Guarding My Faith

two

A huge brown mansion comes into view. Grassland covers most of the front yard and a small wavy pathway leads to the stairs. My eyes grow wider when I see a red Ferrari parked in front of the garage.

"Oh... my God," I whisper to myself in awe. I grab my bags from inside the taxi, and quickly walk out. "Is she rich or something?"

I distinctly remember her saying something along the lines of: "Oh, my parents work day and night. They're hardly home, but when they are, you won't have to worry about them not accepting you. And that's especially since you're a Muslim, just like me."

I smile at the thought of her parents accepting who I am. It's amazing her parents aren't Muslims and still accept their daughter. It's beautiful, really unheard of. Many people have problems with Muslims, but this family seems very humble and kind people. Ma Shaa Allah.

I nervously step up the small staircase and lightly knock on the door. I knock a little harder, and that's when the door opens, revealing a tall guy.

I quickly lower my gaze and step to the side, squeezing my body past his to get inside.

Who in the hell-

The stranger pulls on my hijab, bringing me back around so I stand in front of him. He leans closer and stares into my face. I look elsewhere, not bothering to say a word to him.

"Who are you?" he asks.

"Alexis?" Sara calls from behind the guy. "Oh, you're here! Let me take those bags. Adam, could you put this on the dresser? Thanks!"

She hands him my bag and pulls my hand towards the large staircase to the right. I look back over my shoulder at his profile and shudder. Definitely someone I don't want to mess with.

"Was that your brother? The one who has a girlfriend?" I ask. Sara leads me to a room, passing by a huge living room to the viral stairs. After reaching the top of the stairs, on my left side is a small room with a table and books. It must be a study room. I sigh in satisfaction. The room I will be staying in is painted in fine pastel green. It's beautiful. The house. Everything. 

"Yep, that's him. You can call him Adam. Just make sure not to annoy him," Sara says.

"I wouldn't even bother talking to him," I say in response. She raises her eyebrows and a smirk falls onto her lips.

"He's cute when he wants to be," she says, staring in my eyes. "And he's really childish."

"But don't worry. He leaves for college and stays in a dorm, so I doubt he'll be here for long this week."

I nod, unsure of what to say since all that was on my mind was my family and Kevin.

The door slams open, causing me to whip around. Adam walks in, glaring at me and throws my bag on the floor. Sara gasps and runs to my bag which is lying on the floor. With no expression on my face, I stare at him. He glares back at me. When he turns to leave, I grab the pillow on the bed and throw it on the back of his head. He stops walking and slowly turns around.

"Don't touch my things like that," I whisper.

Sara stares between us at the tension and bites her lip nervously. "Y-you should go to college now, Adam. Just... just leave." She pushes him out easily and shuts the door after him.

"Alexis," she says, shaking. "What in the world did I just witness?!"

"I... guess I'm still mad about my mom and dad," I say. "I didn't mean to get mad like that. Should I apologize?"

"That was epic! I've never seen a person throw a pillow at the back of someone's head like that!" She doubles over laughing. I suddenly find the humor in it too, so I laugh along with her.