Chapter One:Pivotal meeting...

'Is love really real? Or is it just a word born from ink and imagination?'That was the first question I wrote in my new journal, and it definitely would not be the last. As my pen was gliding across my journal without thought, I heard a sudden ring. It was my phone, and after seeing the screen, I realized that Tariq was calling my best friend. I answered, "Hello?" my voice bubbling with excitement.

"Hiiii! I hope you didn't stay up all night watching those movies you like," Tariq answered with a dad tone everyone knew too well, trying to evade the question. I answered, "Are you excited for the first day of school, or is it just me? Mainly cause it's senior year; Our final year in that crappy school"

"I know, right? I got my outfit for the day ready and am going to take a shower. I'll meet you outside your house at 6:45. Don't be late!"Tariq then hung up the phone. I hurriedly got in the shower and stayed for about ten minutes, Is what I thought, but when I looked at the clock hanging on top of my bed, it was 6:30 already."Fuck!"I said in a low tone. I dried up real quick, applied some body oil, deodorant, and put on the first outfit my eye lay on, a simple maxi dress. After that, I brushed my teeth and then bid my elder sister Aaila goodbye.

"Aren't you going to have something before you leave?"Aaila asked. "No, I'm fine. And it's already 6:50.Tariq is going to eat me alive. Bye!"I said while grabbing an apple from the counter. As I walked out of the house, I found Tariq outside in the car, hooting like the world was going to end."Finally, someone decided to show up."Tariq said while I was opening the car door."I was only late for five fricking minutes, So quite yapping and let's go."We then zoomed off, and in no time we arrived, and weirdly enough, it was on time for the first lesson.GRR!!!, The bell rang, and it was already home time. "I was to ask you, where did the car come from?"I asked."Ooh, Mum gave it to me since she got a new car and also cause I have to pick up my cousin from the airport in the next..."Tariq checks his watch." 30 Minutes, You want to come?"

"Sure, but I have to tell Mum first, "I answered."Don't worry, I already told her, she knows, so let's go cause Omari is going to crash out if I arrive late."We climbed into the car, the engine humming to life as we set off.The city blurred past our windows, and it felt as though no time had passed at all before we were pulling up to the bustling airport terminal.

"Hey Omari, Over here!"Tariq shouted while waving at a boy. He looked to be around his early twenties, he had both an ear and nose piercing, he was about 6ft tall with a really muscular build, he had a dark complexion serving chocolate and as for his outfit he wore a really simple fit, a black beanie and a long sleeved black compression shirt with some grey sweatpants and a silver chain.

"Damn, who did you say he was again?"I asked with a grin on my face."Looks like somebody has unlocked a new crush, he is my cousin, like my uncle's son from my mum's side."Tariq answered. As he finished the statement, Omari had already arrived at where we were standing."Hey, cuzz, Long time no see."Omari said, interrupting our conversation."Oh, Hi there, Anahi, this is my cousin Omari, and Omari, this is my best friend Anahi," Tariq said, introducing us to each other.

"Hey, I love your name, it's as pretty as you, "Omari said while reaching his hand out to greet me."Thank you, and aren't you such a flirt?"I said while blushing."Okay, enough flirting. Anahi, I have to drop you home like right now, so hop in, and Omari, put your bags in the trunk."Tariq said while separating Omari's hand from mine. It wasn't long till we arrived at my place. "Okay, Bye Tariq. See you tomorrow" I said as I was stepping out of the car. As I was opening the front door, I heard someone calling my name, "Anahi, what about me? Don't I get a goodbye?"I waved to him and they entered the house in a hurry."Did you guys miss me?" I asked my sister-Aaila and younger brother-Jahmari who were sitting on the couch watching TV,"And let me guess, mum is still at work."Yeah, she is. She called and said she is going to be late. Your food is in the microwave, I know you are hungry, so heat it, then eat."Aaila said while pointing in the microwave's direction."Thanks," I answered while heating the food.

I carried my food upstairs to my bedroom, then placed it on a tiny desk at the right-hand side of my bed. I then went to the mirror and looked at myself. Questions were running through my mind. I stood there still, face to face with my reflection as silence filled the room till I finally spoke as if asking my reflection a question."I wonder if he truly thinks I am pretty... or he just said that for the momentum."I stopped looking at my reflection and devoured my meal, then went on to take a shower and wore my pajamas. Lying on my bed, pen gliding over journal pages, reciting the day's event, my phone rang It was Zuleika, my other best friend . I picked it up. "Zuleika, where have you been? Tariq and I searched everywhere for you at school, and you weren't picking up our calls." "Calm down, I woke up late and I didn't pick up the phone call since I knew you two were going to yell at me. But I'm going to be there tomorrow. Don't stay up all night and sleep early. Bye." Zuleika then hung up the phone.As i was sketching I drifted off to dream land.