Chapter 33.5 – How We Got Together (Part 15)

Natalie’s POV – Present Day

Achoo!!
I blow into my tissue for the fifth time this morning.

Ugh. Cold.
Classic.

And of course, it hits me today of all days—when we’ve got that cursed English homework due.

Three Days Ago – Classroom

Ms. Hazel, standing at the front of class with her arms folded, declares:

“You have three days to complete the assignment. Late submissions will not be tolerated.”

Her voice is sharp.

Like a guillotine for grades.

I nod quietly.

Totally ready to get it done early, as always.

Until—

“Well, don’t get distracted by that monkey, Nat…”
Mylie.

With her smug face. Smirking lips. Voice loud enough for the whole class to hear.

“You’ll miss your homework chasing your banana boyfriend~”

Everyone:
😆🤣😂

Me:
😖 “EKKK!!!”

I wish I could disappear.

My pencil almost snaps in half.

But honestly?

That wasn’t the worst part.

The real problem… was Alex.

Ever since that switch flipped in him…
Since Luna kissed his forehead…
He’s been acting…

Off.

After School – Yesterday

The sun was warm. The sky was lazy.
Me and Luna walked together like always.
I was still thinking about Alex’s monkey mode and trying to forget Mylie’s banana joke.

Then—

VROOOM!!!

A car screeched into view.

Dino.

Windows down. Music loud. Shirt halfway unbuttoned. That usual dramatic flair.

“BABE!! HEY!!” he shouted.

Luna blinked. “Huh? Dino? What’s wrong?”

“Your mama!!”

“…My mom?”

Luna suddenly turned serious.

She looked at me with concern.
“Sorry Nat—I’ve gotta go!”

She ran off with him, jumped into his car, and they sped off.

I was left standing.

Alone.

With the wind quietly brushing past.

I sigh and start walking toward home.

Then—

A familiar voice behind me.

“…Hey.”

I turn.

It’s Alex.

Hands behind his head. Walking beside me.

“…Where’s Luna?” I ask.

He shrugs.

“Emergency, apparently.”

“Huh…” I narrow my eyes.

Then he adds—

“…I saw Dino’s car earlier.”

“Yeah?”

“…Didn’t look like much of an emergency.”

I stop.

He keeps walking.

“They were laughing.”

Something tugs at me.

I catch up and grab his sleeve.

“You’re hiding something.”

“Huh? What? No—I just said what I saw—”

I stare.

Right into his eyes.

He doesn’t lie well.
Not to me.

“…Well?” I press again.

He scratches his cheek, looking away.

“...I dunno. Maybe it was an emergency. Just… a funny one.”

That’s the worst kind.

The half-truths.

I hate those.

I cross my arms.

“Whatever. You’re still suspicious.”

Alex sighs, walking ahead with that same careless look.
But I notice his hand clenched into a fist.

“Why do I feel like I’m the only one being honest?”

Natalie’s POV – 3 Days Later – My Room

ACHOO!!!

Another sneeze. Another tissue sacrificed.

I collapse back onto my pillow, eyes fluttering shut.

My body feels like it’s full of bricks.
My nose? A waterfall.
My head? Foggy. Blurry. Like static in an old CRT television.

I pull the blanket over my face.

“Ugh…”

Alex.
Luna.
Dino.
And… that switch inside Alex that no one seems to want to talk about.

It’s been on my mind the whole time I’ve been sick.
Twisting. Gnawing. Circling.

They’re hiding something. I know it.

And I won’t let it stay buried forever.

But right now…

I can’t even get up without wobbling like a newborn deer.

I’m gonna miss the homework submission deadline.

I sigh into my pillow.

“Why now…”

Footsteps.

I hear someone outside my door.

Soft.

Maybe Dad?

I croak weakly, “Uhh… Dad…?”

My voice is hoarse and nasal.

“…Could you help me send my homework to school? Today’s… the due date…”

“Ahhh—chooo!!”

There’s a pause.

Then a voice answers.

“…Uh, okay. Where is it?”

I blink.

That doesn’t sound like Dad…

That voice…

It's…

“…Alex?”

But I can’t see clearly.
I’m curled on my side, eyes barely open, buried under my blanket cocoon.
Everything's a blur.

I don’t have the energy to ask.

“…Whatever…” I mumble.
“…on the desk… brown folder…”

I hear him move quietly.

A rustle of paper. The sound of footsteps approaching my desk. A pause.

Then his voice again, lower this time.

“…Must be this one, huh. Okay. Got it, Nat.”

The door opens.

Then closes gently behind him.

Silence.

I stare at nothing.

Did he… really come all this way?

Why?

I sniffle again. Nose running. Heart—

Weirdly warm.

“That idiot…”

I clutch the blanket tighter around myself.

And even though I feel like death,

Even though I’m missing school,

Even though I still don’t understand anything about what they’re hiding—

A small smile sneaks onto my lips.

Alex’s POV

Mr. Hawk spoke with a quiet sigh, arms folded, eyes clouded with concern.

“Natalie’s down with a cold. But… I’ve never seen her like this. She’s usually strong, tough... decisive. This time, she just—shut down.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“…What happened?”

He hesitates.

Then says softly—

“Two days ago… she stayed at the park. All the way until night. It rained, Alex. Heavy. She wouldn’t leave. Just sat there alone. Said she was waiting for Luna.”

That…

That hit different.

I remember it now.

FLASHBACK – TWO DAYS AGO

That evening, mom’s phone buzzed.
A call from Phylis.
Her voice sounded nervous.
We got in the car and drove.

There she was—
Sitting under the rusted old park shelter.
Soaked. Shivering. Eyes vacant.

“Hey… Nat?”

She didn’t speak.

Then—
Without warning—
She clutched my arm.

Her voice, trembling:

“It’s Luna… I’m worried… I can’t reach her…”

Maybe that’s where it started.

Maybe that’s why she’s like this now.

Morning – School

I carry a folder pressed to my chest.

Natalie’s homework.

It feels like more than just a stack of papers.

Feels like I’m holding something important.

I reach her classroom.

Knock knock.

“Uh—Ms. Hazel?”

She looks up from her desk.

“Yes, Alex?”

I hold out the folder.

“I just wanted to drop off Natalie’s assignment… She’s down with a cold.”

Ms. Hazel lets out a soft sigh, her expression softening.

“Thanks, Alex. Take care of her, will you?”

“…Yeah.”

After that, I head back to the bilingual class.

Business as usual.
Francisco jokes around.
Alejandro’s writing another breakup poem in Spanish.
Will’s quoting biblical verses at the vending machine again.

But my mind’s not here.

Afternoon – Natalie’s House

After school, I find myself in front of her gate.

I ring the bell.

Phylis answers, brushing chalk dust off her shirt.

“Oh, Alex. What a surprise.”

“…Hey.”

She smiles warmly. Looks a little tired.

“I’m finishing a big paper. Nat’s still not well. Can you keep an eye on her for a bit?”

“Yeah, sure. No problem.”

Natalie’s room is up in the attic.

The same place she reads her books and stores her fashion sketches.

I climb the wooden stairs.

The door’s half-closed.

Then—

“AHH—CHOO!!”

Yep. Still alive.

Still… very much in suffering.

I slide the door open gently.

And there she is.

A complete mess.

Blankets kicked off.

Papers scattered.

A mountain of tissues rising like a shrine beside her bed.

She’s curled up in bed, her cheeks flushed a bright red, eyes half-lidded in a fever daze.

“…Sheesh,” I mutter. “What happened to the elegant Natalie Hawk?”

I set down my bag and go to the bathroom.

Grab a small towel.

Wet it.

Wring it out.

Return.

I kneel beside her bed and gently dab her forehead.

Her skin is burning up.

Her lips are dry.

She’s mumbling something in her sleep, barely audible.

I lean closer.

Suddenly—
She stirs.

“Mmm… Alex…?”

I freeze.

“…Yeah?”

She sits up.

Sluggish. Dazed.

Her hands fumble out toward me.

Wait.
Wait—hold on.

My eyes widen.

Because—

SHE’S. HALF. NAKED.

Only a thin bra.
And underwear.
No blanket.
No shirt.
Nothing else.

My soul nearly leaves my body.

“H-HEY! Wait—don’t—!!”

But she doesn’t even hear me.

She leans forward—

And wraps her arms around my neck.

Pulls me into her burning embrace.

“Help… me…”

Her voice is weak.

Vulnerable.

My mind screams.

My body is a statue.

My nose nearly bleeds from the intensity.

But then—

I feel it.

She’s trembling.

Her whole body.

Not from embarrassment.

But from exhaustion.

From stress. From… loneliness?

“…Idiot,” I whisper. “You should’ve told someone.”

I slowly, awkwardly adjust the blanket back over her. Keep my eyes pointed anywhere but down.

Still kneeling, I gently rest my forehead against her shoulder.

“I’m here.
I’ll stay.
Just sleep.”

She doesn’t reply.

Her grip loosens.

Breathing evens out.

She’s finally asleep.

And me?

Still red-faced.
Still stunned.
But not leaving.

I wipe sweat from my forehead, the dust of tissues and paper finally cleared from Natalie’s room.

This girl…
She’s got enough mess to open a tornado museum.

But now?

Her room looks peaceful.
Warm Navajo rugs.
Woven baskets on the shelf.
A dreamcatcher swaying slightly near the attic window.

It feels like… her.

Even when she’s unconscious in bed with a fever, cheeks flushed and hair tangled—

She still manages to look like a strong-willed heroine from a desert tale.

“…Guess it’s my turn to return the favor.”

I head down into the kitchen, keeping the towel over my mouth like a makeshift health mask.

No way I’m letting her sickness take me out too.

Professor Hawk’s Kitchen

The kitchen smells different from my home.

Cedar. Herbal tea. Sage.

I catch glimpses of pottery in the corner.
Bundles of dried corn hanging above the window.
Traditional symbols hand-painted on the cabinet knobs.

But despite the sacred air, the pantry is totally normal.

Lots of rice.
Figures. Professor Hawk may be Navajo, but he must have with a taste for Asian staples.

“Right. Let’s make something light.”

I find a container of dried mushrooms.
Perfect for Natalie—she’s vegetarian.

I soak the mushrooms, rinse the rice, and let it simmer.
I stir slowly, adding a pinch of salt and ginger.

The goal isn’t to make it thick, but smooth.
A soup-like congee. Something easy to swallow.

It’s the same recipe Grandma taught me back home in Sabah.

Made from the heart.
Simple.
Honest.

I let it boil gently while the kettle hisses beside me, filling a thermos with hot water.

Once everything’s packed onto a tray, I return upstairs.

Natalie’s Attic Room

She’s still curled in bed, bundled like a burrito.

Her cheeks are red from the fever, lips slightly parted.

The blanket rises and falls with each breath.

But then—

GRRRRRGLL.

Her stomach complains like a thunder spirit.

I set the tray down with a smile.

“Guess I’m not too late.”

I sit beside her carefully, lift the spoon, and blow gently.

“Hey, Nat…?”

She murmurs something—soft and vague.

“…Luna…? Where… are you…”

Still delirious.

Still burning up.

I sigh and shift the blanket slightly to prop her up, making sure she’s covered—

Because yeah… still just a bra under there.

Face: 💢🔥 RED.

Mind: CHAOS.

But I keep it together.

Because… this isn’t that.

“Okay, okay… focus.”

I raise the spoon again and press it lightly to her lips.

“C’mon… open up…”

To my surprise, she obeys—just barely.

Like she trusts me.

Like she knows it’s me, even in her fevered haze.

I feed her slowly.

Spoon by spoon.

Every time she swallows, it’s like a small victory.

It feels…

Warm.

Like I’m finally doing something right.

Then—

A chill runs down my back.

That feeling again.

Someone’s watching me.

I slowly turn—

“My, my… how lucky… my sister is.”

“YEEEE—!!!”

I almost throw the spoon across the room.

“PHYLIS?! STOP DOING THAT!!”

She’s leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, eyes amused.

“Seriously though, Alex,” she says, walking in. “You’re really good at this.”

“Yeah… cooking and cleaning. Kinda had to learn.”

She chuckles.

“Raised by a strong mom, huh?”

“Yup.”

Phylis glances at the porridge, then at Nat, then back at me.

Her expression softens.

“You know… not many boys your age would do all this.”

I rub the back of my neck.

“Yeah, well. I was worried.”

She watches me for a moment longer.

Then flashes me a grin.

“Well then~ I’ll leave you alone… with your wife.”

“HUHHHH?!?”

SPOON. DROPPED.

“Don’t say weird things like that!!!”

She laughs all the way down the stairs.

I glance back at Natalie.

Still sleeping.
Still warm.

Still—my chest aches watching her.

“…Wife, huh? More like friend zone…”

I shake my head, red-faced.

Spoon by spoon, I feed her gently.
The room’s quiet except for the distant rustle of tree branches outside and the soft hum of the heater above.

She leans slightly against my arm, her warmth faint but steady.
Her fever’s still there—but slowly, she relaxes.

I tuck the blanket over her again and let her rest.

She needs it.

Then I hear footsteps creaking up the attic stairs.

The trap door opens gently.

Professor Hawk enters first, his presence calm and commanding as always.
Beside him—Ms. Claire, Natalie’s mom, her eyes kind but sharp, scanning the room.

Their eyes land on me.
On Natalie.

Ms. Claire’s expression softens.
She smiles warmly, placing a hand over her heart.

“I’m not worried anymore…”

I blink. “Huh?”

Professor Hawk chuckles.

“Looks like Nat’s finally found her path.”

“Wait—what?” I sit straighter. “Hey, hey, we’re just buds, okay? I’m just looking after her.”

Claire crosses her arms with a teasing smirk.

“Buds? Son, buds don’t feed you porridge and wipe your forehead with wet towels.”

Professor Hawk nods sagely.

“You’ve crossed into ‘guardian spirit’ territory now, Alex.”

“Ummm…” I scratch my head awkwardly. “It’s not like that… I’m just worried, that’s all…”

Then Professor Hawk pulls something else out of his sleeve—

“I called your mom, Puan Mas.”

“Oh no.”

“She said, ‘Let my son stay with Nat. I’m worried too. At least my son is there, so I feel better.’”

What the heck is this?! Some low-key parental alliance plan?!

Ms. Claire walks toward a small dresser and opens the top drawer.

“Oh—if you’re looking to change her into more comfortable clothes, they’re right here.”

“HUH?!?”

I almost trip over my own feet.

“No-no-no-no, I don’t think that’s a good idea at all! Definitely not!!”

Ms. Claire laughs, her eyes teasing.

“Relax, I trust you. Only you, okay, son?”

She winks before walking off and whispers toward Professor Hawk—

“Honey, I feel better already now that Alex is here with our daughter…”

“YEP—OKAY—I’M NOT A BUTLER THOUGH!!!” I shout after her.

She’s already gone, her soft giggles trailing down the stairs.

Now, it’s just me and Professor Hawk.

The room feels a little quieter again.

We both sit in the chairs near the low shelf by the wall.

He looks around slowly.

“She’s got a beautiful space here.”

“Yeah… she said she likes the view from the attic. She can see the stars clearly from that window.”

My eyes land on the delicate dreamcatcher hanging above her bed, swaying ever so slightly.

“What’s that? The feathers and beads?”

Professor Hawk follows my gaze.

“That’s a dreamcatcher. It’s one of ours—Navajo tradition.”

“Like a good luck charm?”

He smiles.
“You could say that. It catches bad dreams. Lets the good ones pass through.”

I nod slowly.

“…She’s been worried about Luna. You think it’s still weighing on her?”

Professor Hawk looks distant for a moment.

“Yeah… even in her sleep, I think she’s still watching over her.”

Luna’s been missing from school for two days.
No messages.
No posts.

That’s not like her.

Something’s wrong.

And now Nat’s sick… heart-sick, maybe.

“How do I help her?” I murmur.

Professor Hawk rests a hand on my shoulder.

“Just stay.
Sometimes, staying means more than solving things.”

We talk for a while longer.

He tells me about how Natalie never liked crowds as a child.
But always wanted to be seen.

“She’d dress in the most colorful, outlandish outfits,” he says with a laugh.
“She was quiet—but always wanted people to notice her.”

“That’s still true now…”

He stands and heads downstairs.

But before leaving—

He places a folded blanket on the chair.

“Why don’t you stay the night?”

I look at him.

“I mean… I was going to head home…”

He shakes his head gently.

“It’s late. You’ve done enough. Just rest.
You’ve already done more than we hoped.”

I glance back at Natalie—
Still asleep.
Breathing softly.
Hands curled near her face.

And I realize…

I don’t want to leave.

Not yet.

I take the blanket folded neatly on the chair.
Pull it over myself.
And sit.

Right there, beside her bed.

Not saying anything.

Just listening to the faint sound of Natalie breathing.
Watching the night sky from her attic window.
The stars blink back like tiny fireflies caught in glass.

I lean my head against the wall.

Eyes heavy.
Chest warm.
Mind quiet.

Just for a little while.

I close my eyes…

Present Day – Natalie’s Narration

Alex…

You know what?

That feeling—

Safe.
Secure.
Warm.

That’s what I felt.

Back then…
Even when I was sick and delirious—
Even when I couldn’t speak properly—
I felt your presence.

I knew I was safe.

Like a flame that never burns,
Like a roof over my heart,
You made me feel—

Like nothing in this world could break me.

And when you left…

Back to Malaysia…

You didn’t just leave a country.

You left with half of my heart.

I never told you—

But I cried for weeks.

Because nothing felt safe without you in it.

Present Day – Alex’s Narration

All the fights, all the dumb monkey moments, all the teasing…

It doesn’t matter.

Because if anything ever happened to you, Nat—

I’d lose it.

All of it.

I don’t care about pride.
Or logic.
Or dignity.

I’d burn everything down just to keep you breathing.

Stupid, huh?

Heh…

Yeah.

I’m an idiot.

But you’re my idiot.

Next Morning – Alex’s POV

Weekend.

Thank God.

I blink slowly.

The soft morning light filters through the window, golden and peaceful.

My neck’s sore from leaning against the wooden frame.

I yawn, stretch a bit—

And realize…

Someone’s next to me.

No.
Wait.
Not “next to me.”

ON me.

I freeze.

Natalie.
Is curled under the same blanket.
Pressed against my side.
Only wearing—

“H-HUH!?!”
🤯

Bra.
And.
Panties.

My brain dies.

My soul exits my body.

This is not a drill.

“E-emmm…” she murmurs softly, turning slightly, her bare thigh brushing my leg.

My entire body stiffens like a mannequin.

“Shit, shit, shit—”

I try to slide away. Carefully. Gently.

But she clings a little tighter.

Her arm lazily wraps around mine.

Like she knows it’s me.

My face is boiling red.

Then…

Then I realize—

Something else is waking up.

“No.
No no no.
Not now.
Down boy.
Please—don’t betray me like this!!”

I internally scream.

My mind’s in full panic mode.

I didn’t do anything!
I swear!!
I was just watching the stars!!

But now…

I’m stuck here.

Frozen.

Half-dead from embarrassment.

And completely unsure what the hell happens next.

Natalie’s POV – Morning

The soft glow of sunlight touches my skin.

It’s warm.

Peaceful.

For once, the fever’s gone.
My chest doesn’t feel tight.
And for the first time in days—

I feel…
Calm.

In my dream…

I was chasing someone.

Luna.
Running down an empty road, always one step ahead.
I could never catch her.

But someone was behind me the whole time—

His hand gently on my shoulder.

His voice, barely audible through the haze:

“Don’t worry. I’m here.”

And now…

As I blink away the sleep, that warmth from the dream doesn’t fade.

I turn slowly—

And there he is.

Alex.

His back is slightly curved against the window frame.
Hair messy.
Eyes half-averted.

Face…

Bright red.

Like, “I microwaved a tomato and it exploded” kind of red.

“Huh?” I blink again, my vision sharpening.
He’s stiff. Tense. Like a statue trying not to exist.

I glance down at myself…

Oh no.

Oh no no no.

I’M IN MY BRA AND PANTIES.
UNDER THE SAME BLANKET.
NEXT TO HIM.

“EYA—!!!”

My scream practically blows the roof off the attic.

“YOU. PERVERT. ALEX!!!!”

WHAP!!!

I slap him across the cheek with all the strength I can summon from my half-healed body.

His head snaps to the side—face still red.

“OW—HEY!!!”

He recoils, rubbing his cheek.

“WHAT THE HELL, NATALIE?! I WAS LOOKING AFTER YOU!! I SWEAR I DIDN’T TOUCH ANYTHING!!”

I clutch the blanket tighter around me like a life vest, heart pounding like a jackhammer.

“THEN WHY AM I NAKED?!”

“YOU WERE SICK!! YOU DID THAT!! I JUST FED YOU AND PASSED OUT!! I DIDN’T EVEN LOOK—WELL I DID BUT I TRIED NOT TO—BUT—GAHHHH!!”

His voice cracks halfway into panic-mode.

He points desperately at the empty bowl on the bedside table.

“…I made you congee.”

I blink.

“…You fed me?”

He nods, eyes wide.

“…Like a baby,” he adds, deadpan.

My face flushes instantly.

“…Seriously?” I mutter behind the blanket.

I peek at the bowl again.

Clean.

I don’t even remember eating.

A heavy silence falls between us.

My heartbeat won’t calm down.

Alex fidgets, still facing away, ears red as cherries.

“Hey…” I murmur, soft this time.

He pauses.

“…Thanks.”

He freezes.

Then slowly—just barely—nods.

We sit in awkward silence.

The light from the window filters between us.

Outside, the wind rustles the trees.

I pull the blanket a little higher.
But for some reason…

I smile.

Even if it was embarrassing.

Even if I panicked.

Even if I accidentally decked him across the face.

He stayed.

And that means more to me than I can say right now.

“OUT!!!”

I shove Alex out of my room like a raging hurricane with bedhead.

He stumbles out of the door in panic, mumbling something about “self-control” and “innocence lost”.

SLAM!
The door shuts.

Silence.

I stand there—
Clutching the blanket around me like a shield.

My body is shaking.

Not from fever.

Not from embarrassment.

But from something far, far worse—

The truth.

My heart.
Won’t. Stop. Beating.

DOKI DOKI. DOKI DOKI.

My cheeks burn hotter than a frying pan on high heat.

“WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT JUST NOW?!?!”

I fall back onto the bed, still wrapped in the blanket, screaming into a pillow.

He stayed with me.
Cooked for me.
Fed me.

Didn’t even run away when I was being an embarrassing mess.

And worst of all—

He held me.

“That dream… that warmth... that smile…”

“I… I LIKE HIM!!!”
💥

I sit up, hands gripping my head, face redder than a neon stop sign.

“I— I’m such an idiot!!”

I roll off the bed and stumble toward the dresser.

“But—does he like me back?!”
“W-Wait! What if he was just being polite!?”
“What if—he sees me like a little sister!?”
“What if he—what if he’s into LUNA?!?!” 😱

“AAAAAAHHHH!!!”

I collapse into the chair.

Total mental breakdown: complete.

After fifteen minutes of spiraling…

I finally pull myself together.

Get dressed—finally.

Simple sweater, long skirt, tie up my messy hair.

Face still slightly flushed, but at least I don’t look like a walking disaster anymore.

Downstairs – Kitchen

The scent of breakfast lingers—maybe leftovers from what Alex made earlier.

But the room is… empty.

At least, empty of him.

Instead—

“Yo.”

Phylis is sitting at the kitchen table, sipping herbal tea with her usual nonchalant smirk.

She looks up at me with a teasing gleam in her eyes.

I fidget a bit, eyes darting.

“U-Um… where’s Alex?”

Phylis lowers her cup slowly.
Her lips curve into the kind of smirk that says “Oh, I know everything.”

“Oh~? Looking for someone?”

I try to play it cool.

I fail spectacularly.

“W-WHAT?! NO! JUST CURIOUS!!”

She sets the cup down gently, tilting her head.

“He left earlier. Said he needed air. Said something about you possibly murdering him if he stayed longer.”

“…I might have overreacted.” 😣

Phylis leans back in her chair, arms folded.

“Don’t worry, he looked more flustered than traumatized. You both looked like you stepped out of a teenage romance.”

I bury my face in my hands.

“I’m going to melt into a puddle and evaporate now.”

She laughs softly.

Then her tone drops—gentle.

“Hey, Nat.”

I peek between my fingers.

She smiles softly this time.

“You don’t need to force it, okay?
If it’s real…
It’ll show.
And that boy already shows it. Even if he’s too dense to say it out loud.”

My heart skips again.

I don’t answer.

But I sit down next to her.

Still covering half my face.

Still burning inside.

But this time…

Smiling.

Alex’s POV – Evening

I finally make it home.

After everything that happened with Natalie, the fever, the dream, the confusion—

I needed air.

Time to clear my head.

But instead of peace, I’m greeted by a familiar scene in the neighborhood cul-de-sac.

Faiz, Marina, and Adinor are already chilling outside—chatting near the porch, munching on curry puffs someone’s mom left on the fence post.

“Yo,” I nod, slumping next to them.

Faiz hands me a plastic cup of cold barley.

“Looks like someone barely survived a hurricane,” he smirks.

“Shut up…” I sip. “It was a fever. And a girl. And blankets. And… chaos.”

Adinor reading his books.

“Sounds like a romantic comedy breakdown.”

“More like psychological warfare,” I mutter.

Then…

Wan.

With that swagger walk of his, he approaches us, flanked by a couple of older boys—mostly local Malay kids from the block.

His expression?

Too casual.
Too fake.
Too much like he’s ready to pick a fight.

“Hey,” he says coolly, crossing his arms. “There’s gonna be a thanksgiving feast this Friday for the Muslim families. You coming?”

“Huh? Yeah, maybe,” Faiz nods.

Wan turns to me.
His grin thins.

“So… heard you’ve been getting real close to Natalie Hawk.”

My eyebrow twitches.
“Not that close,” I say. “Why?”

He shrugs.

“Just a heads-up. Her friend Luna? She’s not who she looks like. Watch your back.”

My fingers tighten around the cup.

“…Really? ‘Cause I don’t remember asking for your opinion.”

Faiz shifts uncomfortably.

Wan leans in, lowering his voice.

“If they’re hiding things… you sure you wanna get involved?”

Something in his tone—

Like he's blaming me for something.

“Then go say that to Nat’s face,” I say flatly. “Why come to me?”

His ‘goons’ close in a little.

One of them—a lankier boy with spiky hair and slightly older than the rest—steps forward.

“You know, just because you’re living here now doesn’t mean you run the show.”

“Huh? Since when does walking next to a girl make me king of the neighborhood?”

He shoves me.

I stumble back.

Faiz immediately steps in between.
“Hey, hey—chill, man!”

But I straighten myself again.
Brushed the dirt off.

I look the guy dead in the eye.

“Did your ego get bruised watching a girl smile at someone else?”

The older boy growls.

Nadia—a girl from the other house—suddenly yells from her yard.

“ZAQUAN!! What’s wrong with you!?”

Her sisters, Dang Ayu and Dang Aini, step out too.

The older girls are not amused.

“Ganging up on someone younger than you? Real mature.”

Zaquan ignores them.

“You’re the one who got our ustaz into trouble. You dragged him out. You shamed the surau.”

I narrow my eyes.

So it is about that.

I take a breath.

“I didn’t drag anyone. He lied. I just didn’t stay silent.”

I quote from memory:

“Indeed, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.”
– Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13

“The Prophet (SAW) didn’t teach arrogance. He taught humility.”

Zaquan’s face flushes red.

“SHUT UP!!!”

I catch his wrist mid-swing.

“Yo,” I say coolly.
“You need sugar.
Go home. Drink Coke. Watch some anime.
Come back when you stop barking.”

The boys behind him falter.

Even Wan looks… conflicted.

He mutters, “You’re out of control…”

But then—

A familiar bark.

A fluffy golden blur rushes in.

“KOBY!!!”

And right behind the happy dog—

“ALEX!!”

Ms. Jackie.

She waves, her silver hair tied into a tight bun, sunglasses resting on her head.

“Walking my baby boy~ Everything okay here?”

The boys freeze like ghosts in broad daylight.

Wan’s squad visibly pale.

Faiz and Marina?

Chill.

“Hey, Ms. Jackie.”

“Sup, Auntie Jackie.”

Koby circles around me, tail wagging, but never jumping.

He stops and sits obediently at my feet.

His gaze respectful.

He knows.
I’m Muslim.
And he respects my boundaries.

Ms. Jackie smiles proudly.

“Yup. He’s trained. After that whole ‘incident,’ I made sure he could walk around any friend of mine.”

She looks at Zaquan.

“Problem, son?”

“…No ma’am.”

“Didn’t think so.”

Wan mutters to his group.
They shuffle away.

Zaquan glares at me once more before following.

Koby lets out a happy bark.

“WOOF!”

I pat his head, careful.

“Good boy. Is Jackie good?”

“WOOF!”

“Thought so.”

Wan throws a last line as he walks off—

“It’s still haram…”

I smirk.

“Allah created all things. Even pigs. But only humans can choose to act like one.”

“Whatever!”

He storms off.

Ms. Jackie shrugs.

“Same attitude I dealt with back in Alabama.
They thought being Christian meant you had to be white.
People forget—God doesn’t need skin color to recognize your soul.”

“Yeah…” I nod. “Thanks, Ms. Jackie.”

She pats my shoulder and strolls away, Koby happily trotting beside her.

Nadia walks over.

She watches Koby disappear down the lane.

“…That dog really loves you.”

I blink.
“What?”

She smiles.

“I mean, he’s a great judge of character.
And if even Koby isn’t afraid of you…
That says something.”

I laugh lightly.

But inside?

That warmth from earlier…

Still hasn’t left.

The desert sun is dipping low, tinting the sky orange-gold.

We’re hanging around Faiz’s front porch when suddenly—

“TADAAA~!!”

Marina bursts out from behind the gate with a triumphant grin, dragging a bright blue duffel bag that looks like it’s seen at least three different school years.

She unzips it—

Rollerblades.
Skateboards.
Knee pads.
Elbow guards.
And one beat-up cassette player with built-in speakers.

“Uhhh…” I blink at the pile.

Faiz lifts an eyebrow. “What’s all this?”

Marina points both thumbs at her chest. “Today’s Neighborhood Skate Battle Royale!”

Adinor leans against the gate, sipping from a can of Fanta. “That sounds made-up.”

“It’s not!” Marina insists. “We used to do this all the time in Phoenix! Come on—we’re hitting the park!”

She starts passing gear out like she’s running a rental shop.

Faiz grabs his trusty wooden skateboard, the one with faded Tony Hawk stickers and a wheel that squeaks when he turns right.

Adinor pulls out his black roller skates with neon green wheels.
(“Retro is cool,” he claims. I’m pretty sure it’s just what he found in the garage.)

I end up with a pair of inline blades—black, scuffed, and surprisingly smooth.

“Not bad,” I mutter, tightening the laces.

Then Nadia rolls up from the other side of the block, already in her powder-pink skates and rocking her signature side ponytail.

Her older sister shouts from their screen door:
“No injuries this time, okay!?”

“We’ll only break bones for fun!” Nadia replies.

Rolling Out – Toward the Park

With the cassette player blasting old-school beats—MC Hammer, Spice Girls, 2Pac, and the Power Rangers theme songsomehow mashed in—we make our way down the cracked sidewalk.

Marina leads the charge like the hyper girl boss she is, spinning in circles and yelling at cars to “respect the skaters!”

Faiz is doing slow ollies over pebbles, his shirt flapping like a cape.

Nadia zigzags between bushes and mailboxes with one headphone dangling.

Me?

I’m just trying not to faceplant.

We roll past barking dogs, kids on bikes, and neighbors watering cacti.

Eventually, we reach the community basketball court, now cleared and turned into a DIY skate zone by local kids.

Cones are set up in rows, marking some sort of weird slalom dance path.

Other kids are skating to the beat of a nearby boombox blasting Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby.

A guy waves at us.

“Hey! You guys wanna join the cone line? It’s like—freestyle but with sick moves!”

Marina’s eyes sparkle. “OH YEAH. LET’S GOOOO~!”

She’s already sliding through the cones, spinning on one foot like a figure skater from a cereal commercial.

Faiz glides next to me on his board.

“Looks like this is our afternoon now.”

“You regret this?”

He shrugs.

“Only if I fall and ruin my face.”

“Fair.”

The cones come up.

I bend my knees.
Find the beat.
Let muscle memory and instinct take over.

Slide left.
Quick turn.
Lean right.
Duck and swirl.

Nadia whistles at me. “Dang, Alex! You hiding secret rollerblading powers?!”

“Hey, I grew up dodging potholes,” I grin. “This is luxury terrain.”

Adinor attempts a twirl—

Wipeout.

Marina crashes into him laughing.
“Teamwork makes the faceplant work!”

Faiz does a clean ollie over a cone and throws his hands in the air like he just landed a double McTwist.
(It was barely a hop.)

We spend the next hour laughing, skating, and playing dumb cassette tracks until the tape warbles from heat.

In That Golden Light…

We weren’t worried about tomorrow.

We weren’t thinking about heartbreaks, or school drama, or mysterious girls with hidden secrets.

It was just us.

Us, the pavement, the beats, and the wheels under our feet.

And for that one sunset afternoon in the ‘90s…

We were free.

We’re still riding the high from all that skating.

Laughter echoing. Sweat dripping. Sunset slicing the sky in warm orange rays.

The cassette player’s batteries are almost dead, and Spice Girls is starting to warble into a haunted version of “Wannabe.”

That’s when I suddenly blurts out:

“Oh crap—guys! Thanksgiving’s tonight!!”

They all freeze mid-roll.

“Hah? I thought it was optional,” Faiz shrugs, glancing at his battered digital Casio.

“More like… another round of ‘Wan the Righteous’ yelling about how everyone’s going to hell,” Marina mutters while dragging a cone out of her path.

Adinor grins. “Yeah. If I wanted to be judged, I’d rather have it done by Street Fighter.”

“Or grandma with her slipper,” I mumble.

We all collectively nod.

“Yeah, I’m skipping too. I’d rather pray at home and not have to explain why I hung out with a girl wearing neon skates,” I add.

Suddenly, one of the local kids shouts from across the court.

“Yo!! Race before sundown?! We’re doing a full block loop—gotta finish before Maghrib!”

Faiz lights up.

“Now this is a kind of religious event I can get behind.”

Marina slaps her wrist guards into place.

“Let’s go! Alex, you’re in! Adinor, you too! Faiz, you’re on hype duty!”

Nadia giggles beside him.
“I’ll cheer too~ but no trash talk this time, Faiz!”

“No promises,” Faiz grins.

The course?

Simple—but with flair.

A single full lap around the neighborhood block…
With a twist.

You’ve gotta show off at least one skill mid-race.

Jump, slide, dance, anything—just don’t skate boring.

“I haven’t even practiced that stuff,” I say, adjusting my rollerblades.

“You’ll be fine,” Marina smirks.
“You’re a natural. Just don’t die, okay?”

“Solid advice.”

We line up by the curb.
The breeze kicks up dust and a few dry leaves.

“Ready…”

“Set…”

“GO!!!”

We blast off.

My skates hit the pavement like thunder.

Adinor’s LED wheels flash.

Marina zips forward like a pro, swerving between imaginary lanes with theatrical flair.

The others cheer behind us.

“WOOO! Go Alex!!” Nadia shouts.

“Oi! Bet one of you eats pavement!” Faiz adds helpfully.

I lean into the curve, momentum building.

The sound of wheels.
The wind against my ears.
The fading light glinting through the tree-lined streets.

I’m focused—pure speed mode.

And then—

Out of nowhere, a figure waves from the porch ahead.

Natalie.

In her fluffy pajamas.

Waving both arms wildly like a maniac.

“ALEX~!!!”

“HUH—?!”

My eyes go wide.

My soul detaches.

A bush wall suddenly appears in front of me.

“OH—SH—”

Instinct kicks in.

I launch myself.

Leap over the bush like I’ve been training with stuntmen.

“THUMP!!”
I land, knees bent, somehow still rolling.

“WOOOO!!” Faiz’s voice in the distance.
“MY DUDE’S GOT MOVES!!!”

Adinor rolls beside me, eyes wide.
“Okay that was sick. You have to teach me that.”

Marina comes up from behind.

“Keep your eyes on the road, Romeo! Natalie’s not gonna fly out in a wedding dress, you know!”

“She’s in bunny pajamas! That’s worse!!”

We hit the last curve.

One of the local skater boys jumps down from a sidewalk wall, landing smooth with a 180 spin.

“Show-off,” I mutter.

I’ve got one shot.

I kick off the curb, grab a nearby pole, spin once around, and slide down the low concrete edge.

“Woooooah—YES!!”

I stick the landing.

“YOU DID IT!!” Nadia cheers.
“Smoother than Faiz’s pick-up lines!”

“HEY!!!”

We cross the finish with laughter.

My lungs are burning, but I’m smiling.

This… is fun.

Not serious.
Not painful.
Just this one perfect 90s moment of skate wheels, sunset, and slightly embarrassing pajamas.

As we roll to a stop, I glance back.

Natalie’s still at the porch.

Smiling.

And somehow…

That makes me feel like I just won a race no one else knew I was running.

The sun's almost gone, casting the neighborhood in that soft, golden haze.

Our skates are scratched, our knees sore, and our shirts clinging with sweat—
But every one of us is grinning like idiots.

The local boys who joined the race are still bouncing with excitement, their voices overlapping like a chaotic remix.

“Bro! That slide you pulled at the end—sick!!”
“You guys are like those stunt kids on TV!”
“Tomorrow? Same time?”

I wipe my forehead, breath still catching.

“Yeah, sure. Same time tomorrow,” I nod at them.

They fist-bump us before running off toward the alley, laughing as they disappear into the dusk.

Just as we’re catching our breath—

Natalie suddenly walks over.

Still in her fuzzy bunny pajamas, arms folded, cheeks slightly puffed from pouting.

She looks straight at me.

“Hey… did you submit my homework?”

I blink.

“…Oh. Yeah. Gave it to Ms. Hazel myself.”

“Oooo~” Marina instantly slides over with a smug grin.

“Husband duties already, huh? Did you tuck her in and sing a lullaby too?”

Natalie turns bright red.

“H-Hey! That’s not funny!! If I didn’t submit it, my grade would’ve dropped! That’s my future, Marina!”

“Aww, don’t worry, wifey, hubby here’s got your back,” Marina winks.

I quietly look away, hiding a smirk as Natalie grabs Marina by the sleeve.

“I swear to God, Marina—”

“Okay, okay! I surrender!” Marina laughs, pulling her hands up in mock defense.

Nadia giggles.
Adinor fake coughs, trying not to laugh.
Faiz mutters, “This whole neighborhood's becoming a rom-com…”

Natalie finally lets go of Marina and turns to me again, arms folded over her oversized pajama top.

She softens a little.

“Thanks… for earlier. The homework. And, uh… everything.”

I scratch my cheek awkwardly.

“You should head in. Still recovering, remember?”

She glances up at the dimming sky, then back at me.

“…Yeah. You too.”

“I’ll try.”

She waves.

“See you tomorrow, Alex.”

I watch her go.
Even in bunny pajamas, she still walks with more presence than most adults I know.

Later That Evening – My House

We’re in a rush now.

Everyone splits—rolling or walking—heading back to their own places to get ready before Maghrib hits.

I reach my front gate just in time.

Mom’s standing at the doorway, arms crossed, one eyebrow already cocked.

“Uh huh. Rollerblades? Where the heck did those come from?”

I slide them off quickly at the doorstep.

“Marina loaned them to us. There was, uh… a neighborhood skating race thing…”

She squints.

Then shakes her head.

“You’ve been here barely a year and already turning this block into Power Rangers Extreme Sports.”

“Blame Marina.”

She rolls her eyes.

“Anyway, wash up. They're doing a second thanksgiving prayer and gathering next door.”

“Yeah… I’m getting ready.”

I glance at the clock.

There’s still enough time to clean up and pretend I haven’t been rollerblading through the streets like a maniac.

I climb the stairs two at a time.

But my mind lingers on that moment—

Natalie.
Waving.
In pajamas.
Smiling.

Maybe Marina’s right.

Maybe I am starting to feel something.

To be continued