Countdown

Fahmeen's POV:

My lover stayed for the night and left in the morning. I remember it being dawn, curtains still drawn and his arms wrapped around me. I felt him shuffle and sit up. A lingering kiss on my forehead.
"I love you." He whispers and sneaks away. He didn't keep his word that he'd go 'gently into the night'. Instead, he made sure I was full and satisfied and left with light surrounding him.

I stretch out my entire body and sink back into my bed. He was my remedy because I felt incredible. I hear my mother moving about downstairs, she's an early bird. Always has been. Today I would go back to school, in better spirits.

...

2 weeks later:

I was pestered to give out invitations for Jay's party. Around school. How humiliating. People would give me a suspicious look when I approach them but the moment they see my brother's name on the card - they're sold. My brother used to be right in the middle of the social circles, even though he hated it. Dude was as anxious as me yet somehow we ended up on polar opposites of the spectrum. It got me some perks, people eventually left me alone the older I got and the more status he had. School made no sense yet he we are.

"So remember how I told you we have a new princip-
"That's him?!" I gasp, staring at the short bald headed man, huffing down the hallway. Georgia rolls her eyes.

"No. That's what I was going to sa-
"I thought you said he was hot?" I'm speechless.
I guess people like who they like.

"No wait!" She stops and stands in front of me.
"Not him. He's the temporary substitute. The actual principal, the hot principal will be flying in later this week."

"Hmm. Flying in? I wander where from." My thoughts go to Spain? Italy? Japan? Georgia shrugs and leads us to English.

...

"So, the party's tomorrow." Georgia whispers from behind me. I try not to turn back as Rolf has us working in silence on our coursework. He's stressed and in turn we all are. Well, apart from Georgia it seems.

"Turn around! We have to discuss shopping." She thinks she's quiet but she's really not. Russel turns our way and shakes his head, smirking. I smile apologetically and turn to Georgia.
"We'll talk later, Georgia."
"Girls." Rolf looks up from his book. I see his eyebrow arched towards us, whoops.
"Sorry sir." I spill out, embarrassed as people look at us.
He gives me that look again.
"Professor." I mumble, focusing on my work.

My chair is moving. Why is my chair moving?! I turn around to Georgia's mischievous grin.
"Hey! Stop it." I warn.
"He's being serious." I whisper as quietly as I can but she just smirks at me.

"Girls, is there something wrong?" Rolf stops reading, putting down his book. I bite my lip and turn towards him. I shake my head no and he's looking at me with a playful challenge.
"I didn't hear you." He sits up, linking his hands on the desk. I sigh.

"No Professor."

"Mhm, I'm not convinced. Maybe I'll have to keep an eye on you. Please bring your chair, you can sit with me." Rolf was finding this amusing it seemed. Maybe it was but I felt kind of humiliated. I hated attention and now everyone was looking at me as if I've done something wrong.
"Fahmeen, I'm sorry." Georgia whispers and I can't look at her right now.

I avoid Rolf's stare and do as he instructed. Once I sat, people finally looked away. I immediately resumed my writing and I could feel him looking.
"Was there anything else, Professor?" He doesn't respond so I look up at him. He looks a little taken aback by my tone and his eyes are worried now.
"N-no. Please continue."
I politely smile and do just that.

...

I managed to stay by myself the rest of the school day. It was home time, so I was walking out along with the hundreds of other students. I hear a horn of a car and I find Aston behind the wheel.

"Hey Fahmeen! Haven't seen you in a while." He smiles.
"I know. It's good to see you. Here for Georgia?"
He nods and looks behind me, I hear her.
"Hey babe, give me a minute." She asks him and turns to me.
Her face is sorrowful and pleading. I told you she had a pout to change hearts. My own cold heart was melting just looking at her blue eyes.
"I'm sorry. Forgive me?" She holds my hands. I sigh, suddenly feeling so tired.
"It's fine. I probably overreacted."

She kisses my cheek.
"I was going to go shopping, please come with? Aston will drive us there and drop you home." I really couldn't care for shopping right now. I just wanted to go home and eat the fattest meal and cry myself to sleep. Maybe I was getting my period?
"Nah, I'm really tired. I'll find something for tomorrow."
She pouts but she hugs me goodbye.
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

I continue my path to the bus. It gets cut short as someone grabs my arm from behind.
"He-
"Oh it's you." I breath out a sigh of relief as Rolf quickly takes his hand away.
"Hey. Are you okay? Look, I'm sorry about earlier I was being extra. Felt good after last night." He winks but he gets serious as I can't muster a smile back. I feel really tired and just want to close my eyes.
"Fahmeen? Alright, I'm taking you home." I can't protest as he takes me to his car. I lean into his strong body and wish to be weightless.

Fahmeen's POV:

I wake up in my bed. How'd I get here? My phone shows up with a text from Rolf.

(R) I'm sorry I couldn't be there when you woke up. How are you feeling?
(F) Better. Guess all I needed was a nap :) Thanks for dropping me home.
(R) Your mom's worried too. Will you go to the doctors? Please?
(F) I really don't need to, trust me <3 btw the party's tomorrow, remember?
(R) I do. Your mother invited me.

I guess she did it when he dropped me off. I smiled at how comfortable she is with him.

(F) Perfect. Then I shall see you then, Professor ;)

(R) You will baby.

...

"Don't worry, I'm fine." I rush to reassure my mother because she's got her worry face on. I sit down next to her and lean on her shoulder. Being next to her heals most things.

"You're lucky your professor brought you home. He even carried you to your bed. He was worried for you. What was it? Exhaustion? Are you exhausted?"
"No no. It's just stress probably, but I'm perfect now trust me." I don't break eye contact hoping I convince her. I was feeling better, just really hungry.
"There's food in the kitchen. Go eat, please."
I willingly obey and go to find a lemon chicken curry freshly made. My stomach rumbles and my mouth is practically drooling. I can hear my sister laughing in the garden, putting up decorations for tomorrow. My brother's there too and... Emilio?

As I'm spooning the fresh rice onto my plate my mother speaks from behind me,
"Oh yes, Emilio wanted to help out. He came by while you were asleep. I remembered that you liked him so I thought why not?"
I nod and head outside.
"Oh hey Fahmeen." Emilio waves as he's helping Jay with banners.
"Hi Emilio. It's been a while." I sit down on a garden chair, watching them at the far end of the garden lawn.
"It has. Thought I'd help out for the party, heard it's going to be pretty big. We're looking forward to it."
We?

"Really? That's awesome." I say, meeting Sam's eyes. She just looks sheepish and guilty. She must've remembered him as my crush and figured I'd want him there.
"That's fine, right?" Jay asks, he's asking me if it'll be a problem.
"Yeah it's cool." I reassure him and he looks over at Emilio, assessing and goes back to work. I have to appreciate the weather. Spring feels so close because the sun is shining everyday. I can almost feel it's warmth as I clean up my plate.

...

It was close to midnight and one of our family traditions was to stay up till it officially became the birth day. The person would then receive presents from each of us. We were in the living room, relaxing with the unhealthiest foods. Really. I pigged out tonight - chilli cheese fries and a mean cheeseburger. Fuck, my stomach hurt.

I sat on the floor with my siblings, watching the clock approach the number 12.
"You're going to be 21." I whisper excitedly and my brother just nods in acceptance. He asks mum:
"Does this mean I can ride a motorbike now?"
My mother just rolls her eyes as we all laugh. He's asked for this for a few years now so it's become sort of a running joke. She hasn't given in yet and judging by her expression I don't think anytime soon either. *Poor Jay.*