| Mia |

I left.

I chickened out.

Just when Allie and Gloria were sleeping on separate benches , I left.

I didn't have it in me to watch Zack ignore my existence. If only I had kept my mouth shut. .if only. .

Emotions got the better of me.

I had hired a cab and I was going home. My head bowed, I tried not to lose my shit in front of the driver, an old man who would cast me a glances now and then in the rearview mirror.

That's because  I would sniff  and then I would clap a hand on my mouth to stop myself.

Gloria was wrong.

I wasn't the one for him.

He was the one for me.

I wanted him and whatever happened. .he didn't want me now . .I was sure of that and I had thought wildly about moving continents. I would enroll in an all girls college so I wouldn't get to see Zack with another—

"Is everything  alright?"

He asked in a raspy voice.

"Yes..." I lied.

Gray eyes glanced at me in the mirror.

"It doesn't seem like it." He stated a fact.

I sighed and leaned back.

Great. .I couldn't even hide myself from a driver . How would I hide and fake it with myself? Was I that readable?

"I'm moving continents." I said out loud as if saying it loud would made me accept my fate.

He nodded stiffly.

"I can understand."

"You do?" I blurted out.

He turned the car around smoothly.

"It's difficult but not impossible. Why are you moving?" He addressed the elephant in the room.

"Because—because everything fell apart on the very last moment. Why does it always happens ? Why don't things turn the way we want them to? Why can't we capture it?" I was wondering what the hell I was doing asking a stranger these questions.

But somehow it felt right to ask a complete stranger such things because he didn't know me. .

"Everything falls apart at the last moment because . . .it's not meant for you. It's meant for someone else. The job, the spouse, the burger. . .i heard what is in you fate shall reach you even if it's between two mountains and what's not meant for you won't reach you even if it's between your two lips." His gentle voice was really soothing.

"And what if—if I fight for what I want? For what I believe in?" I asked him.

He smiled at me.

"Well, the universe do loves a stubborn heart. "

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I didn't answer to any texts.

I just wanted to be all by myself.

Maybe if I hide till eternity no one will ever find me. . .I know. I was being a coward. It was like I wanted to delay a result I know I failed in.

I was going to get my laptop and search for a place I could stay in. I didn't want to be here.

I was so into my thoughts about how to move schools that I didn't hear the doorbell.

Slowly, I got up from the couch and glanced at the wall clock.

6: 37 AM.

Who could that be? I frowned. It was way too early for school too. I went towards the door and this time I did ask.

"Who is it?" I asked in a loud and clear voice.

"It's me, Iqra."

It did sound like her.

Quickly, I unlatched the door thinking she must have been in trouble because why would she be on my doorstep? So early?

Worried , I nearly snatched the door open and saw her —

Smiling?

"I heard you so thought to drop by." She shrugged.

"You. .you should be sleeping right now."

Her smile deepened revealing the dimples in her cheeks.

"I always wake up early for my morning prayer. You gonna let me in or what?"

I nodded. . stepping back .

She slipped in and I shut the door behind.

"OOoO! I spot Vogue!" She said happily sighting my mom's Vogue magazine that was a zillion years old. She always kept it on display.

"Don't get too excited. It's old."

"Vogue is Vogue. No matter how old it gets." She said now taking the magazine and flipping through its worn out pages.

"Wanna eat?" I asked , kinda exhausted.

"Sure."

I rolled my eyes. She so wasn't listening to me. In fact she headed towards the couch, her those buried in the mag.

Going towards the kitchen, I flipped all the lights on and tried to concentrate on what was happening  right now . My head was going crazy with projecting scenarios that didn't even happen.

It was so hard to be in the moment when your heart is at war with you.

Opening the tiny fridge, I took out the bowl of spaghetti with meatballs and slipped it in the oven to heat up.

What would Allie think about me?

What would Gloria think.  . .

Why did I keep disappointing people left and right? I was feeling guilty for what I did so I slipped my cellphone out of my jean's pocket and the second I got it out. .the screen had Gloria name on it.

She was calling me.

I rejected the call.

And quickly fired a text towards the both of my best friends.

Sorry! Had to leave because I didn't want to be there. I'm safe and at home. Xoxoxo.

The second the text got sent, she stopped calling.

Maybe. .you gotta be selfish sometimes. For your sake.

I was being selfish and a coward.

Zack. . .

Shutting my eyes. .I wished I could go back in time and tell me what laid in my heart. It was all him. .hell I talked to his pictures at nights . .

If it didn't spell crazy obsessively in love then I don't what what would. . .

The ping of the oven jolted me awake and with a dull heart I took out the bowl and got two forks as I went out.

She was still busy in reading as I placed the bowl on the table.

"Knock yourself out."

She grinned as soon as she saw the bowl and then she looked at me. . her smile melting away in an instant.

"What?" I muttered not liking what I saw.

"Umm I have a problem." She said. .her voice going low.

My heart skipped at that.

"Problem? Is someone stalking you again? Is it that bitch—"

She bowed her head and a fire like no other spread all over my body. She was my baby sister! No one can mess with my sister!

Instantly I was by her side on the couch.

"Iqra. .babygirl, tell me everything. You know you can trust me." I said gently. I didn't want to freak her out.

She glanced at me side ways.

Her eyes glistening.

"I can't go down. He's waiting there — at the reception for me so he could pounce—"

I couldn't hear this anymore.

"He's here, you say? In this building right now?" I asked in a tight voice just to be sure.

She nodded.

I forgot all about me and I stood up. Red hot anger blazing in my heart. I would show him who he messed with!

Guess this time his nuts are gonna get kicked!!!

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