{Dedicated to @quruxley for being an awesome person and sister!;) And, of course, for your support!!! < 3}

x_________________x

Chapter Twelve

Darren Anderson

(Maahirah Furqaan)

Monday morning arrives. With a lot of will power, I push myself off my bed. Schools should start at afternoon every Monday. Whoever made this rule, should have had thought it thoroughly. What a punk he was!

After a long, warm and relaxing shower, I get ready for school. Yawning, I grab my backpack and my folder off the desk. Turning off the lights, I exit my room.

Downstairs it is an eerie silence. Everyone is sleeping. Dad has three days weekend.  Not fair, right? Mom's shift is in the evening which means she's responsible for picking and dropping Neez at school.

I place my backpack on the dining table, and make myself coffee. Coffee would help me to get through today's day. I can tell it's going to be one of those days in which I should have had preferred to stay at home.

When I'm halfway through my coffee, Mom enters the kitchen; wearing trousers and a loose shirt with headscarf. I examine Mom from her head to toe, and with a questioning look, I beckon at Mom.

She shrugs."I'll just have to put on abaya now!" She starts making her tea. According to her, there will be no morning without a cup of tea.

I jump up on my feet as soon as Mom sits. She stares at me, startled. I smile.

"I'm running late, Mom!" I sling my backpack over my shoulder, and drop a hasty kiss on her cheeks. "I'll see you InShaaAllah after school!"

Mom nods. "Salaam!"

"Walaikom As'saalam!" I shout as I put on my trainers and race out of the house. Behind me, I know Mom is shaking her head in disbelief, praying that I'll grow up,

****************

When I swerve my car to the right to enter the school parking lot, I'm surprised to find that a whole load of people clustered around the school entrance. No doubt, it is the media. They are here for Aayan. I roll my eyes.

How the hell am I suppose to get in? I can't go through them! No way! I park my car next to Sonata. This car looks utterly familiar. Killing the engine, I glance at my watch; ten minutes to eight. Hmm, I can wait here till the first bell. Or I can go through that tramp, and grind myself under their huge legs and get killed!

Option A sounds  promising and safe. I drum my fingers against the steering wheel trying to get the time kill and not me. My cellphone starts ringing. Aayan flashes across the screen. Frowning, I answer it. "Hey!"

"Look, we're stuck in the car next to you!" He says.

I tilt my head to the parked Sonata, but I can't see anything because the mirrors are black." Who's we?"

"Chace, Ellie and I!"

Oh, now it makes sense. That's Ellie's car."Well, you go talk to them and ask them to leave the school's ground!"

"No, I'm not talking to them!" He states. I imagine him pouting.

"Well, its your fault they are here!! Shoo, them away!"

"Oh, Oww!" I hear shuffling and then his shout. "Ellie!"

"Shut up, Maahirah!" She speaks up.

Traitor, he put the phone on speaker!

"Hey Ellie and Chace!" I say.

"What do you mean 'hey, Chace' he can't hear you!" She's pissed.

"Well, isn't the phone on speaker?"

"No,"

"Then, why did you say me to shut up when you had no idea what we were talking?!"

"Oh, puh-lease anybody would have had figured it out that you two were about to get in a banter!" I know she is rolling her eyes.

"Oh, okay!"

"Now, listen we've a plan to get in the school without being noticed!"

"Oh, please proceed!"

"Cut the sarcasm, Maahirah! Listen now, Chace says that we've to get in the school using the back locked gate. We can jump over it - according to him it's not that tall - by using a ladder - and warn Mr.Franklin. As far as I'm concerned, he doesn't know about this or maybe he does but he has turn a deaf ear!"

I'm not sure I like this idea, but, do I have a choice.

Um, no.

"Fine, I'm in!" I mumble and get down from my car. Pocketing my phone, I watch as Chace and Ellie scramble down behind them Aayan.

"Let's go and remember we've to sneak past them and we've to hide Aayan!" Chace whispers.

I shoot a glare at Aayan. He raises his hand as if asking my reason for this glare.

"It's your fault we're stuck in this mess!"

He simply shrugs.

Chace pushes Aayan forward then follows him. I follow Ellie. Once we cross the curb, we push ourselves against the wall. With our backs pressed against the wall, we continue our not so comfortable promenade.

The media is screaming, but our phase one has been completed. (We've easily slip past the media)

When we're out of the ear shot, we start running. Rounding the corner, the school's back gate appears.

Weeds cover the once patched grass. It is little dark in here, since it is surrounded by big shady old trees. I hear a gasp from my left. Ellie.

She's staring at something in front of her. I follow her gaze, and this time I gasp. The back gate is at least ten feet tall. Moreover, it looks like no one has bothered to polish it. It's dusty and the black colour faded replaced by greyish black.

"How do you think we'll climb over it?" Ellie asks.

"There is the ladder" Chace points at it.

I sigh inwardly. The ladder is okay...

"Okay, first I'll go, then Maahirah and Chace and finally Ellie." Aayan says.

We nod.

"Okay, here I go!"

I close my eyes as he begins climbing , and start praying. I ask Allah to forgive my sins. I plead Him to grant patience to my parents if I die today. Astagfirullah!!!!! What is wrong with me?!

I should pray for His help; and I'm doing the opposite! How touching!

"Maahirah, you're up!" I hear Chace.

I open my eyes, to find Aayan at the ledge - motioning for me to move. I nod. Gripping my hand on the fourth rung, and placing my one leg on the second rung, I say."Bismallaah!"

I proceed climbing. When I'm at the middle, immediate panic shoots through me. What if my weight is too much and the rungs will give up and I'll fall right on the uneven ground with the ladder on top of me!? My mind pulls a picture of me on the ground laying in my pool of blood!

What if I lose my grip? What if....what if? I take deep breaths. I calm down but, my stupid head dares to peek down, and once again, I start hyperventilating.

I'm six feet above the ground. Oh, my God! I close my eyes, and that's when I hear his voice.

"Don't look down! Come on, Maahirah you can do it!"

I raise my head, to find Aayan looking at me."You can do it!" He repeats.

"I can! I was just thinking what will happen if I fall?" I snap back, angrily. Angry, because it's his fault I'm going through this.

Don't look down. Don't look down. Don't look down. Don't look down. Chanting this in my head, I continue climbing.

When my hand touches the ledge, an involuntary sigh escapes. I pull my legs up on the ledge, and sit on it to pace my beating heart down. Aayan leaps down; landing neatly on his feet or his sneakers.

"C'mon jump!" He cups his hand around his mouth."Now!"

I look down and gulp. Long distance! Yikes!

I throw my bag and Aayan catches it.

Okay, I can do this! Distances don't matter.

With that thought in my mind, I jump. I've no words to describe that five seconds. I feel like I'm flying, with my hands flailing around me. I suppress a scream. Even though, it's a frightening experience, but it is fun.

I land on my all four, and a small moan escapes my lips. I perch my eyes close. Never am I ever doing this again!

"Are you okay?" Aayan asks as he hands me my bag.

"Fine," I snatch it. I'm not hurt, I know I'm not.

Chace and Ellie fall down on the ground as I stand up. I help Ellie up. Her hair disheveled. Poor girl, was damn scared.

"Mission accomplished!" Aayan smiles.

I glare at him, and this time my companion in glaring is Ellie.

*****************

I stare at frowned face of Mr.Franklin. He clasps his hand together in front of him, and places his chin on it.

"Give me few minutes!" He finally breaks the five minutes silence, and dials a number on his telephone.

To give him privacy, we move aside.

As soon as we've entered school in a illegal-kind-of-way, we raced to Mr.Franklin's office. The hallways as usual were bursting with excitement. Most of the students have somehow managed to get in while few are still waiting for an opportunity to get in.

When we've whisked out our story, our principal just stared at us -his eyebrows furrowed and his mouth scrunched - and now he's on the phone.

"Well," Mr.Franklin places the phone on the receiver."The matter is solved. The police will be here at any minute to escort them away. Thank you for informing me! And, the first period bell will be at eight thirty!" He beams at us. "Now, Chace and Ellie will you make sure that kids are not wandering in the hallway!"

They both nod, and leave his office.

"Aayan," He turns to him."I want you to come in disguise to school, and I do not want you answering any questions regarding school. Got it?"

"Yes, Sir!" Aayan smiles.

"Great, you may go now!"

Once when he walks out, Mr.Franklin looks at me."How have you been?"

"Perfect, I'm good!"

"Well, I'm waiting for someone...." He leans in his chair and is cut off by a knock on the door."Enter!"

In comes, a boy with gorgeous blond hair - which are cut short on the top and long from the back. His piercing greyish blue eyes fall on me, and he tumbles back, surprised.

I frown. Do I know him? No!!!

"Yep, he's here! Maahirah, I want you to tour him around. He's schedule matches yours!" Mr.Franklin hands me  a schedule.

"Scheduled are changed?" I ask, looking at mine.

"Yes, " Mr.Franklin says."Now, Mr.Anderson is your responsibility!"

Abruptly my head turns in his direction, he's looking at me. He's chewing on his bottom lip, obviously nervous.

Is he Darren Anderson?

"Anderson who?" I swallow.

"Darren Anderson!" He smiles, and  deep dimples appear on his cheeks.

I grip the strap of my bag tightly, and stalk out of the office as Mr.Franklin starts taking calls on his phone; completely ignoring us!

"Hey, wait!" Darren calls out.

I answer it by simply increasing my pace.

"Listen," He's next to me."I...."

I stop."How did you get my phone number?"

"Er," He rubs his nape."Someone gave it to me!"

"What, why?"

"You know that person. Can we just not talk about it?! I'm not a stalker, okay?" He says.

"And, who might that person be?" I wriggle my eyebrows.

"You'll find out!"

I open my mouth to say something, but just then, Fadiya walks past us. Her smile is replaced by a sadistic smile. Her hijab crumpled. She looks at me and I find bags under her eyes. Once again, I open my mouth but she scowls at me and, hastily, walks away.

I sigh, biting my lip."Okay, fine! Whatever!"

I'm having first period Chemistry and he might be having that too. I look up to find him peeking at my schedule. Feeling intimidating, I bring that piece of paper closer to my chest.

He looks embarrassed."Um, you study Biology?"

I merely nod."Don't you!?" Few students passing by us in the hallway, stare at Darren. Well, he no doubt is pretty handsome.

"No, I take Double Calculus since sophomore!"

My eyes bulge out."Really?" Double Calculus? A single period of Calculus is way too much for me, but double!

"Yeah, I was homeschooled till my sophomore year!" He boasts.

"Where are you from?" I frown.

"Um, around!" He replies.

I shrug my shoulders."Oh, Okay!"

He opens his mouth, but Mr.Franklin's voice booms through the intercom."Attention, everyone! A short quick meeting in the school ground. Make sure you all are there. Thank you!"

Darren curses. I shoot him an annoyed look.

******************

"You should be creeped out!" Ellie whispers to me in boring Maths class.

I roll my eyes."Why?"

"Well, he had your number even before you even met  him. Doesn't that scare you?"

"Ha, it does. But, he is kind of cute, you know! So, I just slip past the number thing!" I jolt down the problem from the board.

"Well, I'll be pleased to meet him!" Ellie mumbles.

"No worries! Next is lunch! The bell is about to ring!" I increase my speed in copying down from the board.

Just as I underline my answer, the bell rings. I flash a smile at Ellie.

We both stuff our bags with the books, and saunter out of the class.

On our way, we run into Darren, who is looking confused between the swarm of people. Quite lost.

"Hey, Darren!" I wave at him.

He smiles."Oh, thank God, it's you!"

I tilt my head to right, to find a jaw dropped Ellie.

"You should close your mouth, Ellie. It's a getaway for flies!" I snicker.

Ellie flushes."Shut up!"

"Darren, this is Ellie and Ellie, this is Darren!" I gesture at each of them."Now, you'll know each other let's go I'm starving!"

They laugh.

In all honesty, I should be careful around Darren. I should be terrified. Scared. Stay away from him - at least, fifty feet away. But, I just can't bring myself to do that. His whole aura is perfectly cute and fun. He's that kind of person who will make you laugh at the awkwardest situation.

But, again, this is hella scary. I mean I just got to know him and it's less than a day - heck, it's only been few hours, and I know he's personality. Talk about total weirdness. And, there is this thought that maybe he's fake. I mean who can smile at every person. Isn't it a bit strange that he trusts people so fast with just a single dazzling smile.

I grab my lunch tray which only has a bottle of juice on it. Darren and Ellie are talking animatdely. We make our way to our usual table.

Then, throughout the tour of school in the morning before first period, after Mr.Franklin's boring morning assembly speech (about precautions and all and to keep Aayan related information only in school ground) I couldn't help but compare him to him. I can't help but find trivial differences between Darren and him.

This is horrifying, given the fact that I barely spend time with him. Okay, we do but that is just rarely. This is bad!

No, it's not. It's normal for girls to compare boys.

"Hey!" Speak of the devil and it shall come.

"What do you want Aayan?" I look at two feet far our lunch table. Darren and Ellie stop with me.

Grace and Mariyam are staring at us.

"What are you doing with him?" Aayan points at Darren.

"What?" I raise an eyebrow.

"You cannot hang out with him!" He's fuming. I haven't seen him angry before. This should be fun.

"You're not the one to decide who I hang out with and who I don't!" I snap back.

Aayan scowls at Darren ; who looks anywhere but at Aayan.

"Dude, I'm on your side!" Darren speaks quietly.

Aayan curses back, and I involuntarily I take a step back. He closes his eyes and clenches his fist.

"Darren," He grits his teeth."Let's take this outside!"

And, just like that, they both storm out of the cafeteria; leaving behind an eerie silence. Every eye is focused on me. I feel a hand on my back, and I'm pushed forward to our lunch table. Ellie.

When we sit, the cafeteria is suddenly buzzing with students talking - excitedly.

"What the hell just happened?" Grace mutters.

"Believe me, I've no idea!" I say.

******************

When I make my way towards my Biology class after lunch, I stop when I hear Mr.Brackson, Aayan and Darren talking.

I'm the first one (Ellie needed a bathroom stop) and students will fill in after five to ten minutes. So, I push myself against the wall to eavesdrop.

"......well, I don't believe him, Jason." Aayan addresses Mr.Brackson with his first name.

"Aayan, I've been assured that he's acting as a spy for us!"

"Please, just trust me!" Darren says.

"Why is he here?" Aayan asks.

"Because of her!" Mr.Brackson replies.

"She's my responsibility!"

"Things aren't going well, Aayan and you know it. Don't act like you're ignorant about it. She can be in grave danger. And, she's not your responsibility Aayan, she's mine too and now Darren's!!"

I bite my lip. Who the hell is she?

Aayan and Darren hated each other. Well, Aayan does now, too but Darren doesn't. He almost sounds desperate for Aayan's trust. Why?

"Hey, you were waiting for me?" Ellie slaps my back.

"Yeah, sure!" I lie."Let's go!"

We get in and Aayan and Darren are far away from Mr.Brackson's desk when I know they were huddled around his desk.

"Mr.Anderson, I believe you're not in my class!" Our teacher remarks.

Darren ducks out of the class mumbling an apology.

Ellie and I separate as students start to fill in the class and I take my seat. Aayan sits next to me.

"So," I pick up my pencil and twirl it in my hand."What happened today at lunch?"

He sighs."About that I'm so sorry for shouting at you!"

"Forgiven! Though I'm talking about Darren!"

"You'll find out soon!" He says.

And, I didn't press the matter.

I smile Yep, I so do not like him!

**********************

Assalmu Alaiykum!;)

A short chapter!:)

Please vote and comment!!!!:D