Az rubbed his aching throat as the doctor spoke to his parents.

“Thank you, doctor.” Radhi said before the doctor left.

Radhi, Gloria and Rose then turned to Az, who sat on the hospital bed.

“The officer told us what happened… is there anything you’d like to add to maybe clarify things a bit?” Radhi asked.

“What do you mean? He attacked his own daughter and I simply because he wouldn’t allow her to choose her own path in life.” Az wheezed.

“You don’t have to talk if it hurts, sweetie-“

Az raised his hand.

“Its OK. I don’t know all the details, but what Holly wants isn’t what her father wants. He couldn’t accept that and… here we are.” Az said.

“You talk as though you aren’t scared. That what happened was the most natural thing ever.”

“Rose!” Gloria gasped.

Az opened his mouth to speak when suddenly the room’s door opened, revealing a panicked Zoey and a calm Lucas.

Zoey ran to Az’s side before gently hugging him while Lucas walked up to Radhi.

“Hello. My name is Lucas. I’m Zoey's brother. I’m so sorry about what happened to your son.” Lucas said and for a moment, Radhi and everyone in the room didn’t respond.

“Err… thanks. It’s nice to see that my son has a caring group of friends. Can I rely on you to look after him?” Radhi asked as he offered Lucas his hand.

“I’ll do what I can.” Lucas said before shaking Radhi’s hand.

He then shook Gloria’s hand, but Rose quickly stood up and walked towards the door before Lucas could shake hers.

“I have to go to the bathroom.” She said before leaving.

Lucas then sat next to Radhi as Zoey let go of Az.

“You like making me worry, don’t you.” Zoey said.

“No, it’s just as I said. Everything hurts and I don’t know why.” Az said with a smile.

“Dummy. So… how long are you gonna be here?”

“Not too long. Why?”

“Remember, you’re taking me out to see a movie.” Zoey said.

“Err… I think we should give these two some space, no?” Radhi asked as he stood up.

“Yeah?” Lucas agreed as he stood up.

Gloria, on the other hand, remained seated.

“Mom?”

“N- no. It’s nothing.” She said before joining Radhi and Lucas as they left.

“Your mom’s way too cute.” Zoey said with a giggle.

“Yeah. Although I feel as though I’m forgetting something.” Az said as he stroked his chin.

“Hey, if you forgot it, then it’s not important. That’s what I say.”

“You sound like an old person.”

“Look who’s talking.” Zoey said before sighing.

“How’s Holly?” She asked.

“I don’t know. She’s not hurt, physically, but who knows what she’s going through internally.”

“Mmm…” Zoey droned.

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see. She definitely won’t be staying with her asshole dad, that’s for sure.” Zoey said.

“Anyway, rest up. I want you to be in peak condition on Saturday.”

“What am I? A racing horse?” Az asked as Zoey walked towards the door.

“Just shut up and sleep.” She said before leaving.

Az sighed before resting his head. He then closed his eyes before eventually falling asleep.

.

..

Az dropped his phone after ending his call with Zoey.

Holly had been sent to her aunt’s place where she would be staying for some time.

Az wondered what else was in store for he. He wondered why decisions she’d make.

Az shook his head before hopping out of bed.

He then made way downstairs where he found his mother sitting by the kitchen table. She looked rather down and so Az walked up to her.

“You ok, mom?” Az asked, only for Gloria to sign deeply.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just my son has chosen to go out with some girl instead of me.”

“Oh… sorry, I forgot.” Az said while mentally slapping himself in the face.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you.” Az said.

“Don’t bother. I don’t need your pity.” Gloria scoffed.

Az sighed before giving her a hug.

“I’ll be back before you even know it.” Az said.

“Ok.” Gloria said.

Az then texted Zoey and told her that he was on his way.

He then left for the train station and made his way to station G03, where he then waited for Zoey’s arrival.

Not ten minutes passed before Zoey arrived.

She wore a pink tank top and a plaid pink and black skirt. Covering her was an oversized black jacket and her long silky hair was tied into two buns.

“Well? Don’t just stare. Give a girl a compliment.” She said before doing a spin.

“You look good.”

Zoey stared at Az for a moment.

“Is that it?” She asked.

“Pretty much.”

Zoey pinched the bridge of her nose before walking away.

“That’s it. I’m going home.” She said with an exasperated sigh.

“Oh? OK.” Az said before pulling out his phone, but just as he opened his messenger app, Zoey grabbed his hand and dragged him away from the station.

“What? Where are we going?” Az asked, but Zoey ignored him.

The two walked for some time before arriving at a certain restaurant.

Zoey dragged Az inside before pointing at one of the seats.

Az sat opposite her as she glared at him.

“What’s wrong-?”

“I was really looking forward to this.” Zoey said as her expression softened.

“I- sorry.”

“You should be. Ugh, now my mood is ruined. You better cheer me up before the day ends or I’ll kill you.” Zoey said.

“I’ll try.” Az said, but Zoey rolled her eyes in response.

The two then ordered some soda and even then Az could see that Zoey was pissed.

Az sighed before standing up and sitting next to her.

He then held her hand.

“What are you doing?” Zoey asked.

“I’m really sorry. Can’t say I’ve been out much so maybe I don’t know how this is supposed to go.”

“Az, let me go before people get the wrong idea.”

“Oh.” Az sounded before letting her hand go.

Zoey looked at him with a strange expression, but just as she opened her mouth, someone slammed their hand on the table.

“Hey, Zoey!” A familiar looking girl yelled. She had countless piercings and had eyes that were seemingly always half open.

“Oh, hey.” Zoey said, her face beet red.

“What’s this? Why didn’t you tell me you were going on a date?” The girl asked.

“This isn’t a date.” Zoey said as she fiddled with her fingers.

“Aww… looks like a date to me- wait a minute! Isn’t this Azeri or whatever his name was?” The girl asked.

“Its Azizi and we would appreciate a little privacy.”

“Come on, Zoey-“

“Val.” Zoey said with narrowed eyes.

The girls face froze before she nervously smiled.

“Hehe, right. See ya!” The girl said before leaving.

Az looked at Zoey to find that she had a rather gloomy expression.

“Do you always do that?” Az asked.

“Do what?”

“Threaten people.”

Zoey’s eyes widened.

“You wouldn’t be saying that if you knew just how much of a sneaky bitch Valentine is.” Zoey said before looking out the window.

“I have to sleep with one eye open when I’m with people.”

“Even me?” Az asked.

Zoey looked into his eyes before placing her hand on his.

“Nah. You’re too smart to ever think about betraying me.”

“You just threatened me, didn’t you.”

“No. I just hope, deeply that you won’t.” Holly said as she squeezed Az’s hand.

“I won’t. Also, you’re holding my hand.”

“I don’t care anymore.” Zoey said before checking the time on her phone.

“Now, come on. Let’s go watch a movie.” Zoey said before dragging Az out of the restaurant.

“There’s a theatre down that way.” Zoey said before leading Az to a an old school looking theatre.

The two got tickets for a horror movie before buying some snacks and making their way to their seats.

The film was rather boring for Az, although Zoey seemed quite invested.

The movie eventually ended and Zoey even shed a tear at the end.

The two then left the theatre and made their way towards the station.

“Woo! That was amazing! It would have been better if you didn’t look like a dead fish the entire time.” Zoey said.

“Sorry. Maybe horror isn’t my thing.” Az said as they walked.

“Ugh! You suck sometimes, you know.” Zoey said.

“Sorry.”

“Stop apologizing. Geez, keep this up and I’ll leave you here and go home.” Zoey said with a pout.

“You don’t mean that.”

“Oh? What makes you so sure-“

Az grabbed Zoey’s hand, silencing her in the process.

“Jerk.”

The two eventually arrived at the train station,

“So what now?” Az asked.

“What?”

“I’m assuming that you have an entire road map, a plan for our friendship. What’s next?” Az asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Umm… I don’t know. I don’t usually think too far ahead. It’s easier for me to just go with the flow. Just keep being you and I’m sure everything will work out.” Zoey said as the train approached.

“Ok.” Az said as the train stopped.

“Bye.” The two said simultaneously.

Az smiled before Zoey suddenly hugged him.

She quickly let go before zipping up her jacket.

“Go on. I’ll see you on Monday.” She said as Az stepped into the train.

He nodded as the doors closed and the train slowly started moving.

Az sighed before sitting on a nearby seat.

His phone then vibrated and he checked to see that Holly was calling him.

“Hey. Is something wrong?”

[No. I just wanted to talk.]

“Oh? What do you want to talk about?” Az asked as the train stopped at station G02.

[Anything.]

“Ok. How’s your aunt treating you?”

[She’s Ok. A little distant and cold, but other than that she’s fine. My uncle is always at work so I barely ever see him. What kinda scares me is just how much he looks like my dad even though they aren’t directly related. Actually, every man I see looks like my dad now.]

Holly said with a trembling voice.

“Listen, you’re safe now. And if you ever start feeling scared, call the police or me and I’ll be right there, ok?”

[Ok.]

Holly said.

Az could hear that she was crying, but there was not much he could do and he didn’t know what to say.

The train eventually arrived at station G01 and Az began to trip home.

[Thanks, Az. I was so mean to you and tried ruining what you and Zoey are trying to build.]

“Don’t worry. Water under the bridge.” Az said as he arrived at his house.

“Anyway, bye for now.”

[Ok, bye.]

Holly said before Az ended the call.

Az opened the door to find that his mother and aunt sitting around the kitchen table with a few bottles of wine between them.

“Ey! His back!” Gloria said before rushing to hug Az, but she tripped and fell onto him, causing him to fall backwards.

“Hey, don’t leave me out.” Rose said before jumping onto Az and Gloria.

“How was your date?” Gloria asked with alcohol infused breaths.

“It wasn’t a date and it was fine.”

“A date is a date. Chances are that skanks panties are soaked in Az’s jizz right now.” Rose said.

“Watch your language around my little Az.” Gloria said before pushing Rose away.

“Ignore us. Go on to your room.” Gloria said as she rolled to the side.

Az chucked before kissing his mom on the forehead.

“Ok. Goodnight-“

“Give me a kiss too!” Rose cried, but Az’s glared at her momentary shocking both her and Gloria.

“Goodnight.” Az said before heading to his room.

He quickly closed his door, grabbed a change of clothes, tool a quick shower and went straight to sleep.