Unbreak Me

★ CHAPTER THIRTEEN ★

LEIA

There was a welcoming party at our school tonight. I couldn't fathom whywe had to have a party for the sole purpose that we were attending school again. It was clear that the rest of the class—or the entire school—did not share my views.

Apparently the girls had planned what they were going to wear months ago. The guys weren't any better. They were also discussing which clothes they were going to wear.

I mean, come on. Is there a man—a real man—left on this entire planet? I didn't get why men had to act like girls. I did not like that. Maybe others did.

I mean, sure, I liked a man who knew how to dress up well but blow-drying their hair and getting it styled? It was just . . . puke-worthy.

Was I the only one here who didn't want to attend this crazy event?

Hoor groaned next to me. "I'm not in the mood for a party. My head is throbbing already and all that music . . . augh."

Thank God I wasn't the only one.

"It's our choice whether we want to attend it or not, right?"
She looked at me like I was crazy. "You're supposed to pay three thousand and that is, like, compulsory. If you don't come, you have to pay a fine and let's be honest, it's not like my parents grow money on trees." She laughed. "I totally just translated that from Urdu to English."
I smiled, already thinking about the money I had to pay. Damn, this school was expensive.

Hoor was still rambling, "I mean, why should we pay for an event? Did we ask them to hold it? No, right? And—" She halted in her tracks, greyish eyes wide.

I looked to the front and almost groaned. There they stood. All three of them.

Hoor grabbed my arm, angrily flipping back her perfect hair. She continued talking, walking past them and then—

"Hoor?"

"Leia?"

Zeeshan and Zayn both called at the same time. I turned my furrowed brows toward Hoor, silently asking her what her deal with Zeeshan was. Also, maybe I was trying to ignore Zayn completely.

Anas let out a low snort. "You both are pathetic. I wonder if Zayn would lose just like Zeesh did, eh?"

Zayn's shark-like eyes tightened. "You know I never lose."

Anas nodded, unconvinced. "Time will tell."

Hoor and I shared a disgusted look. They were doing nothing to hide the bet. Maybe they weren't openly talking about it but . . . ugh. Zayn was infuriating.

I gritted my teeth and shot Zayn a look that had him look a little guilty. It was a relief he wasn't a complete douchebag.

"Is it necessary to come to the party tonight?" I asked no one in particular. "I'm busy."
Zeeshan and Hoor seemed to be in a staring competition, completely ignoring me and Anas looked at Zayn, as if waiting for him to answer.

"You don't come, you pay a fine. The choice is yours." Except the look on his face told me I didn't have much of a choice. He would, no doubt, find a way to force me to go.

I hummed distractedly.

"So, are you coming or what?"

"I'll see."

My tone caused Zayn's lips to tighten. I noticed. Then looked away.

"Thirteen thousand," He said.

My head swiveled in his direction. "What?"
"If you don't come, that's how much you'll have to pay."

Okay . . . WHAT?