WARNING : Sexual harassment and bullying.

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"OH, LOOK AT THAT ! WHO DO WE HAVE HERE ?"

Finn heard someone say. He turned around to see a tall boy with big, muscled arms. The boy glanced at the book in his hand, which was Mal's book. He smirked, then grabbed it coldly. Finn made a sudden move to take the book back, but he quickly gave it up, since he knew the boy was only taunting him. He stood completely still, his heart pounding loudly in his chest.

"Our porn-star is reading thriller now ? What a shame. The whole school really like your last movie. I suggest next time you make another movie like it, but try to make more uh.. Rape scenes. They're pretty hot."

What an asshole.

He was clearly testing him, but Finn still refused to answer. He closed his eyes, trying to imagine himself in a better place, with the book still in his fist.

"What, are you too afraid ? Clearly you weren't afraid when you were watching your best friend being raped while doing nothing about it ?"

He sighed calmly, even though he could feel himself burning on the inside. The bully raised the book so he could take a good look at it.

"Before I fall, huh ? Nice choice. Too bad you won't get to finish it."

Before Finn could protest, he saw the bully open the book and rip the pages out one by one. Everyone snickered.

He felt as if his heart broke. All of his anger was replaced by the feeling of helplessness. Remorse. Guilt.

That book already meant so much to him. How could anyone be so cruel ?

Tears swelled up in his eyes, but he bit his lip to stop them from streaming down his handsome face. The last thing he wanted at that moment was to be called even more names.

He closed his locker, grabbed the book as quickly as possible from his bully's hand, then ran out of the place as he continued to hear students whispering and laughing at him.

☭

The siblings arrived home later that day. This time, they saw Nawal waiting for them by the for, waving at them with pure enthusiasm. She hugged her daughters, and patted her sons on the shoulder coldly as she noticed that Finn didn't seem at all happy.

"What did you do to him ?" She asked in Arabic.

"Nothing !" Adam said quickly. She rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation.

"Just go to your room." She then stepped towards Finn, giving him a quick hug.

"How was school today ? Did you make any friends ?" She asked cheerfully. He shook his head coldly, then turned to leave.

"Are you at least comfortable ? Is anyone bothering you ?" She asked as he hurried towards the stairs. He stopped in his tracks, turning to look into her brown eyes. The eyes that looked exactly like Mal's.

Then shook his head.

Even though Nawal suspected his answer, she gave him a reassuring smile, and nodded.

Finn nodded back, then sprinted up the stairs, going towards his room and closing the door with a loud thud.

He sat on the bed, and began to think of a song to think on the talent show.

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