The Turning Point 014

Farid joined them, balancing an overly stacked tray of food. "Or maybe he ate something bad. Did you finally try the mystery meat in the cafeteria?"

Ali ignored the joke, muttering under his breath, "There's a rumor going around."

"Welcome to high school, dude," Zahra said, taking a bite of her sandwich. "There's always a rumor going around."

"This one's about Crystall and Jason," Ali clarified, his voice barely audible.

Zahra froze, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, this is juicy. What's the scoop?"

Ali frowned. "Apparently, they're dating."

Farid nearly choked on his drink. "Jason? That Jason? The guy who treats everyone like a stepping stone? Nah, Crystall's way too cool for him."

Zahra smirked, leaning forward. "Looks like someone's jealous."

"I'm not jealous," Ali snapped, though the heat rising to his face betrayed him. "I just... want to know if it's true."

Zahra clapped her hands together. "Say no more. Detective Zahra is on the case!"

Farid groaned. "Oh no, not again."

Zahra's "investigation" began during the lunch break. Her first target was Jason—or at least, she thought it was Jason.

"Hey, you!" she called out, marching up to a tall boy in a basketball jersey.

The boy turned, confused. "Uh, can I help you?"

"Don't play dumb," Zahra said, narrowing her eyes. "What's your relationship with Crystall?"

The boy blinked. "Who's Crystall?"

Zahra paused, looking him up and down. "Wait... you're not Jason?"

"No," the boy said, backing away slowly.

Farid, watching from the sidelines, burst into laughter. "Great job, Sherlock."

Their next attempt was even more disastrous.

Farid, in his self-proclaimed role as Ali's "manager," decided to confront the real Jason during gym class.

"Listen, buddy," Farid said, pointing a finger at Jason, who was stretching by the bleachers. "Are you or are you not dating Crystall?"

Jason raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You heard me," Farid said, puffing out his chest.

Jason stared at him for a moment before smirking. "Why? Are you interested in her?"

Farid's bravado evaporated. "What? No! I mean, not me. Someone else. I mean, it's none of your business who!"

Jason stood up, his imposing figure towering over Farid. "You're weird, kid."

Farid panicked and bolted, shouting, "Abort mission!"

Jason shook his head, clearly amused, as Zahra chased after Farid, yelling about him ruining their cover.

Meanwhile, Ali decided to take a different approach. He waited until after classes and found Crystall sitting under a tree, sketching in her notebook.

"Hey," he said, walking up to her.

She looked up, smiling softly. "Hey, Ali. What's up?"

Ali hesitated, his nerves threatening to get the better of him. "I, uh... heard a rumor. About you and Jason."

Crystall sighed, closing her notebook. "Let me guess. People think we're dating?"

Ali nodded, unsure what to say.

"It's not true," she said simply. "Jason and I aren't even friends. We just had a brief conversation about an art competition. People love to jump to conclusions."

Ali felt a wave of relief but quickly masked it. "I figured it wasn't true, but... you know how people talk."

Crystall leaned back against the tree, looking up at the sky. "It's annoying. I wish people would stop prying into my personal life. But I guess it's part of being in high school."

Ali sat down beside her, feeling a little bolder. "For what it's worth, I don't believe rumors. I'd rather hear the truth from you."

She turned to him, her expression softening. "Thanks, Ali. That means a lot."

From a distance, Jason watched the interaction, his expression unreadable.

The next morning, Zahra proudly announced that her "investigation" had confirmed the rumor was false, though she conveniently left out the part where Farid had fled in terror.

Ali leaned against his locker, exhaling deeply. The relief was palpable, but so was a newfound clarity.

"Maybe it's time I stop worrying about what people say," he muttered to himself, tightening his backpack straps. "And just focus on what matters."

With that, he headed to practice, feeling a little lighter than before.

---

1 week later…

The gym buzzed with electric energy as students crowded the bleachers, their cheers and chatter bouncing off the walls. The makeshift ring at the center of the room was lit by a single spotlight, and the two fighters preparing to enter it couldn't have been more different.

Jason, the reigning boxing star, stood confidently in his corner, wrapping his hands with the precision of someone who had done this a thousand times. His hair and steely expression made him look untouchable, invincible.

Ali, on the other hand, adjusted his gloves nervously in his corner. His heart pounded, a mix of adrenaline and anxiety coursing through his veins.

"You got this, Ali!" Zahra shouted from the sidelines, her voice cutting through the noise. "Remember, float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!"

Farid, standing beside her, added, "And if that doesn't work, just keep swinging until he gets bored!"

Ali couldn't help but crack a small smile. "Thanks for the solid advice, Farid."

The referee stepped into the ring, motioning for the fighters to come forward. Jason's piercing gaze met Ali's as they touched gloves.

"This won't be easy," Jason said, his tone cold but not unkind.

"I wouldn't want it to be," Ali replied, his voice steady despite the lump in his throat.

The bell rang, and the match began. Jason came out fast, his movements calculated and precise. He jabbed at Ali, testing his defenses.

Ali ducked and weaved, keeping his guard tight. The crowd erupted with every dodge he managed, but Jason's punches were relentless. A hook grazed Ali's side, and the sting reminded him of just how much stronger Jason was.

"Stay light on your feet!" Coach Rahman called from the sidelines.

Ali listened, focusing on his footwork. He danced away from Jason's reach, using the lessons Coach had drilled into him. When Jason threw a right cross, Ali countered with a quick jab to the ribs.

The crowd roared, surprised by Ali's boldness. Even Jason raised an eyebrow, momentarily caught off guard.

"Nice," Jason muttered under his breath before coming at Ali harder.

By the second round, Jason's dominance was clear. His punches came faster, each one hitting like a hammer. Ali's stamina was waning, his breaths coming in short, sharp gasps.

"Come on, Ali!" Crystall's voice rang out from the stands. "You're doing great!"