THERE WAS A SHIFT AND EVERYONE NOTICED. Maryam was trying to do a good job of hiding it but there were some cracks no matter how hard she tried to keep the mask on. They still sat chairs away from each other, conversed with the same people.

She didn't bother telling Bilal what went down between them, nor did she tell Faisal the full story. She just labeled the fight as a small argument to be squashed in no time. She couldn't bring herself to destroy their years of friendship because of her feelings.

The only thing was she was detached from Fuad which everyone noticed but no one had the guts to say it out loud. Aziza didn't really expect the reaction from Maryam. She expected her to be hysterical and impulsive but she handled it pretty well leaving her to question herself.

Chemistry class was the same.

Another small fact turning their minds going back to phase one leaving most of the class clueless and aggravated. It didn't help that someone pissed off Mr Solomon and he chose to take it out on their pour souls.

"I'm giving you a project." He announced earning groans from the whole class, slumping in their chairs at the revelation. He remained unbothered with about off expression on his face, his eyes roaming the class.

"Fatima," He called out making her perk up. "Take down their names and numbers, the first and last ten should be divided into two groups." He instructed earning a curt nod from Fatima who retrieved a book from her desk. He turned to the class, clasping his hands.

"I want it submitted to my table first thing on Monday. No exceptions." He clarifies snatching his book off the desk, stomping out of the class.

"I even want to be punished just to go to his class at this point." Dayiba giggled leaving Aziza to stare at her judgmentally with a shake of her head. She didn't understand what the fuss about the dean. He's good looking, yes. But she felt like the students were hyping him a bit too much.

Fatima walked to the front of the class placing her sky blue book on the standing desk, clearing her throat loudly to earn the attention of the class which slightly worked as their eyes fell on their, whilst some carried on with their conversations completely disregarding her.

"I'm going to pass out two papers, everyone should write down their name and number. I'll inform you about your respective groups in the group." Fatima tore off a paper off her book neatly, her shoes clacking against the tiles as she handed Asiya, who was sitting in front by the left a paper.

She did the same to Waheed before walking back to her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. She felt a hand tap her on her shoulder resulting in her turning around to meet Khadija's eyes.

"What do we have next?" Khadijah scratched her head cluelessly. Fatima shot her a look of disbelief, not trying to hide the judgement on her face.

"It's second term and you still don't know the timetable? I new to get new friends." Fatima shook her head judgmentally. "We have Biology next."

A few seats away was a whole different conversation going on between Aziza and Fuad. Fuad pulled his hoodie over his head, slightly framing his face as he leaned against the wall facing Aziza who's sitting on the desk beside his, his right leg propped up leaving his other leg stretched out.

"You're not serious." Aziza barked out a laugh crossing her legs leaving Fuad to stare at her with a soft smile.

"I doubt they'll even realize I'm gone." Fuad tiled his head to the side. Faisal's eyes flitted between the two before landing on Maryam seated at the table beside his, her head resting on the table as she doodled on her notebook.

"You know what will make it better though?" Aziza raised a brow.

"What?"

"Just asking for it." Aziza deadpanned earning a cackle from Hilal who threw his hands in an exasperated manner, obviously done with Fuad.

"Can someone tell me what this goddamn project she's yapping about, about?" Naseem asked with a hand on his temple.

"Hey, regard her with respect." Hilal slapped his chest with the back of his hand causing Aziza to tilt her head, surprised he was standing up for the girl. "She's hot."

Aziza rolled her eyes at his reply. "Teenage boys are so hormonal."

Fatima approached them causing them to quiet down as their eyes bounced to her. She nodded at them in acknowledgement passing the fresh paper to Faisal who looked up, his eyes flickering from the paper to her questioningly.

"You're in the first ten." Fatima explained earning a nod from him as he took the paper in his hands sliding the pen off the notepad, scribbling his details before handing her the pen.

"Tell me we're in the same group." Faisal flashed her a weak smile making Fatima beam as she lowered her head trying to hide her smile.

"I'll see what I can do." She winked trying to play it cool as she moved to the other table. The bell rang minutes later and Naseem was already standing to his feet.

"Time for PE." Naseem announced to the class as the sports prefect already making his way out of the class to change into their clothes.

The class soon broke out in baseless conversations as they made their way to their respective locker rooms. It was the only class the students were more than willing to participate.

"I doubt he's coming today. We're twenty minutes late." Bilal observed as they made their way towards the bleachers, hands in his pockets.

"I think it's because of the weather, no one seems to be in the mood for that." Maryam glanced around prompting Bilal to do the same.

"What I'd give to be tucked in my sheets watching Avatar right now." Maryam sighed as they climbed up the stairs.

"It's a good thing we're here then." Faisal whispered to Bilal causing the two to share a chuckle. Maryam who was walking ahead turned to them, her eyes bouncing between the two suspiciously.

"You're sus." Maryam eyeballed them causing her to miss a step before balancing herself with her hands extended.

"Face forward." Bilal ordered causing Faisal to chuckle whilst Maryam flashed him a middle finger. They settled on the seats in the fifth row with Bilal in the middle, their feet propped on the seats in front of them.

"It's crazy how we'll all be in different continents by the end of the year." Faisal chuckled shaking his head in disbelief.

"They literally allow us to travel on our own but we can't go the same university together?" Bilal let out a breath as a laugh, questioning their parents reasoning.

"You guys are already menaces, it would be an absolute disaster. You'll influence each others decisions like crazy. I doubt any of your parents wants to see their child on the news." Maryam exaggerated as she gestured to her head as if it's common sense.

"And you're an exception?" Faisal cocked his brow challengingly at Maryam and she was quick to avert her eyes from his, obviously guilty.

"Of course I am. That's why they entrust you to me because I keep you guys in check." Maryam defended pushing her hands up her thighs.

"Who made us open a tinder account to poach gay guys?" Bilal recalled placing his hand on his temple.

"It was one prank." Maryam rolled her eyes, a mischievous smile curved her lips as she shared a brief look with Faisal.

"I don't know about you Maryam but Bilal seemed overly interested in that prank, didn't he?" Faisal drawled causing Bilal's eyes to widen in horror as he waved his hands profusely.

"You seemed more interested in the prank more than anyone. You orchestrated everything." Bilal spluttered looking towards Faisal who shook his head, fluttering his eyes closed.

"Maybe that's why he got soft in the end, remember he was all nice telling us to call it off?" Maryam teased.

"Maybe his heart got swayed." Faisal rested his hand on his chin appearing to be in thought.

"Don't tell me." Maryam gasped leaning over Bilal to Faisal who brought his head closer. She placed her hand beside her mouth to his ear.

"He caught feelings?" Maryam whispered loud enough for him to hear. Faisal whipped his head to look at Bilal with a scrunched face.

"You're zesty bruh?" He scooted away from Bilal who seemed to be done with the duo. They burst out in cackles as soon as they saw his expression.

They threw their heads back as their laughs echoed around the place. They calmed down a few minutes later as Maryam wiped a tear away dramatically.

"Seriously though. I was thinking maybe visiting each other during summer." Faisal expressed earning their attention.

"So what? We're gonna rotate?" Bilal tiled his head.

"That seems like a good idea." Maryam hummed as she looked between the two.

"Why did you choose Japan of all places? You do know they have the highest amount of rapists right?" Faisal instigated.

"No they don't, that's all India." Maryam rolled her eyes.

"Do you see the sick stuff they like? That country is swarming with pedophiles." Faisal exclaimed, flickering his eyes from Bilal to Maryam but all he got was a fake smile from Maryam feigning interest.

"They created Hentai. And let me tell you, it's sick." Bilal contributed to Faisal's biography Japans high rate of pedophilia.

"And what, you go to Japan, a black, muslim, African underage girl to fulfill their sick pedophilic fantasies?" Faisal rambled too invested in the topic to notice Maryam looking towards Bilal with her lips pressed together and he shook his head.

"Faisal, we get your emphasis on pedophilia." Maryam interjected with her hands stretched out just as Fuad and Aziza took a seat beside Faisal which made Maryam tense immediately which didn't go unnoticed by both Bilal and Faisal.

"What's Faisal making up?" Aziza giggled leaning forward, her hands clutching the edges of the plastic seat.

"How Japan is flooded with pedophiles." Bilal grumbled.

"It's actually true though. They watch hentai like crazy." Aziza's eyes bugged out of her sockets only to tilt her head to the side when she didn't get the reactions she was expecting. They seemed relieved rather than shocked.

"That was literally what I was saying a minute ago." Faisal let out a stressed breath looking towards Maryam who guiltily avoided his gaze looking over the field.

"It's not like the place is literally swarming with creeps. You're judging it based on social media." Maryam exhaled reminding Aziza of her a mother scolding her child.

"That's the fact. Just like how people think all Nigerians are scammers, I mean isn't it the same thing?" Bilal defended only for Maryam to chuckle.

"You just made my point dumbass." Maryam chuckled dryly eliciting a groan from Faisal.

"We're just trying to prevent the inevitable from happening." Faisal whined.

"And that is?" Aziza butted in.

"Maryam getting kidnapped by a forty year old hentai watching pedophile as soon as she lands in Japan." Faisal's eyes darted to Aziza who hummed whilst Fuad remained quiet not speaking a word since he came.

"I think kidnapping is the best case scenario." Aziza furrowed her brows partaking in the conversation. It seemed normal, but Maryam didn't feel like being apart of anything that had to do with Aziza.

It was just funny to Maryam (infuriating) that Aziza had the guts to sit in front of her after everything she's said, like it never happened. She was never one to cause a scene nor did she want to include Faisal and Bilal in their fight. So she chose to pull herself out of their discussion.

"It seems like he isn't coming." Maryam mumbled as her eyes darted around the field as Faisal hummed in response. "I think I'm gonna head out first." She announced already getting off her seat.

"Already?" Bilal quirked a brow whilst the rest of the group remained quiet. Faisal stared at her silently from the side nibbling on his inner lip.

"I'd rather spend the free period sleeping." Maryam squinted her eyes at him mischievously. Aziza not knowing the conversation they had before they came translated it into something else causing her smile to fade which didn't go unnoticed by Fuad.

"Can't you take a better approach than this?" Fuad says loud enough for Maryam to hear earning a reaction from her as she paused in her steps.

"Whatever you want to say, just spit it out already." Maryam turned on her heels to face him and Aziza who seemed to take a newfound interest in her sweater.

"Let's just avoid making personal connections where they don't apply. No need to make everyone uncomfortable." Fuad's put out bluntly causing Maryam to scoff at his shameless behavior.

"You're inserting yourself in a situation that isn't about you." Maryam snapped maintaining her calm demeanor which seemed to take Fuad aback as he tilted his head to the side.

Faisal and Bilal could only stare them both in confusion, clueless as to why they were both firing shots at each other, something that had never happened before.

"Let's just calm down." Bilal drawled trying to prevent the situation from escalating, not that anyone paid attention to him though.

"What have we done?" Aziza tilted her head to the side, almost challenging Maryam. "We just want to hang out as friends, and you seem to always get in the way. We had a fight and you don't want to talk about it, fine. But don't make this more complicated than it already is."

"I'm not about to exchange words with you Aziza. You seem to be forgetting your quaint opinions have no place in our conversations. I hope I've jogged your memory cause it seems like Fuad is making you forget that." Maryam's sultry voice added to the undermining words she shot at Aziza, her eyes boring into Aziza's which seemed to tear up.

"Maryam." Faisal called out in a warning tone.

"No Faisal, I think I'm being too nice these days. You insult me beyond repair and yet you have the effrontery to appear in front of me, and what? You want me to partake in the same conversation?" Maryam scoffed loudly, resting her hands on her waist.

"Is this really about that? Or are you being insecure because everyone is starting to notice how much of an empty shell you are and we constantly have to paint and revive it somehow?" Fuad's words cut deep. She didn't want to admit it but it did.

"Fuad." Bilal drawled but just like Faisal, his warning was dismissed. He wanted to crush her more.

"We've known each other for a long time, I get it. But that doesn't mean you should project whatever your father fails to do for you, on us." Everything happened in a flash. As soon as the words left Fuad's lips, Faisal leaped over Bilal ramming his fist into Fuad's face.

"You've gone too far." Faisal bellowed just as Bilal wrapped his arms around him to restrain him. By then a lot of people started looking towards the commotion and seeing the people fighting, they started coming closer.

"Calm down." Bilal whispered in Faisal's ear who was breathing heavily, only for Fuad to reach across Aziza lunging at Faisal, swinging his fist at Faisal's jaw.

"Picking favorites now?" Fuad raised his brow looking over Bilal's shoulder who was pushing him back.

"Are you listening to yourself?" Faisal let out a laugh revealing his pearly white teeth.

"You're going to discard her because of what? Maryam doesn't like her anymore? Suddenly you don't know her anymore?" Fuad challenged tugging his arm from Aziza's hold as she tried pulling him back.

"Who introduced her to us? It's her choice whether she discards her or not." Faisal let out with a shrug of his shoulders.

His admission pushed Fuad over the edge as he made an effort to lunge at Faisal who was quick to pull Maryam by her wrist, pushing her away from him just as Fuad's fist landed on his cheek.

His head whipped to the side from the impact as he collapsed onto one of the chairs. Faisal threw his head back with a groan, lolling his neck to the side.

"You're really serious about this huh?" Faisal flickered his eyes from Aziza to Fuad, his humorous expression turning deadly and he kicked Fuad's stomach in a flash causing him to stagger grunting in pain.

He was on his feet the next second making his way towards Fuad only for Maryam's dainty hand to grab his arm, stilling his movements. He turned his head to the side in response.

"Let's just go. Please." Maryam whispered clutching onto his arm. His body was still tense as he released a breath. His eyes darted to Fuad who was being tended by Aziza whilst Bilal stayed in between.

It was ironic because that's how their group was as of now. Divided. Fuad winced when Aziza's hand accidentally brushed against his cheek. She flinched in response muttering a quick apology.

Faisal chuckled at the sight as he wiped his bloodied nose turning on his heels leaving the bleachers and the field entirely.