Me And Y8

27 - Persistent

"And I mean it when I say I love you." - Book

"No man will ever find my tomb." - quote

"Another Arabian nights." Song

"Hi!" I wave towards my cover teacher, also my Year 6 math teacher.

"Hi Siyana! Oh, hi Malik. Your brother is doing amazing in the High School Musical Rehearsals. An absolute sweetheart." Unlike him, I wanted to say.

"Sure, Miss. He's absolutely so sweet. You should see him at home." He replies as she snickers.

It's art and our teacher's absent, leaving us work to do instead.

"I've heard rumours that this class is really good at maths. Especially two people, is that right?" She asks, her voice laced with taunt.

"Yep." I retaliate.

Omar Ismail, however, has other plans. "Yes, Malik first and then, me second."

Sure, buddy. Let's be fucking for real right now. Academic Excellence two years in a row.

My voice dripped of sarcasm. "Yes, totally."

"Yeah, right?" Malik challenges. He quirks one eyebrow up, prompting me to say something.

Sarcastically, I chirp in. "Yeah, it's Malik first and then Omar. Then, Elhansy and Zayn and Habeel and Damien and Tyke and Pedro and Asher. Also, Hazza-"

"Siyana! Are you going to list everyone in the class?!" She squeals.

"Yes, Miss. That was exactly what I was planning to do."

"I'm getting a headsore!" She laughs, amusement flickering through her eyes. She knows I'm being extremely sarcastic, she taught me for a whole year.

"That's me with her everyday, Miss." Malik swiftly takes over the conversation, his presence being way too fucking much.

I'm annoying now? This isn't moving past fucking academic rivals.

"Oh please, you have the mental stability of a sloth on sleeping pills."

A wave of silence washes over us as guilt claws its way throughout me, but why? All I did was retaliate.

Mia walks over. "Tyke and Hazza want to join the band."

"What?! They both have the commitment of a blue whale with not eating plastic bottles."

"You know they can't help it right?" Evelyn murmurs.

"If they tried," I look over to Malik. "they could."

"I can't do anything about it." Mia shrugs.

"Guess who's coming over." I rise out of my seat and walk over to Mia's table, where. Hazza and Tyke sit.

"Malik needs mental stability." Tyke whispers to Hazza.

No he fucking doesn't. He's fifteen times smarter than you, and you look like you're a skinned rat who's been through all four world wars. Malik, right now, looks fucking adorable with his eyebrows scrunched up in concentration and laughing every now and then. He's himself when he's not around Tyke or Hazza and not scared of anyone judging him.

He's happier when he's not around me or Tyke and he needs to stay away from us both. He's staying away from Tyke, but me? Unsuccessful.

Liking a person for me is having an obsession with everything they like. With everything they need.

I'm like a virus with neither symptoms nor a cure. Just clinging.

"He definitely needs mental stability. Hey Hazza, Tyke. What are you guys planning onto playing?" I agree, but I don't.