Everything is Due ; Nothing is submitted

Chapter 29

Altair was beyond nervous for tonight. He was going to tell Maria everything and hopefully, after that, she would still accept him. She did take it well during finals week so Altair hoped that was a sign. Altair got dressed in his best casual look. He wanted to look good but not like he was trying so hard. He then walked over to her room and knocked. A few seconds later and Maria opened the door.

"Altair!" she said in a cheery voice she noticed how he was dressed casually and was thankful she was too. She was nervous but excited. She knew Altair was going to tell her everything and she was ready. She hoped she could have a relationship with him. He seemed so perfect.

"Are you ready" he held out his hand and she took it. "it's a surprise where were eating but I hope you like it"

"Ohh I'm excited" she smiled. They walked to his car and she got in. They then drove to the restaurant about twenty minutes away. Maria saw it was a cute middle eastern cuisine restaurant called Acre.

"This is one my favorite places to eat it reminds me of home" he was praying she would like it.

"Oh, I can't wait to try it!" she felt so touched he wanted to share his favorite cuisine with her. They then got out and ordered their food and sat down. Maria loved the inside. It looked like a middle eastern market. "It's so pretty here" she looked around.

"Yeah, it feels like home here," he said. He did miss his home sometimes and this place did help with it.

Maria then turned and looked at him "So do you plan on going back?" she didn't want him to and that made her feel selfish.

Altair then shrugged "I don't know maybe one day. What about you?" he hoped she wouldn't.

"I can't see myself ever going back to England. Maybe India one day I don't know all I know is England is off the table" Maria hated England compared to everything else. She wanted to travel and learn about the world. Altair then felt relief knowing that. The two then talked some more and got their food. Maria loved her Halwa.

As they were eating Altair spoke up "So as you know I need to tell you about some stuff"

Maria then looked up from her food "I know" she was ready and she could tell Altair was ready too. Altair then started his story of freshmen year.
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A few months before Freshmen year.

"Malik, we have to go to Davenport university!" Altair burst into Malik's room and handed him the flyer.

Malik paused his videogame and took the flyer from him and started reading it "What about my brother"

"He can join us later. But Davenport has a great soccer team and opportunities. Your parents want us to go to school abroad and this place is perfect" Altair wanted to travel the world and Davenport offered that.

"Ugh fine did you tell Abbas about it," Malik asked. All three of them had been best friends since they were little kids and always followed one another.

"Yes, and he seemed on board. We just have to send the coach a video of us, our stats, and a letter of recommendation from our current coach and then we should be good to go" Altair knew they would make the team. All three of them were talented, especially him.

"Okay, I need to think about it. The thought of leaving Kadar behind is my only issue" Malik and Kadar have always been close. Kadar looked up to Malik and Malik wanted to be there and help him.

"Come on Kadar will be fine. Going to Davenport would be amazing" Altair went on.

"Okay I'll think about it," Malik said. Altair then left and Malik started researching Davenport. Everything about the campus seemed great but there was a nagging feeling that if they went something would happen but Malik chalked it up to anxiety. The weeks went by and Malik agreed to join Altair and Abbas. They were accepted into Davenport and could all live together. It was now move-in day. It was hard for Malik to say goodbye to his mom and dad and especially Kadar. But Kadar assured him it would go by fast and they would be in Masyaf again.