To Be Or Not To Be

Chapter 20

Islas POV

As the weeks went by after that terrifying night, I found myself slowly piecing my life back together. It wasn't easy. Every day was like a rollercoaster of emotions—some moments feeling almost normal, and others feeling like I was right back in that alley, heart pounding, hands shaking.

My family was incredible through it all.

Alhamdullilah

They made sure I got the help I needed. My mom took me to a therapist, Aliza's friend, which I didn't think I needed at first, but talking to someone who understood helped more than I expected. And my dad, well, he insisted on beefing up security around our home, even though I tried to tell him it wasn't necessary. He just wanted me to feel safe, and I appreciated that.

But it was Ali and Aliza who really got me through those tough days. We weren't super close before, but after what happened, he was different. He'd check on me between classes, ask how I was doing without prying too much. Aliza on the other hand kept touch too, she would message me throughout the days, ask how therapy was going, and somehow she manages to text me on the exact days when i was feeling the worst.

Right now during lunch, we're sitting in the park near our school. It was a warm afternoon, the kind that felt hopeful, like maybe things could get better. Myra and  Adam came together and I was there as a third wheel, but soon after Ali decided to join us too. 

As Myra and Adam chattered away about the latest school tea, Ali turned to me with a serious yet kind expression. "Isla," he began gently, "I want you to know I've kept everything about that night between us. No one else knows, and they won't from me."

I met his gaze, feeling a lump form in my throat. His words meant the world to me; they represented a promise of trust and a shield against the prying eyes of others. "Thank you, Ali," I whispered, my voice barely above a murmur. Tears threatened to spill over, but I blinked them back, overwhelmed by gratitude. "You've been... really great. I don't know what I would have done without you."

His smile softened, that familiar, reassuring smile that had become a lifeline in my darkest moments. Ali wasn't one to express his emotions openly, especially with girls, but his smile spoke volumes—a silent reassurance that he was there for me, no matter what.

As we sat there together in the park, surrounded by the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of city life, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. 

Soon enough, Myra interrupted our quiet moment with her trademark enthusiasm. "Hey guys, we should probably head back to school," she said, glancing at Adam. "We've got that presentation for the university credit course during last period, remember?"

Adam nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's that global studies thing. We better not be late; Mrs. Stevens is strict about punctuality."

Ali and I exchanged a look before we all gathered our things and made our way back to school. The presentation Myra and Adam mentioned was for a special university credit course that spanned the last two months of school. It was designed to give students an oppurtunity to travel and learn about the world hands on while also gaining courses for post secondary, it also exempt students from writing end-of-year exams as they will be travelling.

As we settled into the classroom for the presentation, my mind drifted. The prospect of exploring different countries and cultures suddenly felt like a lifeline—a chance to break free from the shadows of the past few months. The thought of being immersed in new experiences, away from familiar haunts and painful memories, filled me with a tentative hope.

When Mrs. Stevens began outlining the itinerary and requirements for the course, I found myself eagerly absorbing every detail. The destinations ranged from bustling cities to remote villages, each offering a glimpse into a different facet of global society. It was an opportunity not just for academic enrichment but also for personal growth and healing.

As the presentation drew to a close, I turned to Myra, a spark of excitement in my eyes. "Myra, do you think... should we sign up for this?" I asked hesitantly, unsure if I dared to hope for such an escape.

Myra smiled warmly with just as much enthusiasm "Isla, I think it could be exactly what we need," she replied excitedly. "A chance to see the world, even though it would be school related" she said with an eyeroll at the last part

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, I felt a sense of determination settle over me. 

Now all I had to do was somehow convince Mama and Baba

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hiiii this books been a slow burn long enough 

now its time we speed things up a bittt

i know the previous events might seem unneccesary but trust me, theyre what got ali and islas bond to be closer together 

on the other handddd im finally done with all my exams omg im sooooo tiredddd 

also ima try posting one more time this week cuz after this im going on a 3 week thing to montreal and chicago sooooooo 

i love you guyssss dont forget to comment and vote byebyeeeeee 

900+ words