Beena's POV

"One Agua de Valencia, please." I tell the bartender.

Yes, I drink. Yes, I wear short dresses. Yes, I smoke from time to time. Yes, I've been in relationships. Yes, I'm considered Muslim, but I guess that's only by name. But that doesn't mean I don't believe in a higher power; a God.

My relationship with my religion is an extremely complicated and delicate one. My choices, which is considered to be sinful, is a conversation that is only between God and myself.

My friends have tried to get me to quit my troubling behaviour but I'm as stubborn as it gets, resulting in them giving up. Amara still tries though, she's such an angel.

Of course, they've rubbed off on me. I'm not as risky as I used to be in my teenage years. But the wild Beena is still as present as ever.

My friends have accepted me for who I am: my flaws, my problematic behaviours and all.

What an odd group of friends we are, huh? There's the super religious ones, the in between one and the sinful one, all in one tight knit group.

"Beena, you look as stunning as ever." Peter places a kiss on my cheek. "That dress is really doing you a solid for your sexy legs."

His comment makes me smirk. "Turns you on, huh?"

"Hell yeah." He winks.

I met Peter in one of my elective courses. He's absolutely charming and hilarious. I usually don't go further than a short attraction to guys but Peter feels different, I couldn't stop thinking about him.

I'm not afraid when it comes to being outwardly straightforward. I didn't hesitate to strike up a conversation with him in class and we really hit it off. He's the one who invited me to the party.

As our conversation goes on, I see Amara and Dina, who's joined by Zoaya, a few feet away.

This is perfect! I wanted them to see him!

Excitement pours out as I wave at them to come over. "Guys! I want you meet someone!"

• • •

Amara's POV

No, no, no, no. Anyone but Peter. Please, Beena, anyone but Peter.

Dina squeezes my hand, noticing my discomfort.

We walk towards Beena and are joined by Zoya right before we got to Beena.

Zoya leans over to us, "Do you think he's the guy?"

Dina whispers, "It's possible."

"Guys!" Beena's smile is as bright as ever. "This is Peter, the guy I told you about. Peter this is Zoya, Dina, and—"

"And the bossy Amara." He finishes for her.

I couldn't focus because I couldn't look away from Peter's hand that's resting on Beena's bare leg.

Beena and Zoya look at Peter and I in confusion.

"Amara and I are partners in biology class. I know Dina from that class too." Peter grins.

"That's great!" Beena claps her hands in excitement.

Is it though?

How do I tell her what I just heard about him? Will her stubborn butt even listen to anything I have to say?

And she had to like the guy I sort of fancy? I sigh. I'm talking like he's already my husband.

"Beena, make sure you don't make any irrational decisions tonight. We want to be able to take you back home in one piece, thank you very much." I warn her.

She pouts. "Have some faith in me."

"We do have some faith in you." I smile. "I'll be in that corner for the rest of the night, keeping an eye on you." I point towards the corner of the room, beside some door.

She nods.

Then, Zoya gasps. "Wait, what about your -ahem-? You haven't showed us. He's most definitely at this party?"

Peter knits his brows together. "Her -ahem-? What's that?"

"Nothing that concerns you, Peter." I answer.

"Wait, I want to know too." He pouts, just like Beena.

Ya Allāh.

"There's this guy she wants to show us. Nothing big." Beena says.

"BEENA!" Zoya and I yell in sync.

"Oops. Uh, it's really nothing." Beena looks terrified. It slipped out of her by accident.

I face palm. I'll tell them that it was Peter when I get home but for now I need a distraction, some other guy. I scan the room for anyone I recognize from class and that's when I lay my eyes on someone: Munir Fahmy from one of my third year classes.

Perfect. This should keep the girls satisfied for the rest of the night.

"You guys really want to know?" I smirk.

The girls all nod eagerly as Dina looks at me with the 'what are you planning?' look.

I look at Peter who has a look of amusement on his face.

"Munir!" I call out. "Hey! Munir! I'm right here!"

He whips his head in my direction and his lips turn slightly from the corner of his mouth to give half a smile. He was never a cheery kid, barely ever smiled or laughed but he's a really good person from what I've picked up in our classes together.

He gives me a weak wave and shoves his hands back in his pockets, while walking towards me.

To be honest, I never noticed how attractive he is. He has a very strong facial structure, his grey eyes making his face look even sharper. He's on the slimmer side, but he's very tall. Personality wise, he's very relaxed and laid back. He likes keeping to himself and doesn't talk much. But when he does speak, it's very softly and quietly. There were times when I wondered if he was always high; that's how relaxed he is. Now that I think about it, he's the complete opposite of Beena.

"Hey, Amara." He greets me.

"Hey, Munir. I haven't seen you since, what? Molecular Biology class?" I try to make conversation.

He smiles. "It's actually since Microbiology."

"Oh, whoops." I laugh nervously.

He turns to look at Peter, a look of confusion on his face. "Weren't you flirting with Veronica a few minutes ago? Make up your mind, Peter!"

"Why? Do you want me all to yourself, Munir?" Peter smirks.

Munir rolls his eyes.

I blink a few times. "Y-you two know each other?"

Shit.

Peter hangs his arm over Munir's shoulders. "This depressing man and I have been best friends since... since when?"

"I should be offended that you don't remember." Munir sighs.

"What! It's been years. My memory's foggy." Peter frowns.

"We've been friends since around eight to nine years old." Munir clarifies.

"Oh. That's so cool!" Beena smiles.

She thinks it's exciting that both of us like guys who are friends. This is not cool.

What are the odds that something like this would happen to me?

I was thinking I could be smart by bringing in a random person to defuse the curiously of my friends but this has somehow backfired on me.

I sigh out loud. "I'm going to go stand in that corner. Call me when you guys are done."

"That's no fun! Let's go eat something or talk. Maybe I can introduce to the rest of my good friends." Peter suggests.

Food sounds goo— no! Snap out of it, Amara!

"Nope, it's okay. I'm not really hungry." I answer.

That sentence turns the heads of all three girls.

"Since when are you not hungry?" Zoya asks.

I cross my arms over my chest. "Since now! Now if you'll excuse me." I try to walk away.

Right before I was out of earshot, all I heard Beena say was, "Don't mind her. Parties put her on the edge. It's my fault, I always drag her to things she doesn't like because I trust her more than I trust myself."

My heart clenches a little for slightly acting out on my friends but if I stayed any longer, things could've gotten messy.

I look at the time on my phone, it's past 11 PM.

I totally missed Isha nama'az by a good hour. I slowly open the door to the room I was standing beside, praying that it's vacant and not occupied by drunk or high students who are trying to make babies.

I let out a deep breath, it's empty, clean and has a washroom. I can do wudhu.

After wudhu, I perform my prayers, and the second I turn my head to the left to finish, the door bursts open.

I quickly lower my head, trying not to be seen.

Wait, why am I trying not to be seen? How's this going to help?

The girl on the bed starts giggling, "You're tickling me, Daamir!"

Daamir? Daamir Zaki from biology class?

Ya Allah. Astagfirullah.

I can't get out without them seeing me so I do what I have to. I squeeze my eyes shut and stand up.

I stand there for a second but they're so busy shoving their tongues down each other's throats that they don't even notice me in the room.

I guess that's fine, better than being noticed.

I quickly slip out of the room and close the door behind me.

This night has been exhausting, I just want to go home.

- - -

A/N: how do you guys like it so far? I really like the idea of their being a focus on the main couple but also having short stories for the background characters! Let's hope this goes well, Insh'Allah!

Next Update: Saturday, June 15 @ 11 AM (EST/Toronto Time), Insh'Allah!

Please vote and comment and let me know how y'all feel!!