All characters are 18 and high school seniors.
❥ Elizabeth Alardo craves power. She craves power over her school, and power over people. And soon, power over the nerd. With her Queendom being threatened, he couldn't come at a better time. Almost li...
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"Okay, everyone! Please partner up after signing in and getting your vests and flags!" Aunty Nader, Yusra's mom shouts out before joining her husband, Uncle Rahman at the check in table.
"Hello, aunty, uncle." I greet. They're insistent on me calling them aunty and uncle, even though we're not related. Yet they feel more like family than my real parents.
"Lizzie habibti, we haven't seen you in so long!" Aunty Nader gives me a tight hug and pinches my cheek.
"I'm sorry, I've been so busy with upcoming finals and university applications."
"Yusra said you both got into Yale," Uncle Rahman inquired, I nodded in response. "Mashaallah I'm proud of you both."
I blushed at the warm feeling of genuine care. I mumble a respectful thank you and quickly write down my name on the check-in sheet and pass it to Ivan, who was patiently waiting behind me.
"Who is this?" Aunty Nader's teasing smile was so alike to her daughter's.
"This is Ivan, my boyf—" I paused and quickly glanced at Ivan in panic.
"Boyfriend." He finishes. "Pleasure meeting you both."
Uncle Rahman and Ivan give a firm handshake. Ivan's usual timidness suddenly gone, I suppose he realizes how important they both are to me. "Uncle Rahman and aunty Nader are Yusra's parents."
"Nice to meet you too."
Ivan signs his name and we move on with our vests and mini flags. I put the ugly yellow vest over my hot pink track suit. I really did not think my outfit through.
The forest behind Iju's house doesn't match the general vibe of this devastating day. The vibrant colors of spring clash against the solemn atmosphere of those who knew her.
Her mother, who looked a lot like her, doesn't seem to be able to keep it together. Her sobs break out every once and a while but she seems insistent on staying. Her father and younger sister did a better job, although their red eyes and unkept nature suggests they have been crying as well.
For some reason my mind could not stay on them for too long. The lush greenery made me only think of how romantic it would be if Ivan and I had a picnic here.
It was almost poetic. The forest refuses to dim for people's sake and we refuse to dim no matter who comes crashing down around us. I have never felt this attached to someone as I do Ivan, not to Bradly, not to Yusra or Alejandra, and certainly not to my parents.
