Karim looked around the mall, wondering where she was, trying to ignore his tall best friend who was "helping" him look for her too.

He didn't even want to think about what would happen when Shaheen would see Raphael. She'd freak out and go all fangirl around his best friend. He knew a bit about fangirls. He had seen Zarine in action but he didn't have Cristiano's luck. The girl he liked wasn't his fangirl. Nope, he had to like a girl who was his best friend's fan. For a sick moment, he imagined Raphael giving her his jersey and them hugging. He hated the fact that he was jealous, that he was scared that she'd say something in admiration of his best friend while he would be forced to third-wheel.

It was true. He had never had any expectations from tonight. He knew what his relationship with Shaheen was-they were friends and he was happy to be that. He only wanted a normal, friendly evening getting to know her better. So what if a small part of him wanted a chance with her? He wasn't crazy enough to think it possible.

So why did the idea of Shaheen meeting Raphael hurt him so much?

His phone dinged with snapchat notifications and some of his tension eased to see how excited she was to meet him. It was going to be okay. He would be the bigger man and let Shaheen enjoy meeting her idol, Varane. After all, he did want to make her happy, right?

He asked a security guard for the food court and they were directed towards it. Turning around a corner, they were still at a distance from the court when he saw her. He had no difficulty in identifying her. She looked at ease and confident, just like he had imagined her. He watched her laugh with another girl and his heart beat faster. Just walk past the corner and go meet her, he told himself.

Would she let me hug her?

Because I so want to.

Because we're friends.

Friends hug all the time.

Shit, why is my heart beating so loud? Can Raphael hear it?

So embarrassing.

I need to check my reflection somewhere because WHY THE HELL IS MY FACE HEATING UP?

"Woah, does she already have my jersey?" Raphael asked, a bit disappointed, following his gaze.

Karim's eyes flew towards Shaheen and he felt his heart fall to his feet. She was wearing her Real Madrid jersey, the one she often wore in her youtube videos where she gushed over Raphael. Was this some kind of joke the universe was playing on me? Does she even care I'm coming to meet her? Or does her world revolve around Raphael?

His brain whizzed with crazy, sad thoughts that tortured all his happiness and excitement away. They were a doomed cause. Scratch that, there was no them, and he had been a fool.

[ AND THERE GOES KARIM PARIM YET AGAIN JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS. Please just believe in #Sharim, you guys <3

Don't forget to VOTE AND COMMENT. Also can't wait for you all to read the next chapter! ]