You & I

First Day Of School

I woke up to a loud sound of someone knocking. THUG THUG THUG

"Aliyah, wake up it's time for school!!!!"

I covered my ears with my pillow. When I turned around to see the time,
it was already 7:00. Oh my god! I'm going to be late. I jumped out of my bed and used the bathroom as quick as possible. I came back to my room and threw on white skinny jeans with a high -low pink floral shirt and a glittery white hijab. When I checked the time again, it was 7:20. Wow quicker than I normally get dressed! This gave me time to fix up my makeup and do my nails. After I was done getting ready, I grabbed my Victoria Secret backpack and ran downstairs.
"Good morning, sweetheart" my mother and father said in unison.

"Good morning" I said. Giving both a kiss on the cheek.

Then I walked to the breakfast table and saw my brother sitting there, texting away on his phone. I walked towards him and whacked him in the arm.
"Ow! What was that for?" Hassan said.

"For waking me up the way you did. I freaked out because of your knocking."

"Sorry" He said this with puppy eyes and a sad face.

I rolled my eyes taking note of his fake sympathy. After I had my delicious breakfast, I went off to my bus stop.

* * *
As soon as I got to school, I ran to meet my friend, Sabrina at our locker. (See my school is huge but we also have so many people that we have to share lockers. At least we get to pick who we want to share with, right?)

"Omg, girl. You look so gorgeous!"

"So do you, Sabrina! That dress looks absolutely beautiful on you".

"Aw thanks, Li" (a nickname Sabrina gave me last year. In return I call her Bri, sometimes).

We took another 2 minutes to checkup and went our separate ways to first hour. Sadly, we didn't share our first class together but we did have seventh hour lunch together. I walked into first period and sat next to Lesley. Lesley is a sweet girl I met last year in math and we both used to complain so I guess that brought us together? Finally, after six minutes of the passing period were over and the bell indicating the class had started rang. The teacher got up from his seat and came to
the middle of the room to begin class.

"Hello class, my name is Mr. Kingston and I'll be teaching you exciting history events for the next 364 days of the school year. However, before we begin, I would like to put you guys in alphabetical order".

The whole class groaned.

"I know, I know. You guys are probably comfortable in your seats but this is so I can put faces to names. I want to be able to know everyone by the end of next week".

We all stood there,
impatiently waiting for our names to be called.
"Aliyah Narani"

Finally.

"James Newman, behind her please."

Great. No, wonderful. Just freaking spectacular! I can't believe I have to sit in front of that jerk. The guy who hates everyone and anyone that's not white. I can't believe my first day of school is starting off like this.

* * *
I walked through the door with Hasan behind me yammering away about how he had a great day because all his close friends were in ALL of his classes. Not mine though. Only thing I have with my best friend is lunch (which is good but so unfair because Hasan got luckier). I'm starting to think my counselor hates me.

"Asalam o alikum jaans, how was school?" Mama said from the kitchen.

"Walikum Asalam, good" Hasan and I replied.

"That's wonderful, go wash up and pray so we can eat lunch together"

* * *
After meeting Sabrina at her locker I decided to go to first hour early so I can organize my planner. As I walked in I saw James sitting in his seat with backpack thrown to the floor. He was using his phone and laughing to himself. Great! Why is he early? I hesitated wanting to leave the classroom but my teacher walked in and greeted me, causing James to look up. There was no way I was letting him know I was intimidated by his presents, so I decided to go and sit in my seat. I set down and opened my planner and begin organizing. It was alright and then Mr. Kingston decided to step out of the class of the classroom. It became awkward because the room was so quiet. Oh, never mind I spoke too soon. Mr. James decided to tap on his desk with pencils as if he was in some band. I tried my best to ignore but I got really annoying and I could tell that he was trying to annoy me and it was working. I turned around and asked him to stop.

"No" was what he said with
a nasty smirk. Thank goodness the bell rang and everybody was in class.

"Alright ladies and gentlemen, today we are going to start our partner projects. The requirements are fairly simple. You and your partner have to do research on a topic relating to history. Due to issues with picking your own partners, I've decided to make that job simple and pick for you."

He pulled up a PowerPoint with names. I found my name. My partner was James the jerk. Oh and my topic you ask? Terrorism. I don't think this is some coincidence. This project is already so torturous.

"Now that you know who your partner is, go find them and discuss what mutual place you'll meet to work on it."

My heart was pounding and I felt like my stomach was going to drop. When you wear a hijab its like putting a huge sign on your forehead that says "I'm Muslim". Don't get me wrong I'm a proud Muslim but I can't stand ignorant comments. But I also knew that these ignorant people will only become better if you teach them. With that realization I turned around to face James.

"Where do you want to meet to work on the project"

He was playing with his pencil, moving it around.

"I was thinking the library" I said.

He looked up but continued playing with his pencil.

"My house"

"No, I'd rather meet at the library".

"Ok, whatever". And he continued to play with his pencil.

I was about to turn around to face the front when he said;

"great topic, huh? I bet you know a lot about it"

His friend and him began to laugh and I simply ignored them and turned around. Although, I felt like I could cry at that instance, I decided to keep my cool on. I didn't want to make him think he got to me in.

•Omg! No he didn't!!!
What. A. Jerk.
•Hope you guys enjoyed, be sure to vote, comment, and share with others!