This morning, I convinced Baba and Mama to let me walk to school with my friends. I was super excited for school because today we were going to have Social Studies for first period. It was my favorite subject. I would also get to see Kareem. But the learning portion was my priority of course. I can't let him play with my mind throughout my studies. I had to focus on my school work. I greeted my friends at the intersection of Kalor Street and Bills Street. We all said our Salams to each other. "So what do you guys have first period? I have Social Studies." I told the girls, hoping at least one of them would be in my class. "I have art with Insaaf." Moaned Dalia. I raised a brow. Before I could ask who Insaaf was, Raya answered my question. "Oh she's the school bully. I know that sounds childish but yea she's the school bully. She's a Muslim but isn't a very good one." Raya whispered. Kareema and Raya laughed. I didn't really think it was funny because even if its true, you never know what's happening in that persons life. "You guys shouldn't judge her. Only Allah Subhanna Wa Taala knows if she's a good Muslim or not. She is a bully and all but don't call her a Bad Muslim. And we don't know what she's going through." Dalia advised. Kareema and Raya just rolled their eyes and walked off in front of us. Hmm that was weird. Raya just rolled her eyes. RAYA just rolled her eyes. Well that was a first. Then Dalia broke the silence between us. "Hey. So how's your family?" I looked up to her. I noticed something about Dalia: She was always so kind and thoughtful and honestly- She was the most respectful out of the three girls! "Oh they're great, Alhamdulallah. How about yours?" I asked her. She nodded and put a thumb up. I chuckled, happily.

Once we got to school, I headed straight to my locker to see Kareem's beside mine. He was putting his things in his locker. "Alsalamuallakum Mariam." He told me. My head jolted up from my locker. "Oh sorry didn't see yoy there. Waalakumalsalaam 'Peace be upon you too'." I returned the salam. I really shouldn't be talking to him! I might flush right in front of him! With that I rushed to class, speed walking. I grabbed a seat beside Kareema. "Hey! Yes we're sitting beside each other!" She squealed. I squealed back, excited. "Your brother said Salams to me!" I whispered to her. She made a happy expression. We had a substitute teacher today. Just then, Miss Read walked into the room. I was stunned and turned to Kareema who was stunned too. "I thought they fired her." I whispered to Kareema. "Yea same. That's just weird." She whispered back to me. As she went down the attendance list, she got to my name and eyed me, beastly. She did the same for Kareema. And into the microphone, she mumbled something I couldn't quite hear. But apparently somebody did hear. "Excuse me?" A manly voice exclaimed. I looked to my right and saw curly haired Kareem. And did he look GREAT! Mashallah! He's adorable when he's upset! Ya Allah. I really got to get out of this habit! I bit my lip wondering what was going to happen next. "Yes Kareem, got something to say?" Miss Read asked. I think she was challenging him. Kareem stood up, proudly. "Yes actually. Don't you EVER dare to speak about my sister or Mariam that way EVER again. Got that?" Oh wow. He just stood up to her. For Kareema and I. ME and Kareema. ME! Oh my God! Yes! But happiness didn't last for long. "Excuse me young man. You head to the-" "Oh Miss Read. Hello. I heard screaming and I decided to come and check if everything was ok." Principal Vermont interrupted Miss Read as he walked into the room. That was weird though. The principal told me that Miss Read got fired. "Yea those TERRORISTS thought that they really were able to stand up to me." Miss Read told Principal Vermont. Terrorists. Terrorists. They've really said it. That's the first time somebody ever said that to me. "Oh don't mind them. They were probably just brought up that way. I talked to Mariam Taliban yesterday by the way." Principal Vermont said. That's it. They've said it. My last name was NOT Taliban. It was Talib. Talib meant order in Arabic and was a beautiful name. I loved it. "Oh Principal Vermont? I just wanted to let you know that my last name is Talib not Taliban. There is a difference. And if you looked any closer in our religion it is about having PEACE and living a HEALTHY life style. Just because somebody of MY religion has committed a crime, doesn't mean everybody in my religion has. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Speaking like that in front of us. No matter what you all say, I will still have faith in Allah Subhanna Wa Taala. The most high and glorified. I will never lose my faith in him no matter what you say." I stood up to them. Wow I didn't know I really was capable of all that. Just then I heard clapping. The whole room was clapping at me while Miss Read and Principal Vermont stood there, speechless. I was proud of myself for standing up to them. Even though they were teachers, that didn't give them any excuse to make fun of us Muslims like that. I don't deserve it. No one, Muslim or not deserves to be judged poorly like that. And with that, the bell rang for second period and the announcement bell rang at the same time. "goodmorning staff and students. I just wanted to remind you all that there will be no school for two weeks, due to March Break. Stay safe." It was the Vice Principal, Mrs Nabila. She was a Muslim and I liked her. She was really nice. I headed to my second class, Music feeling happy and proud that I stood up to a teacher and the principal.

- Sorry for the short chapter you guys hehe! So what do you guys think about Mariam's personality so far? Please don't forget to vote on my book! And shoutout to CoveredBeauty! Plz go follow her and read her book, Recovering! It is sooooo interesting!