Shadow of Resistance

Chapter Two

Finally it is break time. Once we hear the bell ringing we all run to the playground as usual. Most of the boys spend the break playing football, but I really don't like it and prefer spending the time talking with my friends. Today we kept arranging for tomorrow's outing as tomorrow is Thursday and we usually hang out together on Thursdays.

We usually spend Thursdays playing PlayStation, trying out new restaurants, or strolling aimlessly through the streets. But this week, we decided to make tomorrow a special outing, packed with activities and new experiences.

As the break nears its end, I catch a glimpse of Sarah standing with a group of her friends. Our eyes meet, and we share a smile that makes me feel as if I'm floating in another world, oblivious to everything else around me. My blissful moment is abruptly interrupted by Youssef, who nudges me and says, "Go talk to her. Stop acting like a chicken."

I start moving in her direction and with every step I take, I feel my heart beating faster. Is it too late to turn back to my friends? Probably yeah she saw me coming, I have to go talk to her. But what am I going to tell her? I don't have any idea what to say and I am becoming really close to her.

"Hi," I say. She looks at me with her gorgeous rounded face, her wide shiny black eyes and the most beautiful smile ever and replies "Hi". Her friends move away leaving us alone, I don't know if this makes me more or less tense.

Great now what should I say, she is looking at me and I don't have something in mind. "Nice outfit" I say. Oh no, what did I just say, we are all wearing the school uniform. She doesn't say anything back, but she laughs, so I guess that isn't that bad as a start.

"I am Sarah" she says, breaking this awkwardness. "And I am Kareem" I say. Great now another mind block, we are just looking at each other silently. To be honest I don't think I am going to find any topic if I keep looking into her magical eyes, and I would be a liar if I said that I am not enjoying this.

"I saw your Marvel pencil case, do you love marvel?" I ask finally after I remembered something that we can talk about. "Yes, do You?" she replies. We start talking about marvel movies that we don't feel time passing as we discuss our favourite heroes and scenes. The break ends, but we continue chatting as we walk back to class. I wish we never reach our class and just keep talking. We enter the class and head to our desks while looking at each other.

Once I sit on my desk, Youssef whispers "Anytime chicken." We both laugh then Miss Sabra enters and everyone stops talking immediately. Not because she is very restricted or scary, but because we all love her. For me, she is my favourite teacher, especially because she teaches us History. She has her way in telling us stories that make us feel as if we are in the era or the event by ourselves.

Today, the lesson focused on the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Although I struggle to concentrate because I can't stop thinking about my conversation with Sarah, I picked up a few details, such as that the church is renowned as the birthplace of Jesus and holds immense religious significance for Christians.

Youssef, being Christian, was particularly engaged. His enthusiasm led the teacher to invite him to share his story of visiting the church with the whole class. I'm genuinely happy for him, being able to visit the West Bank because here in Gaza it is like a dream to go there. I hope that one day I too will get to go to the West Bank and visit Al-Aqsa Mosque.

The bell rings, marking the start of my daily mission which is finding my younger brother to take him and head home together. A few minutes later I spot him playing hide and seek with his friends. It is so silly to find him playing it considering he is in grade 7 now. I don't remember playing such games at his age.