"Sometimes it still shocks me that I even have a husband, especially one like him." -Bayan Ameer, CSL.

C H A P T E R  N I N E: FLORIDA HERE WE COME

Bayan Ameer

"You're so annoying." I told Omar while we were laying on the couch. We just finished watching Creed and he was making fun of the way I was staring at Michael B. Jordan. What can I say? I love me some Michael.

Omar just continued to laugh at my reaction which made me laugh too. Okay his smile is really growing on me. We have been spending a lot of time with each other lately and I like it. He really is a cool person to be around when you want  just to laugh or smile.

He also has a way of making me feel less stressed about everything, like nothing else really matters.
He's nothing like I thought he was when I first met him. He's the complete opposite, he's nice, funny also very handsome. As cheesy as it may sound, he's really growing on me. Suddenly he gave me a weird look as he caught me staring at him.

"Why are you staring at me? Do I have something on my face? Oh man I knew I should've shaved this morning." He panicked covering his unshaven stubble.

I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction, yup he's a keeper. "No," I said with a laugh. "Wow since when are you self conscious?" I wondered. He's always confident like he doesn't care what anyone thinks about him which is another quality of his that I've grown to admire. "I-I don't know."He replied nervously.

"Aw, do I make you nervous!?" I couldn't help but grin at him. "No." He said unconvincingly. He's so cute when he's embarrassed! "Aw you're so adorable." I cooed pinching his cheeks like a little kid when they're around their crush. He quickly swatted my hands away as if he's embarrassed.

"Hey I'm not adorable. Anyways I've been meaning to tell you that I'm going to Florida the day after tomorrow. It's Aisha's kindergarten graduation and I want you to be there. Do you want to come with me?" He asked as he rocked back and forth with his feet. Go to Florida? I immediately started jumping around in excitement. I never left Detroit before! I also have no school for a whole week. This is perfect!

"Yes! Oh my god I am so excited! How many days are we staying!?" I asked all in one breath. He started laughing at my reaction. "Five days. I'm so happy that you want to come along. You know part of me was scared you would say no and I'd have to go solo." He replied with a smirk. "Why would I say no? I get to go to a beautiful state and spend some time with my-" I quickly stopped myself mid sentence. I never actually said the words my husband in front of him. I guess it just makes me nervous.

Sometimes it still shocks me that I even have a husband, especially one like him.

"Your what?" He asked teasingly.

"My friend that I'm legally married to."

The smirk on his face dropped.

"You're no fun, just say the word husband. Because I am and you are my wife." He said with a some what sad expression.

"Fine, my husband who I'm lucky to have." I said just to make him happy which seemed to have worked. He immediately smiled as if he won a Grammy. Why do I feel like I won a special prize too? Whenever I'm around him I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I know this is so cheesy and cliche but it's true.

"So um," I cleared my throat. "What time do we leave?" I asked awkwardly. He seemed to have snapped out of whatever trance he was in.

"In the morning around 8AM. I'll pick you up around 7:30AM. Don't worry I asked your parents and they're completely okay with it. I actually did all of that without asking you because I had a feeling you'd want to come along. So it's all set now all you have to do is get ready. Okay?"

"Alright then. I'm so excited!" I exclaimed jumping up and down like a child. I gave him a quick hug and kiss on the cheek, even surprising myself. That's the first time I gave him a kiss. "Um," He cleared his throat, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

"Your welcome, anything for you."

* * *

"I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreaming but, there's a voice inside my head saying you'll never reach it~" Amina and I sang along while watching Hannah Montana The Movie. She loves this movie so much like seriously, and every time there's a song she has to sing along with it and make me do it as well.

I guess I don't mind I mean who doesn't love Hannah Montana? "I love your voice Bay! Please sing it again!" Amina urged giving me a hopeful look.

"But I, I got to be strong. I got to just keep pushing on! Cause, there's always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna wanna make it move." I couldn't help but get into my zone as I held my baby sister in my arms. I told you Hannah Montana is my jam.

"There's always gonna be an uphill battle. Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose!" I tried my best to hit the high note which luckily I did. "Ain't about how fast I get there. Ain't about what's waiting on the other side! It's the climb..." I concluded. She started clapping happily once I finished. Getting up I grab her hand and turn off the tv."Now it's time for you to go to sleep. Come on before mom gets upset." I responded with a sigh. She reluctantly got up and went to the rest room.

After a little bit I walked into my room and immediately felt sleepy. I'm just so excited for tomorrow. I can't wait to go to Miami and go sight seeing. Best of all I'm going with my husband. I never thought I'd love hearing the words my husband coming out of my mouth.

* * *

I was ready and packed before Omar came to pick me up. I never thought I'd be excited to wake up at 4 AM and start packing before in my life. Like seriously I'm not the type of person who willingly gets out of bed. I guess people can change their habits. "Ready?" Omar asked, grabbing my bags and walking towards the car. I nodded my head as I opened the door to the passenger seat and got in. "Ready as I'll ever be." I responded with a smile.

I'm just excited to leave the state, go sight seeing, enjoy the beautiful weather. Omar got inside the car and started the engine. Pretty soon we were out of my neighborhood and on our way to the airport. "When we get there a friend of mine is going to be waiting for us so he could take my car." He said, his eyes focused on the road.  "Which friend?" I asked curiously. I can't help it I'm just a very curious person. Well my father is a part of the FBI so I guess its in my blood.

"You probably don't know him." He replied as he drove into another lane. After a while the car got silent. I guess we're both just tired and can't wait to get there already. It's relaxing sometimes to just be with each other and not have to say anything but still be comfortable.

I don't know when this happened but things have started to change between Omar and I. And I couldn't be happier that it did. I guess it's just meant to be.

* * *

"Hey, we're outside." Omar said to someone on the phone. "Oh okay see you then." He then hung up. After a couple of seconds someone started to approach us. The moment I recognized who it was it became hard for me to breathe. H-Harun?.. He's Omar's friend!? How did I not know this? We then made eye contact with each other. He had a certain look in his eyes that I couldn't really explain. He looked... Guilty. Was it because of that day?

Another horrible thought soon came to my mind. Did he tell Omar about what happened? No he couldn't have... I reassured myself. Surely if he did then Omar would've asked me about it. But then again he is the type of person that wouldn't say anything if he knows the person he's saying it to, wouldn't want to hear it.

Clearing his throat, he started talking to Omar. "So Florida huh? Make sure to get something for me before you guys come back." Harun said, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. "I got you bro. Anyways thanks for coming here to pick up my car. I appreciate it." Omar replied giving him a bro hug or whatever they call it.

"No problem."

"Oh and Harun this is Bayan, Bayan this is my best friend Harun." Omar said with a smile. What should I do? Should pretend this is my first time meeting him? No... I can't lie to Omar. But then again it's not that big of a lie right? Thankfully Harun made the first approach. "We know each other actually. I'm marrying her cousin Alima remember?" He replied with a nervous laugh.

"Oh yeah I forgot."

"It's nice to see you Harun. And you better treat her well." I gave him a threatening smile. Boy deserves it. I know he's messed up in the past and he's probably changed but I still will make sure he will not hurt Alima and anyway. "You have my word. Anyways I think it's time for you guys to get going." He said as he looked at the time on his phone.

"You're right," Omar agreed, getting our luggage out of his trunk. Once he was far enough not to hear us I went up to Harun. "I-I don't know what to say." He stuttered. "It's fine you don't have to say anything." I said with a sigh. He gave me another apologetic look like he didn't know what else to do.

"I'm really sorry. I did a lot of stupid things back then. I was just lost." He tried to explain. In some ways I get what he's saying. I mean his mom died that year and his father was in dept. I get that he wanted to escape it all. But it still doesn't make up for the fact that I almost got you know what that day. Luckily he doesn't know that, no one does and hopefully no one will ever know.

"I understand." I said after a moment of silence.

"Okay let's go."

Florida here we come...

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STAY

QURUX

MY

QURUXLEYS

MWAH!!:) 💋