Noor turned behind—and froze.
Jenne was standing there.
"You… you can tell him everything about yourself," she said coldly. "But don't you dare spell a word about me."
"But why? He already knows about our true identity. And he's a good person—he won't blabber to anyone," Ria said, annoyed.
"I don't care what he is."
"But… why?" Noor asked.
Jenne glanced at Noor. Her red eyes began glowing.
Noor's chest started aching.
(Ack… again. That means it wasn't because I was scared of her… it's because of her power.)
"Hmph." Jenne turned away.
"Why are you acting like this? Weren't you worried when he was hurt?" Ria yelled.
"Shut up."
"Why would I?"
"Then do whatever you want."
"Miss Jenne, wait," Noor called.
"What?"
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No."
"Then why don't you trust me?"
"Because you're a human. And humans are selfish, greedy… liars," she replied carelessly.
(Woah… that's so straightforward.) Noor's expression turned grey.
"If you really want to know about me, you have to earn my trust first," Jenne said, turning away.
"Oh… okay," Noor answered softly.
"Then I'll be going."
Shoosh—
She disappeared in a blink.
"Hmph. What's with her? Acting like she cares and now acting cool," Ria muttered, annoyed.
"What?" Noor was confused.
"Never mind. You know, it's already past three a.m., and you've got school tomorrow. Since I'm a werewolf I don't get tired, but you are human."
"Ah—shit, I forgot about that." Noor looked upward.
---
Next day at school
Noor was sleeping on his desk, drooling.
"Oi, Noor."
Ashraf shook him. "Wake up."
"Huh…" Noor wobbled, rubbing his eyes.
"Take this tissue, wipe your mouth, and look at the magazine."
"Woah… what's special about the school magazine…?" Noor mumbled sleepily.
"You sleepyhead—look what's written on the front page!" Ashraf said desperately.
"What's written on the fro—"
THE FAMOUS SCHOOL PRINCESS IS ALREADY DATING WITH A SIMPLE BOY HER FATHER ADOPTED.
Written bold in title.
Down there was a picture of Noor and Jenne getting out from the car.
Noor froze. He wasn't even breathing. His face turned grey.
"Noor, bro—say something! What is this?!"
Ashraf shook him.
"Is this true?"
Jamil came running.
"Oi, Noor! Say something! At least breathe!"
"WHAT THE HELL—?!"
Noor yelled, throwing his hand.
Thump
"Ack—!! My soft tummy… ahhh…"
Jamil dropped to the floor, holding his stomach.
"Oh—sorry," Noor said.
"Forget about him—but is this true?" Ashraf asked, fixing his glasses.
"Are you even in your right mind asking me that? There's NO WAY!"
Ria entered the classroom, standing in front of Noor.
SLAM—CRACK
She hit the table in half.
"Is this true?"
"You too…?" Noor was confused.
"Guys, listen—there is no way this is real. Ria, even you know about Je—"
She glared. Noor froze.
"Ah—oops. I mean, you also know about me. And it's clear this is just a rumor," Noor said, sweating.
"I wonder who wrote this…" Ashraf rubbed his chin.
"Maybe someone from her fan club… but what's their benefit? I don't know," Noor said.
He glanced around the class. Everyone quickly turned their heads away.
"Well, it doesn't matter. As long as it isn't true, it won't be a problem. Even if it was true—doesn't matter, right? Haha…" Ashraf teased.
"Ashraf—seriously?"
Noor and Ria said in sync.
---
Some months passed
My life became normal again.
My mother started calling me again—I acted normal, like nothing happened.
And my father… he was dead to me.
Ria grew even closer, like my best friend—but I still kept distance because of our gender.
Jenne was the same as always. I didn't go out at night, so I didn't run into her.
In school, I saw her sometimes—elegant as always.
Mr. Kevin was always busy with business. I didn't think much about him.
Miss Rosy always took great care of me, like an older sister.
I wanted to ask her about everything… but I couldn't gather the courage.
I didn't care about the rumors about me and Jenne.
I thought nobody in their right mind would believe it.
But…
Winter came.
The weather was cold and foggy.
Under the clear sky with white clouds, Noor, Ashraf, and Suvro walked together.
"Cough—cough—arrgh… this cold…" Ashraf complained.
"Come on, put on more sweaters. Look at Noor—even five layers aren't enough for him," Suvro teased.
"Ah come on, you know I'm sensitive to cold—achoo!"
Ashraf sneezed.
"Let him be, bro. So, what's the plan for tomorrow?" Noor fixed his scarf.
"Nothing special. Oh, do you know what tomorrow is?" Suvro asked.
"No?"
"Tomorrow is Rose Day."
"Rose Day?" Noor looked confused.
"I mean—yeah, that day people give roses to their loved ones… you know, girlfriend or boyfriend."
"Oh." Noor replied carelessly.
"I mean, tomorrow is also important to you because…" Ashraf said.
"Because?" Noor asked.
"Because your Jen—"
Noor quietly picked up his slipper.
"WOAH—WAIT—!!"
Ashraf and Suvro panicked.
"You know… this is a very powerful weapon," Noor said intimidatingly.
"Come on, I'm joking! Hehe!" Ashraf yelped.
"You know, in other countries kids date from a young age. Jenne is a foreigner, so I thought—"
"Okay, she is—but this is Bangladesh. We don't do that here."
"So—"
Noor threw the slipper at them.
"EEK!"
Suvro and Ashraf ran away.
Noor chased them.
I forgot about the pain inside me—the pain ripping my heart apart.
I acted happy in front of everyone, like nothing happened.
I wanted my life to stay like this… without anything changing.
But little did I know… something different was yet to come.
---
"I LIKE YOU, NOOR."
Noor froze.