"Thanks but I won't need it. As long I have that hijabi that your so obviously in love with then without a doubt I'll win." -Avon Becks, IASWAD.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: Ice Cream, Bets And Oh No

Zamzam Amin

"I felt someone watching me earlier today." I told Isa. It was weird because it wasn't like they were just watching me but more like studying my every move. I know Veronica warned me that I was being watched but I didn't think they'd literally follow me everywhere. I know it was naïve for me to think that but I just wanted to test it. Now I know I have to be way more careful than I was before.

A small look of panic came across Isa's face but after a couple of seconds it quickly went away. "We'll just have to be more careful," He slung his arm over my shoulder. "Anyways what did Grams want us to get?" He looked through an isle in the grocery store. I was told to get some food but I obviously was not about to go alone so I asked Isa to come with me. I opened the text that Grams sent me earlier that had the list of vegetables, fruits and other ingredients we needed to get for the house.

"Tomatoes, onions, olives, grapes..." I read off of the list. A couple of minutes later we got everything we needed and payed for the stuff. "We should do something to just get our minds off of things." Isa suggested, starting up the engine to his car. "Like what?" I cocked an eyebrow his way in curiosity.

"I don't know...Why don't we go get Ice Cream at Billy's?" He said with an excited look on his face. Billy's is the number one Ice Cream Parlour we'd used to go to ever since we were little. That's how we'd cheer each other up, by ordering our favorite Ice Creams and talking about nonsense for hours. It was always our tradition and I hope it stays like that for a long time. We started that tradition when we were little kids and we still keep it alive.

"Sure!" I replied with a smile. Just the thought of Cookies 'N' Creme ice cream is enough to completely lift my mood. Opening the window, I let the nice cold breeze brush against my skin. It's almost spring time now so flowers are starting to blooming everywhere. I can't believe in just four months school will officially be over and I will be a senior. Wow time goes by fast!

Isa plugged the aux cord that was on the floor into his phone and immediately a Chris Brown song came on. "Choose whatever you want." He handed me his phone. The first song I chose was One Dance by Drake. By the time the song was over we were already at the Ice Cream parlor.

We opened the door and sat in our usual booth which was in the corner. "Welcome Zamzam and Isa." Our usual waitress, Betty said as she gave us both a smile. "Hey Betty how have you been?" I asked as I walked up to her and gave her a hug. Betty has been working at this Ice Cream Parlour ever since I could remember. Her father was the one that owned this place so it is really important to her and her family. She's always been like a mother figure for all of us Amin siblings, I mean she has seen us grow up and she's always been there for all of us. And that is one of the many reasons why this place, along with the people that work here, will always have a place in my heart. I guess you could say this place is a home away from home.

"I've been great, how about you guys?" She asked as we let go of each other. "We've been good. Just miss coming here." Isa replied as he returned her smile. We then talk for another 15 or so minutes until the door bell ringed and another customer came in.
For a while Isa and I talked about Amir and Aliyah's engagement until our ice creams came. We didn't even have to tell them what kind of Ice Creams we wanted because they already knew our usuals. The moment I took a spoon full of my ice cream I felt as if I was in Jannah. Mama loves me some Cookies 'N' Cream, I thought as I devoured it. Isa order peanut butter shake which he is equally as crazy about.

"You know what this reminds me of? The time you and Abdi dared me to chug down all of my ice cream in less than a minute and made it seem like it was impossible." I thought back to that day with a laugh. A smile made its way across Isa's face as he thought of that day. "Oh yeah and you ended up getting a huge brain freeze!" He laughed as well. Ah, good times. What can I say? I'm a sucker for dares.

"Yeah and then I ended up smearing both of your ice creams on you guys's faces." I let out a sigh as I mentally took a trip down memory lane. That part did make up for them daring me to do something stupid. We then talked about other stuff used to do in the past until it was time for Maghrib. As I walked inside the rest room and made whudu Allah was the only thing on my mind.

* * *

"Hey girl!" Samantha said as she slung her arm over my shoulder. It felt like forever since I've seen her but in reality it's only been a couple of weeks. We decided to meet each other at the mall today and hangout. It feels great just doing normal teenage girls stuff for once. I can get my mind off of the dare, Adam, his dad's business and everything.

"What's up?"

"Nothing much," She responded.

"What do you want to do?" I asked.

"Let's watch a movie!"

Adam Mathews

"There's somethings that I have to clear up with you son." Mom said as she let out a sigh. No kidding, I thought bitterly. "The reason I left wasn't because I had just found out your father was having an affair. It was because he's been having it for years and he kept on lying to me about it by telling me he cut things off when he never did. I feel like I have to tell you this because I left you for so long without an explanation. I tried to take you but he threatened to take things to court, I knew that he would plant something on me that would make me look like an unfit parent so I didn't want to take the chance. When I tried to come back he sent his men after me and tried to kill me. I know you know all of this stuff already but there's something you don't know."

I listened to her carefully as I took in everything she said. "What is it?" I asked hesitantly. Just by the look on her face I could tell it was hard for her to say it. "Please mom tell me, I can handle it." I added. I mean it can't be that bad right? How much worse can things possibly get?

"Apparently your father's mistress got pregnant and kept the baby. He's your age now but that's not the worst part." She stopped talking for a moment as if to prepare herself for what she's about to say next. "He's the leader of your father's gang. Avon Becks and he's out to get you."

I didn't know what to say at this point. Avon Becks, the guy who's always hated me and tried to make my life a living hell is...my brother? I took a step back and landed on the brick wall behind me.

I replayed that moment in my head over and over again but I still couldn't believe it. "Adam!" I heard someone call from behind me. I turned around and noticed Alex walking up to the bleachers. You know what? Just give him a chance...I told myself. Instead of walking away like I usually would do, I stayed for once. "Look just give me a minute of your time." He pleaded.

"What do you want dude?" I asked in an annoyed tone.

"This isn't about what happened with Kathie. I just wanted to let you know that Avon came up to me and asked if I wanted to help him take you down. Look, he has a whole plan on how he wants to destroy you and that Isa guy. I told him that I didn't want anything to do with that so I just came here to give you a heads up." He started to walk away.

"Alex!" I called after him. He really turned it down? I guess he isn't that bad. I mean this doesn't mean I'll forgive him or anything but it shows that he has character. He wouldn't stab someone in the back twice.

He turned around to face me once again. "Thanks for letting me know," I added as I gave him a pat on the back. "But I'm going to need you to join him, or at least make him think that you have. I need someone on the inside." He looked conflicted for a second but then brushed it off. "Sure, I owe you. I'll tell you everything that happens after every meeting." He then walked away.

"Come on boys!" The coach blew his whistle making everyone gather around.

* * *

"Hey Adam." A menacing voice said from behind me. I could recognize that voice anywhere, immediately anger shot up my spine. I closed my car hard and turned to Avon with a smirk on my face. He thinks I don't know about him.. "Hey, bro." I let a small chuckle once I saw the look on his face.

"So you know. Well that's great because it'll make taking you down all the more fun." He threw his head back in laughter. "Good luck with that." As I started to head into my car, he said something that made my blood boil.

"Thanks but I won't need it. As long I have that Muslim chick that you're so obviously in love with then without a doubt I'll win." I quickly turned back around and grabbed him by the of his shirt as I pushed him against the brick wall that was behind him. "Listen here, I swear to God if you lay a finger on her I will end your life! Got it!?" At this point I couldn't control my anger. Now I know why I get so sensitive when someone mentions her. She's my weakness, the one person I know I'd always protect. I'm not going to deny it anymore... I have feelings for Zamzam Amin. Hearing myself think that makes it feel all the more real.

"Oh yeah?" He pushed me away.

"What're you going to about it?"

"You don't want to know." I breathed out each and every word as I clenched my fists.

"Bring it Mathews," He slowly started to walk away. I went inside my car and started up the engine.

Zamzam Amin

The rest of the week went by uneventfully which was actually a relief. I miss how things used to be like before, nice, easy. Just for old times sake I decided to go to the homeless shelter today with Aliyah. We both wanted to help Mrs. Mitchel with all the food servings. The moment we entered the shelter Mrs. Mitchel approached us. "Thank you guys for coming to help once again. Since Samantha couldn't help me today, I'm so glad you guys could." She enveloped both of us in hugs.

"No problem Mrs. Mitchel." Aliyah replied. "Yeah we're happy to help." I added with a smile. It felt good giving aid to people and knowing that you're also getting good deeds on top of the satisfaction of knowing that you've helped make someone's day brighter. I wish I was able to do this more often but with everything going on its impossible. When my mom was alive we'd always go to the homeless shelter on the weekends and bring bucket loads of food. It was always home made food that we'd bake from scratch in the heart of our kitchen. Mom would always say that no matter what everyone should always have a taste of home made food because there's nothing like home. Which was most definitely true. There is no place like home and since these people don't have homes of theirs, we'd always bring a piece of ours to them.

"Are you okay?" Aliyah asked worriedly. I nodded my head as I put on rubber gloves before I went to the food. "I mean with everything." She added as she handed me the plastic plates. "It doesn't matter if I'm not," I replied, putting some mashed potatoes and gravy on the plate. "Life still goes on, right?" I gave her a bitter sweet smile. I so badly wanted to give her a sincere one but I just couldn't find it in me at the moment.

"You know I'm here for you right?"

"Yeah, I know and I love you for that. I'm also here for you Liya." I responded truthfully. I love Aliyah for always being so caring, she's one of those friends that'll always be there to catch you when you fall. I just hope that I'm as a good of a friend to her as she is to me. With all that is going on I feel like I've been more distant to everyone I care about. Even after I explained everything to her I still felt distant. "Zamzam can you throw this trash out?" Mrs. Mitchel asked as she handed me a trash bag. "Sure." I replied as I grabbed the bag. I headed outside the shelter and around back where the trash bin was.

As I was throwing it away, I felt a hand go over my mouth. "Grab her!" The person shouted as he tried to pull me away. I started kicking and punching but it was no use, this guy is way tougher than me. Biting his fingers, I started to break away from his grip. "Gotcha! You think you could get away from me? Try again and I will kill you." He threatened, his breath smelt strongly of alcohol.

"Bring her here!"

Ya Allah please help me, silent tears trickled down my cheeks. They tied a rope around my hands and put a blindfold around my eyes. "This will make things more easy." He brought out a needle. "Ahh please help me!!" I tried my best to scream but it was no use. No one will be able to hear me at this point. I felt a sharp pain on my arm, making me feel woozy. Everything became so blurry that I had to squint my eyes to try to keep my vision clear.

Everything was... black.

STAY

QURUX

MY

QURUXLEYS

MWAH!!:)😘