Walking down the brightly decorated street, Nicholas found himself admiring endless rows of flags, representing countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He admired the multi-colored people from all different backgrounds, laughing, talking, and supporting one another as they each proudly held onto their heritage like an ironed mark. There was nothing that could deter their pride.

It was the annual World Festival, where immigrants had the chance to teach others about their cultures and communities. After escaping from his parents' deafening silence, Nicholas joined his friends, parading around the festival, tasting new cuisines, and admiring the blending of multiple cultural aspects that made America the vibrant country he believed in.

Although his America suffered at the hands of injustice, pummeling into eras of suffering and bloodshed among innocents, he still believed. Even after America forfeited its right to life by allowing deranged men the arm of mass destruction, he still believed.

He believed that a country with so many different ethnicities, so many intellectuals, so many freedoms had the ability to cross boundaries, the ability to succeed in the face of defeat.

He didn't hate America.

Freedom was an abstract concept, an idea that motivated the helpless into new lands, where their dreams had no limits. A taste of American freedom was the fruit that prospered when new leaders changed the world, changed the politics, changed the status quo.

People died for his freedoms, and Nicholas found himself more blessed as he reflected upon history.

If it wasn't for those who died in the past, fighting for what they believed in whether it be the constitution or social justice, they had created a new America in their debris. His eyes would have been blinded from the beauty of diversity and its roots in an exceptional history, a book of every evil and every pure deed etched within its borders.

"You seem a little dazed, Nick," commented Elijah. "You alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, clearing his throat. "Where's your girlfriend?"

Elijah's dusky eyes brightened. "Kiona is looking at Native American beads with Dina. They're such nerds," he grinned.

"Like us?" asked Nicholas with a cheeky smile.

"Exactly like us."

The boys erupted in a fit of laughter.

With a smile, his blue eyes landed on the exotic beauty before him, a modest covered girl who managed to steal his heart without his consent, a girl devoted to God in every way possible, a girl who lit up any room she walked into.

As if hearing his thoughts, Dina's almond-shaped eyes met his, melting his insides until he felt heat crawl up his cheeks.

"Look at how pretty the beads are," she said in awe, not realizing the effect she had on him, "Kiona says that each one has a special meaning, a purpose in their placement."

"Really?"

She nodded eagerly, distracted by the smear of colors on the table.

Kiona was Elijah's beloved girlfriend, perhaps his wife in a couple of years. The two had met in the beginning of college, instantly sweeping each other off their feet and whisking into paradise like lost birds. Their love story fell into the pages of romance novels, courtship matching dukes and duchesses of Britain in their valiant attempt to maintain a relationship even when others discouraged it.

Grown from the Native American culture, Kiona carried burdens of society on her shoulders like an Olympian from ancient Greece. Her future had been determined by those who believed change was impossible.

Her brown skin and straight, ebony hair became a testament to her people, red tattoos that drew her history in patterns, and dark cat-like eyes witnessed the struggles of her past. She created her identity with only a few ingredients of her heritage.

Instead of submitting to the wishes of oppressors, Kiona pursued her college degree in education and in a couple of weeks, she would join Nicholas and Elijah on the stage, holding their diplomas for the world to see.

Bringing his mind to the present, Nicholas stood beside Dina as he watched her growing fascination with Native American culture. Earlier, her brothers had chased after a Muslim clerk for discounts.

Classic Bengali kids.

In the corner of his eyes, he noticed Elijah's arm around Kiona's waist. She leaned into his touch, appreciating the warmth that he provided her. If only I could do the same, he thought, but Dina isn't Kiona. She's a Muslim and religion would always come before love.

Dina watched the couple as fondly as Nicholas had, a look of longing entering her eyes but it disappeared as quickly as it came. Her self-control restrained her from committing grave sins, an ability that many refused to acknowledge, choosing to call her nasty names for her purity. He wondered if Islam benefited Muslims to the point where redemption became a daily prayer in the eyes of God.

He wondered if it was what he needed to finally find peace in his restless soul. Would Islam make me like Dina? Would I become a faithful servant of God?

"So," started Dina, gazing at Kiona with a heartfelt smile, "you two ever think about reenacting Pocahontas?"

"Dina!" groaned Kiona. "You are the absolute worst."

"Nick wasn't kidding when he said you breathed Disney movies," muttered Elijah under his breath.

Nicholas shrugged. "Dina has an unhealthy obsession with everything."

"Nemo," pouted Dina, "you're being a bully."

Elijah let go of Kiona, turning to Nicholas with an amused expression. "Nemo, huh? I would love to hear the story behind that name," he grinned.

Before he could open his mouth, Dina took the lead. "He's literally Nemo from Disney. He breaks library rules all the time and pretends to be tough when he's really just a big marshmallow."

Kiona laughed. "You heard it here, folks. Nicholas is officially a marshmallow."

"If he's a marshmallow, then I'm a s'more. We gotta include some delicious diversity in this conversation," joked Elijah.

"See what you've done, Dina. They're making food references from Disney," cringed Nicholas.

She shrugged. "You just hate happily ever afters."

"Pocahontas didn't have a happily ever after."

"Yes, she did!" exclaimed Dina. "She married John Rolfe."

"And then died a couple years later."

"Nick, don't ruin classic Disney," hissed Kiona as she slapped his shoulder. "People these days have no respect for masterpieces."

"That's what I said," stated Dina, grinning at her friend. "But seriously you look like Pocahontas. You need a John Rolfe."

Elijah cleared his throat. "I thought I was the John Rolfe."

"You are," smiled Kiona, leaning up to peck him on the lips.

"Get a room!" yelled Dina and Nicholas simultaneously.

The couple chuckled at their friends' distaste in their display of affection, yet Nicholas didn't miss the yearning hidden behind her guise of perfection, the fear circling her pupils. It was as if she worried about her own love life, her own affair, her own secrets. Nicholas was her secret.

"Hey, Dina," he whispered.

Brought out of her daze, her dark eyes flickered to him, confused. "What?" she asked.

"Even though we can't be like Elijah and Kiona, I still love you."

"Nemo, what are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about us," he smiled. "I wouldn't trade our trials for anything in the world."

He noticed the crystal glaze coating her eyes, the raw emotion that seeped through her veins. Their romance wasn't like others, their love story was hidden from the world, concealed by a lock and key.

For some reason, it didn't bother Nicholas. If being a secret love meant a lifetime with the girl of his dreams, he would patiently wait his time.

Afterall, Nicholas was one step closer towards a religion that promised him everything that he had been searching for.

----

Chapter thirteen was published in my school's literary magazine. Now my school can read about Nemo XD

Sorry for the wait. I took the SAT and was stressed out of my mind. I made the chapter longer to make up for it ;)

Yes, Kiona is the famous girlfriend of Elijah. Any thoughts on her character?

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