Everyone other than Az gasped dearly for air as the class came to an end.

Holly crawled towards as and clutched his sleeve with sweaty hands.

“How… aren’t you tired?” She wheezed.

“I am,” Az said while taking deep and even breaths.

“Liar,” Holly said before comically collapsing onto the cold gym floor.

Az knelt and offered Holly a hand.

She accepted it before standing alongside Az.

“Alright, brats. Hit the showers!” Oliver, the gym teacher, said.

Az followed his male classmates into the boy's showers and Ryan snuck up behind him as he got undressed.

“Bro, why didn’t you tell me you were a gym god?” Ryan asked.

Az turned around before looking the much skinnier Ryan over.

“I just exercise from time to time. You should try it.” Az said as he walked into one of the stalls where he proceeded to wash the sweat off of his body.

“Hey, some of us ain’t built for that kind of work. All I wanna do is sit back with a beer in hand and a Hattie by my side. Is that too much to ask for?” Ryan asked as he entered the stall next to Az’s.

Az remained quiet.

He eventually finished, dried himself off and got changed.

He exited the showers to find that he was one of the first people to finish.

The only other person was Holly.

Az pulled out his phone and saw that school was almost over.

He then pondered on what he should do with the rest of his day.

Exams were still some time away and he wanted to have a little more fun before then.

Well, he didn’t want to pass out and forget everything next time.

Holly walked up to Az and waved her small hands in front of his eyes.

“What are you thinking about so much?” She asked.

“Nothing much.”

“Come on. I won’t tell anyone- Oh… is it about the girl you slept with?” Holly asked and Az could almost see the blood filling her face as it was overcome with fluster.

“No. I’m just thinking about what I should do next in terms of fun.” Az said.

“Oh… you’ll have to talk to Zoey about that-“

“Hey, guys!” Zoey yelled from across the gymnasium.

“Speak of the devil,” Az muttered.

“Hey, Holly,” Zoey said before looking at Az with a saddened expression.

“Hey, Az. Sorry for tricking you. I just wanted you to have a good time.” She said.

“Don’t worry about it. No one got hurt. Although I’d prefer it if you didn’t trick me.” Az said while dismissively waving his hand.

“I’ll try. Speaking of trying, I really don’t wanna fail this year, so how about you help me study.” Zoey said while clasping her hands together.

At this point, all the other students had finished bathing and were making their way out of the gym.

Az couldn’t help but notice the strange glanced people were giving him, but he paid them no mind.

“Sure,” Az said.

“Yey!” Zoey exclaimed as she jumped into Az’s big arms.

Az noticed that Holly had her head lowered slightly and so he used his right hand to pat her head, much to her delight.

“Tell your parents you’re gonna be late tomorrow and as for you,” Zoey said as Az slowly placed her down.

“What about Holly? Can she come?” Az asked.

“I can’t,” Holly said with a depressed sigh.

“Yeah. Her dad hates my guts. I wonder why… Anyway, it’s just gonna be you and me. Oh and don’t worry. We’ll have a threescore soon enough.” Zoey said with a wink.

Az nodded and the three retrieved their bags and began their trip home, but just as they left the main building, some called Az from behind.

“Yo, Azizi!”

It was one of the boys from class 12b.

“Ugh, ignore those idiots,” Zoey said as she grabbed Az’s hand.

The three then made their way to the station and after exchanging goodbyes, Zoey went home, leaving Az and Holly at the train station.

Az and Holly dropped off at their respective stations and Az eventually reached his house.

He entered it to find his mother and Rose talking by the kitchen counter.

“Hey.” Az greeted.

“Oh, how was school?” Gloria asked.

“It was fine. How did your job search go?” Az asked.

“Not well. Turns out your no good aunt doesn’t have any skills to speak of so we’re scraping at the bottom of the proverbial barrel.”

“Hey! I have… skills.” Rose said with a pained expression.

“I know exactly what you’re thinking about and no, it doesn’t count,” Gloria said with crossed hands.

“Anyway, your father and I have got to go to Kukulkan tomorrow. Your uncle Geffrey and his family are hosting a little party, so yeah.” Gloria added.

“Oh, ok. Well, I’m gonna be a bit late. A classmate asked if we could have a shared study session. Do I have your permission?” Az asked.

“Sure-“

“Is it a girl?” Rose asked with narrowed eyes.

“Y- yes,” Az said while cautiously moving towards the stairs.

“Oh, stop right there. First, you attend your first party, now you’re having “shared study sessions”. I know every aunt wants their nephew to grow, but I hope you’re not turning into a man whore.”

“Rose!” Gloria gasped.

“Hey, don’t scold me. It’s Az who can’t keep it in his pants.” Rose said with a chuckle.

“It's not like that. She just wants a little help studying is all.” Az said, even as his ears burnt.

“Ignore you aunt, sweetie,” Gloria said with an exasperated sigh.

Az nodded before making his way to his room, where after taking a quick shower and getting changed, he plopped down onto his bed and began studying.

.

..

Az closed his textbook and pulled out his phone.

He then sent a text to a certain number.

[Hey.]

A moment passed.

[Oh, hey Az. How ya doin?]

Jade asked.

[I’m Ok.]

[Ok… so you texted just to say hi? That’s sweet, I guess.]

[Yeah.]

[Yep. Ok, gotta go. Gotta finish up this assignment before Friday. Catch ya later.]

[Got it.]

Az texted before dropping his phone.

The day then went on without a hitch and Az eventually fell asleep.

.

..

The next day also proceeded without any notable events and Az found himself waiting for Zoey just outside the school.

One of the boys from class 12b then walked up to Az.

He was tall, lanky and had pitch-black eyes.

“So… you’re the new guy. My name’s Eric. Here, a gesture of friendship.” Eric said with tobacco scented breath as he offered Az his hand.

Az shook Eric’s hand.

“Good and trust me. You and me, we’re gonna be really close, really soon-“

“Ahem!” Zoey let out a fake cough and Az watched as Eric's face paled drastically.

“Pardon me,” Eric said as he snuck away.

Zoey rolled her eyes before crossing her arms.

“What did that idiot say?” She asked.

“Not much. Said he wanted to be friends.”

“Well, next time he approaches you, tell him to fuck off.” Zoey hissed, prompting Az’s eyes to widen slightly.

Zoey noticed this and sighed in response.

“Just don’t get too chummy with him, ok? He’s bad news. Now, enough of him. You said you were going to teach me a thing or two. Has Holly already gone home?” Zoey asked as they made their way east.

“Yeah.”

The two eventually arrived at a certain apartment complex several blocks from school.

Az looked around and saw that the neighbourhood surrounding it was rather rough, but he paid it no mind.

Zoey led Az to her home and she unlocked the door.

The two entered and Az was surprised by how clean the place was overall.

Zoey then led Az into her room where they began studying.

Well, Az tried.

“You can’t be serious, right?” Zoey asked.

“What?” Az asked as he flipped through his textbook.

“I know I asked you to help me study, but what I meant was that I wanted to hang out. Jeez, you’re quite the nerd, aren’t you.”

“Mmm… I’m also fine with just talking if that’s what you want.” Az said as he closed his textbook.

“That’s exactly what I wanted. So, tell me about yourself.” Zoey instructed with wide eyes.

“What is this, an interview?” Az asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No, I just wanna know more about my new friend,” Zoey said with a cheeky smile.

Az sighed before telling Zoey about his academic background and his artistic passions.

“So there. That’s pretty much all there is.”

“Az… no offence, but that was one of the most boring life stories I’ve ever heard,” Zoey said while sympathetically tapping his shoulder.

“Sorry for being boring.”

“No, don’t get me wrong. It’s boring, but also cute. You’re… pure. I like that-“

Zoey stopped as she heard the front door open.

“Ooh, big bro’s home.” She said before hopping up.

“Come. I want you to meet him. Don’t be scared, ok?” Zoey said as she grabbed Az’s hand.

She then led him into the kitchen, where a rather short man wearing glasses and a comfy-looking white sweater was.

His hair was also dyed platinum blond and his pants were clean, even though they were also white.

He turned his sharp silver eyes toward Az and Zoey as they approached.

“Hey, Lucas. Look! I made a friend.” Zoey said while presenting Az to Lucas as though he were a prize.

Lucas looked Az over as he drank some water.

“Hello, the name’s Lucas,” Lucas said as he offered his rather small hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Azizi.” Az said as he shook Lucas’s almost freezing cold hands.

“Take care of my lil sis for me, ok? She can be a handful sometimes.” Lucas said with a smile, but for some reason, the room seemingly got colder.

“Yeah, will do,” Az said as Lucas washed his hands.

“Anyway, if you need me, I’ll be in my room,” Lucas said before entering his room.

“Grr! He’s always so cold to my friends.” Zoey said with a pout.

Az pulled out his phone and saw that the time was three-ish.

“What? You wanna go home already?”

“No, not really?” Az said as he put his phone in his pocket.

“Hey, tell you what. Let me see if I organize a triple date with Holly since you enjoy hanging out with her more.”

“It's not like that,” Az said, but Zoey tapped his shoulder.

“You gotta learn to know when people are fucking with you,” Zoey said as she slipped into her shoes.

“Come on. I’ll accompany you to the station.” Zoey said before leading Az out of the apartment complex.

They then made their way to the train station and the closer they got to the station, the smellier and grungier it became.

Az paid it no mind.

He and Zoey eventually arrived at the station.

Az noticed that Zoey looked rather pleased with herself.

“What?” Az asked as the train approached in the distance.

“Mmm? No, don’t worry. It’s just… today was pretty boring but in a good way. Talking to you is peaceful. I know you’re not kissing my ass or trying to fuck it. You’re not, right?” Zoey asked.

“Not at all.”

“Perfect!” Zoey said as she ruffled Az’s hair.

The train came to a stop and Az boarded it and watched as Zoey waved him goodbye.

He nodded to himself before deeply sighing.

His trip home was fairly uneventful.

He entered the house and expected to see Rose lazing about somewhere, but the house was eerily quiet.

Az slowly walked up the stairs as he heard a series of pained sounds.

His shoes were off and so his steps barely registered on the carpet

He then approached the bathroom, where the noises were the loudest.

“Fuck!” Az heard Rose scream as someone repeatedly grunted in response.

Az’s heart almost jumped out of his throat as he recognized the voice as none other than that of his father.

“Come on, raise your leg,” Radhi instructed.

“Rah, I’m tired.” Rose cried.

“Hey, you wanted this,” Radhi said before grunting again.

“Ah!” Rose cried, but at this point, Az had heard enough.

He slowly and nervously walked down the stairs and left the house as quietly as possible.

He then walked up the street towards the convenience store and after getting himself a can of soda, he sat in front of the store.

His eyes trembled as he thought about what he had heard.

He tried convincing himself that he misunderstood the situation, but still…

He pulled out his phone and called his father.

[What’s up, buddy?]

Radhi asked.

[Yeah, I’m gonna be home a little earlier than expected.]

Az said while trying to keep his voice from trembling.

[Oh? Cool, cool. Actually, you’ll find me at home. Had to cancel my trip with your mom since the big wigs want me to clock in tomorrow.]

Radhi said.

[Oh, ok.]

Az said, his voice on the verge of disappearing.

[Bye.]

[Hey, is something wrong-?]