Love Over Friends.

Chapter 8 - Unexpected Incidents.

Aaliyah's Point of View:

It's been a month since we started this school, and things have gone slightly okay. But my relationship with Alisha has worsened; she keeps avoiding me whenever I try to talk to her. I know I invaded her privacy, but our family needs to know how severe the situation is. Despite that, she treats me like rubbish, and it's crushing me. Every time I try to contact her dad, he either doesn't answer or replies late because of the time zones, which is incredibly frustrating. But given the way she's been treating me lately, maybe she deserves to get married young. I can't do anything about it. If it's the wrong guy, I'll try to do something, but right now, I feel helpless. I can't help her anymore.

Khala leaves in the evening, so maybe things will get better after she's gone.

Once I arrived at school, we went straight to PE instead of having tutor time, which I didn't mind. We were still playing tennis, a sport I've come to hate with a passion. As I scanned the gym, I saw Alisha talking to Becky, and for a split second, she glanced my way. I want to believe she feels guilty for how she's treated me, but I can't get my hopes up. Suddenly, Lily appeared out of nowhere.

"What?" I asked trying to keep my frustration at bay.

"Hi," Lily replied with a friendly tone.

"If you need someone to talk to, I'm here and if anyone's told you anything they're lying," Lily added.

"Okay?" I responded confused by her sudden concern.

"What happened between you and Alisha?" Lily asked with her gaze flicking over to where Alisha was standing.

"Why do you want to know?" I asked defensively.

"Because I care unlike other people," Lily replied looking pointedly at Alisha not knowing if I should trust her.

"She basically called me a snitch because I told everyone she was about to hurt herself," I said, frustration seeping into my voice.

"Why?" Lily asked, her expression turning serious.

"Because she's getting married at 18," I blurted out the words slipping out before I could stop myself.

"What the hell?" Lily asked shouting with her voice rising above the noise of the gym.

"Don't tell her," I warned as I watched Lily march straight over to Alisha. Alisha was going to hate me even more now and I wasn't going to look forward to it.

Alisha's Point of View:

"Alisha, is it true you are getting married at 18?" Lily asked, her voice loud enough to draw attention.

"What nonsense?" Becky chimed in.

"And what?" I snapped with irritation bubbling to the surface.

"Alisha, really?" Becky pressed, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Yeah," I replied, trying to sound indifferent, even though my heart raced.

"I'll tell Hussain," Lily said, turning on her heel.

"Does it look like I care? Tell him?" I shot back not caring anymore.

"Hussain!" Lily yelled, striding over to him. Aaliyah was such a grass for blurting this out I won't forgive her for this.

"You don't have a say in it?" Becky asked.

"No," I replied.

"Alisha," Hussain said approaching me.

"I'll leave," Becky said, and I watched her walk away.

"Is that why you are going back to America?" Hussain asked as I nodded unable to voice my feelings.

"I'm sorry." Hussain said with his voice laced with sympathy.

"You don't get it. You're just a YouTuber who has it easy. You don't understand what it's like. You don't have the right to say sorry please don't try and sympathise for me." I retorted, turning my head away as the bell rang, signalling the end of our conversation and the start of PE.

"Come on, Alisha," Becky said, urging me to get ready. Once we were dressed for PE, we were paired up again.

"Becky," I said, exasperated.

"Don't worry; I'll be your partner," Becky replied cheerfully.

"Do you want to get revenge on Aaliyah?" Becky asked with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"More like I want to get revenge on myself," I replied bitterly.

"Don't be so stubborn," Becky said rolling her eyes.

"Like me," I replied sarcastically.

"Just a thought—why don't you throw a tennis ball at her head?" Becky suggested as I shook my head.

"I'll think of something myself," I said feeling my anger boil over. I couldn't believe Aaliyah said that out loud; I was going to share my news in my own time. I was so fed up.

As we began the session, I started to get used to tennis, almost feeling like a pro. I saw Aaliyah hit the ball toward me. Without thinking, I let it hit my chest without moving out the way, causing me to dramatically fall to the floor.

"You did that on purpose Aaliyah!" Becky yelled.

"Do what?" Aaliyah asked with her voice defensive.

"You didn't even say sorry to your cousin!" Becky retorted, and suddenly everyone was looking at Aaliyah.

"Aye, what's going on here?" Ms. Tunip asked, stepping into the fray.

"Aaliyah purposely hit Alisha with the tennis ball," Becky declared pointing at Aaliyah.

"Aaliyah should get punished," Hussain chimed in, his voice firm.

"But she didn't know it would hit her cousin." Sidharth argued.

"Why did you do that?" Adil yelled, his voice sharp.

"You still haven't apologised?" Shehryaar added crossing his arms.

"Aaliyah could you leave the hall please?" Ms. Tunip echoed.

"Miss, why are you taking her side?" Aaliyah challenged as I sat up forcing back tears.

"Look at her for God's sake," Ms. Tunip yelled, clearly exasperated.

"SHE IS DOING THAT ON PURPOSE!" Aaliyah yelled back.

"LIKE YOU KNOW ANYTHING!" Becky shouted.

"I'M HER COUSIN OF COURSE, I KNOW EVERYTHING!" Aaliyah yelled drawing more attention.

"What if the things I told you were lies?" I asked quietly, desperate to be heard.

"I DON'T CARE ANYMORE!" Aaliyah yelled her frustration boiling starting to walk over to the door.

"See? I say something quietly, and look what she does—she exposes me as per usual," I said louder.

"Doesn't she have any respect for her elders?" Shehryaar asked, a sneer in his voice.

"ENOUGH!" Ms. Tunip shouted, and in that moment, Aaliyah bolted out of the room.

Once the second tutor time rolled around, we walked into our classroom and approached our tutor.

"Yes, Alisha?" she asked, looking up from her desk.

"Miss, can you change Aaliyah's seat, please? We don't get along anymore," I said trying to sound casual.

"Okay, sure. Becky," she said, summoning her.

"Yes?" Becky replied.

"Swap seats with Aaliyah," she instructed.

"Alright," Becky said, a smile on her face.

I can't wait to go back to New York. Life will be perfect once I leave London again. I don't want to live here anymore. I think I'm going to ask my mum and Shahrukh Mama if I can move to their first cousin's house, he'll let me stay there for the next two years, right?