Chapter 14- Skyler the gone speaker

"That was a close one wasn't it?" Erica said as she watched the debate students walk out of the school's hall

"Let's never do that again," I replied

"Oh, but Devin and Erica do it all the time. Erica was just to snobby to admit that she wants to be a part of the entire thing," Zayd said.

"Isn't there a debate team here?" I asked

"There is but we don't get much attention …or funding," Erica replied

"I`m here now, I`m sure we can make it work."

"You don't even like debate," she retorted

"Yes, but I`m doing it for you, and I have the experience too."

"Qadira do you like science?" she asked a little fired up this time, " Or was it all for him."

"That's crossing the line, she was just trying to help," Zayd shot back, "It was your choice to leave, don't take it out on someone else now."

"I apologise, that may have sounded snobby," I said leaving

Zayd followed grabbing me by my shoulders, "It's okay…it happens, she's just a little bitter about the debate."

"Hmmm,

"I`m sure everyone has that one thing that makes them super prudent…didn't realize it was debate for her."

"Do you remember, Skyler?"

"Yes very well. They referenced her in almost every debate."

"That is who she is now," he said with a smile, "but she choose this life so she has no right to take it out on you…besides she may have been humiliated by the statement about experience."

"I get it now."

"We`ll meet her at the race track later for now let's give her some space… only Devin knows her well enough to comfort her."

"They sound inseparable."

"They secretly like each other. Devin however only intends on confessing when they both graduate."

"Sounds like a long time from now…"

"His serious, so he wants to mature first."

"Well in that case i'm rooting for them."

I now understood the undertone. She was hurt, by the decision she made. Trust me, she might hate me for what I did to help her overcome the problem. I submitted her science application form and after it was approved applied for her spot in the debate team. This can go really well, or really bad. Skyler withdrew from science after her father's passing, he was a politician who was murdered for being very outspoken. She knew that she wanted a different destiny…she left in mourning. Now she needs to make a comeback to honour him.

I broke the news to her and anger seeped through her expressionless face before tears dropped onto the paper. She pulled me in hugging me tightly.

"This…I had never been brave enough to do."

"Pride?"

She shook her head smiling. Hugging me again. She left the classroom after fixing up her uniform and skipped with Devin down the hall.

"Why?" Yusra asked

"Her eyes were begging for it when we fought, besides I can never repay her for the kindness she`s given."

"Heard what you did, now that you're done stop skipping bike practice now," Zayd said folding his arms, "You need to gain your glory before trying to remedy everyone else."

"I believe so."

"I'm sure you do."

Weeks after the incident she was inaugurated back on to the school's junior team as the first speaker. Occasionally stopped by our classroom to tell us of the difficulties she's encountered.

"Thank you," she said handing me a coke, "I`ve never been this happy since I lost him. Now, I'll honour him and one day live to be a great political speaker."

"I did nothing. It was all your mother's idea…" I replied, "You should be thanking her, I needed her permission after all."

"Still though, your contribution meant a lot. If you ever need anything, big or small…you know where to find me."

She waved towards Devin joining him at his desk. I waited at the door of the classroom for Zayd. Who was nowhere to be found…until I heard a huge crowd gather outside near the office. There was a fight, a physical fight. I rushed over to find Zayd on top of Zain beating the living daylights out of him. I couldn't stop it this time, it was too aggressive, too personal, but I did scream. Eventually, my bravery got the best of me and I knew I could not overpower Zayd..by I could move Zain. So I tried it and succeeded, but by the time they were freed, I was seen as an accomplice so I to was sent to the office along with them.

"How is it always you 2, since this boy arrived you've become a real menace," the principal said looking at me

"I apologise…but she had nothing to do with this fight. She was merely trying to stop it, I started everything," Zayd said wiping his lip, "So don't call her a menace for someone else's actions."

My heart dropped. Those are the exact same words I wished Zain said about the kissing event but he didn't have the bravery of the green-eyed boy.

"Is that true," Mr Grey then said turning to Zain

He nodded his head and after that they let me leave. If only he knew how happy I was at that moment. I was acknowledged for my sincerity not punished for it.

I picked up Zayd's bag and keys and went back to the area they were being punished at.

Zain approached me…a little upset.

"We need to talk," he said

"There isn't anything to talk about," I replied walking past him

He grabbed my hand but as soon as Zayd began approaching us he let go disappearing into the hall.

"Why was he touching you?" he asked in a threatening voice, "Was he asking for you to take the blame again?"

"We didn't talk…I ignored him.

"Speaking about blames…thank you for earlier."

"No need to. I don't like lying or liers…" he said walking off

I stood for a while watching him disappear into the hall as well. What did he mean by that?

Whatever it was...it didn't look like it was going to be solved any time soon. As for Zain, and him. I wonder what really happened between them.

After watching him disappear into the hall. I made my way into a classroom where I started going through their old articles. When things were still good.