Deceived; Chapter 22

"I'm 23 years old :)"

My heart began to beat, although this time, I didn't know whether it was because Fouad gave me butterflies or was it because I was in complete shock.

"Oh.." I answered.
I was too furious, displeased, crossed, and almost every other synonym of "angry"!

"Are you mad?" he asked.

I was wondering how could he not realize I was angry. Didn't I imply that with my brief answer?

"Mhmmm.." I replied implying once again that I was not only mad, but extremely furious!

"I see.. You are :(" he answered.

"Wasn't it obvious?" I said back bluntly.

"I'm sorry, truly, truly sorry :(" he told me.

"But please remember what I told you, age doesn't matter <3" he added.

The moment I read his words, I read in between the lines.

Maybe he's right, age doesn't matter.

"That's true." I replied.

I placed my phone on my wooden dressing table and exited the room.

I entered our wide living room furnished with brand new furniture that my aunt, an interior designer, designed herself , where my father and Fahad happen to be sitting on.

Their faces looked blunt and dull. They were watching the news on television.

I questioned their appearances.

My father held his head high and faced me, "We've decided to leave earlier to Canada because apparently, the university just called me and said that Fahad has to make up for one last exam. We're leaving tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning?" I asked, "but that's so soon!"

"Yes I know, that's why your aunt is gonna be here tomorrow morning as soon as we leave." he replied, "we will be out of the house by 10:30 AM."

"Oh okay.." I said while making space for myself in between Fahad and my father.

A while later, I was told to go upstairs to get some rest because I had to wake up extra early to say goodbye to Fahad tomorrow.

I checked my iPhone and picked it up from where I last left it.

Nothing from Fouad. He probably didn't know what to say after my short word answers.

I dug myself into my comfy cold bed and fell asleep instantly.

-

"Ghaneya!!!!!!!!!!!!!" my father's loud voice awoke me from all the way downstairs.

"What!?" I shouted back.

"Come on, we're gonna be gone for a while and the least you could do is say goodbye!" Fahad said instead of my dear father this time.

"Mmmmm....." I moaned loudly.

I forced myself to get up and walk down the stairs to the main entrance where the two men were at.

In the meanwhile, I wrote to Fouad that Fahad and my father were leaving.

"So I guess we aren't gonna see you for a while.. so yeah..." Fahad's voice reminded me that I reached the front door. They were both waiting for me to look up from my phone and say my final goodbyes.

My father did that cough which indicates he was seeking my attention.

I giggled softly and ran in for a group hug.

"Stay out of trouble!" my father said.

I gave Fahad an individual, last, warm hug and waved at them drive far away from our neighborhood.

My aunt was sitting inside just relaxing, eating, and watching television.

She was just here to check on me, she would leave later on in the afternoon before lunch.

I ran up to my room holding my mobile to read Fouad's reply.

"Oh really? :( Where are they off to?"

"Canada" I wrote. I explained to him why and for what reason.

"Oh.. So who's taking care of you?" he asked.

"My aunts will come every now and then, every 2 to 3 days.. That's what my father told me." I wrote back.

"Hey.. Umm.. Ghaneya?" he asked me. I felt suspicious and frightened he would tell me he wasn't 23 either.

"Yeah?.." I answered.

2 minutes later, I received a reply.

"I think we should meet! :)"

Deceived; Chapter 21

"I'm not 19 either.."

His words forced my heart to stop beating, literally, my heart dropped.

Before I could reply, I felt my phone vibrate once again.

He was calling.

"What?!" I said. My tone implied anger.

"Ghaneya? Listen, please understand!" he spoke.

"Why do you keep lying to me?!" my voice was almost audible through my strong wooden door.

"Please, let me explain. I love you, please Ghaneya." he answered with a sad voice.

 "How old ARE you then?!" I was extremely confused and frustrated.

"Please let me explain first, to gain your attention." he refused to answer my question.

"Well.. I'm listening." I briefly replied.

"I just finished university a year ago, which explains how am I back in the country. I couldn't call you because my number would be the same. I thought making up the lie about traveling would sound believable and understandable. I thought you would understand this situation. At first, I thought it was a phase that I'm going through, a phase where I'm just attracted to girls. But then I realized, I was madly in love with you. I thought you wouldn't love me back if you knew I was older than you by a lot." his words touched my heart causing my eyes to fill with tears.

I didn't want to lose him.

I didn't want to lose someone I've been attached to for so long.

Most importantly, I didn't want to lose what we had. Our bond. Our bond was keeping us together, despite our age difference, and of course, our location, we were crazy about each other. Our connection, even though we couldn't see our love, we could feel it, just like the wind.

"You know how much I love you, do you?" he added once he realized I stopped speaking.

"Yeah I do." I replied.

"Do you still love me?" he questioned.

"Mmm.." I muttered.

"Come on, Ghaneya. I didn't know age would matter to you. Please." he begged.

"Yeah, I do." I answered to his earlier question.

"So how old are you then?" I said before he could reply.

"Mmm..." he muttered loudly through the phone, "someone's calling me, I'll get back to you okay?"

"Okay.." I said briefly once again.

"I love you." he spoke.

"Me too." I replied.

And the call was disconnected.

-

I ran downstairs to open the door to see who rang the doorbell.

"GHANEYA!!" said Munya as she ran in for a hug.

"MUNYA!" I shouted back.

I loved the way my friends barged in my front door like that even without an invitation. It's like they knew I needed them. Although, no one barges in like Munya does. She was the most aggressive.

"I felt you needed me!" she told me.

"I did!" I giggled.

We walked to the living room and sort of just "relaxed".

I skipped today's lunch at my grandmother's house. I was too busy thinking about Fouad.

"I'm really sorry about everything, I know I apologized before but I just needed you to fully forgive me!" Munya spoke out of the blue.

"I'm willing to put the past behind us, too. I forgive you! Seriously, I do!" I said with a grin.

"So, how's Fouad?" Munya asked while raising her eyebrows up and down.

I haven't told her about his age issue and I don't plan on telling her either.

"He's fine hahaha" I replied with a laugh.

"Do you have any pictures of him? I really want to see who my best friend has been talking to for so long!" she asked.

"Yeah I do." I answered as I pulled out my phone, deleted our chats just in case, and opened my email to the picture attachment.

"Wow!" she exclaimed, "I didn't think he was this good looking!"

I sensed a bit of jealousy in me. I don't like people complimenting Fouad, he was mine and only mine.

Munya excused herself an hour later. She promised her sister they would meet up and window-shop.

We said our farewells as I walked her to the front door.

As I sat down in front of our black flat screen television watching any random channel, my phone vibrated against the wooden table 5 steps away from me.`

I prayed silently hoping it would be Fouad while walking to the vibrating iPhone.

Thankfully, my prayers were answered.

"I'm 23 years old :)"

Deceived; Chapter 20

So I guess the wait is over! Sorry I took a really long while to post. I haven't found something to inspire me yet. Please give me some feedback by DMing me or commenting. This post is dedicated to Zeina for waiting so patiently!

Enjoy chapter 20!

-

When I finally woke up from such a tiring evening, it was almost noon.

I ran downstairs to find Fahad and my father munching on their bread and eggs. They pulled up a chair and asked me to join them.

"Good morning sleepy head." said Fahad as I sat down beside him.

"Good morning." I replied adding a fake smile.

I grabbed a plate and took a spoon full of eggs and tomatoes. My eyes laid on the empty chair beside my father. Till this very day, every Friday was tough. It was tough because we managed to go through over 100 Fridays without our beloved mother. She used to bring our conversations alive, our sad days were turned to happier days every time she cracked up a hilarious joke, and she used to turn our frowns upside down, with just a warm hug.

I sat down chewing on my food, reminding myself of all the good times I had with my divine mother.

I had an enormous lump in my throat, which was basically filled with watery, wet tears.

I could still, to this very morning, sob and cry as much as I did the day she was gone. The day I was called to the hospital. The day I watched the heart beat monitor go flat. It's too sad to even think about that devastating and heartbreaking evening.

A tear rolled down my face while remembering everything she has done for us. It's difficult for a young girl to grow up without a woman, or at least without a mother beside her.

"So Ghaneya, we need to speak to you about a very important topic" my father broke in silence, causing me to wipe my tear that had just rolled down my cheeks.

"Yeah? And what about?" I asked keeping my head faced down.

"Since your brother Fahad here is graduating from his university, I'm going to have to go with him." he said, "your aunts will visit you very often. I will be gone for about 3 weeks, since we have to pack everything and all."

I almost broke down. I can't survive 3 weeks without my father.

I couldn't let my brother graduate without a parent beside him, too.

"Umm.. Okay. But why can't I join?" I asked hoping he would change his mind about me staying all by myself.

"Ghaneya, you have school, and you know how picky I am with your studies. I'm afraid you have to stay." he replied.

We finished our breakfast, and went separate ways.

-

"Hey Ghaneya!<3" Fouad DMed me once I unlocked my phone.

"Hellooo<3" I replied.

"How's my little queen doing?" he asked.

"I'm doing alright! How's life my great king?" I replied back.

"Not with me:(" his words were very hard to understand sometimes.

"I'm not following?" I said.

"You ARE my life!!" he answered.

"Aww :) I love you Fouad hahaha!" I replied so shyly.

"I love you much more! So what are you up to?" he asked.

"Not much really, homework and stuff." I answered, "oh and did I tell you I aced the math test?" I said hoping to make him happy with his extremely amazing math teaching skills.

"I told you! I knew you could do it!" he answered.

"No. YOU did it. YOU taught me. Thank you!!!" I said back.

"You're most welcome, anytime<3" he replied.

"So what are you up to?" I questioned him the same question he asked me.

"Not much, just at my grandparent's house :)" he replied in a matter of 5 seconds.

I was totally confused...

"Grandparent's house? Wait, what? How are you there?" I questioned once again in awful confusion.

"Ghaneya, I have another secret I must confess.." he told me. His words terrified me!

"And.......??" I almost broke my touch screen from how frustrated I was.

He didn't answer quickly this time. I began thinking and thinking. Why does he do this to me?! I couldn't deal with this anymore. I placed my phone aside and just started thinking more and more.

After 10 solid minutes of pure confusion, I unlocked my phone and finally read his words.

"I'm not 19 either.."

Deceived; Chapter 19

Please read:

As you can see, tomorrow is the first day of the last 10 days of Ramadhan. I prefer not to post since I would much rather use my time wisely. Ramadhan only comes once a year. Which means you only have one opportunity to fix everything including your sins. I will continue posting once Ramadhan is over.

You may have not seen anything interesting yet in my chapters nowadays. The reason why is because I'm saving everything for later. I am working my hardest to make this story a long one, unlike my first blog.

I would like to repeat that this story is fiction. The tiniest scenes are true. Nothing is based on anyone.

Tell me what you think of this story by asking me on http://Ask.fm/TheBHRWriter & DMing me on my twitter account: @TheBHRWriter

& again, no personal questions such as my school, age, name, family name, living or current location will be answered. I want to keep my identity anonymous, without anyone knowing who I am exactly. I want to be known as a good blogger, and not be criticized by me. 

Enjoy this chapter. :D 

-

We made our way through her big, brown gate. The security ushered us to go straight through her beautiful green garden filled with all types of trees and flowers. We exited the car and walked through her door entrance. Her house was filled with balloons. The floor was made of marble. Frames and paintings filled the house showing off their extremely spiral stairwell.

Jana saw us and walked towards us with her mini dress and face filled with makeup.

"Hey girls!" she greeted.

"Hey!" we all replied.

"Ghaneya, your brother didn't come?" she said looking around for Fahad in between the other boys she invited.

"He couldn't make it. He apologizes." I said.

Her face expressions changed all of a sudden.
It was as if she wouldn't expect us to come at all without Fahad.

"Well, enjoy the party then." she added a fake smile on her face and walked off.

It was typical. Most of the girls were either dancing, gossiping, laughing, eating, or making out with a guy. It crazy what 15 year old girls do nowadays.

The five of us just stood there, danced a bit, and then returned back home.

-

I was exhausted. I arrived back home, and went to check with my dad. He probably knew that I gave back the bikini. He also probably forgot about our little fight.

I placed my clutch on the sitting room couch and walked into my father's office. He was so concentrated and looked even more exhausted than me. I knocked on the door, and as he looked up to me, he spoke.

"Hi Ghaneya, how was the party?"

"Pretty good.." I said in tiredly.

"Oh okay, will you sleep now?" he asked looking through a huge pile of white A4 paper.

"I'll try, I'm exhausted. You know, her party was mixed." I assured him.

"That's good honey, now go to bed." he told me without even caring. He hadn't looked up after he saw me enter his office.

I climbed up the staircase and entered my room, grabbed some shorts and a t-shirt from my closet and changed. I removed my light makeup and placed my head on my soft, cushion-like pillow.

I felt low for some reason.

I felt like I had no one other than Fouad. He was always with me. My brother would always stay with his friends, while the girls I'm with keep on talking about uninteresting topics. On the other hand, Fouad made everything about me. It seemed like his world revolved around me. My world did. Those are one of the main reasons why I was madly in love with him.

"You're the only one who understands me, Fouad." I wrote to him.

"I feel the same way, Ghaneya." he replied.

"Wish you lived in Bahrain." I said.

"Same here." he wrote, "wish I could see you right now, hug you, tickle you, kiss you. Would you want that?"

"Yes. Yes I would :(" I said back with a sigh on my face.

"Hey did you fix your camera yet? Skype!" I added, making sure when I would be able to Skype him using the house computer without anyone knowing.

"Not yet D: soon <3" he answered.

Fouad, frankly, is the most genuine person I've met in this life. He's smart, funny, encouraging, and he thinks I'm beautiful.

Deceived; Chapter 18

The minute I laid my eyes on my elder brother Fahad, the first thing I did was run up to him and give him a big hug!

"Faaahaaad!" I yelled.

"Ghaneya!" he yelled back.

"I missed you ugly" I said.

"I'm ugly? Okay, okay then I wont give you the gift I bought you." he challenged me.

"Did I say ugly? I meant handsome." I tried to improvise.

He asked me how was everything and all. Everything was fine.

I marched up the staircase and stayed in my room until Fahad finished unpacking.

"Fouad! Fahad came back!" I excitedly wrote to Fouad.

"Oh really?! :D" he answered.

"Yes! I missed him so much :(" I said back.

20 minutes later, Fahad yelled out for my name asking if I could come back down.

He was holding a gift for me.

I reached out for the box he had in his hand and lifted the top off.

He got me a floral t-shirt. It was the exact same one I've always desired. Everyone had them! The box also consisted of celebrity nail polishes and a designer necklace.

"Thank you thank you so much Fahad I love you!" I side hugged him and ran upstairs.

Fouad was updated on everything that was going on.

-

I was almost done with eating breakfast then I was off to school.

Munya ran to me and gave me a big hug. It was surprising.

"I'm sorry!" she apologized.

I hugged her even tighter and forgave her.

As we were walking to class, we passed by a group of girls that everyone loved, everyone wanted to be part of them. They were considered the "popular" girls.

Jana, the queen of the group, stood up and walked towards me.

"Hey Ghaneya!" she greeted.

"Hi Jana." I was shocked.

"So I heard your brother is back in the country?" she was on to something. I could feel it.

"Yeah he is." I replied.

"So I was thinking maybe you could invite him to my party for me. And of course, you could come too, along with your gang." she said.

I wasn't surprised why she would invite my brother. He had the good looks. His skin was slightly tanner than mine, and both his hair and eyes were a lighter shade of brown. He was also extremely popular at school then.

"Sure okay.." I answered back calmly.

"See you." she said with the biggest grin.

As soon as school was over, I informed the girls about Jana's party and then walked off to my car.

"Just got invited to a cool girl's party! :D" I messaged Fouad.

"Absolutely impossible.." he replied.

"What do you mean?" I was completely confused.

"You ARE the cool girl!!" he replied.

-

Fahad was having lunch alone while watching TV. I went up to him and told him about Jana and her little party of hers.

"Say again? Who's party?" he asked in confusion.

"Jana Al-*****"

"Sorry but I've got plans, apologize for me, will you?" he asked.

"Sure" I answered.

I decided to go without him. It sure won't be what the girls' hoped for though.

-

I went to Munya's house along with the other girls.

Malak wasn't invited, since Jana didn't know her. Malak attends a different school than us. I introduced her to the girls ever since we began hanging out, which was a really long time ago.

I wore my floral t-shirt that Fahad bought me tucked in a black dip back maxi skirt. My hair made to a high bun, and Munya forced me to apply simple makeup.

Although the rest of the girls, they just wore simple dresses.

I asked if one of them would take a picture of me fully once we were completely ready. What they don't know is that Fouad has been asking me to send him a photo of me ever since I told him about the party.

I asked Mayyar to picture me. She wasn't that wise. I wanted to go to a private room, without Munya there. Munya was smart. One of the smartest in our group. She would know what was going on immediately.

I sent it to him. Honestly, I was quite the photogenic type. I looked gorgeous in photos, and sometimes in real life too.

I took a clutch with me, it was covered with diamonds. It used to be my mother's old clutch, actually. She saved it in order to give it to me once I grew up.

We wore our footwear and were ready to go.

Deceived; Chapter 17

I woke up this Friday morning completely pale.

My lips lost its color, my face was yellow, and my hair was absolutely dry and uncombed.

I skipped our breakfast today. I was still angry from my father's situation.

"Good morning gorgeous<3" Fouad wrote to me once I opened Twitter.

"Good morning handsome;*" I wrote back.

"Why didn't you answer me last night? Are you okay?" he asked.

"Nothing's wrong, don't worry. Hahaha I was too speechless, that's all. :*" I replied back.

"But Ghaneya?" he asked again.

"Yeah?" I inquired.

"Are you feeling lucky?" he sure knows how to bring butterflies into a girl's stomach.

"Yes, yes, very lucky!<3" I answered back so happily.

-

I extended my right foot and exited my car.

I was on my way to return the bathing suit. I was forced to, no matter what, I couldn't keep it.

I refunded the money back and went to the car.

I found a new text message from an unknown number which really freaked me out.

"Miss me? I'm almost there."

I ignored it since I was clueless as to why he or she messaged me.

At first I thought it was Fouad, but wouldn't he tell me?

I passed by the nearest cafe to grab a muffin. While I was walking back to the car, my phone vibrated. Fouad messaged me.

"I can't stop thinking about you." his random sentences made my day.

"Me too </3" I replied.

"I must have done something incredible to karma to give me someone as amazing as you are." after reading that, I was positive that Fouad really loved me more than I did.

"Do you know why you're special to me? Because you have the ability to make all my "nothing" days something." I replied sweetly back.

"Did I ever tell you how much I love you, Ghaneya?" he is too adorable for life. I love him.

"Did I ever tell you how much you mean to me?" he added to his words.

"Did I ever tell you that you brighten up my day?" he additionally wrote.

"They say Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth, and is the place where happy people are, well, they obviously haven't talked to you." he said ending his message.

"I love you so much, Fouad. I love you so much." I was too speechless and shy to answer back with another one of his cheesy pick up lines.

-

I entered the house and received another message from that number that I was unaware of.

"Turn around."

I obeyed and I saw..



My elder brother, Fahad.

Deceived; Chapter 16

Sorry I didn't post earlier. Enjoy it :)

-

I held on to our metal door handle and pushed our brown, wooden door forward.

It was 7:30 in the evening. My father arrived home about 15 minutes ago.

I greeted him him as I walked into his neat office.

"So Ghaneya, what did you buy today?" he asked.

"Nothing really, just a dance leotard and a bathing suit." I replied.

"May I see them?" he asked again.

I took out my dance outfit first. He looked at it in confirmation. I slid it back into the plastic bag, and then brought out my patterned bikini from the other paper bag.

His eyes froze in place.

"Ghaneya, what is this?" I could tell he was disgusted by the way his daughter, who never wore inappropriate  clothing, bought one of the clothes her father disliked.

"Just a bikini. My friend's having a swimming party soon." I replied.

It was no big deal, god!

"Sorry Ghaneya. I won't allow you to be seen in that. Even though you're with girls only." he apologized.

"Ugh but everyone at school has them!" I screamed.

"You're not everyone. Tomorrow go and return it." he commanded.

"But!.." He interrupted me before I could continue.

"No buts. You are going to return that tomorrow whether you like it or not. Now go to your room." he never spoke to me that way or ever in that high tone.

"I hate you!" I screamed even louder with a cry voice.

 I ran up to my room, slammed the door, and sobbed.

I hated being left out. I hated being different. All I wanted to do was fit in.

I grabbed my iPhone and talked to Fouad.

"Hey." I wanted him to feel me and ask what's wrong.

"You are mad, I could tell. What's wrong baby?" I loved the way he understood me.

"My dad. Ugh, so annoying. I hate him." I complained.

"What happened? :(" he asked.

"I bought a.. a.. bikini, and he wants me to take it back tomorrow." I hesitantly replied.

"How did it look like?" he seemed more interested, which made me giggle.

"Pink and black, zebra patterned." I answered.

"Oh.. That's hot. Too bad you must return it. I'm sure you would look gorgeous in it." he complemented.

No matter how much of a bad mood I'm in, he never ever failed to make me happy.

"You make me smile Fouad, even at the toughest times. Thank you." I sweetly wrote back.

"Just doing my job. I will never leave you sad, ever." I had a tear. This tear was no longer from my dad's issue, but a tear of happiness, a tear that indicates I love Fouad so much!"

"I am so grateful. The girl you love must be really lucky." I wiped my tear with a scented tissue and answered back.

"She must be! Ghaneya, are you feeling lucky yet?" I began tearing more from happiness.

I placed my phone on my heart, closed my eyes, left his message without an answer, and drifted to sleep with red, hot cheeks, and a smile on my face.

Deceived; Chapter 15

Fouad DMed me all of a sudden.

"Okay, so here it goes.."

_


"Okay, so here it goes, I'm sorry I lied to you, Ghaneya. At first, I didn't know we would reach this far in our friendship, I love you. And because I love you, you deserve full honesty. I am 19 and I'm in Lebanon for my second year of university."

I was shocked. He was lying to me this whole time, and now he decides to tell me the truth because he loves me?

"19?!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, Ghaneya, I'm 19 years old. I'm truly sorry. Forgive me?" he begged.

It was just a simple white lie that wasn't that big of a deal.

"Sure why not?" I replied.

"I love you<3!" he said.

I smiled and wrote, "I love you too."

-

I was in one of my dance rehearsals waiting for the teacher to arrive. Samar, a girl with me in dance class, asked if I wanted to shop with her this Thursday for clothes including dance costumes.

I accepted her invite. It could be fun shopping once in a while with a friend. My aunts usually take me shopping, never did I go with someone from school.

We rehearsed some dance moves for the first hour, then tested who was more flexible in the second.

By 4:45 we were done.

I entered our car and went home. When I reached, I changed into something cozy, ate, and then began my schoolwork.

My father came home surprisingly early today. I saw him on his laptop concentrating. I don't think he realized I was roaming around the house. I then asked him, as I walked up to his couch, if I could go to the mall with Samar. He agreed, I haven't left the house for ages. Malak's house was exceptional.

-

It was Thursday and Samar and I met at the mall to start shopping.

I noticed Samar's style is completely different than mine. The clothes she wears fit her well, showing off her curvy body. Her clothes were tight and quite revealing, too.

I didn't see anything that caught my eye. I was empty-handed while Samar's hand were full of plastic and paper bags.

She then suggested to find a dance costume for our dance show, and to purchase a bikini for Yara's swimming party.

I found a pink leotard and Samar found a silver one.

They were made of some sort of material similar to bathing suits, but specialized for dance.

Samar and I searched for a bikini in all shops. None of them sold suitable ones in my perspective. We then entered a shop that we haven't quite seen before. It sold all types of lingerie, hosiery,  few tops, and of course, swimsuits.

Samar picked out a bikini for me which had zebra stripes all over it. Pink and black were the colors.
Samar also picked out a more inappropriate swimwear for her, which I loathed.

We both payed and thanked each other for the fun day and went separate ways.

Deceived; Chapter 14

He then added to his words before I had the chance to reply, "I'm not 17 years old."

-

"What do you mean you're not 17 years old?" I replied in frustration.

"Listen, I must get on the plane. I'll talk to you when I land." he told me.

"Alright, don't forget!" I said back.

"Oh and Ghaneya?" he asked.

"Yes?" I answered.

"I love you." he replied.

I smiled after I read the 3 words.

"I love you too." I said.

He probably switched his phone off since I received no reply whats so ever.

My phone buzzed. I grabbed it to see if Fouad said anything, but it was Malak calling.

"Hello?" I spoke.

"Hey, listen you've got to come over, the girls are here. Sleep over too, okay?" she said.

"Okay, I'll get back to you once I ask my father." I told her.

I wasn't in the mood of a crowded place. I wanted to be alone, wait for Fouad to talk to me, and stuff myself with cold, vanilla ice cream. I was not in a very good mood after he told me he wasn't 17. Could he be younger? If he is, it sure is gonna be awkward! A frown grew on my face right after I really read in between the lines.

I walked slowly down our marble stairs and entered my dad's office and approached him. I asked him if I could go to Malak's, he agreed and then realized I was disappointed from my pale looking face.

"What's wrong darling?" he come closer to me and rubbed my naked arm.

"Nothing. Bad mood, that's all." I replied in a low voice.

"So, how's Fouad? Is he doing alright?" he questioned.

My father would not condone me to speak to him if I have told him he lied about his age.
I wouldn't want to tell him he traveled to Lebanon either. He might think of him as a freak leaving his country in the middle of the school year.

"He's fine." I acted normal as if nothing has happened.

"Well that's good. How old is he anyway?" Oh no. Did he have to ask me that?

I'm not sure dad, he's been lying to me about his age.
I wish I could come clean, but I just couldn't, I couldn't!

"17, why are you asking?" I lied to my own faithful father.

"Just curious." he smiled to me.

I exited his office and entered my room to change and pack.

-

"Ghaneya! Hey! Come here, everyone's waiting for you." Malak said as I entered her cozy house. It was like a second home to me.

She grabbed my hand and we went towards her living room where I saw Munya, Mayyar, Rania, and Layyan all sitting on her checkered carpet.

Munya didn't act the same. She would regularly run up to me and give me the biggest hug. But no, this time she didn't.
I greeted them, sat down, and grabbed a handful of popcorn they were eating, and began watching a horror film.

It wasn't scary at all. The rest were frightened and horrified.

I got up from my seat and pulled Malak and entered the nearest room.

She might be more understanding than Munya. I needed to tell her.

I decided to keep his age thing to myself.

I told her that Munya flipped out on me once I told her about the phone call. Malak seemed angry too at first, but she understood in the end. I think they should be happy for me. I finally found someone who I truly love and loves me back.

"Just whatever you do, Ghaneya, don't let him become an obsession." she warned me and walked off.

-

It was 2 AM and the girls were all fast asleep on their mattresses. Insomnia hit me. My eyes forced me to stay awake and my brain forced me to think about Fouad.

You are a bad person. You are talking to some guy that is lying about his age. How could you, Ghaneya? How could you?! You stopped paying attention at school, stopped going to hangouts with your friends, and most of all, lied to your own father and betrayed him.


I refused to believe everything my conscious was saying and instead to check my phone to get my things off my thoughts.

Nothing from Fouad.

-

2 days passed since Malak's house and Fouad had not spoken to me yet. I started to feel worried. What if something happened to him, or what if the plane crashed? Thoughts began running all over my mind horrifying me even more.

It was my relaxing day today, Saturday. As usual, I chilled at home. I spent most of my time in the kitchen eating. I was going through a depressing phase. Not a day went by without Fouad and I not speaking.
For the passed 2 nights, I've been crying myself to sleep, for no apparent reason. Even the night I slept over at Malak's. I sobbed quietly. I guess every girl would cry if their lovers didn't speak to them, right? Not only did he lie to me about his age, but he also told me he would be calling me every night.

Nothing.


All I did today was lay on my bed, not touching my phone, no matter how many calls I received, but instead stared at my white ceiling for 3 straight hours, thinking of the first day Fouad and I talked.

By the time it was 11 PM, I checked my phone.

Fouad DMed me all of a sudden.

"Okay, so here it goes.."

Deceived; Chapter 13

"Hello?" I spoke.

"Ghaneya?" he asked. I could tell he was sort of nervous, but not as nervous as me, my palms were sweating!

"Fouad?" I asked too.

"Can't believe I'm hearing your voice for the first time ever. So great to talk to you outside Twitter!" he said with full expression.

His voice sounded deep and manly, just like an ordinary 17 year old. It was drawing my attention and so appealing.

"Me too! Finally." I replied.

"So tell me about your math lessons, what do you need to study?" he questioned.

It was only 8 PM, he taught me everything I needed to know. He is unbelievably great at teaching! He's a genius. I was done talking to him on the phone by 11:30. Yes, we had that much chapters.

I thanked him so much and drifted off to sleep.

-

"Class dismissed." said our English teacher.

We escorted ourselves through the classroom door and headed to our blue lockers to make our way to last period. I had Math next, and I was over confident. Fouad taught me well, really well. The things he taught me won't ever escape from my mind, that's how well I understood from his explanations.

I entered the classroom and sat at my usual seat, sharpened my pencil, placed an eraser next to me, and opened to the first page.

I was done in half the class time. The test was 9 pages long and I managed to solve each and every question in full detail.

I took my test to our Math teacher and placed it on her desk. Now all I had to do was wait till the others were done.

"Mayyar! So how was it?" I asked her once the bell rang.

"Kind of difficult, how about you?" she told me.

"It was the easiest, I can't believe I didn't know this at first!" I said is relief.

I asked Munya how was the test, too. She found it okay. I told her that Fouad cleared everything out for me on the phone. She froze once she heard the words "phone call".


"He called you?!" she roared.

"Yeah, no big deal, it was for a school purpose. Calm down." I said with an evil smirk.

She simply ignored me and walked off. I could tell she was uncomfortable with me talking to him. She doesn't even know the guy, who is she to judge?!

I walked to my car and went back home.

In the meantime, I was checking my phone, answered a few text messages from the rest of the girls, and then clicked on twitter to reply to Fouad.

I had a tear coming out once I read those horrifying words of his.

"Airport, will be gone for 2 weeks."

"Whaaaat?! Will we still keep in touch?" I replied sadly.

"Of course! I can't take one day without talking to my girl! I'll call you every night, okay?<3" he wrote.

My girl? Okay.. I like the sound of that.

"Okay <3" I answered, "where anyways? & for what reason?"

"Lebanon..." he said to me.

"For???????" I said worriedly that he didn't answer part of my question.

"Ghaneya, I need to tell you something." his words almost brought me to tears.

He then added to his words before I had the chance to reply, "I'm not 17 years old."