𝗜 𝗗𝗢𝗡'𝗧 know how long have we been sleeping. I opened my eyes slowly, and glanced at Gabriel, who was all cuddled up to me, leaving no space between.

He was still asleep, wrapping his arms around my waist. I gently patted his arm, and leaned towards him to kiss his forehead. I didn't plan on waking him up.

However, I heard my phone give a loud ringtone, with a really annoying vibration sound, that sounded extra loud because my phone was lying on the nightstand.

I sleepily reached for it, and stared at the screen with half-closed eyes. Not like I would see anything, because I wasn't wearing my glasses anyway.

I heard Gabriel give a small sigh, which I frantically ignored, and pressed on the 'Answer' button.

"Hey, Mal." It was the voice of my Egyptian best friend Aya. I heard noice coming from the other side of the phone, including hers. I assumed she was sitting with someone.

"Hey, Aya. How are you doing ?" I asked sleepily.

"Oh, shoot, you were asleep ! I didn't know this. Sorry- anyway, I wanted to tell you something. Something bad happened. Maybe I can tell you later though-"

"No, it can't wait. Give me the phone !"

I heard a familiar voice saying. I then heard someone else talking to me, and I immediately recognized the voice. Donia, my other best friend.

"Hey, Mal. I know you're filming and everything but- something happened. Basma's dead."

The words hit me like a locomotive. Basma was my friend in eighth grade, as she sat next to me in the same desk. She was sometimes serious, but a crackhead when she wanted to be. She was truly a beautiful person.

"What ? When, why ?" I exclaimed, getting up from my place, forgetting about Gabriel's half-asleep figure next to me.

"I'm so sorry Mal, I know you're already nervous and.." She trailed off. I knew what she wanted to say after all, but it didn't matter now.

"I have to go, okay ?" I deadpanned, then hung up quickly as possible.

I then started to sob quietly, feeling Gabriel shift beside me. I glanced over at him, and saw him open his eyes.

"Baby ? What's going on ? Are you okay ?" His voice came out so raspy and cute, but that wasn't what I cared about.

"Gabriel, please get out."

"Wha- why ? What happened ? Did I do something ?" He asked softly, concern in his eyes.

"I want to be alone. Please get out." I replied simply.

"Okay ! Can I please change my clothes first ?"

"Fine."

I looked away as he changed from his pyjamas to his normal-day clothes. He wore a simple shirt and leggings, even though it was kind of chilly outside. I felt bad about it as soon as I realized it.

"I'm sorry baby." He mumbled as soon as he was done, getting out of the room quickly.

I then broke down crying, realizing that there wasn't anything better to do.

Well, I won't be able to attend the funeral, since we were here in America.

𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑏𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑'𝑠 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙.

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