A Thing, Beyond Forever

14.

First-term completed as well as the second term. I beat Yazan in the second term but couldn't take pride in it because he was the one who helped me. And since there were not much 'studying' I needed to do at this time of the school, I stopped going to Yazan's place as well. 

He persistently asked me why I was not coming to his place if not for studying but just to hang out and I didn't know how to phrase my situation into good sentences such that he would be able to understand. I just ignored him. 

"It's going to be a long day today and it's our last picnic together this year then we will be in different corners of the world", said Khatija followed by a sigh.

"Yeah", I mumbled in a low tone realizing that today is all we have to make tomorrow worth remembering. Of course, we had days after this picnic got over but, this was our last outing together.

All of us were in our respective buses, one bus full of girls while the boys, undoubtedly, in a separate bus. We were, as told by our teachers, heading to a resort named Leonia. I had no idea about how this resort was so last night I and Noor googled to find out more about it. It happened to be a water-park-kind of a resort. So we packed our appropriate swimming clothes- not the revealing type, a body wash because taking a shower is a must after playing in the pool water and kept extra clothes for emergency purpose. In any circumstance, we all were absolutely ready to spend the best day of our last year together.

I was, as usual, sitting near the window seat on the back seats of the bus and actually lost in my own pool of thoughts. I paired a white over-sized tee with blue jeans, white converse, few matching bracelets to go with and blue hijab. I have always felt more comfortable in baggy clothes than in any skin-tight dresses. 

"You pull me aside when something ain't right, talk me with now and until the night, no need to pretend, you're a truu-uu-uu-ue friend" my idiotic friends were singing on our way.

I roll my eyes at this memory today. If only I knew that after graduating from school we wouldn't be the same.

"Girls, take your belongings carefully. Don't leave anything behind as we won't be getting back by the same bus", called out the teachers.

"Sure, thing! Ma'am", all the girls said in unison.

"We have almost reached our destination so hurry up and make a move alright?", she called out once again.

"YES MA'AM", all the girls shouted once again but this time with more enthusiasm.

"Woohooo! We are finally out for a whole day! No parents and just friends! WOW!! I'm ALREADY SO MUCH EXCITED!" Noor gushed. I didn't know if she was excited about spending time with Faisal or us. But given the strict rules of our school, I decided to go with the latter. 

We all popped our heads out of the window to see the beautiful entrance of the resort. It was absolutely marvellous. They kept up a big board in the entrance as a welcome to all the students who came for the picnic. We felt our adrenaline rush in our veins out of the excitement. 

As soon as we got down, the teachers started taking attendance to make sure every girl who paid for the trip came.

"There comes the boys' bus," said Zee.

"Losers as always," Khatija commented.

I was smiling so wide. It never left my lips. I put my sunglasses on and then we all started taking selfies. Feeling excited was an understatement. I was thrilled and it was just the start of the weekend getaway. 

Boys started forming their line and since all of us were wearing coloured dresses, boys and girls started checking out each other. Boys being cautious about their hairstyle, shoes and clothes. Whereas girls being cautious about their clothes, makeup and if they looked cute in their hijabs or not.