Unbreak Me

At dinner, I sat with my family on the dining table, a book cracked open in front of me as I tried and failed to concentrate on Bio. Labeeb and Mom stared at me. I could feel their eyes burning holes into me.

I sighed, looking up from the interesting chapter about biotechnology. "You guys have anything to say?"

"Nope," Labeeb flat out denied it, picking at his dry peas with his chubby fingers.

"Mom?"

She pushed her glossy hair out of her eyes in a nervous habit. "It's just... we were wondering how things are at school. Honey, you don't look okay."

She was right. I wanted to bury myself in studies rather than worry about the events of today. Not only was I angry and hurt because of Zayn and his besties but because I felt guilty.

Too many boys had touched me today. Granted, it wasn't intentional on my part... But such close contact with Zayn had felt good. Too good.

And that's what made me guilty.

Maybe I'd gotten mentally deranged in the course of two days—Leroy High would do that to any sane person. Don't get me wrong, I hated Zayn but...

c.r.a.p. I couldn't explain it without sounding like a fool.

We had a long history together. I understood him better than he understood himself—at least I used to. Now, he was... grown-up. And yeah. I guess no further explanation was needed.

"I'm fine," I rea.s.sured her, not wanting to further worry her with my stupid problems. She already had enough on her shoulders.

Labeeb snorted like a pig and I cut him off with a glare. He responded with a mock lift of his hands in surrender. It didn't stop him from saying, "Boy problems?"

Eleven-year olds could be so annoying at times.

"Labeeb," Mom warned and I stuck my tongue out at him, acting no older than he was. She turned her concerned eyes toward me. "You know you can share anything with me, right, honey?"

I nodded. "It's just... school. You know how people react to me." And by me I meant both my clothes and my past that everyone was aware of. Except they just had their facts a smidgeon wrong.

She placed her hand on

And that's all the motivation I needed.

Tears sprang into my eyes and I shot her a grateful smile. "It might have something to do with the powerful woman who raised me."

...

I was making a diagram in my Bio notebook at break time. Call me whatever, but I liked to keep busy when I was eating something. I had narrowly escaped people and had zoned myself out when I heard insults hurled at me. I also hadn't opened my locker because I knew there was that stuff in it that would make me hyperventilate.

I was sitting in the forest/garden that was located at the back of our school. I think not many people knew about this place because it was empty. Or maybe n.o.body bothered to walk all the way from inside to here.

Or I thought I was the only one.

"Dude, you have to go with us today," I heard what was unmistakably Anas's voice. Seriously, was there a secret meeting place inside the bushes?

Or worse, was Zayn in there too?

"Not interested." The cold, dark voice said.

Dammit. He was literally there.

The soggy fries in my mouth suddenly tasted worse. The only thought in my head was to run away and that was the exact reason I forced my a.s.s to remain where it was. I was done running. Plus, maybe I could hear their secrets and have an advantage over them.

And then you'll do what? A voice in the back of my mind mocked.

Yeah. I really wasn't interested in ruining other people's lives. I just wanted to be left alone. So, if I heard their secrets I could always flaunt them in their faces when they began to bother me.

I thought it was a pretty cool idea.

Until I saw someone staring accusatorily at me. I was so lost in my evil plot that I hadn't realised someone was standing right in front of me, hands braced over hips.

Hoor.

She plopped down beside me on the bench. "Are you eavesdropping on the kings' convo?" She whispered.

I made a face at the 'king' part. Cringe. "I was just here for some peace of mind. And... well, I realised it might not be the worst if I heard some of their secrets, you know?"

Her eyes widened. "I'd only heard of brutally honest before but now I'm looking at it right in the eye."

I rolled my eyes, popping another soggy fry into my mouth.

"Anyway, I'm in. We hear their secrets. Then what?" She sounded intrigued.

I shrugged. "I was thinking about that part when you interrupted."

"Ouch," She grinned, greyish-black eyes sparkling. "So, let's snoop and then decide what we should do with that information, okay?"

I nibbled my bottom lip, nodding.

"I just said I'm not interested!" Zayn yelled, making me jump out of my skin.

"Why? Is it because of that girl?" Anyone would think Zeeshan was teasing but his voice held anger.

"Oh, please," Zayn said. "You really think Leia is worth even a second of my day?"

I clenched my teeth, ignoring the look Hoor sent my way.

"If she isn't, prove it. Prove that you don't have feelings for your childhood bestie." Zeeshan challenged and I cringed.

"Such drama," Hoor whispered, enthralled.

"I don't have anything to prove to you, you jerk." I heard rustling, as though Zayn was getting up.

Hoor and I made a move to run when we heard it.

"How about a bet?" I could hear the smirk in Anas's voice.