The club room was quiet. Some were fast asleep, while others were sitting down silently, taking in the moment. Badr and Mohamad were sitting down on the chairs, relaxed. Revision week had started, and Badr, having finished telling Mohamad about his studies, was staring into the distance.

"Remember Murad?" Mohamad suddenly asked. Badr felt his heart skip a beat.

"Yes."

"I recently talked with him on the phone. He said that his boss will be back in July. July twenty-eight, to be exact," he explained. "I tried to book a flight on that day, but the only day I could get my hands on was July thirty-one. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine," Badr nodded. "The school's flight is on August one anyway."

"Great," Mohamad confirmed. "The meeting place is Nerton Training Center. It's in the west of Rimor. Be there on August two at six at night."

"Okay."

"And don't forget to tell your parents about what happened."

"Okay, I won't."

"If you get lost on the way, just ask for directions."

"Yes, okay," Badr sighed as the bell rang.

The third semester passed by like a breeze and soon enough, the finals week was over. The huge study load felt like a big burden on their shoulder, but they managed to get through. Finally, their summer holiday started. The results were given out after a week or so and Yousef's marks were still lower than Malak's, much to his disappointment.

"Ugh I hate you," the skinny boy groaned, clutching his report card tightly in his fist. Yousef, along with Badr, Malak and Yahya were heading back to their dorms. They stood near the fountain of the enormous academy, revising their results.

"Same," Malak replied simply. She admired her results and sighed in satisfaction.

"How much Malak?" inquired Badr.

"I got ninety-one. You?"

"So good! I got sixty-two," Badr answered sheepishly.

"Tsk tsk tsk," Malak shook her head. "Why? What went wrong?"

"I'm always like this."

"What are your worst subjects? I'll help you next year!"

"Really?" Badr smiled. "It's mostly math. I also suck at spelling. I got like forty in both."

"Oh my God!" Malak gasped. "You need to do the summer make-up exam then! I'll be sure to help you next year! You have to get higher next year!"

"Ew, don't remind me!" Badr cried in despair.

Yousef rolled his eyes and turned to Yahya, who was just standing there quietly, as usual. "How much did you get?" he questioned.

Yahya studied his paper. "I got ninety-one."

"How...how?" Yousef felt stupid. "Man, I got eighty-two! Barely!"

"That's still good, don't worry," Yahya assured him with a smile.

"Wait, you got ninety-one? Same!" Malak high fived Yahya.

"Uff shut up," Yousef crossed his arms.

"Anyway," Badr decided to change the depressing subject. "What are your plans for the summer?"

"Hmm...Not sure," Malak stated.

"I'm saving money for a cellphone," Yahya stated.

"Cool!" said Badr happily.

"I have an idea," Yousef poked Badr. "Let's all buy phones next year together."

"That's a great idea!" Badr agreed. "How about you guys come to my house and see my family this summer?"

"Actually...I..." Malak mumbled hesitantly. "I'm not...sure I can go."

"Why?" asked Badr. "I told my mom all about you guys!"

"What?" Yahya was shocked. "That's so embarrassing!"

"Just...I'm kinda..." Malak was sweating. "I'm a girl, you know, and it's awkward."

"No that's fine!" Badr assured her. "My mom is nice, she won't think anything weird!"

"What weird? What do you mean?" puzzled Yahya.

"Nothing, it's up to you," mentioned Badr finally.

Malak's face reddened and she stared at the ground. Yousef shrugged: "Sure, I'll come, why not."

"Really! Yay!" Badr was hopping up and down. "Awesome! What about you, Yahya?"

"No."

"Why?" Badr nagged.

"I'm just not that likable."

"What the hell?" Badr gazed at him confusedly.

"No, you are likable!" Yousef and Malak said at the same time. Then they looked at each other.

"Don't copy me!" accused Yousef irritably.

"I didn't!" Malak turned away.

"You said it at the same time, wow!" Badr chuckled.

The next few days were spent packing, and on top of that, Badr was revising for his summer make-up exams. He tried really hard to focus so he spent more time alone in room studying, because he knew he would not focus back in his house since there were too many fun activities to do. He finally managed to pack up his belongings, which was also a boring task in his opinion.

The next day, Badr and Yousef took the bus then reached the airport. Along the way, Badr talked nonstop to Yousef about his house and the forests around it.

"So...Yahya and Malak will be there in the Nerton thingi?" Yousef checked after Badr finished explaining the scenery around his house.

"Yeah, apparently they will take the train and reach there to know why Murad attacked me and stuff," Badr replied, his stomach growling. "Hahaha, I'm so hungry!"

Yousef laughed and offered him the apple he had with him.

Mr. Samer, as usual, drove the kids to their home. Everyone was happy and Mr. Samer was smiling the whole time since he loved seeing the poor lottery kids' joyful faces. Badr and Yousef got out of his bus and waved until the bus disappeared out of sight.

"Hah, it's really sunny in here!" Badr stretched. "It's a bright new day in a bright new world!"

Badr ran across the road that lead to his house. It was surrounded by tall grass and thick bushes. How rare it was for Yousef to see the simple house between the beautiful meadows around it.

"Come on!" Badr encouraged his friend and swayed his hand back and forth.

As they approached the stone steps, Yousef walked slower than usual because he was a little uncomfortable.

'What if they don't like me...?' he thought. Yousef felt extremely nervous, especially when they were right in front of the door. His hands were beginning to sweat, so he hid them in his pockets.

Badr opened the unlocked door and immediately stepped inside. Badr's mother, who was in the kitchen, turned around to see who the intruder was.

"Badr!" With a delighted face, Badr's mother hurried over towards him and they hugged each other.

"Welcome back Badr," his old grandfather was sitting on the white couch watching television. Badr quickly let go of his mother and rushed to give his grandpa a hug.

Yousef was still standing at the door when Badr's mother kindly greeted him: "You must be Yousef, right? Come on in!"

Yousef was surprised but nonetheless stepped inside the rather small building. The floor was made of wood and it looked clean and taken care of. The furniture was basic and the television was really old-fashioned compared to what Yousef was used to. The kitchen was connected to the living room and what separated them was the dinner table, which had six chairs around it.

A man, who Yousef assumed was Badr's dad, walked into the living room. His hair was pushed back and it was short enough to just cover his whole head.

"Badr!" he approached his son and gave him a tight hug. "You have grown so much my boy!"

"I missed you so much papa!" Badr hugged his father back.

"Me too," Ahmad patted Badr hard on his back. Badr's mom, Safa, chuckled happily. Yousef spotted a little figure coming towards the group.

'That must be his sister,' he thought. Her face was small and her eyes were big and innocent, just like Badr's.

"Hi," she greeted, unamused. She opened the fridge and looked inside for something to eat. Safa smiled at Yousef.

"Come here, it's okay, don't be shy!" she helped Yousef in and closed the front door. "Come sit here on the couch, next to Badr's grandpa. This is Badr's grandfather, and I'm Badr's mother. This man is Badr's father and this is his little sister, Reemy. Say hi, Reemy!"

Reemy waved awkwardly and Ahmad put his arm around Yousef's shoulder. "So this is Yousef, eh? Where are you from, Yousef?"

"Erm-" Yousef was cut off by Badr's grandfather, who offered him to sit on the couch.

"So you are Yousef!" he welcomed excitedly. "Badr told me so much about you! You are just like how I imagined, fair and strong. Just like how heroes are, like Badr."

Yousef sat down next to the old man and muttered a thanks. Badr giggled and went to the kitchen.

"Oh, dear me, you must be hungry!" Safa quickly maneuvered to the kitchen behind Badr. "I must make some food. Reemy, pour some orange juice for our guest, will you?"

Reemy filled a glass of juice for Yousef and gave it to him. Yousef sipped a little and watched her leave quickly to her room.

"I'm going fishing, okay?" Ahmad opened the door.

"Okay, let the boys go with you!" Safa answered, busy chopping lettuce.

"It's okay, we'll come later!" Badr told his dad. Ahmad grabbed his fishing rod and left. Yousef took another sip of orange juice−the taste was fresh.

"Badr, come sit here!" Badr's grandad, Nasser, patted on the chair beside the couch.

"Yeah, okay. I'm so hungry!" Badr dropped down on the chair and exhaled deeply.

"I'm making the food, be patient!" his mother reminded him.

"So Badr, when you go to Moonland, you will take Yousef with you to Moonland. Take him, he's a fine young man," Grandpa Nasser addressed Badr.

"Oh please, will you stop talking about this Moonland nonsense!" Safa placed her hands on her hips. "My son is not going anywhere! It's too dangerous!"

"But he is a hero of glorious blood and heroic family!" Grandpa Nasser argued. "My grandfather went to Moonland, my father went to Moonland, I went to Moonland, my son went to Moonland, so Badr just has to go to Moonland. Being an adventurer is in his blood!"

"No!" Safa was fed up. "Stop talking about Moonland, especially in front of Yousef. Don't listen to him, Badr, just have fun in Evenlane with Yousef, that's your destiny! No need to go hunting around with swords and shields and other things like that! Now go with Yousef, take a bath and come back for lunch."

Reemy entered the room in more presentable clothes instead of the pajamas she was wearing earlier. Badr and Yousef stood up and left to Badr's room.

"They always fight like that," Badr pointed out. "Don't mind them."

After they had done bathing, they changed into clean clothes and went to have their lunch. Yousef noticed that the whole house consisted of just two floors, unlike his own.

"Come, boys, sit down here and eat," Safa placed the plates on the dining table. She dried her hands using the apron she was wearing on top of her outfit.

Badr, Yousef, Reemy, and Grandpa Nasser sat down to enjoy the food. Badr and Yousef stuffed their mouths with a lot of food while Reemy ate a spoonful and left the table.

"What's wrong with her?" Yousef munched the meat and rice.

"Don't ask me." Badr took Reemy's plate and began eating.

"Reemy, honey, please eat just two more pieces of meat!" Safa tried to persuade the young girl.

"No, I'm stuffed," Reemy declined stubbornly. "Anyway, Badr is eating my plate like a gorilla so whatever, let him enjoy it."

Badr glared at his sister while his grandpa laughed. Safa put her hands on her hips and thought out loud: "When is Ahmad coming? He's late for lunch!"

The door opened and Badr's father appeared right after Safa started getting worried.

"Oh, there you are Ahmad, you're late!" Safa helped him inside. "Sit on the table and eat with the boys."

Ahmad seated himself next to Grandpa Nasser and began eating the leftover food. "So Badr and Yousef, you're coming fishing with me in the afternoon?"

"Yeah!" Badr exclaimed, since one of his hobbies was fishing. "You know there's a fishing club in the school?"

"Really? That's nice," Ahmad commented.

Yousef watched Badr get along well with his family. He realized that Badr shared a strong bond with all of his family members, and Yousef was amused at how loving, friendly, and welcoming they all were.

"Badr, I just remembered," Safa recalled suddenly. "Where's your report card? How much did you get?"

"Ahaha..." Badr forced a grin. He left the table and ran to get his report card from his bag.

"This boy..." Safa sighed.

"I bet he failed," Reemy stated.

"No, Reemy, don't say that! He's your big brother!" Safa told her.

"Ya but he's really dumb," Reemy admitted honestly. Safa examined the report card that Badr just handed her.

"Oh, dear me, Badr's what's this?" Safa stared at her son's marks. "Forty-five in Math? How did you even get seventy in English? Look at your spelling, it's thirty-two!"

"Ya, but look at the other marks, they're good!" Badr pointed at his science marks.

"Ya okay, science is fine, but what about Spanish? And History? Oh dear, what is this? Sixty-one?"

Ahmad laughed and Badr pouted with red cheeks, snatching the report card from his mother's hands.

"Stop it mom, I'm going to do the makeup exams!" Badr promised.

"Show me, show me," Reemy tried to take the report card from Badr but Badr held it high so she couldn't reach it.

"No, go away," he shooed her.

"It's okay Badr, my boy," Grandpa Nasser started. "You do not need marks to be a brave hero, oh no you don't, all you need is-"

"No he does need high marks," Safa interrupted. "Education is important! How will he ever go to university like this? Badr, next year, you need to step it up, you hear me?"

After lunch, Yousef followed Badr to his room. Badr's room was untidy, since he left his bags and clothes all over the place. Yousef sat on the bed and sighed loudly. The bed made a creaky noise.

"It's okay Badr," he tried to comfort his friend.

"No no, I'm not sad! I mean I'm fine, let's just go outside. It's like...getting boring inside," Badr quickly grabbed Yousef and dragged him outside.

"Wait, where are you going?" Safa shouted as the boys left the house.

"Maybe they're going fishing! I'll go after them," Ahmad stood up. He wore his boots, grabbed his fishing rod, and trailed after Badr and Yousef.

"Young boys are so energetic," Safa concluded.

The boys sprinted between the thick trees in the forest. This forest was different from the others Yousef had explored with Badr though. It was wilder than what Yousef expected. The forest looked like it has once been inhabited by animals and birds who sung and roamed around tree branches.

The boys had tons of fun fishing with Badr's father. Yousef learned a lot about wildlife in the process. He learned that fishermen came to fish in the warm ponds in the forest and that hunters would shoot birds down from a distance. It was like learning about a whole different culture; the way of life here was fascinating to Yousef.

The night soon befell as they caught some fish with Ahmad. Ahmad was feeling sleepy so he headed back home while Badr and Yousef stayed behind to watch the stars.

"Thank you for this visit...your house sure is pretty." Yousef smiled lightly and gazed at the star-filled sky once more. "You can actually see some stars!"

"Yeah! Do you like it?" Badr raised his head.

"Yes," Yousef nodded. Badr glanced at him and then did the same.

"Hey, Badr," Yousef began to say. "Are you gonna tell your parents about what happened with Murad?"

"Huh? Yeah...I have to. Because he said that it's something to do with my dad. Maybe my real dad, the one who went to Moonland," replied Badr.

"Oh...So that man wasn't your real dad?" questioned Yousef.

"No...because he isn't the son of grandpa Nasser. My real dad is missing and is probably dead. Whenever I ask my mom about him she tells me not to talk about him. And anyway, since I love my stepfather and I have an amazing family...what more can I ask for?"

"I see...so he didn't go Moonland? It was your real dad right?"

"Yeah, my real dad was an adventurer but that doesn't mean that my stepdad is not an adventurer! He's a hero in his own way. He does fishing and he's a firefighter," Badr explained, smiling.

"Oh okay," Yousef understood. They stayed quiet for a while, gazing at the bright specks above them. Yousef's slightly somber lips slowly twisted to a smile. He was so happy that the stars were so bright that particular night.

"I really want to go to Moonland and see what's there," mused Badr. "My grandpa said that it's a very mysterious place full of puzzles and stuff like that. He told me that the treasures there are tremendous. He also told me about his fights with the dangerous moonwolves. I really want to be a hero, just like him. And going to Moonland is like...the perfect place. It's so...adventurous."

"So that's your goal? To be a hero?" Yousef asked him, his attention still fixed on the bright night sky.

"Yeah...what about you? What do you want to do? Won't you come with me to Moonland?"

"Yeah, I will," was the response. "I just...I don't really have an amazing goal like you. I guess I'm kinda jealous. I'm not as determined as you to go there."

"It's okay! You don't have to be exactly like me. You'll find out what you want to do later on," Badr said brightly.

"Yeah I know...I wanted to say," Yousef broke away from Badr's  gaze. "Well I was thinking you're awesome. You have a big dream and you're already good enough to achieve it. As for me, I'm just tagging along and my dream is not that...incredible like yours."

"You know, Yousef it doesn't matter. You don't need to have a dream from now." Badr stared at the blonde. "You're really fun and amazing too! I have so much fun when I'm with you."

"Huh?" Yousef was shocked at the sudden kind words.

"I really want to travel around the whole world with you!" Badr honestly stated. His eyes were shining as bright as the stars. "What do you think?"

"Yeah...it would be fun, I guess," Yousef looked away.

"Okay then, let's stay together and go on adventures all around the world, not just in Moonland!"

"D-don't you ever feel embarrassed? Always saying what's on your mind?" Yousef asked.

Badr giggled. "Not really. Because you're my closest friend in the whole entire world!"

"You too," Yousef placed his hand at the back of his neck. "It's not like you make me...happy or anything."

Badr smiled warmly at Yousef, who shrugged.

Author's note: Hey guys, thanks for reading this chapter! We hope you enjoy it. We just want to thank everyone who made it till the end of this book, since this chapter is actually before the last chapter. Thanks to all our beautiful loyal readers!!  ♥♥

This chapter is dedicated to the kindest and sweetest person here on wattpad: TheEuphoricWriter  ❤ We dedicated this particular chapter to you because we thought you'd like this type of chapter (Badr and Yousef's friendship). Thank you for being awesome and supportive! ❤ ❤ And also thanks for the sweet and funny comments! ♡ You always make our day! ♡  We hope you continue reading this series if you enjoyed the first book.

P.s: Who's your favorite person in Badr's family? (You can say Badr hahaha) Let us know your opinions!