Not My Boyfriend

9. Trust & Trees

9. Trust & Trees

"I shouldn't have asked Mohamed to race against me. It was childish, I admit it. But I am just a teenager, and I am not old, yet. I want to have fun. I just don't know how I ended up in a tree. What are the reasons to trust someone? " -Mulki

"Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One"

The race between Mulki and Mohamed began.

Leaping over the starting line, Mulki's heartbeat was racing in time with her feet. Mohamed ran beside her. The stadium lights shone over the field.

She never expected that Mohamed would indulge her to try this race again. He was too fast and already gaining over her. Someone that seemed so serious was giving her a second chance at something she did not understand. Why it mattered so much to her that she wanted to prove to him that she could do this? It was silly. She knew that she should not care what he thought of her but she did.

Mulki already hated this school. She wanted to go back to America. It was a mistake to move to Somalia and start a new school. She should have known that you can never escape your own heart. Your heart is with you always, so it is impossible to run away from it. Yet, as her feet flew over the track path, she wanted more than anything to escape herself. Her breathing was becoming uneven as she tried to find her courage to continue. Her determination slipping from her fingers as she saw him get further and further away from her.

The grass looked so welcoming. She wanted to lay down and forget that she wanted to change herself. Tempting her to give up. Yet, she knew that if Faisa saw her quit that she would be ashamed. She forced herself to not give up. She had to try no matter what. Somehow, her determination gave her new energy and her feet became lighter and lighter until she reached Mohamed again.

He turned to look at her, and she could tell that he was surprised.

The finish line was within reach.

So close.

Mulki felt the tiredness hit her again.

Her legs ached as she saw the end.

Yet, it was too early to rest.

She forced herself to go faster.

Then by a hairline, she ran over the finishing line with Mohamed right behind her.

"Oh- my- I can't believe. I won!" Mulki jumped happily and Mohamed laughed at her.

Then Mulki dropped down on the grass as she felt all her aches and pain. "I'm so tired. Not fair. You are not even out of breath."

Mohamed shook his head. "It was not that far. You should not be that tired."

"Easy for you to say. You are on the track team. I just run for fun."

"Oh- no. Where is my purse!" Mulki searched the grass near her book bag and then inside of it. "It is not here."

"Maybe it is still in the nurse's office."

Mulki stood up, "I have to go back."

"But the school is closed. We are not even supposed to be here."

"I have to go back."

Mohamed narrowed his eyes. "Why can't you wait till tomorrow?"

"I can't go home without my purse. My mom gave it to me for my birthday."

Mulki and Mohamed head back to the nurse's office. The school is quiet and empty. The only sound is their footsteps echoing in the hall. They do not speak at all.