THE PLACE WAS CROWDED.

It was finally the day of the game and everyone had already went schools court where it was decorated for the two opposing teams. It was divided into Maroon and Yellow; the rival teams.

"There are so many fine guys." Precious squealed as the players from Blerkrew walked towards the bleachers, occupying the front row, waiting for the game to start as they chatted with each other.

"I mean, they're okay." Aziza hummed earning a scoff from Dayiba who was sitting beside her.

"Of course I mean, you bagged Fuad Waziri what else could you ask for." Dayiba glared at her playfully.

"Who said I bagged Fuad?" Aziza laughed.

"Because you're the only girl he posted on his instagram account." Dayiba flashed her phone in Aziza's face which was a picture of her sitting on the bleachers with her hands behind her as she laughed, her eyes turning to crescents. There was a few number of likes on the post and she couldn't help but to bite her lip to contain her smile.

"God she's blushing. I called it." Dayiba raised her hand.

"I don't know how you did it, but I want tips." Precious pouted making her laugh, her cheeks flaming up.

"I never said we were together." Aziza clarified.

"Oh definitely. It's not like Kylie Jenner posted a picture kissing her gay friend but I guess that's platonic." Dayiba said sarcastically.

Aziza scanned the people around her spotting Maryam wearing an oversized sweater with her arms wrapped around her waist. She looked almost nonchalant and Aziza wondered if she knew about her relationship with Fuad. She hoped she did.

•••

The locker room was loud as they boys got ready whilst some chattered loudly, most of them half naked.

"What are you doing?" Bilal asked making Faisal look up, smirking when he registered the question.

"We're checking their accounts so we could get their girls numbers." Hafiz chuckled raising his hand for a high five and Faisal slapped his hand, nodding with a laugh.

"Isn't beating them enough?" Fuad directed his question at Faisal who turned serious in seconds, the amusing and playful look on his face completely fading. The room suddenly got thick with tension which Bilal was quick to notice and fortunately Hilal came to the rescue.

"You need to take every thing from them so when you're done, they're left with nothing but their broken pride." Hafiz chuckled maniacally dissipating the growing tension.

"You're crazy." Bilal chuckled.

"Isn't their captain the clown that tried getting with Halima?" Hafiz quirked a brow letting out a laugh at the memory.

"She schooled him." Bilal cackled just as Mr Adeyinka walked in with his hands on his hips, a stern expression on his face.

"Come on, let's go!" He clapped as they quickened their pace, and they were soon filling out of the room with Mr Adeyinka behind them, yelling out and cheering them.

"They play rough, don't listen to them and don't let them anger you. This is your turf so you show them what you got." Mr Adeyinka yelled and several cheers and whoops came form the players as they got to the court, earning a cheers from the schools students.

"Don't let them down." He reminded and they nodded, getting into positions.

The match started in Hervans favor as they shot into the net over and over again, as the cheers only got louder boosting their enthusiasm.

The match took a great turn as Blerkrew started scoring putting them on edge. Aziza placed both her hands over her mouth as she looked over the match intensely. Precious and Dayiba tense up beside her.

Faisal managed to score a shot and the crowd screamed out including Precious and Dayiba that claimed they didn't care about the boy anymore. He licked his lips, his eyes running over the crowd as they ran over Aziza, Precious and Dayiba and landed on Maryam throwing her a wink making her smile.

Precious rolled her eyes at the exchange muttering under her breath. A guy named Waheed snatched the ball from Hafiz scoring another point, making them groan. Naseem managed to snatch the ball from Waheed and passed it to Faisal but the game ended before he could secure a point making him throw his head back in frustration, but slapped hands with Qasim.

They still won by a point and Aziza breathed out in relief, feeling the tense muscles in her shoulders relax. Dayiba let out a laugh placing her hand on Aziza's shoulder, peering into her eyes.

"I've never seen you this invested." Dayiba mocked making Aziza's eyes widen as she blushed.

"Shut up." Aziza muttered, flustered.

•••

"At least we won." Naseem reasoned trying to stay positive earning a few murmurs of agreement as they changed into their normal clothes.

"Besides this is probably our last match, we left with a bang!" Hafiz cheered and Faisal and Bilal chuckled in response.

"If you passed it to me, we would've secured our score." Fuad directed it at Faisal who was fishing his shirt out of his locker. The once loud locker room quieted down, watching the exchange. Faisal threw his shirt on the bench in front of him, turning to face Fuad.

"What?" He raised his brow.

"If you'd passed the ball to me it wouldn't have turned out this way." Fuad repeated clenching his jaw as he took a few steps toward him.

Faisal let out a breath as a laugh. "Don't blame your failures on me. Fuad." He said sternly, before snatching his shirt off the bench, throwing it on.

"Like Naseem said, we won, let's bask in it." Bilal slapped the back of his hand against Fuad's chest. The remaining players resumed their conversations, reducing the tension in the room.

"I'm going to say this, don't endanger your whole team because of a petty reason." Fuad drawled earning a glare from Bilal.

"Fuad, drop it." Bilal warned.

"I'm not in the mood to listen to you cry about how the match was supposed to go, deal with it." Faisal tilted his head to the side, his expression deadly.

"You have something you want to say to me, say it. I don't know what Maryam has been telling you but this isn't your fight." Fuad countered and Faisal squinted his eyes at him.

"Don't bring her into this." Faisal warned sternly, his eyes getting darker at the mention of Maryam's name.

"Suddenly you're talking?" Fuad raised his brow, tilting his head to the side earning a laugh from Faisal as his eyes crinkled at the sides, but they knew it was anything but funny.

"It's funny how you're following around a girl who isn't worth a first glance, but I guess it's nice having a girl just by showing her your account status." Faisal flashed him a sickly sweet smile which angered Fuad as he lunged at him, punching him in the face.

Faisal staggered backwards due to the impact of the blow as he threw his head back, closing his eyes. He was quick to clench his hand into a fist hitting Fuad square in the jaw. He delivered another blow and as he was about to deliver another one, he was pulled back by Hafiz and Nassem whilst Bilal and Qasim held Fuad back.

"Watch your mouth." Fuad gritted his teeth.

"You're throwing something we've built for years for a girl you haven't known for a year." Faisal gritted out breaking out of the two's hold but they stayed close in case he lunged at Fuad once again.

•••

Aziza was confused.

She approached Fuad after the game and he seemed ticked off, a bruise forming on the corner of his lip. It was obvious he had gotten into a fight, but she didn't know who he'd gotten into the fight with.

That was how she stared up at her white ceiling, her head dangling from the bed as she listened to her playlist with her earbuds in. She was up late because she couldn't sleep so she was left with her thoughts. Her phone dinged and she raised her phone checking the notification.

Maryam_Rufai posted for the first time in a while.

She clicked on the notification and the phone redirected Aziza to her story. It was a picture of Faisal and Bilal playing 2k in her room both too invested in the game to realize they were being recorded, Fuad not in sight. It was only then she tapped on her account to stalk her page.

She had a number of pictures and it was usually of her in France, Switzerland and many other countries. She only had one highlight and it mostly consisted of Faisal and Bilal. She deleted anything that had to do with Fuad on her page, but it was the last slide that made Aziza pause.

It was a picture of the four of them, it looked like they were overseas at the time as they were wearing coats. They were on a Ferris wheel and she took a picture of Faisal and Fuad sitting across Bilal and herself, whilst Faisal took a similar picture.

Maryam used to have a few of Aziza's pictures on her account but ever since they had a falling out, she eliminated her out of her life, like she never existed. Aziza bit her lip scrolling to their group, which was still there and the last message there was Bilal's, begging Faisal to escort him to see his mother.

Aziza had to admit, she missed their times together. And she only wished Maryam wasn't as childish to gate keep her friends from her. That was how she fell asleep with the bitter song playing in her ears.

Aziza woke up the next morning later than usual, as she groaned placing her hand over her face. She snatched the earbuds out of her ears placing it on her dresser.

It wasn't long and she was walking down the familiar garden leading to the schools entrance. It was something to be grateful about, and as she was one of the most popular students in the school but she never stopped to think about what she lost in the process.

Her wild thoughts were cut off when Fuad wrapped his arm around her causing her to flinch looking up to meet his eyes, her tense shoulders relaxing at the sight of him. He flashed her a smile and all her negative thoughts washed away because of that darn smile. This boy was going to be the death of her.

"It would've been way better if we came together." Fuad mumbled as he leaned down to peck her cheek feeding more gossip for people later as multiple eyes latched onto the young couple.

"There's no way we can do that here, remember the kind of society we're in." Aziza murmured as she brushed his hand off her shoulder softly, all her worries coming back to her in an instant.

"I thought we weren't the type to care about what people would think." Fuad raised a brow sensing the frustration in her tone.

"That doesn't mean I shouldn't care about what my parents hear about me." Aziza scoffed at his reply.

"What happened?" Fuad asked further confusing Aziza.

"What do you mean?" Aziza sighed fixing the strap of her bag making her way to class but Fuad pulled her back by her wrist, spinning her to face him.

"There's something bothering you." Fuad deduces staring at her intently as she refused to meet his gaze. The simple act put him on edge which resulted in him propping his finger on her chin to look at him.

"What's wrong?" He asked softly and she sighed once again, placing her hand on her forehead blinking back tears. Fuad went ahead to pull her to his chest, for a few seconds and the next thing she knew he was pulling her towards the schools exit. That was enough to snatch her attention as she attempted to pull her hand away which resulted in him tightening his hold on her wrist.

"Where are we going?" Aziza rushed out earning a mischievous smile from Fuad as he pulled his lips in.

"I guess we'll find out." He mused.

"I'm going to miss my class Fuad." Aziza complained and Fuad could only shrug his shoulder uncaringly.

"It's just one." He smiled.

"What if they call our parents?" Aziza preached as she tripped over nothing making him pause as he held her by her shoulders to steady her.

"I'll take care of it." He raised his brows hopefully as his hands dropped to her waist. Aziza bit her lip contemplating his suggestion.

"What do you have in mind?" She looked at him through her lashes watching with a smile how his lips stretched into a wide grin.

"Out of this world babe." Fuad murmured brushing his lips against hers, smiling into the kiss. He pulled away soon after and he was dragging her along once again back to the school grounds using the side gate and they came to face with multiple bikes stacked against each other. Aziza's eyes met Fuad's excited ones with utter disbelief as he grinned back at her.

•••

After their failed ride around the field they made their way back to class. Aziza was slightly worried about the fact that she missed her class and she was late to this one but everything dissipated when they walked into the class finding there was no teacher and their peers were scattered around the class, forming their groups.

Fuad took Aziza's hand in his and the first thing that came to her head was the fact that his hand was warm. A blush crept up her cheeks as she averted her gaze letting him lead her to their seats. She caught Maryam's gaze on their interlaced hands causing a shiver of satisfaction run down her spine as she claimed her seat.

Fuad sat before her earning multiple cheers from his group. Aziza blushed lowering her head whilst Fuad only smiled amusedly from his friends behavior.

"We didn't know we were getting a new addition." Naseem blurted out earning Aziza's attention as she met his eyes, which looked rather resentful but he kept a smile on his face to hide his true intentions.

"Do I need to sign an application first?" Aziza snapped with a tight smile, tilting her head to the side questioningly. The boys raised their hands balled to fists to their mouths as they laughed.

"Naseem take five." Rasheed elbowed Naseem's arm as he slapped the back of his hand over the chest of the boy sitting beside him. Naseem poked his cheek with his tongue and Aziza knew he was trying to take a swipe at her because she led him on, but she wasn't about to let him do that.

Bilal remained quiet instead as he tapped away on his phone, that was until Fuad got his attention.

"Still four?" He raised his brow.

"Of course." Bilal nodded his head, shooting him an almost offended look for asking the question.

Classes were over as some scrambled to their feet in a hurry to get home, swinging their bags over their shoulders as they rushed out of the class. The majority took their time as they conversed with each other, but for Aziza she didn't even want to go back home.

"Is your brother picking you up?" Fuad quirked a brow as they exited the class.

Aziza nodded her head solemnly. "I guess."

"Why don't you come to the match today?" Fuad suggested earning her attention as her head snapped from looking at the floor to him.

"What match?" Aziza questioned just as Laila patted her shoulder earning her attention. Aziza looked over to her flashing her a smile.

"See you tomorrow." Laila's eyes darted behind Aziza. "Hey Fuad." The girl waved shyly and he only nodded in response much to her dismay. She went on her way as Aziza turned to him with a smile and a shake of the head.

"You're so cold." She giggled slapping his arm. Fuad knew she enjoyed how he treated other girls, but she hid behind that fact.

Fuad shrugged his shoulder as he flickered his eyes from his phone to her. "It's a polo tournament. I want you there." He explained making Aziza blush at his words.

"I'll be there." Aziza scratched the back of her ear folding her lips in an effort to hide her smile which Fuad found cute.

"Just let it out." Fuad nudged her with his arm causing a laugh to crawl up her throat. This caused a smug smile to evade his face evidently making her face fall.

She forced an exaggerated smile on her face turning to him. "Happy?" She asked dryly, her face turning blank.

"No you just look creepy to me." Fuad let out a breath as a laugh causing her to gasp. She punched his arm this time around as he crouched slightly in pain, his shoulders still quaking from laughter.

Aziza gasped as she placed her hand on his arm, her brows scrunched up in worry only to see his laughing face when he raised his head up. She rolled her eyes snatching her hand off his back only for his arm to wrap around her shoulder pulling her to his side.

"You're anything but creepy." Fuad cleared his throat ridding the humorous expression on his face seconds ago.

"I change my mind, I'm not coming to your game." Aziza mumbled bitterly.

"Okay, I'm sorry." Fuad seized his laugh as he pulled her by her hand and she turned to face him, a pout forming on her lips making him chuckle.

•••

Fuad dragged Aziza out of the car almost forcefully as he grabbed her around the waist out of the car. She folded her legs squealing as her feet kicked up in the air as if the ground was covered in acid.

"Fuad." Aziza whined as he carefully placed her on the ground, her hands already coming up to cross over her chest.

"I need to boast, now let's go." Fuad jerked his head toward the open field where multiple people were seated, whilst the contenders were petting their horses.

"Why do you even enjoy this?" Aziza stomped her feet like a toddler. Fuad chuckled amusedly at that, finding her antics cute as he wrapped his arm around her neck squishing her to his side.

"Because it's a sport where you exercise your body and you hate anything that requires you moving your body." Fuad eyes raked her figure feigning repulsion and Aziza gasped, placing her hand over her heart staring at him with her mouth agape.

"You did not just say that to my face." Aziza's eyes bulged out of her sockets as she stared at him, waiting for some sort of apology but her nothing in return as he opened the backseat, pulling out his gym bag where his clothes were and the stick.

"I'd like my girl to be a bit more supportive." Fuad murmured loud enough for her hear, but Aziza was not having it as she followed him towards the building by the side, leading to the locker rooms.

"No you're not going to turn the tables on me." Aziza pointed her finger at him as she let out a frustrated laugh. Fuad simply pinned his eyes on her, his eyes roaming her face as he pulled his lips in.

"It was worth trying." He murmured as he leaned down to peck her lips. Aziza fluttered her eyes shut momentarily from the brief contact, before reopening them finding him tilting his head to the side.

"You do know that wasn't enough to make me forget, right?" Aziza tried to make her voice sterner as his simple action left her flustered.

"I guess we'll have to see after the match then." Fuad licked his lips as his eyes flickered from her lips to eyes slowly, his eyes almost teasing.

"You wish."

The game went well and in the end Bilal won which seemed to crush Fuad as he walked towards Aziza with his head lowered slightly, his earlier confidence gone like the wind making Aziza cackle all their way home.