ONE in a Billion

Eleven

I woke up the next morning.

Oh Allah, forgive me, I'm a big sinner, forgive my foolish mistakes and bring me back to the correct path.

I wasn't going to school today, we were going to the inter-school Geography Fieldtrip.

I had packed my bag before going to bed last night. I didn't get proper sleep. The thought of Daniel broke my heart. It was way too much for me to take on.

I had to tell Aria today. If I didn't tell her, it would kill me from inside and if I did, she may never talk to me again.

I went downstairs, quickly had my breakfast. And then I rushed to school.

I saw Mr. Blake outside and I rushed to him.

"Hi, Mr. Blake, I'm sorry, I think I'm a bit late."

"Good Morning Hoorain, you are Not late, you're actually quite early."

"Oh, anyways, I was looking for you the other day, but it turned out that you didn't come in."

"I was afraid that you might repartee to the principal about what I said."

"I would not do that. I promise."

"Ms. Malik?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Are you okay? Is something wrong?"

"Absolutely not sir, what could possibly go wrong?"

"I don't know, you sound different and you look extremely drained out."

"I'm fine sir. Oh look, Aria is here."

We walked over to Aria and I told them that I need to use the restroom to freshen up.

I left for the restroom and took a good 20 minutes so they got a chance to talk.

I made my way back to them and as soon as we got there, we left for the fieldtrip.

The ride took 30 minutes and we finally arrived.

The fieldtrip was at the beach. We were going to examine the different features of erosion and deposition and examine long-shore drift and other features.

Students and geography teachers from the other schools started coming.

The teachers started introducing themselves and their students to eachother and we went with Mr. Blake to see other schools.

We were introduced to all the schools. And then we moved onto the last one.

Brighton High School for Boys.

We went over and Mr. Blake started introducing us. I looked up to greet the teacher and the students when my eyes clashed with familiar blue ones.

Time stopped again. My life was getting destroyed bit by bit and I wasn't doing anything about it.

I said a quick hi and then excused myself as fast as I could.

Aria gave me a strange expression and then continued talking with Mr. Blake.

Mr. Thompson, the head geography teacher of Brighton High School for Boys, started giving the opening speech and told the rules and regulations of the fieldtrip.

We all got split into groups and, you know who I ended up with. Daniel.

Okay, I'm telling my parents to book my tickets so as soon as exams are over, I'm out.

There were groups of fours and in our group there was me, Daniel, Chris and Jacob. I hate being the only girl.

Each group had got different features to find. Ours was to find a pattern on the beach where there was signs of longshore drift.

Our group barely talked. Chris kept on touching my hand while working on the project and it was really really annoying and uncomfortable. And I swear if he touches me again I'll make sure he never ever even look at another girl again.

"Hoorain?" Chris called.

"What?"

"Help me with drawing up the diagram, I have no idea what I'm doing."

"Okay." I didn't want to be rude, because I was representing my school, so I decided to help.

"Thank you."

I took his field notes off him and sat down on the sand. He came and sat right next to me. I moved away from him and then he decided to come closer.

Ok, I have had enough.

I opened my mouth to say something but before I knew it I was up off the sand and Daniel was with Chris, whispering something which made Chris gulp.

I took Daniels arm and dragged hum to the shore with me.

"Daniel, what the hell?"

"If someone dares to fucking touch you, I swear to god, I will kill him."

"Daniel, we don't have any relation, that allows you to protect me."

"We don't have a relation right now, but that doesn't mean we won't have one later."

I just looked up at him. Stared into his blue orbs. They were so beautiful. They held different emotions in them. Emotions of frustration, love, anger, you name it.

The rest of the fieldtrip was a blur. Everything flew by and it was time to go back.

It took us half an hour to get back a then half an hour to get home from school.

As soon as I entered home, I rushed to my parents room. Told them about the trip, skipping some of the detail and then we came to the conclusion, after me begging and convincing them, that we should book the tickets now because it would be cheaper and we won't get a flight if we delay any further.

Ramadan was starting this week and straight after Ramadan were my exams and 3 days after my exams I'm taking the flight to Lahore in Pakistan. I'll settle in Pakistan for a month and prepare for the ISSB exam.

No more America, no more Daniel. Just me and my Pakistan.