Chapter 19 - Weekend Trip

Yasmine

I did not know what to say. We stared at each other for a while. It was strange to see Benjamin on a screen. I wanted to comfort him somehow, but I couldn't. And even if he was here, there wasn't much that I could do anyway.

"Habibie?!" Benjamin spoke softly.

"Mhh?" I murmured.

"I know. I know I am not good enough of a man for you. You deserve so much better and I-" Benjamin swallowed visibly.

"I should accept that." Benjamin placed both hands on his eyes, hindering me from seeing his face. It wasn't that he was not good enough for me. Why did he feel that way?

"But I can't live my life without you, even if it means we remain friends." He slowly dropped his hands and his almost golden eyes seemed pleading.

"Fine." I said. "On one condition." I teased. "Anything." He vowed. I closed my eyes for a second and shook my head smiling. When you have online classes at Harvard, I want you to share your screen." I said liking my demand.

A little smile started to spur up on the corner of his lips and his eyes seemed to dance. "Fair enough." He smirked and his face seemed to relax a bit. I realized I could breathe more easily as well. Strange, I didn't know I had any trouble breathing in the first place.

Saphira

I got ready for school in a daze. I took a quick shower and put on what Lynn advised me to wear.

Mom was already gone. I felt too nervous to eat. Not that I had the time to anyway. I was running late.

My first class started at 7:50 each morning. On top of that I had to go to the reception first, to get my schedule and a map of the school.

I took my new car out for the first time and drove to campus. When I parked my car in the lot I saw that it was already filled.

There were so many people, nobody seemed to notice the newcomer. That was promising. Maybe I was in luck…

Maybe I could just blend in without being noticed. Take a seat somewhere in the back corner of the cafeteria at lunch and make myself invisible, like I always did, during my high school career. Or... not. There was no way! I could possibly blend in I thought to myself, panicking.

They all seemed to walk straight out of the TEEN VOGUE magazine. Just as I'd feared, I couldn't make myself invisible in class either, because I was late.

All those curious eyes, watching my every move, normally would of made me very clumsy. I didn't know if it was the new hair, my new clothes or whatever it was; I felt very confidant.

To my greatest shock I recognized Zachary, as he walked up to me after class.

"Hi there gorgeous, what class do you have next?" He asked smiling at me from ear to ear. It seemed we had almost every class together.

Malibu high, turned my life upside down. In a good way. Now blending in meant truly blending in with the others. Making friends and hanging out after school.

"When will you see your brother again?" I said knowing I sounded way to eager. Gladly Lynn didn't catch that. "Not for a while, I guess." Lynn frowned. "I don't think he'll be back until fall break."

"I heard he was taking out the boat this weekend." Zachary said as he caught up on us. "Ah, I have got an idea!" Lynn said sounding like she was cooking something up.

Jasmine

I needed to think, so I climbed my way up to one of the palace towers. It was the same tower Benjamin took me to see the stars not that long ago.

Thinking of his wary hazel eyes made me unable to swallow.

As I gazed through the panorama view of the night sky, I wondered if I would ever regret not accepting the advances Benjamin made at me. Would I be okay when he found another woman to call his wife?

I did not know. I shook my head. How could he possibly think that he is not good enough for me? I am the one that will not make a good wife. My father always says my tongue is way to sharp. My sisters say that I should be more interested in raising children.

I couldn't see myself catering to a mans every need. Couldn't I simply have needs of my own? My father had promised me that he would not force me into marriage and that he would take care of me all his life. Although he was glad Naima did want to be wed, he surely couldn't support the both of us.

I heard someone walk in the room and I turned around in a flash.

"Your majesties." Is said as I quickly curtsied before the Sultan and one of his wives.

As I stood in front of the Sultan my hands were trembling. In all the time I had spent at the palace, I had only seen him twice.

"Jasmine, I am sending you back home. Your father has become ill." The Sultan simply stated. Tears started to flow down my cheek.

"Will he be okay?" I breathed. The third wife of the Sultan looked at me with pity in her eyes. "No." The sultan said without any hint of emotion.

"You should go and spend the last few months he has with him."

Benjamin

my phone rang, it was my sister Lynn. "Hey lill siss." I said as I answered my phone. "What can I do for you?" I put the book that I was reading down on my desk. "Zach said you were taking a cruise without me." Lynn accused.

"Oh." I said Amused. "What is it?" Daniel asked as he poured us a drink. "It seems to be that Lynn wants to join us this weekend." I said gesturing my hands towards Daniel. "Fly her over." Daniel shrugged.

"Pack your bags, I'll book you a flight." I said endearing. "Yes!" Lynn shouted in my ear. "Oh wait no, can Zach and Saph come as well?" Ugh... I didn't know if I was up for that. I heard that Zach and Evangeline were becoming some sort of item, and they had only just met. She didn't seem to have high standards.

"What?" Daniel questioned as he walked towards our wooden pool table. "Lynn wants to bring Zach and her new friend." I said not thrilled by the idea. "Fine by me, the more the marrier.." He said flashing me a smile.