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Chapter Two

Mr. Posptar..?

(Maahirah Furqaan)

I creep downstairs even though I know everybody is awake except Vaneeza. I creep like a Ninja downstairs and into the kitchen. I see Mom dressed in her white coat drinking her coffee while Dad is staring at mom - chewing his bread as well as nodding his head. I can guess that they were engrossed in some deep conversation.

"Salaam," I greet as I sit next to mom. Mom jumps up and glares at me. I chuckle.

"Walaikom Aslam," Dad smiles."How are you?"

"I'm good," I grin as I dig into my already prepared cereal."You are gonna drop Vaneeza dad, right?"

Dad nods.

I eat my cereals slowly. Mom rises up from her chair, checking her wrist watch she gasps."I need to rush," She kisses my cheeks and peck's dad on his lips and scoots away. Dad and I laugh.

"Typical mom,"

After five minutes, I'm done with my cereal. Getting up from my chair, I gather up mom and dad's coffee cups and my cereal bowl and walk over to the sink. Washing the dishes, I dry my hands. Dad is busy reading the newspaper. He hasn't spoken a single word since mom left which can only mean one thing-Dad is in deep thoughts. I sigh."Dad?" He doesn't looks at me and continues his task of staring the newspaper.

"Dad?" I say a little louder this time.

He looks at me, abruptly."Yes?"

"Is everything okay?" I raise an eye-brow.

"Yes, it is!" He folds his newspaper and gets up from his chair and stretches his arms."Honey, your school starts in half an hour don't you think you should be leaving?"

I look at my watch and grumble. Great, I've exactly half an hour before school starts.

I slung my backpack over my shoulders, kiss dad on his cheeks and grabbing my cars keys I'm out.

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

"Hey," Christina greets me as I enter Biology class.

Wriggling my eye-brows, I answer."Hey to you too,"

"Umm....I was wondering could you tutor me in Bio every Mondays after school?"

I think for a second and then nod my head. She squeals and hugs me.

I sit on my usual desk and just as I'm about to open my Biology book, Mr.Brakson makes an entry. Immediately everybody stops talking and made their way to their respective desks.

"Good Morning, class!! I'm excited today," beams Mr.Brackson."But first the attendance."

I'm hundred percent sure that our teacher is about to assign us project work. Mind telling you that the marks obtained in this project will be added in our finals. Grrr! Why? Why does he have to be so cruel? Most of his assigned projects take me days to figure out the meaning of the title and weeks to research on it - scratch that, months to research on it. Yeah, months it takes.

"Ms.Furqaan?" Mr.Brackson voice brings me to reality.

"Here," I raise my hand. And so he continues.

I open today's lecture that would be Plant Kingdom. Damn, it bores me but sometimes it's way too interesting to put down the book. Just then, there is a knock on the door. I don't raise my head and continue reading. All I hear is that girls are squealing and screaming. Why? I didn't bother to look up.

"Class, quite!" Mr.Brackson shouts.

Silence.

"Good morning, Sir!" That voice greets and I quickly look up from my book and gasp. Like really loudly. The whole class turns to face me. I wave sheepishly. That jerk smiles at me.  

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

"You can sit on the first desk with Ms..."

"Okay," He cuts in Mr.Brackson and makes his way towards me.

"Mr.Brackson," I begin.

"I meant Ms.Hale but Ms.Furqaan seems perfect!" Mr.Brackson smiles."Give me few minutes I need to do some work," He sits on his desk and is completely oblivious to the happenings around the class

I put my bag in between us as soon as he sits."Hey, we meet again!" He grins showing his two dimples.

I scowl."How wonderful," Note the sarcasm.

He ignores me or maybe he didn't hear me because the next thing I know is that he is waving his right hand all around the class. The girls are like OMG! And I'm like is he a maniac? Maybe that is why he was abandoned from Mars and thrown to Earth!! I mean. c'mon who waves his hand..

"Umm what are you doing?" I ask.

He gives me are-you-stupid-look."Waving, of course!"

"It's obvious, Sherlock. Why are you doing it? Are you Prince William? Tom Cruise? Harry Styles? Or whatever?"

"None of the above," He stops waving his hand and turns to look at me. His face scrunches in a weird and a twisted manner. He stares at my face - like I'm one of the animal in Biology lab that is about to be dissected. Involuntarily, my right hand touches my face and starts rubbing it as if removing any thing it had. God, since when did I start caring about my looks. I grasp my right hand with left one and grasp it securely as if punishing it. Yeah, I'm punishing you, rightie. You worked against my command. He is still studying me, his eye-brows furrowed in confusion."What?" I ask. My voice quivers slightly.

"You've no idea like who I'm? Like seriously?" His face is expressionless.

I snicker."Very funny! Of course, I don't know you. This is the first time we're meeting."

Smirking, he says."Correction; third meeting. Once, you collided into me and BAM fell on your butt. God, that was hilarious. Then, we met in our siblings' school and third time is now,"

The entire time, my cheeks were flaming red. He was laughing at me and I continue blushing. Once, when he stops. I mutter."Whatever, I don't want to know you."

"Okay, Class! Let's begin. I want each pair to make a power point presentation about Plant Kingdom. And the person sitting next to you is your partner. Since the period will end in about twenty or thirty minutes you and your partner can discuss the project!"

What the heck? The lunatic sitting next to me is my PARTNER for this huge and important project. I groan. From the corner of my right eye, I watch Mr.Jerk talking to a blondie next to him. Though she was babbling and he was listening.

I clear my throat in order to get his attention. But he doesn't show slight symptoms of hearing my poor throat. I groan. Wow, I've been groaning a lot! I need to discuss this project with him and get a straight A in it. I think of a way to get his unwanted attention towards me. Picking up my long ruler, I tap him on his shoulders with it.

"Ouch," He cricks his neck to face me and I wave at him, smirking.

"What was that for, lady?"

"We. Need. To. Work. On. Biology. Project." I say each word slowly.

"So?" He smiles, smugly.

"Dude, these marks will be added in finals! You've any idea about the importance of this project. But Earth to you, Mister I care about this project!!" I spat my anger on him.

The next thing he does is that he chuckles.

I blink. What the hell is wrong with him?

"Fine. I'm done," I say through clenched teeth.

"We haven't introduced each other and you want to work on your so said important project," He gave me lopsided smile.

Before I can say anything, the bell rings and Mr.Jerk packs up his things and leaves the class with some jocks. Wow, he made friends in just one day. He is fast. That means I'm most awkward -est person in this whole Universe. I gather up my stuff and walk over to Mr.Brackson desk.

"Umm excuse me, Sir?"

He looks up at me. 'Yes, Maahirah?"

"Is there any chance of un-partenring me with that je-I mean that boy!?"I stop myself from saying 'jerk'.

"You mean Aayan Aslam?"

"Yes, him!" My eyes widen."Wait! What?? Aayan Aslam?"

He nods."Yes!"

"The popstar?" I nearly shout.

"Yeah," He scratches his hair."Didn't you know that?"

I shake my head."He's irritating. Can't I work alone on this..."

"Dear, you need a partner for this project."Mr.Brackson interrupts me."And besides, you might be a good influence on him. He has joined a proper high school after two years."

"So, I'm stuck with him for the rest of the year?"

He nods.

"Oh, well, thank you, Sir!"

"Good luck!"

I nod and leave the class. Too many thoughts are encircling my mind. Mr.Jerk is Mr.Popstar and I was kind of rude to him and he was kinda good to me. Does that make me a horrible person? No, I really hope not. It's not like his views or opinions about me matter. It's just that what if he intentionally ruins my reputation. Well, he didn't seem to be that kind of person. But you really can't trust people these days. Anyways.......let's hope this day goes smoothly.

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

I sit in the cafeteria, waiting for my friends to show-up. Almost the entire school is here except my friends. Wallahi, they need 'The time lecture'.

"Mahiraah?" Abigail comes and stands in front of me.

"Yes?"I smile.

"Umm....can I escape my duty for today?" She fidgets with her finger.

"Did you ask Chace about this?"

"Yeah, he said to ask you and he did say!"

A freshman and a prefect."Where is your duty?"

"At pack-up time in the corridor,"

I think for a while and then nod my head."Yeah, you can. Now, go enjoy your lunch."

She squeals and bends down to hug my sitting posture. Taken by surprise, I hug her back and she flees away.

I see my friends; Fadiya, Dua, Amy, Grace, Ellie and Alizey making their way towards me. I roll my eyes."About time," I mutter once they were seated.

"Sorry," Ellie smiles apologetically.

"What took you so long?"

"Bathroom call," Fadiya sends a glare to Dua.

"Sorry, but the popstar is here we've to look good," Dua smirks.

I choke on my water."Popstar? Eww...for him,"

They chose to ignore me because the next thing I know is that they pull out their cell-phones from their bags and each one of them shows their mobile screens to me. They have Aayan Aslam's wallpaper.

"Gee, I forgot you guys are crazy fans which I came to know now, by the way."

Fadiya rolls her eyes."Yeah, bestie."

"So, have you guys had any classes with him?" Alizey asks."Because I don't,"

"I and Fads have only two classes with him," Dua says.

"One," Ellie and Grace smile sadly.

"Three!"Amy grins like she just had won the lottery.

"You guys know his schedule?" I ask surprised.

"Who doesn't?"They say equally surprised.

"Clealy someone like me,"

Before they can reply, I see Mr.Popstar standing on the table and waving his hand -a habit I guess. "Welcome Winters Academy,"

The crowd has gathered around him and they cheer him up. I get up from my table.

"It's the best school ever! Want me to sing?" Aayan smiles wildly.

"Yes," My friends behind me hoot.

Wow!

"Okay," He begins singing and I charge my way into the crowd. I can't see Chace anywhere in sight. God, where is he? Aayan's voice is melodious and it is sending chills down my spine. I never listened to his songs. Once, I was right in front of his stage (table), I bang the books which were in my hand with a loud BAM. He opens his eyes and looks at me. He stops singing.

"Get off the table, Popstar."

"No," He pouts.

"Get off now !" I speak a little louder.

"Fine," He mutters.

"Boooooooo," The crowd.

I turn to face them."Silence," Quite. "Listen, this is an educational institute and not a school which promotes music. If you are so freaking desperate to hear him then Long Live Youtube. Go home and listen there. Attend his real-live concert which is not.... the school. Comprehend? If anyone still has any problem then detention is knocking at their luck." As soon as I mention detention, students disperse away. Great.

"Julia? I call the prefect. She turns to me. "Go and find Chace and tell him that I'll meet him in fifth period at the library." She nods and hops away.

"Ms.Furqaan?" For a moment, I thought its one of the school teachers but when I turn around to find Aayan, I frown.

"I've a first name, you know."

"Which I don't know," He taunts.

I smirk."Impressive,"

"Can I know your name?"

I shook my head."Nah,"

"Why?"

"I don't know. Find it on your own." I challenge him.

He rubs his chin with his hand."Good idea. It is a challenge, right?"

I nod.

He steps a little closer and I, instinctively, move back. My lower part of the back collides with the corner of the table. And a piercing pain lurches in my entire back. I bit my lip.

"By the end of this day, I'll know your name!"With that, he walks away.

My heart was still pounding fast and I was slightly shaken. I sit on the table and gulp down the water from my water bottle. After few minutes, my heart was normal and I read, "Astagfirullah," Over and over...and I don't know why.

My friends all circled around me and each one of them smiling. God, I hate those smiles. Twenty minutes went away and we talked about random things.

My cell-phone beeped indicating I had a new text. Pulling it out of my bag, I read the text

Hey Maahirah!;) We need to talk...it's not over! I need to know what happened...^_^

-Fads xxxx

I look at her and she wriggles her eye-brows. I chuckle. Just as I'm about to reply her, the fire alarm starts ringing.

What the hell?

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

Assembling the students was never easy. Being the head girl, I had to check everybody was evacuated from the building or not.. The teachers did a good job in handling the student. I look here and there frantically. Aayan was there. Thanks to Allah but somebody was missing. I grab Marissa's arms."Where is Chace?"

She shrugs her shoulders.

Oh no!

I sweep my gaze to watch that that all teachers were busy with the students and bothering them will burden them more. I had no choice but to look for Chace myself.

 I walk into the building."Chace?" I shout as I jog my way into the hallway."Chace?" My voice bounces back at me."Chace?"I run towards the boys locker room. Standing near the entrance, immediately fire smell greets me."Chace?" I cover my mouth with the piece of my hijab.

"In here," His voice comes from one of the changing rooms.

"Chace, where are you?" I walk inside the boys locker and a large fire is evident. I gasp. To reach Chace I'll have to go through the fire. "Chace, wait for few minutes, okay?"

His reply is muffled."Okay,"

I run to my left and see the fire-extinguisher. I pull it fiercely but it won't budge. Placing my feet on the wall, I pull it again. Again and again. Finally, after my fourth attempt. It came off causing me to fall on the floor. Getting up, I chase the hallway again, The fire was spreading rapidly."Chace?"

"Still breathing"

I pull the trigger and press it to stop the spreading of the angry fire. I cough. After ten minutes, the fire was gone and I throw the extinguisher down. I open one of the cubicles and Chace and a freshman fall out. They both seem okay because they had hand-kerchief over the mouth while I didn't and it seemed like I had inhaled a great deal of smoke because I felt slightly dizzy but before I could fall. Strong arms grasp me tightly, I open my eyes to find Chace. "It'll be okay. Stay awake," He grasped my right hand tightly and the girls left hand and pull us out of this smoky area.

Saving someone is not a bad thing but doing it on your own, alone is certainly a bad idea and I learned this the hard way. Once outside, immediately oxygen mask covers my mouth and a blanket around my body too. I was made to sit on the bench.

"Maahirah,"Fadiya envelopes me in a hug."You've got some serious explanation to do!"

Boy, here we go.

After narrating the entire story Fadiya left to get me a drink of water. I wasn't burned or bruised actually none of us were. Tina, the freshman whose name I got to know nor Chace none of us. Alhamdolillah!

"Excuse me, Ma'am?"An officer stands in front of me.

"Yes?"

"Are you Maahirah?"

"Yeah, I'm!"

"Did you start the fire?" Officer Carl asks.

"What?" I blink..

"Yeah, the fire was started maybe accidentally or maybe intentionally. We don't know that yet."

"Oh," Is my smart reply."So, you think it is me?!"

"No, I just kind of questioned you,"The officer says.

I look at him, surprised." Well, I didn't start the fire, okay?"

He nods and walks away.

You should definitely check your brain cells. I roll my eyes.

On the other hand, my mind is spinning.......somebody sets this whole fire thing but why. What if it it's intentionally or what s it's unintentionally? God, whoever did it must be found out. I didn't get the chance to interview Chace nor Tina because the doctors want me to go hospital just for check-up.

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Have a great day!!:)

Salaam.

Until next time.

-MidnightWhisperer :)

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