Swims | □

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Dedicated to the great afterthoughts because she is a genius for writing Iridescent and I love that story to pieces. The link is in the external link and the number is 46838831 if you're on mobile.

SUPER SHORT AND UNEDITED SORRY BC IM TRAVELLING

~~~~~

"Asshole had lemon juice on his fingers..." Malia cussed as she hurried to find the bottle of that homemade remedy Ateifeh always used on her. Over the past few days, her rash had gotten worse and now Malia couldn't even go into the pool. She tried going in yesterday and her injury burned like a white hot fire.

"I'm sorry about him." Ahmed said apologetically as he helped look around the numerous cupboards in the kitchen.

After fifteen minutes of non-stop searching, Malia finally found the bottle. She rubbed the ointment onto her skin and hissed when it burnt.

"Wanna take a rain check on the movie?" Malia offered. "We've got a couple things in the den upstairs-"

"Sounds great to me Malia." Ahmed smiled and Malia grinned wide before wincing. "You okay?"

"Yeah, this stupid thing keeps stinging." She pointed to her elbow rash. "God screw Declan."

"I hardly think that's what normal people think..." He smirked and Malia hit him in response.

"I'm just saying!" Ahmed defended himself from Malia's dirty look.

"You're disgusting." Malia spat at him but her tone was playful. Around Ahmed, she felt light. It was like gliding through after a dive: refreshing and free. She could be whoever she wanted with Ahmed.

"You love me."

"I don't even know you."

"Neither do I so you're not sitting on my table!" A stern voice called out from behind Malia and both teenagers jumped at the sudden entry. Ateifeh stood, her hand son her hips, a glare aimed at Ahmed.

"Ateifeh, hey." Malia leaned over and pecked her cheek. "This is Ahmed; he's a friend from school."

"What's your name, boy?" Ateifeh didn't acknowledge Malia introduction. She placed the paper bags in her heads on the counter and looked at Ahmed expectantly.

"Ahmed, ma'am."

"What does your father do?" Malia was just about ready to die at this point.

"Lawyer."

"Hm..." Ateifeh gave him a once over before nodding her head in a 'he's satisfactory' gesture. She walked out of the kitchen and Malia shot Ahmed an apologetic look.

"She isn't usually like that."

"Nah, it's okay. If I was your mom, I'd be pretty suspicious if you bought a boy over."

Malia didn't correct him on his simple mistake. Instead, she said, "Ateifeh will get better if you keep coming around."

"I'm hearing another invite!" Ahmed laughed and Malia grinned. "So, what movie did you have in mind?"

~~~~~

Natasha and Scar didn't speak to Ahmed for the whole of the next week. Somehow, they had caught wind of the fact that Ahmed had spent the majority of his Saturday at Malia's place. And obviously, it didn't sit very well with them.

"She's actually a really nice girl." He had fought when they dissed every fibre of her being.

"She's our enemy." They had chorused.

"What it this, the Wild West?!" Ahmed had angrily walked away while they both listed off the reasons they hated Malia.

Declan hadn't really hung out with his friends so he had no clue about Ahmed's new budding friendship. But he was Declan, and nothing Malia-related past his ears.

He did hear about it. Well, he overheard Ahmed on the phone with Malia.

"Course I'm gonna come Malia. Yeah, I'll bring my blanket too." Ahmed was talking into his phone and walking down the halls. Declan came from behind him and slapped his back just as he shut the phone.

"Who are you giving your blankets to?" Declan laughed but his jaw and fists were stiff. Ahmed noticed his obvious discomfort and shrugged, trying to play it off.

"An old friend of mine."

"Since when are you and Malia old friends?"

"Declan..."

"I knew you were always against all the pranks but befriending her? C'mon, man, don't be an idiot."

"She's a great person." Ahmed sighed. "She doesn't deserve any of this."

"Yeah, I'm sure she is." Declan rolled his eyes, unconvinced. "Ahmed, you're my best friend. So I'm only gonna tell you this once: Malia or me. Pick."

~~~~~

"This is James, leave a message!" The monotone voice rang and echoed in Malia's room. Malia herself was busy clearing out her room for Ahmed's visit. Even though he was supposed to come 3 days later, Malia had vowed to start cleaning early. No way was she going to let Ahmed see how messy her room actually was.

With Ahmed, Malia could see a potential relationship. He was sweet and always said the right things to her. Ahmed treated her like she was any other girl... Not the ambassador for sportswear. He never joked about her fetishes or her allergies (cough Declan cough). Instead, he took her to watch movies, or work on projects for school, however nerdy it sounds. It was a nice change from how boys usually treated her.

"Hi James! My clock is still with you you little son of a gun. Please come visit soon; I really need the classic gushing moment. I met a guy, if that helps. Call me back loser." She cut the phone and looked at her display picture. James had his arm around Malia. His hair was falling into his eyes whereas Malia's was slicked back. Malia's face was tinged red with exhaustion but James looked relaxed. They held up their medals for first place in their hands, towels wrapped around their shoulders.

A couple quick swipes later, Malia had changed her background to a picture of Ahmed and herself from when they went out to the movies. It wasn't a date, Malia had blushed and stuttered when Ateifeh had raised her eyebrows.

That night, Malia slept with a grin and a major blush on her face.

~~

Somehwere across townt, Potential Rapist and Declan had a texting session.

Who are you? Declan typed and sent. Lightening fast, a response came.

Not someone you wanna meet.

Well, I do wanna meet you.

How about we talk business?

No. I wanna talk about you.

Don't push my patience Declan Qarr...

Okay. A flashback of Declan's beating ran though his mind and he shuddered. Maybe it was not the time to play cop.

Now, let's talk business. I need you to get close to someone.

You make it sound like I'm gonna rape someone... I'm not right? Because I'm not up for that; no way.

Don't be your usual idiotic self.

Excuse you. Declan typed and sent it before he could think it through. He cringed as the next loading message popped up. His eyes popped wide when the message finally did load. He had to read it three times to fully grasp the meaning.

I need you to get close to Malia Evans.