Not My Boyfriend

12. Wrong Idea

12. Wrong Idea

Sometimes you have to keep secrets with people that you don't trust.

Mulki and Mohamed boarded the bus and handed the bus driver money. The bus took off and Mulki slightly swayed but Mohamed caught her. She held onto the seat edges as they walked to the back.

"They are following us." Mulki squealed as she stared out of the bus window.

Mohamed sat back on the seat. "Don't worry. Sit down."

Mulki sat down, "I can't believe that you beat all of them up."

Mohamed smirked.

"What if they catch up to us?" Mulki asked while she watched the five angry boys chase the bus. They were yelling but she could not hear them, however she was sure that she did not want to hear any of it.

"Doesn't matter."

"You're an idiot." Mohamed said.

Mulki glared at him. "What is your problem?"

"I can't believe that you would leave America, just to move to Somalia." Mohamed did not react to her anger. "I always wished that I could see America one day."

"But I thought that you hated the diaspora?"

Mohamed put his foot on the edge of the empty chair. "I just hate how all the diaspora kids act like they are so special that have lived in the West. Like they are better than us. If it is so great than why do they keep moving back here."

Mulki smiled softly, "I don't know. But I know that there is no place like home. I did not realize that when I was in America, but now that I am here, I feel so happy. It is like I was always wearing shoes that did not fit. I'm sorry. I wish I could explain it better. But Somalia is better."

He snorted, "Right."

"But Somalia has gotten a lot better. When I was a kid, I never thought that I could live here, because it was not safe. But now the war is over and everything is fine. I think everyone belongs somewhere. I am not sure where I belong but ever since I got here I feel like I am going in the right direction."

"I still think you are an idiot."

Mulki saw her bus stop, so she stood up to pull the line, but so did Mohamed.

"Which direction? Or do you even remember?" Mohamed teased

"It is that way." Mulki pointed to the right." I remember now."

Mohamed smiled, and they began to walk.

"Are you going to walk me all the way home?"

"Yes. You will probably get lost."

Finally, Mulki stopped in front of the apartment building. "This is my stop."

"You live here?!" He said with his voice raising with each word. "Me too."

Mohamed sighed, "I can't believe this."

Mulki's heart was pounding as she realized that Hassan must live here. "Hassan? OMG!" She said without thinking. This was awful. She should not live in the same building as him. Panic began to set in.

"Hassan doesn't live here."

"Isn't he your brother?" Mulki asked.

"Half-brother, I moved out of my house, since I can't live in the same house as him, and got my own apartment. So now I live here."

"Oh." She breathed a sigh of relief. "Wait. How can you afford to live alone?"

"My uncle in London sends me money every month."

Mulki tried to not look nervous but whatever. It was not a big deal if they lived in the same building. They walked up the stairs together. He was her next-door neighbor. Great. This was weird.

"Mohamed, can you move?"

He rolled his eyes, "I am not going to move. Are you crazy?"

Mulki started to feel like it as getting hard to breath. This was a disaster. "You have to move. I can't live next to you. Why can't you go home?"

"Little girl. I am not moving anywhere. What is your problem?"

Mulki could feel her tears filling in her eyes. Think. Think. Maybe no one had to know. "I don't mean to be rude Mohamed, but can you keep this a secret. I do not think it is a good idea if people know this. They might get the wrong idea."

"Wrong idea?" Mohamed blinked. "It is not a big deal! I can already picture everyone gossiping about me. Mohamed living next door to me alone. Today, everyone was gossiping about me."

But this- She did not need this. She did not want her name connected to this guy that everyone knew. Today, when the stadiums had become full because of an innocent race had taught her a lesson.

Mohamed growled, "And whose fault was that?"

"But I am a girl. My reputation is important." Mulki's tears started to fall.

"Wow!" Mohamed face dropped. "Stop crying."

What if he told everyone? What would they say? What if Hassan found out? He would be so angry if he found out that she was living next door to Mohamed after he already told her to stay away from him. She knew that she should not care what Hassan thought. But- It would not look right. At least if he lived with his family then maybe no one would say anything. But he lives alone.

Mohamed took a deep breath, "What exactly would they say? That we live next door to each other. Who cares about that?"

Boys are idiots. Mulki decided. "Mohamed, please don't tell anyone."

"Are you serious?"

She looking into his eyes, "Promise me."

"No."

"Please." Mulki begged.

"Why are you acting so weird? No one will care."

"Please." Mulki had to make him promise. There are different degrees of rumors, and this was one rumor that she could see from a mile away. It was one thing for people to make fun of her about a race, but there are worse things like this.

"Fine. I promise I will not tell anyone."

Mulki smiled softly and wiped her tears, "Thank you. Goodnight."

Mohamed shook his head, "Good night."

She unlocked her door, turned on the lights, and took off her shoes.

Mulki hoped that he would keep this secret. At least until her family came. She ran to her computer and opened her Skype.

"Mom, when are you guys coming back?" She whispered.