He's Not Haram [My Halal Bias] Jung Hoseok

Chapter 1

"I hate this, " I say as my brother, Haroon, drops me off to my new school.

"You've been saying that since we've moved here, " he sighs.

"I'm just hoping you'll get the message."

"I'll also be different at work you know."

"Yeah, maybe so but you won't be wearing a towel around your head all day to get people's attention."

"Whatever just say Bismillah and get out, " he says while starting the car back up.

"Salam ya stupid, " I say as I exit the vehicle.

Just 2 months ago me and my brother moved to Gwangju. 

I'm not racist or anything it's just when you're the only different one, it makes you kind of separate everyone else in a way.

But today is different.
I can't keep ignoring the outside world. It's the first day of school and I have no choice but to get out of my comfy bed and get my butt into some steel chair.

As I walk into the building, my fears prove to be right, everyone's eyes are on me.

Ok, Sumaya you can do this.

You're a proud Muslimah.

Just keep your head down and walk in and show them who's boss.

Not you obviously because you can't even walk for half a minute without bumping into something.

Or someone?

"Hey, you ok?" a deep voice says as I fall onto the ground and welp.

"Yes, I'm fine, " I reply while trying to get up.

"Here, let me help you, " he adds while trying to lend me his hand.

"No, no, I'm really fine."

"No, I insist, " he grabs me by the arm.

"STOP!" I scream, gathering everyone's attention.

"Ok, sorry. I was just trying to help."

"Thanks, but I need to go find my glass, " I say while getting up.

"Glass? You mean class?" he asks while following me a little too closely.

"Yes. Now please excuse me and keep your distance, " I add while increasing my speed but keeping it a minimum so I won't be running.

"Why? Do you have some kind of disease? Is that why you wear that?"
He asks while also increasing his speed.

"No. I wear this to show pride in my religion."

"What's your religion?"

What? Is he serious? Does he really not know?

"Islam, " I whisper.

Why am I whispering? I'm not ashamed.

"Ooh, so you're an Islamian?"

"What?" I ask as I stop speed walking and turn to look at him.

"Islamian. That's cool. I don't really have a religion, " he says with a shrug.

"I'm a Muslim, " I correct him and continue walking.

"What? That doesn't make sense. Your religion is Islam but you're a Muslim? That doesn't even rhyme."

"What does rhyming have anything to do with it?" I ask.

"Welllllll. Christian people's religion is Christianity, and Buddhist people's religion is Buddhism, " he states.

"Ya Allah, please give me patience. Patience, not strength because I swear to You if You give me strength I'm going to kill this boy, " I silently pray.

"Were you just talking to yourself?"

"I was talking to God."

"Oh. Well what's your name?" he asks as he gets in front of me so I stop walking faster.

"Sumaya."

"Cool. Nice name it's exotic."

"It's not 'exotic', it's beautiful. My parents named me after the first person to die for Islam, " I correct him.

"Why would your parents name you after a suicidal person?"

"Please leave me alone. "

"Nope. I'm your new best friend. Besides, you need someone to help you around. Oh and my name is Hoseok, " he finishes off with a smile then turns on his heels and walks away.

He could've at least helped me find my class.