Palestwinians.

From Best Friend to Best Friend.

"You are my best friend as well as my lover, and I do not know which side of you I enjoy the most. I treasure each side, just as I have our life together." - Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook) 

~ Yasmine's dress to the side (hers is white). 

~ PLEASE read the A/N at the end. It's long but VERY important.

Chapter 35 - From Best Friend to Best Friend. 

The party was amazing. Needless to say, by the end of the night I was completely lethargic and could barely keep my eyes open. I was sitting on the edge of the elevated stage, rubbing my sore feet and watching on like a princess, as everyone cleaned the hall around me. Since we had rented it out until late, it was on us to pack away the chairs and tables and remove all decorations. 

My father and brother, along with Zach and Jacob had come once the party was over to help do the heavy lifting. From where I was sitting, I wasn't complaining about the view I had, as I delightfully observed Zach lift and carry tables, his muscles tightening and clenching in the process. He looked devilishly handsome, even in a casual t-shirt and chinos. I laughed when he caught me staring and sent a wink my way. 

Looking on, my friends had stayed back to help too, and I felt bad that they were doing all the work as I sat here lazily. With a tired sigh, I lifted myself up and slipped on the thongs my mum had, smartly, brought for me. I began stacking the chairs on top of each other and once I had a good pile, I pushed it towards a large room where they were all being stored. 

Just as I stepped in, dragging the chairs behind me, I came face-to-face with an annoyed looking Noah and a hesitant looking Salma. They appeared to be arguing or conversing, I wasn’t sure, but even in my exhausted haze, I could feel the tension in the air. 

I cleared my throat and they both snapped their heads towards me. “Is everything OK in here?” 

“Oh, Yasmine, we didn’t see you there,” Salma muttered, taking a step away from Noah, flattening her long floral dress and averting her eyes. I gave Noah a curious look but he also looked away from me. If it wasn’t for Noah’s clenched jaw and Salma’s crossed arms, I would’ve assumed that they were having a romantic conversation of some sort, but obviously not. 

There was an awkward silence as I waited for one of them to say something, but none of them did. After a minute, Salma finally peered at Noah again, both giving each other stubborn glares. 

What the? What’s going on here?

“I think it’s time I went home, I’m absolutely smashed. I’ll see you tomorrow insha’Allah.” With that, she gave me a quick peck on the cheek and without sparing a glance to Noah, walked out, arms still crossed stubbornly and a determined look on her face.

Stunned by her behaviour, I watched her retreated back, before I turned on Noah. I was just about to scold him, thinking he said something to upset her, but his defeated expression halted me. 

“What just happened?” I questioned instead. 

“Don’t ask,” he grumbled, rubbing a hand down his face, before promptly storming out. 

“Righto. Awesome,” I said, sarcastically. If I wasn’t so tired, I would’ve run after him and Salma and demanded for some answers, but it seemed it’d have to wait until a later date. When I actually had some energy. 

I proceeded to drag in the rest of the chairs and they moved backwards oddly fast, compared to just moments before, where it took me five minutes just to drag them a few metres. 

“Huh.” I looked at the floor then peered around the chairs. Within seconds, my eyes landed on a grinning Zach, who’s arms were perched against the chairs.