Just to let you know, this story is kinda self insert. Rana is supposed to represent me, so don't complain. The only other "real" character is Lina, who's basically my sister. Alright, let's get started. Also I'm not trying to be racist when I say "white", it's just a common Asian problem.

"But I want to go to the park!" Lina whined.

     Rana groaned and kicked the water, making her pool floaty float further from her sister. Why couldn't I be an only child?

     "Listen you big idiot! I. WANT. TO. GO. TO. THE. PARK. AND. PLAY. WITH. MY. FRIENDS!" Lina screamed.

     "For the love of Allah Lina, you don't have any friends here," Rana muttered as she took a sip of her faux lemonade- it was basically a glass of sparkling water with some lemon flavoured Mio Sport water enhancer in it.

     "Yeah I do! Those other kids at the park are my friends!"

     "How do you even know? You hardly know them."

     "I do! Like I said, they're my friends!"

     "What are their names?" Rana asked pushed herself off her floaty and treaded in the deep end.

     Lina started to answer, only to pause and think for a second. Then she stomped her foot and ran out the basement shouting "MOM!".

      Rolling her eyes, Rana held her breath and did a quick handstand underwater. The one advantage of moving here was the fact that their home came with a pool. Everything else sucked.

~

"I'm sorry, what?" Rana had asked that day after her mom broke the news to them at dinner a week ago.

     "We're moving!" Mrs. Sayid cheered.

     "Really?!" Lina squealed, her face lighting up. "Yeah! No more stupid apartment!"

     "How do you even know it's a hou-"

     "Oh, you're going to love this place sweetie." Mrs. Sayid interrupted, cutting off Rana. "The new house has three floors, a huge kitchen and a pool! You like swimming, right Rana?"

     "Yeah, but-"

     "You kids are going to have your own room!" Mr. Sayid grinned.

     "Yay! Can my room be painted pink?" Lina asked.

     "Hold up. Why are we moving suddenly?" Rana spat out.

     "I got a new job," Mr. Sayid answered like it was so obvious. "There aren't many slots for nursing in Calgary."

     "But what about school? It's nearly the end of the year."

     "Simple, we'll just switch districts. The TDSB is the best Canadian school district in the country after all."

     "We're moving to TORONTO?!" Rana exclaimed in disbelief.

     "Why yes." Mrs. Sayid answered.

     "But that's in Ontario! It's an entirely different province!" she ranted.

     "So? You'll like Ivory Heights, I promise," her mother said with a smile.

     What. The. Hell. 

     So now she has to leave all her friends behind? And what about her job at the animal shelter? And her high school's archery tournament?

     "May I be excused?" Rana asked softly

     "Did you put your insulin?" Her dad asked.

     "Yes."

     "Then go ahead,"

     Rana got up, walked back to her room, slammed the door and screamed.

     "Puberty," she heard her mom laugh.

~

So here she was know, treading in the pool in the basement of a new and almost strange house. Rana thought a pool can't change her mind about this move, but the moment she dipped her feet in it, she instantly fell in love with this heavenly body of water.

     "Rana?"

     Opening her eyes, Rana saw her mom at the entrance with her arms crossed.

     "What?" she answered lazily.

     "You've been swimming for two hours already," Mrs. Sayid said.

     "So?"

     "So, I think it's time you step out. What if your blood sugar is low?"

     Rana shrugged. "I don't feel low."

     "Why not go take Lina to the park? She'll stop being so cranky and you'll get some fresh air." she suggested.

      "Why can't you take her?"

      "I have to unpack."

      "I'm not in the mood to take her right now..."

      "Rana Sayid." her mom warned in a tone that clearly meant Oi stupid hoe, if you don't listen this instant, you'll end up in the deep end.

     Literally. Her mom would legit pick her up and throw her into the deep end.

     "Fine," Rana sighed, climbing out.

     "Good girl. You want to have Popeyes tonight?" her mom asked, back to normal.

     "Is Popeyes even Halal in Ontario?" Rana asked suddenly interested.

     "Of course it is! So, you want some mashed potatoes?"

     "Yeah sure," she mumbled, wrapping a towel around herself.

     "And take a shower, you smell like chlorine!" Mrs. Sayid asked as Rana ran upstairs.

     "It's a pool, of course I would smell like chlorine," Rana muttered under her breath.

~

Half an hour later, Rana was dry and standing near the doorway where her mom gave her a disapproving look.

     "What?" Rana demanded.

     "Your legs," her mom answered.

     Rana frowned and looked at the legs to see her fat, freshly shaved legs. "What about them?"

     "Why are you wearing shorts?"

     Oh. 

     "It's May, it's not that cold anymore."

     "Rana! You want creeps staring at your ass?" her mom exclaimed.

     "This is a white area! People are dignified here!" she shot back.

     Back at her old apartment complex, there were a ton of old Desi men who would try to grope her when she was wearing track pants. Why the building manager didn't do anything was a mystery. That was another pro about moving here.

     "Just go change your pants." Mrs. Sayid said.

     "No!" Rana yelled, grabbing Lina by her hand and pulling her out the door.

     "Come back here, young lady!" her mother shouted.

     "You just don't understand me!"

     "Look, my friends!" Lina pointed at the kids on the playground. The distance from their house to the park was less than a minute.

     Rana squinted at the figures who were shouting and running. "How do you even know they're the same kids?"

     Without even answering, Lina let go of her hand and ran towards them, waving her arms like she was oblivious to any attention she may attract.

     Sitting down on a bench, Rana watched her sister run from a kid who was playing tag with her. Huh. Maybe she really did make a friend right after they moved.

     Little kids seemed to have the ability to befriend everyone they met. But when you get older, it's not that easy.

    That was the one problem about moving.

     Rana felt like she never fits in anywhere.

     People either ignore her or bully her, for her skin colour, her medical condition, etc. The "friends" she had back in Calgary were just people she used to play Smash Bros. with after school. When she told them she was leaving, they were all "Okay, cool."

     Plus, since she was going to a new,Catholic private school, it would be even harder now. Oh, who needs friends?

     She popped her earphones in her ears and played some My Chemical Romance, frequently looking up to see what her sister was doing. That's when she noticed a girl who was about twelve playing by herself with the Tic Tac Toe board. 

     Weird. Kids that age didn't play on the playground, do they? 

     Suddenly, a man with a saxophone started to play All Of Me under a tree. The little girl screamed and started hitting herself, scaring the other kids. Jumping up, Rana ran to find Lina, who was standing next to the girl, staring at her with awe.

     That's when a boy around Rana's age ran to the tween beating herself. "Megan, it's okay. It's just music, see?" he whispered. 

     The girl looked up at the guy and nodded. The boy then realized everyone else, except Rana and Lina, were seeking shelter under the half of the playscape. Not a good hiding spot, if you asked Rana.

     "Y'all can start playing again, she ain't gonna kill anyone." The boy announced. The parents of the children laughed nervously and sent their kids back.

     "Is she... autistic?" Rana whispered.

     "Yep. I'm so sorry that happened. Is your sister okay?" he asked.

     "Why was she banging her head?" Lina asked.

     "Lina!" Rana scolded.

     "It's cool," the boy said with a shrug. "Happens a lot."

     "But that's so rude though! If I was you, I would give those kids and adults a piece of my mind!"

     The boy chuckled. "Got some fire in you, don't you?" he asked.

     "Actually no, I'm so shy I freak out when asking a librarian where the manga section is." Rana rambled.

     "Felt that. I don't have much confidence in myself either." he nodded. "Anyways, I'm Tyler and this is my sister, Megan."

     A smile emerged on Rana's face. "Hi, Megan, I'm Rana. This is Lina." she said.

     "Can I call you Head-Beater?" Lina asked stupidly. 

     "Lina..." Rana warned.

     "What? She's like a superhero! She can scare bad guys by- hey, I'm telling!"

     "I'll punch you again if you keep talking bullshit!" Rana said through gritted teeth.

     Tyler laughed and looked back at Rana. "So, you new around here?" he asked.

      "Yeah, sudden move." Rana sighed. Looking at Tyler now, Rana took in his appearance. He had blue eyes, dirty blond hair and was wearing a pair of black Burberry glasses, a white Nintendo shirt, khaki shorts and red crocs. 

     "Epic, I've been wanting to move all my life out of here."

      Rana gave him a weird look. "For real?"

     "Yeah, this place sucks. After all-" Tyler suddenly paused and shook his head. "Nevermind."

     "No, complete your sentence."

     "I'm just rambling, ignore me."

     "Okay then..." What was he going to tell her?

     "So Rana, you got any hobbies?" Kyle asked.

     Lina ran back to play with her friends. "By, Poopsie!" she sassed.

     Rana rolled her eyes. "I'm a weeb?" she answered, though it came out like a question.

     "So am I! What anime do you watch?"

     "Well..."

~

By the time they were getting ready to go home, the sun was setting and almost everyone left.

     "Welp, it was fun talking to you, Rana. See you around," Tyler said.

     "Yeah, I'm starting school tomorrow." Rana nodded.

     Tyler frowned. "This late?"

     Rana shrugged. "Does it matter?"

    "Not really," he laughed. "Oh, by the way, you wanna swap numbers?" 

     Rana's eyes lit up. "Of course! Do you have Discord?"

     "Hell yeah!"

     After swapping numbers and IDs, they started to part ways. "Hey Rana?"

     Rana looked back. "Yeah?"

     Tyler hesitated before answering. "If anyone asks if you've had an Aether Mutation yet, say yes."

     "Excuse me?" Rana frowned.

     "Bye!"

     Rana watched him run off. What's Aether Mutation?

     Oh well. Looks like after a long time, she's finally made a real friend...

Hey guys! So, what'd you think? Before you say anything, yes I'm Muslim, don't judge. And I do live a crappy apartment. But, let me know how you liked the story so far, and if anyonw wants to design a cover for me, pm me. Bye!