The next morning, Aleezeh woke up late again.
Her mother smiled.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Mama."
Noor arrived soon afterward.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum, Aunty."
"Wa Alaikum Assalam. How are your studies?"
"Good."
Aleezeh grabbed her bag.
"Let's go!"
They reached school.
Ahmed was waiting near the gate.
"Assalam-o-Alaikum."
Noor replied.
Aleezeh ignored him.
Ahmed frowned.
"Why are you ignoring me?"
Aleezeh continued walking.
He followed them.
"I'm talking to you."
She stopped.
"What do you want?"
"To talk."
"I don't want to."
She walked away.
Ahmed stood there smiling.
Later, he approached them again.
Aleezeh lost her patience and pushed him away.
"Stop following us."
Ahmed laughed.
"I only wanted to be your friend."
"I don't need another friend."
He smiled.
"We'll see."
During class, Aleezeh was talking instead of listening.
The teacher called her forward and struck her hand with a ruler.
Ahmed immediately stood up.
"Sir, that's enough."
The teacher stared at him.
"Who are you to interfere?"
Ahmed remained silent.
"Come with me."
He was taken to the principal's office and given a warning.
After school, Aleezeh approached him.
"Why did you interfere?"
"I was helping you."
"I didn't ask for help."
Ahmed looked disappointed.
"I thought you'd say thank you."
Aleezeh sighed.
"Please don't interfere in my problems."
She walked away.
Ahmed watched her leave.
He wasn't angry anymore.
He was curious.
There was something about Aleezeh that he couldn't understand.
And he intended to find out what it was.