PSPA

17

"Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break." - William Shakespeare, Macbeth.

"It didn't go that badly," Mati tries to console me.

"I had reviewed math, damn it! Who thought that crazy  would quiz us the first time we saw her!" I burst out, waving my hands furiously.

"Come on, calm down. You have a whole semester to make up for it, and you did manage to answer some questions. I think she'll give you a 5."

"A 5? It'll be a miracle if she gives me a 4, I couldn't remember a single rule," I grumble, leaning against the hallway wall.

The interminable Greek class has passed, and now Mati is trying to calm me down after the disastrous Greek quiz.

"What a bitch, I wonder if there's blood or poison running through her veins!" Mati exclaims, equally furious.

"Poison, poison. I'm sure of it."

"Did you hear from Angi this morning?" Mati asks, taking out her phone.

Only now do I remember my phone and Bilel. "She didn't text me, did she text you?"

"No, I tried calling her but her phone is off. Anyway, her dad was out of danger, right?"

"That's what she told me yesterday," I confirm, nodding.

Mati sighs and says while checking her phone, "I need to go to area B to pick up a second-hand Latin book. Do you want to come?"

I shake my head. "You go, I need to find Viviana to get the house keys."

"Okay, see you later," she says, eyes glued to her phone.

"Mati?" I call out in the hallway.

She turns around and I shout again, "Ask if anyone else is selling the Latin book, I need to get one too."

"Got it," she says, giving me a thumbs up and turning back around.

I sigh and, crossing my arms, head to the janitor's closet where they keep the brooms and cleaning supplies.

During break, no one goes in there. Sometimes, I'd sneak up here to find a quiet place to study.

Bilel and I agreed it could be a secluded spot for us to meet without being disturbed.

I approach the closet but notice the door is slightly open.

Is someone else in there? I gently push the door open and smile at the sight of Bilel's back.

Just seeing him makes me feel relieved. It's been a tough day; I just want to melt into his arms and breathe in his scent.

I step inside and close the door as quietly as possible, making my way towards him.

I stop abruptly when I realize he's on the phone and seems very tense, his posture rigid. Maybe I should leave and let him finish his call in peace.

I reach for the door handle to leave, but suddenly I hear something that makes my ears prick up. I look over my shoulder at him and feel like I'm dying inside.

"Adil, stop it. She's just a girl like any other, I'll play with her for a few days and when I get bored, I'll dump her. It's not worth involving the organization."

I feel my heart crumble into ashes, and just when I think it can't hurt any more, he says maliciously, "You know how I am... I have a weakness for challenges. It's just a game, let me have a little more fun. I have to go now, she should be here any moment. Talk to you later." He hangs up, and still typing something, he turns around with one hand in his pocket and sees me standing there.