Chapter Two

I walked into homeroom and the sub wasn't here, no sub, no home room. That's a bummer, was longingly expecting it.

I walked over to my usual seat, looking out the window and my girlfriends walked in minutes later, and we rushed to each other.

"Hey girlfriends, I missed you guys". Gloria said when we were all seated.

"You guys, you guys, guess what?". She said, clearly excited. I just giggled and looked over at Miranda, and she was trying miserably at stifle her laugh.

"What's up girl tell us you know we hate the suspense, so spill it will you? Before I start spotting gray hairs". Miranda said over reacting, and she leans in her seat with her hands on her head looking like distress itself.

"Stop exaggerating, Miranda, I'm coming to it". So, this might take a while, so I leaned back against my seat, stretching my feet across my table and placed my hands behind my head.

"So the Maldives was tots exciting and relaxing". She said emotional and giddy, and I smiled.

"Tell us already". Miranda said, not being able to contain her excitement.

" I'm going to do this like a news report or a documentary, so buckle up". And Randa groans. And I sigh, typical Ria making everything a fucking news report, I mean it was a fucking vacation not some. Urggh.

"The Maldives is a republic, that lies south-west of the Indian subcontinent. It is made up of a chain of nearly 1,200 islands, most of them uninhabited. None of the coral islands stand more than 1.8 meters i.e. six feet above sea level, making the country vulnerable to any rise in sea levels associated with global warming. The Maldives is known as "the tropical paradise" for reasons such as its beauty. This tropical country has separated islands and islands are surrounded by their own lagoon. Each island has pure white sandy beaches. The sea covers 99% of the Maldives, and it is where you can see beautiful fishes and corals. Cool right. The Maldivian people are called Dhivehin. The word Dheeb/Deeb, archaic Dhivehi, related to Sanskrit, dvīpameans "island", and Dhives, Dhivehin means "islanders" i.e., Maldivians. They also have an origin story, legend says that the first inhabitants of the Maldives died in great numbers, but a great sorcerer or fanḍita man made coconut trees grow out of the skulls of the buried corpses of the first settlers. Therefore, the coconut tree is said to have an anthropomorphic origin according to Maldive lore. How could we possibly forget about mythical creatures, according to the mythical stories, the islands of the Maldives were haunted by the demon Rannamaari. Occasionally the sea monster would hurt the people of the Maldives and the only way to keep the creature at bay was to pay a certain sacrifice. The Maldives believed in the god...".

"We going to have to stop you there sweetheart, we asked for a pick into your vacay, your first-hand experience, not some shit you read in a book. How's the surfing, how's the local-tourist interaction and how's the boys". I said, moving forward in my seat.

"Yeah something like that but how's the food, the music, the hospitality did bring souvenirs, shit like that Ria". She screams, scaring everyone within a five-meter radius. Everyone turns to us, and she ducks under the tables.

"Sorry everyone" she says from underneath the tables we had gathered to get comfortable. They all grumbled something we couldn't hear but turned back to whatever they were doing.

"You can get up now, Miranda". I said, this time not trying to stop my giggles.

"Haha very funny, now tell me".

"Fine, you guys take the fun out of everything". She mumbled.

"The waves a radical and the locals are homely and accommodating, the hospitality is superb. The boys are out-worldly gorgeous, like they were hand sculpted by God on a Sunday, like damn. They look like Apollo and I had me some". She says, and we squeal.

"And for Randa the food is spicy and rich, the music Even though boduberu is the most popular type of music in the Maldives, there is a lot more to Maldivian music as that the only boduberu. Maldives traditional poetic styles lhen, poems, fairihi Rhyme, raivaru toddy tapper songs, bandhi are also part of the Maldivian culture.Bandiyaa Jehun is a popular dance form that takes place in the Maldives Island. Though, western pop and Indian music are becoming increasingly popular". She says, slightly out of breath and I pass her a bottle of water from my backpack.

"Thank you".

" Yeah yeah finish the answering the questions".

"Fine sheesh, where was I yeah I did bring souvenirs, which you get when you guys come over for the sleep-over we planned".

"I can't stay over for the sleep-over, my dad's having one of those annoying dinners, with his business partner". I say like a grumpy old hag.

"Dear dear sweetheart". They try to comfort me. The bell goes, and we have to go for the next class which we have separately, damn, all the AP classes I had to take.

"Bye girlfriends" they both leave together, they had classes together. And I walk alone to mine.

I wasn't looking at where I was going, and I walked face-first into a wall, a hot wall to be precise, and I felt myself falling to the ground, I clenched my eyes shut waiting to feel my rum burn from the impact of the fall. But it never came. I finally opened my eyes to be met with the face I detested, loathed with all my being. I was in the arms of Gregory Alan, my arch nemesis.

"Just kill me now, universe, kill me where I lay". I mumbled beneath my breath.

"What did you say Moore, saved you from an epic fall, aren't you meant to be showering me with praises, instead looking at your survivor such strong detest".

"I didn't ask for your help, unhand me, this minute". I said, red in the face with angry and embarrassment.

He just smirked, I have a bad feeling about this. And he let me go.

"As you wish me, lady." And I finally felt the burn. He grins, walking away.

"See you in AP Spanish, if you can make it there, on time".

I stand up, to dust off myself and growl.

"The nerve of that kid". I was beyond pissed

He hunts me at school, and I'm not safe in my own home, aaaahhhh. This is all dad's fault.

Why did he have to be business partners with that imbeciles father?

I walk to my class five minutes later, thank you, universe one, Mazikeen zero.

The day went by in a blur. I couldn't wait to go home, not that Gregory had anything to do with it. I just needed my bed right now and some snicker bars before the dreaded dinner.

I went off to find the girls, they were waiting for me in the parking lot. I ran up to them, and we went over to Miranda's convertible, they've tried teaching me how to tell different brands of cars, but I'm no good at it, so , I saw a convertible.

"Let's go have a girl's day, shall we ladies". She says while turning on the ignition and the car purrs, I soothing sound I've come to love.

Soon we were riding home in style.

"Tell me about it" Randa said, coating on a new shade of nail polish for me. We decided to have the sleep-over at Miranda's, seems Gloria's parents were having an important guest over.

"His such an asshole, not only does he hunt me at school, he does it after school hours too". I lament.

"So Ria off to you, I wish my family and could go on a family vacation, they bought have tight schedules. So, I get to live off your stories. Now hit me".

"Yeah hit us". We heard a knock on the door.

"Come in dad". Randa answers.

"Hey girls, I thought I'd bring you a freshly baked batch of my double chocolate chip and almond cupcakes". He says, stepping in a showing us the tray carry of heaven in little plates.

"Thanks dad, u the best". Randa goes up to hug her dad. They lost her mom two years ago, it was dark times. But it's all good now they had each other.

"You're welcome gumdrop". He says, his smile reaching his eyes.

"Thank you Mr. G". We both say.

" You're welcome, girls. Oh! and Mazikeen your dad says not to be too late, so I'd be dropping you off around 6, how's that?". He asked.

"Thank you sir"

"It's cool, have fun girls". Miranda and I turned back to find Ria with frosting on her cheeks and her mouth filled with a cupcake.

"What the actual fuck, Gloria". We both scream.

"What I couldn't help myself, your dad's pastries are just so good".

"Baka". I'm shaking my head and picked up one.

It's time to leave, and I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach. Probably my body telling me how much we hate Gregory.

We say our goodbyes and I'm off.

"Thank you Mr. G". I'm saying stepping out of the car.

"It's nothing, bye".

"Bye" . I turn to the house as I hear him drive away. I take a big breath. I walk in, the door was open.

"The board of directors is so shocked, they looked like fish with the mouth gaping at me". My mom narrates, and they burst out laughing.

Guess the guest already here.

"Hey everyone". They all turn to me and everyone smiles, well except for the "Grinch".

"How was school, Mazi?". Octavia asks as I take a seat, she's such a sweet lady, I don't know what went wrong with that one

"School was Fyn, thanks for asking".

"Now that Mazikeen's here, let's dig in".

"Took you long enough". Speaking of, the Grinch makes an appearance. And his older brother Christian hits him across the head, and I stifle a giggle.

"How's college, Christian". I ask, I've always had a crush on Christian since forever.

"College is a bunch of stress, on a whole another level. But the parties make up for it". He says, shrugging his shoulders.

We eat in silence and I asked for a second serving because Chris did, he always says I should eat more.

Well, we have a special announcement to make. Mazikeen I always want what's best for you, so we've decided to give you the news two years earlier".

I don't understand what they're saying.

"You are to be betrothed to Gregory before you...." . I began getting this ringing sound in my ears. I'm choking on my food. I chugged it down with a glass of water.

"You have to be kidding me, this is a joke, right. Where are the hidden cameras? You guys can come out now, you got me good". I was having a hard time breathing.

"No sweetie".