THE HIT SHOW [ONGOING]

ACT 3, SCENE 3: The Mission

The weekend had arrived but Willow's thoughts were left on Thursday evening. 

She remembered the aftermath. How Sylvie was shocked at how she had ruined her clothes with so much gold paint and how handprints, which seemed larger than Willow's hands, travelled her body. 

That night, Willow had gone to the showers, then came back and explained everything to Sylvie under the covers. She knew that curiosity was present from their other two roommates and this time, she needed to be cautious.

Along with her adventures, Sylvie had also had a good day. She expressed to Willow that she was back on the team and that Veronica had 'miscommunicated' the news. 

Willow, at that moment, couldn't help the soft smile appear on her lips. She had an instinct that Ivan may have had his hand in that. 

But those were all the events of last night. Now, Willow was standing at the bus stop across from Belle Cove, waiting to meet Nahil and Asim at the shopping mall. As promised, they were to go out together and hopefully patch something up for Nahil and Sylvie, whilst Asim and Willow tagged along. 

Willow took a mental note not to get in their way. She also made another note not to attempt to call Jarrah again. She wasn't going to feel like she was forgotten. At least, not today.

~~~

"Isn't it so stupid? I mean, we were told to pick out our roles and then they just- poof- move Nahil to do something else! How dumb?!"

It had seemed that Willow was still stuck on the fact that the theatre club had moved Nahil to run errands, whilst he had originally chosen to work on set. Nahil was quiet about the whole thing. He wasn't complaining, at least it passed the time. 

The group stood around the corner of the mall, after receiving their smoothies from a smoothie bar.

"Dude, just join tennis with me," Asim interjected. 

Nahil shook his head taking a sip. 

"Can't, my hand-eye coordination sucks."

"You can try," a small voice peeped. 

Willow playfully rolled her eyes. The voice belonged to shy Sylvie. It was so obvious to her that Sylvie didn't know how to contain herself next to Nahil. Whenever the four were together, Sylvie became extremely quiet and when she spoke, it was even quieter. 

Nahil, however, seemed to understand her language. He gave her a smile and nod. 

"I guess I could-"

"No, you're not," Willow warned. 

The sweet moment between the two parties had seemed to end thanks to Willow's aggression.

There was sto a moment of silence, seeping through the air. Willow just wished Nahil and Sylvie could make out already, so she and Asim wouldn't have to endure these long pauses any longer.

"Ahh! I almost forgot I need a new racket. Willow, could you help?"

Willow narrowed her brows, turning her attention on Asim. She wondered what she would use a racket for, maybe she could turn it into a back scratcher, or maybe a weapon (as Ivan would've suggested). 

"I need a swimsuit!" Sylvie chimed in. 

Asim wanted to choke Sylvie, Willow finally understanding the situation slapped her forehead. 

And they were off to the sports department store. Willow had finally had the lightbulb in her mind switch on and had to be aware of Asim's signs. She was alert and ready for this mission to progress. 

However, it was a struggle as Nahil and Asim were all the way at the other end of the store, while Sylvie and Willow were looking at swimsuits. 

"Are you out of your mind?!" 

Sylvie, now shocked, turned to Willow innocently.

"What did I do?"

Willow rolled her eyes, once more. 

"We're trying to get you and Nahil alone! Don't you get it? We're-"

Sylvie let out a sigh, stopping Willow from going on a tangent. 

"I know, it's obvious. I just... I freaked out, okay?"

Willow rubbed her friend's back and assured her that they would try once more and that this time, she wouldn't be able to say no.

Willow took Sylvie by the arm, pulling her at her side. Sylvie, being dragged through this mission, had dropped the swimsuit she was planning to purchase. 

"Alright, we're done. I want to look at video games now."

Asim, searching Willow's eyes for answers, raised a brow before understanding phase two of their undisclosed master plan. 

"Yeah me too!" He joined. 

Nahil, seemingly logical, interjected. 

"Asim you hate video games. Besides, how are you going to play it? Are you going to hook it into your bed or something?"

Willow thought her idea sucked but she had hope in her clever plan.

"Okay! we're off, meet you guys soon!" 

With that, Willow grabbed Asim's arm pulling him towards herself as she ran out of the sports department. She had no idea where the video game store was located but she needed to get out of there before Nahil asked any more questions.

Determined to get away, Willow hadn't realised Asim's efforts to escape from Willow's firm grip. Despite her small stature, she was pretty strong. 

Once the two came to a halt, Willow had realised Asim's struggled attempt and terrified expression. 

"Oh, sorry," She muttered letting go of his arm. She looked back to see if she could spot Nahil and Sylvie. To her surprise, they stood in the same position, dumbfounded. 

It was the sound of foreign words that had caught Willow's attention.

"Astagfirullah," Asim muttered.

~~~

"This is great!" Asim exclaimed. 

"Told you."

The two were standing in front of the display Xbox, playing the latest Mortal Kombat on the large screen. Although Nahil had pointed out that Asim didn't enjoy video games, now he must've completely changed his mind.

"You two done?" Nahil's voice had woken the two up from their game. Willow glanced over to see Nahil in a happy state, along with Sylvie. 

Mission accomplished. 

Asim and Willow followed the two from behind, watching their best friends change their mannerisms next to the opposite sex. It was amusing how different they were acting. 

The two observed the way they were deeply invested in their conversation. Willow had no idea what they were talking about but she was glad that now, they were actually talking rather than staring at each other like creeps.

Despite it all, it was evident that Willow and Asim were the third-wheels. 

Asim stood a safe distance from Willow, as he muttered against her presence. 

"First we can't get them to talk and now they won't shut up," he observed.