white tulips

Five

Monday morning. I have been avoiding his message since Saturday and I was definitely not ready to see him in class. I know that he just wanted to mess with me, but I am too embarrassed that I did not know immediately. Whatever, I had to get up and needed to decide what I am going to wear. My choice fell for white pants, a white tshirt with a beige kimono over it and a matching hijab. I was already late and Hamza was waiting for me in the car.

I entered the car and Hamza began to drive. We sat there in silence for about 5 minutes. "Yesterday I was at the mosque with Tae." What. I stared at him in confusion and wanted him to continue to talk. "I don't like when we don't have a topic to talk about, that's why I'm telling you this.", he said. "What were you guys doing? And how come?"

"He told me that something happened that made him interested in Islam. Apparently he finished reading the English translation of the Quran in the last two weeks. There were some verses he didn't quite understand so he wanted to ask the Imam questions about them. But he didn't know how to behave in a mosque and especially didn't want to disrespect it, that's why he had asked me to come. I'm pretty sure he'll revert soon."

"Oh, that's nice. He finished the Quran in 2 weeks.. That's impressive mashAllah." "It is. Some muslims don't even bother to touch the quran in the span of two weeks. In sha Allah he'll revert." "In sha Allah.", I added. Hamza stopped driving so I realised that we're there. Man how I wished I could avoid going in there right now. It was time for me to get out of the vehicle as I see Tae standing there next to his motorcycle. I also saw Grace standing in front of the school and ran to her as fast as possible. She started laughing: "Whoaa I missed you too but you didn't have to run." "Let's get to class. Please." "But class doesn't start for another 10 minutes." I grabbed her arm and took her with me.

We sat down in Ms. Adams class and we were the only one there. "Khadi, you've got to tell me what is going on." "I'm avoiding someone.", I mumbled loud enough for her to understand me. She stood up. "Did someone say something to you? I'm going to beat the shit out of-" I cut her off: "No it's not that. Sit down. Please.." "But then wha-" I showed her my phone, our chat. That message. "He wants to mess with me and I am an idiot for not knowing from the second. If I answered and said 'You can't fool me' it would've been different. Now that I didn't answer I seem so pathetic and he probably thinks I believed it."

Grace looked at me and then slightly slapped my cheek. "What the f-" "Are you dumb Khadi? Seriously why would he prank you? Don't you see the way he looks at you in the hallway? It was so obvious that he likes you but I haven't told you anything because he ain't muslim and I didn't want you to fall for someone you can't fall for." "Actually about that.. I think he might wants to revert to Islam.." "Oh Lord. Oh Lord." "Grace? Are you o-" "Oh Lord." I wanted to say something but then the bell rang and class began.

The whole lesson Grace looked like she lived trough some serious trauma while I probably did too. We still tried to pay attention to Ms. Adams and noted everything down and we even said the answer three or four times. Class ended and we walked together in silence until we had to split up for our next class. We just exchanged a quick goodbye and now my real nightmare began. Science. I saw Tae already sitting on his seat and I decided to sit quietly next to him.

"I know you think I'm joking, but I meant it. I like you Khadijah."

He did not just say that. Without looking at him I opened my mouth: "No you don't, we've only known each other for 2 weeks. That's impos-" He cut me off: "I also like your brother, Mr. Campbell and-" "Who the hell likes Mr. Campbell? Are you insane?" We both started to laugh. "Okay maybe I don't like him. But I like you. You're actually really nice when you're not trying to beat me." I laughed and felt embarrassed for not understanding him correctly. Oh my god, now he thinks that I thought he was in love with me. Well that was awkward.

But nevertheless the lesson seemed to be way funnier than I thought it could be. Tae is actually nice to talk to and he is really funny too. I really hope he becomes muslim. He seems to be a good person. "Hamza told me that you were together in the mosque. How did you like it there?" "I quite enjoyed it. The people there were so nice to me and welcomed me with open arms. I actually can see myself being a muslim but I've still got to learn some things." "Well I know that I was kind of rude on Saturday but if you have any questions, let me know, okay?" He nodded and gave me a smile.

Class ended and I tried to find Grace as soon as possible. There she was. I hooked our arms together and started to speak: "He doesn't like me. Well, he does but not in that kind of way. But I think I like him too." "You do what?", Grace asked in disbelief. "I like him the way I like you. But not as much as I like you of course."

"You better not. Otherwise I'll kill him with my own hands." We both laughed and I assured her that no one, especially no boy would come over our friendship. I loved her until the day I die and until we are reunited in Jannah (if she becomes muslim in Sha Allah).