mom and dad. They're always away."

I felt tears, but I didn't cry. I wanted to be strong for Emma.

So I let her leave the room, which was one of the biggest mistakes of my life.

Because when I heard the crash, I knew I'd have to take her to the hospital again.

Without mom and dad.