As I was walking back to the car, I heard a voice calling for me. It was Principal Vermont. He had a stern look on his face. "Hello Principal Vermont. Did you need anything?" I asked him, casually. I had a feeling this conversation was about Miss Read. "Hello miss Mariam. How is your day going so far?" He asked me. "Casual." I answered. I didn't want to bring up "The Miss Read Subject." We nodded. "Well I've heard about the whole 'Miss Read' scenario and she will be fired, don't doubt that. And of course I'll have to let your parents-" "No no! I mean, no need for that. I can let them know Mr. Vermont." I interrupted him. He nodded in confusion. With that, I headed to Baba. Ugh. I hope I have no other interruptions! "Hurry up! I swear your always so slow. Ya Allah 'Oh God'!" I looked at her ever so blankly. "Hey Mimi!" Mohamed said, using the nickname I always loved. His is Mo and mine is Mimi. We've had them since I was three and he was five. "Hey! How was school?" I asked him. "Meh, the usual." He answered. After about ten minutes of Baba not knowing the way to Tala's school, we got there. After Baba parked in our driveway, I rushed inside. "Hi Mama- I mean Salam!" I started as I kissed her for head. "Hey Ahmudy! I missed you buddy!" I kissed his tiny cheek and he giggled. I used him nickname. I headed straight to my room. "Isn't SHE in a rush." Mama said, putting a hand on her hip. "Hey sweetie. How are you?" Baba said to my Mom. They kissed, sweetly. Ahmed quickly shielded his eyes. "Ewwe! Baba Mama! You're gonna make me sick!" Ahmed giggled. May and Mohamed laughed at our parents. "What? Am I not aloud to come home and kiss my beautiful Queen?" Baba asked my siblings. "Hey where's Tala? I haven't seen here today. She didn't even come and give me a kiss." My mom asked, very concerned. She went looking for her.

"Hey guys!" Kareema said on the phone call. We all waved. "Kanz! Shut the door please." Kareema called out to her little sister. "So do you actually like my brother Mariam? Do you?!" I blushed a bit. Ok a LOT! The girls ooed and awwed at me. "Oh shush up you guys! Gosh!" I screamed at them as I grabbed my pillow to throw on my phone when I heard a knock on my door. "Come in!" I answered. I shut the call and told the girls I'd talk later, Inshallah. It was Tala. She was sniffling and crying, her eyes redish and puffy. My mouth made an O shape. I was speechless. I ushered for her to come in and she sat on my bed. I handed her a tissue box. "What's going on?" I started. Still, she was quiet just crying. "Tala! Answer me. Please." I told her. I was worried for my littlr sister! "I..smff..I got..um..smfffmfs..Bullied..huhu..In school!" She said between snuffles. I pulled her in and she cried into my chest. My chest was getting wet but I didn't care. My little sister was more important. I wanted to ask her more questions but then May burst into my room. I glared at her and said, "You KNOW that you're supposed to knock May!" Ok well I might have screamed it- But I was mad at her ok! She smirked at me. Then her smile immediately turned into a sad look. Was was her deal? What's going on? As if she read my thoughts, May answered me with, "Mama and Baba need us. ALL of us," She pointed at Tala when she said that. "SOMEBODY'S in trouble." Oh how I hated May. After May stepped out of the room, I looked down at Tala who was a little calmed down now. I was happy she was because it just took one of my problems down. Yes! One less problem! I thought. "Ok let's head down, kay?" I told her. She looked up to me and nodded. I held her hand and we went downstairs. "Please come and have a seat Tala and Mariam." Baba said a little sternly. I noticed something though: He said Tala's name more sternly. It was a family meeting. We had those all the time. I wondered what was going on. Oh no. It can't be about- Just then, my thoughts were interrupted by Mama. "Well I think you're all wondering what Baba and I have called you all here." Mama started. Baba nodded. "What happened at school today Tala?" Tala stared blankly then turned away. "Oh nothing." She just mumbled. "Stop playing dumb. What happened Tala?!" May screamed as if SHE were the parent. To this, I rolled my eyes. Mama motioned for May to quiet down a little. "What happened honey? We're here to help you baby." Mama said so kindly. "I get bullied in school! They make fun of me because of my Hijab! And even the Muslim teachers there are super judgemental and say that I am too young to wear Hijab! All the students and teachers make fun of me. It hurts. A lot." Tala finally spilled. We all looked at Tala, sadly. Wow she was brave to tell pur parents and I wasn't brave enough to tell them about what happened with Miss Read. I don't want them to get so worried and they probably already have so many problems on their mind. I just don't want to burden them. Mama rushed over to Tala and held her wet chin, full of tears. "It's ok Tala. It will be ok Inshallah. Just have faith in Allah Subhanna Wa Taala 'With The Greatness And Highness' and all will be good Inshallah. Ok?" She asked her. Tala nodded her head. And with that, I headed to my room and opened my diary up. I started writing some notes inside it when I decided to write a poem:

I see him standing right there

Handsome, tall and fare

I want him to hug me tightly in his grip right now

But we all know that ain't halal

We have to get married and write the papers too then we can live together

And stay forever

Just then I remembered Kareem. Oh his chocolatey brown eyes! Oh Allah! Get me over those bulging muscles!

The time was now 7:25 pm. I was tired already. It's been a long day! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! My door banged. I was startled! It was Ahmed. "Mama said come downstairs for dinner." He told me. I wasn't in the mood for eating, but I didn't want to offend Mama. "Hey Mariam. We're having steak and mashed potatoes. Come have a seat please." My mom told me as she was pouring some steak for Baba. I quickly finished my dinner and headed upstairs to change my PJs, wash up and get to bed. I was tired! And plus I wanted to get to school so that I could see Kareem- I mean my friends! I mentally chuckled. You have to watch out what you think! Who knows you might just BLURT it out! A voice inside of me said. I said goodnight to everybody and hopped into bed.

-Oops! So sorry for the short chapter! So the question about Principal Vermont got answered yayy! But I wonder what's going on with Tala...Is there any more to her story? What do you guys think? By the way, please make sure to vote! You guys are awesome! Thank you!