Anwar sat at the kitchen table with his dad. He had only come this morning, and the house was already going back to normal. His dad had talked some sense into his mom and they had all face timed Azim from Indonesia. He was living at a hotel and seemed to be doing fine.

It was amazing to finally be able to come downstairs and not get yelled at to go pray. His dad was a miracle worker, and Anwar needed a miracle. He waited until everyone else left the room before talking to his dad. He told him about Madison and Nayla and how he had messed up. Madison had told him it was fine and not to worry about it a couple of weeks ago before her suspension, but Anwar felt like he still owed her an apology. He owed both of them an apology. The guilt he felt was eating away at him.

His dad talked to him about it and listened to him go on and on about them. "I think you know what you need to do," he said, patting him on the back. "You can go take care of things with your girlfriends. Go on and apologize to the both of them. I'll finish up here." he said. He picked up their plates and began washing the dishes, which was originally Anwar's chore. Anwar smiled at his dad. He didn't see him that often, but it was nice to know that he still cared.

"Thanks," said Anwar. He raced out of the kitchen before his dad changed his mind.

Anwar made his way over to Nayla's house first. He practiced his apology in his head on the way.

He knocked on the door. "Hi, is Nayla here?" he asked. A woman smiled back at him, who he assumed to be Nayla's mom.

"No, she's at the hospital with Asad." she said. "You must be Anwar. I've heard a lot about you."

"Really?" he asked. He didn't think that Nayla talked about him. He thanked her and rode an Uber to the hospital.

He asked the lady at the desk where Asad's room was and got a visitor's pass. He knocked on the door softly and waited for Nayla to open it.

She pulled open the door and looked at Anwar in surprise. He gave her a quick smile and held out the chocolate cupcakes he bought her as a peace offering. She took them willingly and let him in. She looked surprised and a little upset. Her face had a set frown, and her eyes were focused on the cupcakes instead of him.

"I went over to your house and your mom said I could find you here." he said. "I hope it's ok that I came."

She shrugged and put the cupcakes on the table not saying anything.

He hesitated. This wasn't going as well as he had hoped, but he kept going anyway. "I'm sorry I was being an ass. I just wanted Madison to like me. I was the new kid and I was caught up in trying to fit in. It's always easier to go on the other side when it comes to these kinds of situations, I know it's no excuse and I'm really sorry. I can't imagine what you're going through right now. I'm sorry for manipulating you. I'm sorry for betraying you. I'm sorry for everything." He paused to wipe a tear from her face. "I'm not proud of any of it and I hope we can put all of this behind us and be friends."

Nayla teared up again and wrapped him in a hug, "Yeah, I'd like that."

They stood for a moment in silence with their arms wrapped around each other's bodies. Their bodies fit together perfectly. Anwar pulled her closer. She smelled like vanilla, and Anwar felt like all his problems disappeared.

***
A little while later Anwar headed over to the coffee shop of Madison's Aunt. He guessed that she would be there. He walked a little slower than usual. He was second-guessing himself. Should he go to her house? Was this a good idea? He shook away the doubt and walked into the coffee shop.

"Is Madison here?" he asked a barista. She pointed him towards Madison, who was sitting at a table for two with a pile of textbooks.

He went over to her and hovered around the table. "Can I sit here?" he asked.

"Yah sure," she said, moving the textbooks out of the way.

He sat down and looked around for a second mustering up some courage. "I owe you an apology," he said. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you that you and Nayla had a connection." He hesitated for a second, "actually, I'm not sorry. You did some pretty shitty things to her and I was just following your lead so that you would like me a bit more. I just want to make it clear that I won't be doing your dirty work for you anymore and that Nayla and I are actually friends."

"Uh, huh," said Madison, looking him up and down. He couldn't read her facial expression, he just hoped that she was impressed.

She cleared her throat, "I just want to let you know that Nayla has done some pretty shitty things to me as well. It wasn't completely one-sided. Sure, I admit that I was a little brutal at times," she paused for a second to regain her composure, "but she came back at me full force. I don't care if you and Nayla are friends. Frankly, it's none of my business. Go have her child for God's sake."

Anwar's posture stiffened. "I don't want to have her baby." He shook his head, "I mean I don't want to be with her. I don't like Nayla."

Madison leaned in, "Don't lie to me. I see the way that you look at her."

Anwar's voice went soft. He looked at Madison in disbelief. Did she really think he had a thing for Nayla this entire time? "I like you," he said.

They stared at each other for a second frozen in place. Madison smiled a little. "Really?"

Anwar nodded looking down on the floor. "Yah."

They sat for a while and just looked at each other. Anwar smiled at Madison and took in her beauty.

He decided to go ahead and break the silence, "So yeah, are we still on for a movie? Wanna go tonight?" Anwar asked, running a hand through his hair trying to act casual.

"Yeah, sure." said Madison, smiling back at him. Her cheeks reddened a little.

Anwar smiled back at her and waved goodbye as he walked out of the coffee shop. He went home with a spring in his step. Things were finally looking up.

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