Anything Could Happen

That Was Strange Enough

Chapter 9.

Delnaz's POV

*a month later*

I picked out one of the new summer dresses Zulfiyya and I bought when we went shopping. Although I had a variety of new outfits, I hadn't felt confident enough to escape my comfort zone just yet and continued to wear my normal: jeans and tops.

I picked out a yellow floral dress with pink roses and green stems. The colour of the actual dress was creamy beige.

I grabbed my creamy beige handbag from my bedside and made my way to breakfast. Aunt Hamida had prepared pancakes for everyone.

"Good morning Aunty."

"Good morning Delnaz." Aunt Hamida continued to hum her favourite song.

I wolfed down my breakfast and said goodbye to my family members. I then made my way to class. Yay another day of torture.

Fuad's POV

*a month earlier*

I dialed Rizvan's number.

"Fuad?"

"Hi. Rizvan?"

"What's up, man? Where have you been?"

"I've been taking care of two unconcious girls and a dying Mazhar. Why do you ask?" Sarcasm rolled of my tongue.

Rizvan was silent for a few moments. He then replied, "We lost you that night."

"No, you left. You went to watch the game somewhere else, didn't you? It's fine though. I managed by myself, thanks."

"Well whatever..." Rizvan seemed agitated. "Why did you call?"

"I don't know. I guess I care more about my friends than you do after all."

"Sorry dude we ju-"

I cut the call and sat down on a cold park bench.

Summer should've really been settling in by then.

*currently*

I walked along the longest corridor in the school, possibly the world. New students often lost their way in Antalya High. I stopped to point a scared 8th grader in the right direction. He thanked me and continued to speed down the corridor on his stick-like legs.

I continued walking. I passed the science corridor, the language corridor and stopped when a familiar figure passed me. It just happened to be Delnaz.

Ever since that day at MarkAntlya, we hadn't spoken much. Life got in the way of everything as usual and it felt awkward to talk to try and talk to her since those many embarrassing incidents. I stopped near the notice boards and hid behind a pillar. Delnaz met Yildiz at the notice boards and they continued to chat about something animatedly.

"So what did your father say?"

"He actually agreed."

"Wow...Mr. Aliyev is really opening up and mellowing out, isn't he?"

"Yeah definitely. I guess I need to go shopping again."

"Yeah. Apparently it gets really hot in summer in Konya..."

I stopped listening to Yıldız rattle on when she said the word Konya.

So Delnaz is going to Konya...

I started to feel left out. Everybody else seemed to be going. Even Mazhar was going. I decided not to go because I needed to work to support my mother and myself. I sighed and made my way to class.