Unexpected Love [GXG]

Chapter 33: Deal?

POV: Third Person

The morning came slower than Enid had wanted. I woke up with Mia’s late-night text still sitting on my mind. Mia had asked if she could ride with us to school, pretending it was just convenience, but Enid couldn't help teasing back:

Mia🧘🏼‍♀️

Hey… can I come over and we go to school together? I’ll come early.

Enid
Sure. Not like it’s because you want to see a certain someone 👀

Mia🧘🏼‍♀️

NO! okay maybe. Shut up. Goodnight.

✿

Mia showed up early just as she had said. Standing by the front gate with her backpack slung over one shoulder. She texted Enid that she was outside, and a few minutes later Fatima opened the door with her usual easy smile.

"Come in," Fatima said, stepping aside. "They’re still getting dressed."

Mia slipped inside, suddenly self-conscious in her neatly ironed uniform. She sat on the edge of the couch, trying not to look too restless, while Fatima moved smoothly around the house.

She watched as Fatima helped little Hamida with her shoes and adjusted the ribbons in her hair. There was something almost graceful about the way Fatima handled the six-year-old—patient, gentle, and practiced, like it was second nature.

Mia couldn’t stop staring.

"You look so pretty, Mia," Hamida said suddenly, her small voice full of honesty.

Mia blinked, caught off guard, heat rushing to her cheeks. "Oh… thank you, Mida."

Fatima glanced up, smirking as she tied the last ribbon. "She’s right, you do look pretty."

Mia ducked her head quickly, trying to hide the shy blush spreading across her face. She fiddled with the strap of her bag, muttering, "You two are just ganging up on me now."

Hamida giggled, clearly pleased with herself.

By the time Enid finally appeared, adjusting the sleeves of my shirt, Fatima already had breakfast on the table. They all sat together—toast, eggs, tea, the usual quick morning spread—and even though it was simple, Mia felt strangely at ease, almost like she was part of something warm she hadn’t realized she was missing.

When they were done, a knock on the door announced Mrs. Higgins, the neighbor who always drove Hamida to school. The little girl hugged everyone goodbye, giving Mia an extra squeeze before skipping off.

"Have a good day, Mida!" Fatima called after her.

Then the three girls gathered their things and headed out. Fatima dropped Enid and Mia off at their school first, then turned the car toward her own campus.

"See you later," she said waving then send a flying kiss at Mia's direction, making the red head blush for what seems like the tenth time this morning, before driving off, leaving Enid and Mia standing side by side at the school gates.

✿✿✿

The school day passed strangely. Olivia and the rest of the so-called 'Golden Four' were nowhere to be seen, leaving the hallways just a little less loud than usual. Still, Enid kept her head down.