Best Friends Brother

Best Friends Brother - Chapter 5, Illusions.

And that was because everything would never be the same again.

Ahmed had left earlier. We stayed up for hours, discussing our situation. We were content with our relationship, not so much the issues that came up after that. For example, what would happen with Saidat and I? Saidat and Ahmed? I mean, I'm pretty sure she knew about us already, right? Would I ruin their relationship? I'd already ruined our relationship.

No - I was overreacting... was I really?

Sofia, focus on yourself for once.

Shaking my head, I simply got ready for school, not sure what the day ahead of me held. 

School:

I was the last to arrive, clearly due to my worrying and procrastination. I mouthed an awkward hello to my friends, though just like yesterday, Saidat had ignored me. I knew I'd have to talk to her sooner or later and address her about her brother and I's relationship, whether I liked it or not. For now, I'd just have to - act myself.

I loved our friendship, though she couldn't keep me from seeing him.

No one could.

No one - apart from myself; if it was really needed...

Maybe I had to limit myself from seeing him, maybe things just weren't meant to be, maybe we really weren't meant to be, and I made this huge illusion. That's it, I'm just going to stop seeing him.

Afterschool:

Exiting my last class swiftly, I didn't lift my head at all. I didn't want to see him. I couldn't be with my best friend's brother. Was I insane? I made my way out of the school courtyard quickly, thought couldn't help but to hear my name being called in the distance. Sofia, don't look back. Stand your ground, ignore him.

I kept my composure, stepping at a fast pace, leaving as quick as I could. The distant voice became louder, closer, till I felt someone grab me from behind and seize me inside their arms. I thought to myself; why was he like this? Why couldn't I have just stopped myself in the first place? Why was he so hard to resist?

Everything was silent for a moment, yet he still kept hold of me. We both didn't say anything or even move at all, I simply heard his steady breaths, and we stood like that for some time, both not knowing what to say to each other.

"You think you can leave without saying goodbye to me? Think again." He said, making me feel helpless. I turned around to face him.

"I'm sorry." I replied, planting a little kiss on his cheek.

He had a slight smirk on his face, rocking with me in his arms.

"Alright, let me walk you home," he said, letting me untangle myself from inside his arms.

I took his hand, quietly walking down towards my house.

Home:

Somehow, he had ended up staying much longer than intended.

I wrapped my arms around his torso, hugging him close. Ahmed looked down and laughed at me.

"I'm gonna head home now, okay?"

I didn't want him to, but I let him off. I entered the house, throwing myself onto the couch, deciding that I would talk to Saidat on everything, and try to make things more comfortable.

I dialled, and she answered immediately, as if she'd been waiting for me.

"Hello?", I said, waiting for her answer. I was more than excited to hear her respond on the other end.

"Yeah, hi." She responded, sounding shy and coy. This wasn't normal for us, usually we'd be bursting to tell each other news.

"Before you say anything: I just wanna-"

"Hey, I know this is about my brother and all, but I didn't really care in the first place, not gonna lie."

I was so confused. So why had anything happened in the first place.

"To be honest, I really just wanted you to tell me. Never keep anything from me again, okay?"

I didn't understand. But I went with it.

"Uh, okay. Talk to you later?"

"Sure."

The call ended. Nothing made sense to me, but it seemed normal compared to everything else I'd been through. It just didn't add up to me, but I guess I'd have to trust her. She was my best friend, after all.

I face timed Ahmed to tell him the news, and as confused as he was, he was still ecstatic. He felt like we didn't have to hide anything anymore, that everything would be natural and we could be normal, though I didn't believe so.

Something had to be up. Something out of my control, though how would I possibly know? I mean, I guess I could go out to get my mind off of things.

 I quickly texted Ahmed, asking him if he wanted to go out somewhere nice - somewhere with just the two of us, where we could dress up nice and eat a meal or something. As always, he replied straight away, and I felt myself smiling at my phone.

I skipped up the stairs, entered my room, pulling out the nicest out-wear I owned. I found a casual red dress, put it on alongside a necklace with a bracelet to match. I looked pretty decent, and to be fair, this was the first time I'd went out in a while.

Once I had stepped outside, I had regretted not bringing a coat. Sighing, I  made my way towards the nearby restaurant, meeting him at the gate.

I walked up to Ahmed, and he was silent. I looked at him, confused.

"What?" I asked him, slightly laughing.

He paused for a moment, biting the corner of his lip, looking me up and down, just how he had the first time we met.

"Can I not look at my girl now? Just like my sister, always asking questions."

I felt so shy.

He was so dumb. I guess he was right though, we were official now. I pushed his shoulder playfully, and we both entered. To be honest, this didn't really suit me, as I was more of a fast food, order then leave person, but I mean, it was new I guess.

We were seated, looking at the menu. We sat opposite each other, when I only then noticed how good he looked. He wore a freshly ironed white shirt, cotton and warm. His light brown eyes complimented the bright colour. I was soon interrupted, as we were prompted to order. I simply settled with a salad, though him being him, he went all out, ordering half of everything. He was so embarrassing, in a good way.

The food had arrived, and I had started to eat delicately and prettily, though Ahmed had no shame. He told me I was 'missing out,' and offered me a bite. I wasn't tempted at first, though he insisted. I took a medium - sized bite, and I can't lie, it was pretty good. He was waiting for me to admit, though I think I played it off pretty well.

The simple things with him felt amazing.

But I still wasn't convinced, everything wasn't okay.