"She's here? My mother is here in New York!?" -Adam Mathews, IASWAD.
CHAPTER TWENTY: A Hard Blow

Zamzam Amin

To help get my mind off of things I decided to hangout with both Aliyah and Samantha. Aliyah and Sam have always gotten along and have been close friends ever since anyone of us could remember. Right now we're in my room while Mrs. Mitchel and Grams are talking up a storm downstairs like they always do. "What movie should we watch?" I asked as I scrolled through my Netflix account.

"Brotherly love!" Aliyah exclaimed excitedly.

I quickly played that movie on my TV set. After that I walked back to my bed where we were all comfortably sitting while eating popcorn. Usually I'd hate eating anything on my bed but right now I'm letting it go and trying to enjoy myself. "Quincy Brown is so good looking!" Sam said once we saw his name show up on the screen.

"Tell me about it!" Aliyah agreed while munching on the popcorn.

"Ayye you got Amir, you better not cheat on my best friend!" I said jokingly while eating the pop corn as well. In response she hit me playfully on my back then turned to the TV. As we were watching the movie I began to notice how the character June is a lot like Abdirahman. Of course without the gang and drug dealing and stuff. He's just so over protective and at times he acts as if he's like my dad just like June does to his little sister Jackie. I guess Jackie and I have a lot in common, we're both two teenage girls trying to deal with difficult situations and don't know how to solve the problems that are being thrown our way. I feel like I could relate a lot to this movie.

After we were done watching the movie we decided to chill and talk. "So what's been going on with you guys? Other than Aliyah getting engaged and all." Sam questioned as she laid down on my pillow comfortably. "I'm taking part in the school play." I replied. Oh man I'm going to have to see him there.

Ever since he broke off the bet I haven't talked to him or Isa. I never thought I'd say this but being around Isa has been really awkward lately. I'm not talking to him and he's also not taking to me. So whenever we're around each other it's completely silent. And every time either Grams or Baba ask what's going on we both just shrug in response. I've never got into this big of a fight with him before in my life.

"Oh yeah we're doing High School Musical right?"

"Yup," I responded, popping the 'P'.

"So how's the bet going with you and Adam? Have you cracked him yet?" Samantha asked with a mischievous look on her face. Oh I forgot to tell her that the bets off...I guess with all the craziness going on I forgot to fill her in. "The bets off." I said as I took the remaining popcorn and put it in my mouth. I could tell that they were both surprised without even looking at them.

"What!?"

"Why?"

"What happened!?"

I had questions being thrown at me left and right at this moment and I didn't know the answers to any of them. "I don't know, he just called it off I guess..." I honestly didn't know how to answer their questions. How could I when I myself don't know? Lately I've been asking so many questions but have got little to no answers. I'm done always being the one to be left in the dark about everything.

"Okay let's change the subject!" Aliyah exclaimed, noticing my discomfort about the subject. Thank Allah!

* * *

When the girls left I decided to go downstairs and get something to eat. The moment I did I started to regret it because not only was Isa there but so was Adam. Thank God I had my scarf on my head this time or else there would've been big trouble. Once they saw me they started to get quiet which annoyed me. "Don't worry I'm only grabbing a water bottle then I'm leaving." I said as I walked passed them and towards the fridge.

"What's this?" Isa asked as he held up my phone, there was a text message sent to me. I grabbed my phone from him and read the message.

Unknown: I know what your brother and his friends are up to and if you care for them do exactly as I say.

"How long has this person been texting you?" Now it was Adam's turn to question me. I just continued to stare at the text trying to understand what exactly this person meant by it. If you care about them do exactly as I say...That part wouldn't stop ringing in my ears. Was that supposed to be a threat? "What's going on Zam?" My brother added while staring me down as if I just committed a crime.

"Nothing." I tried to walk away but he prevented me by blocking my way. To say I felt irritated would be an understatement. He doesn't tell me anything and now he's expecting me to spill my guts to him? Yeah right. "Get out of my way Isa." I tried to remain calm but it was hard. "Answer the god damn question!" He shouted, making me jump a little from his sudden outburst.

"Why?" I challenged him. "Just like you won't tell me anything why do I have to tell you!? Huh!?" I said as I crossed my arms over my chest. "He's just trying to protect you." Adam chimed in. I turned to him with fire in my eyes. Who does he think he is?

"Protect me? Last time I checked I'm not a baby that needs protecting! And you shouldn't even be talking, you're just like him. Why did you break off the bet? Huh? Please answer that and once you do I will gladly answer any questions you guys throw my way." I replied, my voice raising an octave. They were both quiet and didn't answer my question. "See? Now if you don't mind, I'm leaving." I walked up stairs and locked my door. I jumped on my bed and laid there like that. How the hell does my brother expect me to be honest with him when he's hiding things and keeping secrets?

I'm just so sick and tired of all of this. Don't think of them, I told myself. Ya that's the best thing to do right now.

* * *

"Thank you for watching the bakery Habibti. I will be back in an hour or two." Grams said as she grabbed her bag and left. I promised her that I'd watch the bakery while she leaves to go run some errands. For the rest of the week I couldn't stop thinking about the text messages I received a couple of days ago. This is definitely not a prank anymore, that's for sure. I just can't help but wonder what that person wants from me. Are they trying to help?

Suddenly the bell on top of the entrance door jingled indicating that someone came in. "Welcome-" I looked up and saw an old man with a suit and brief case walk in. I couldn't help but notice the huge scar that was above his eye also the fact that both of his eyes were different colors. One of them was a pale blue while the other was black. He looked at me as he walked around the bakery.

"H-How may I help you?" I stuttered suddenly feeling very uneasy. "Oh I'm just looking around, these cakes look nice." His voice was very deep and raspy. "Did you bake these?" He questioned as he stared at the cakes. "No actually, my Grandma did." I responded, keeping a close eye on him. Something about this man seemed off. I just can't point my finger at it...

"Well I just wanted to stop by and check this place out." He headed back towards the front door. "You seem like a nice girl so let me give a piece of advice. Be careful with who you trust." He added as he left the shop. Be careful with who you trust...What did he mean by that?

Adam Mathews

"Hey Adam!" I turned around to see the members of the football team headed my way. I momentarily groaned but got over it once they were all in front of me. Behind me was both Amir and Isa, we decided to meet up at Panera then to go over to Amir's place to talk about what we were going to do next. But now it seems like that's going to have to wait.

"Yo what's been going with you lately man? You've been MIA since the party. You've barely been coming to practice either." Simon asked, the other members backed him up. It's true that I haven't been spending time with them lately. It's just a lot has been going on, like my father for instance. Also there's Zamzam... Stop it Adam.I commanded myself. I broke off the bet so I shouldn't be thinking about her. Why does she even pop up in my mind? She's everything I hate in a girl. She's too nice, she's hotheaded and she's too innocent for me. Okay I really need to stop right now.

"Nothing much, I just have stuff to deal with." I replied nonchalantly.

"Alright well we have to go somewhere but see you at practice." Brian started to walk and soon so did the rest of the boys, well everyone except Simon. He just continued to stand there as he observed Isa and Amir. After a couple of seconds he slowly began to walk away.

"So what's the plan?"

"I'm tracking down my mother. I'm going to get a private investigator without my father knowing and I'm going to get her here. She could help us with everything." I was certain that after I found her we could take down my father. But mostly I just want the relationship that was ripped away from me back. "How can you get one without him finding out?" Isa questioned.

"He's out of town so he won't have time to check what I'm doing. Trust me, this plan is fool proof. How much time do we have before you know what?" I  asked discreetly.

"A month."

We have a month to find my mother, stop Avon from doing what's he's about to do, give my father what he deserves and try to hide all of this from Scarfy. That's not impossible... right?

* * *

"Did you find her?" I asked the private investigator eagerly. "Yes actually. Your mother is Veronica Mathews right? Well it says here that she's currently here in New York." I almost dropped the phone that was in my hand.

She's here? My mother is here in New York!?

THIS CHAPTER IS NOT ONE OF MY FAVORITES BUT I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED IT ANYWAY. I ALSO WANTED TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW THAT YOU WILL FIGURE OUT WHY THEY EVEN WANTED REVENGE IN THE FIRST PLACE SOON. ALSO I PLAN TO WRITE ABOUT 15 OR SO CHAPTERS UNTIL I END THIS BOOK! NO THAT DOESN'T COUNT THE EXTRA CHAPTERS I'M GOING TO ADD EVERY NOW AND THEN. THERE WILL BE SOME ZADAM MOMENTS!!! I ALREADY KNOW HOW I WANT TO END THIS BOOK AS WELL!! ALSO I MAY FO A SEQUEL IF YOU GUYS WANT:) LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS!!

STAY

QURUX

MY

QURUXLEYS

MWAH!!:)😘