Jacob stepped out of the house, closing the door behind him, his backpack slung over one shoulder. Houssam walked beside him with effortless confidence, as if they owned the streets. The crisp evening breeze brushed against their faces, and fallen leaves danced across the pavement like a welcome to the adventure ahead.
Jacob (smirking):
"Did you really need to wear a Gucci suit just to go to the park?"
Houssam (unshaken):
"Obviously. "Life's short—dress like you're here to seduce fate itself."
Jacob laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.
They reached the sprawling public park, its open spaces dotted with teens loitering or working out. The two settled on a wooden bench near the fountain.
Jacob (twisting open a water bottle):
"Y'know… I forgot I'm fatherless. Worse—girlfriend-less."
Houssam (gazing at the sky):
"That's because you've lived in your dad's shadow. Me? My life's… complicated. Never tasted love. Some secrets? I'll take 'em to the grave."
"But here? Everything's real. Even the pigeons fly with dignity."
Jacob:
"That's weirdly deep… and true."
Just then, a girl in school uniform, ponytail swaying, passed by, stealing a glance at Houssam. He noticed but didn't react, then muttered to Jacob:
"See how girls respect you once you respect yourself? Not the other way around."
Jacob (grinning):
"Or maybe it's 'cause your suit costs more than her dad's car."
Houssam:
"Wouldn't rule it out."
A minute of silence passed. Suddenly, Jacob tensed.
"Houssam… I think we're being watched."
Houssam (calmly):
"I know. Don't look back."
"Two guys from school. Definitely Adam's crew."
Jacob (nervous smirk):
"Adam? The guy who supposedly owns the school?"
Houssam:
"Yeah… but clearly, he's scared of competition."
They stood slowly.
Houssam(under his breath):
"Walk. Loudly argue. If they close in—Plan B."
Jacob:
"Which is?"
Houssam:
"I sprint away screaming, leaving you behind."
Jacob:
"Hah! Solid."
They moved along the tree line. Footsteps quickened behind them. Then, a girl's voice cut through:
"JACOB! Wait!"
They turned.
Rania stood there, leather jacket and a snap-back askew, gripping her scooter and panting.
Rania (catching her breath):
"There's a group of girls coming… might be your big chance, Jacob."
Houssam(cracking his knuckles):
"Then it's showtime."
Jacob (wild grin):
"Don't say 'showtime'… till the cameras roll."
Rania stood with her arms crossed, glaring at Houssam with narrowed eyes—her lips pressed tight, her gaze sharp with defiance.
Rania (firmly):
"I said 'Jacob,' not 'Houssam.'
Houssam smirked, raising an eyebrow in exaggerated innocence.
Houssam (mockingly hurt):
"What about me? Am I doomed to stay single forever? Kissing my reflection every morning?!"
Jacob burst out laughing from a distance, shaking his head as he approached.
Jacob (teasing):
"Jesus Christ… That's sick, dude."
Rania shot Houssam a look of mild disgust.
Rania:
"You're insane. You know that, right?"
Houssam (chest puffed out):
"I do. But I'm also handsome… and you can't deny that."
Rania sighed, then spoke softly—as if reluctantly admitting defeat:
Rania:
"That's… unfortunately true. And it pains me to say it."
Houssam's eyes lit up triumphantly before he suddenly sprinted across the park like an idiot, yelling:
Houssam (shouting):
"I'm getting a girlfriend! I'm getting married! I'll write a romance novel about myself!"
Then he dashed back, skidding to a stop in front of her.
Houssam(dead serious):
"Which direction are they coming from? Quick!"
Rania suddenly grabbed his ear, twisting it hard. He yelped in pain.
Houssam:
"OW! Let go! Rania! Love is calling me!"
Rania (sternly):
"Love can wait. Sit. Down."
She shoved him onto the bench. Jacob watched the scene unfold like a live comedy show.
Houssam casually slung an arm over her shoulder and the surprise?
Rania didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned in, her face inches from his.
Jacob stood up, clutching his chest in mock agony.
Jacob (loudly):
"I'm going to hang myself. Be back later. Just—please, no kissing in front of me!"
Suddenly, the two jerked apart as if electrocuted, avoiding each other's eyes.
Houssam (backpedaling):
"N-No, we're just friends! Besides… she's not even my type!"
Rania froze. Then she stepped forward, grabbed his collar, and shook him violently.
Rania (furious):
"Not your type?! Who the hell do you think you are? Some Turkish drama star? A Monaco prince?!"
Houssam (flailing):
"I didn't mean it like that! You're just… not my style!"
Rania (shaking him harder):
"Not your style?! What's wrong with me? My face? My height? Or is it because I'm smarter than you?!"
Houssam (trying to sound stern):
"N-No! It's just… you're too strong. You scare me sometimes…"
Rania paused, then laughed darkly.
Rania:
"Good. Finally, an honest answer."
"Newsflash, Houssam: Strong women raise boys like you. Not those 'angel-faced' airheads you drool over."
Houssam fell silent, as if spiritually slapped. Then he looked at her with sudden regret.
Houssam (quietly):
"Maybe… maybe you are better than my 'type.'"
"And way out of my league…"
Rania released her collar, sighed, and took a step back.
Rania (calmly, not looking at him):
"Focus on the fight, Houssam… before you lose everything."
Houssam stayed rooted in place, staring at the ground. Jacob watched from a distance, muttering to himself:
Jacob:
"These idiots… are going to get us all killed way too soon."
Rania stormed away, her footsteps quick and angry. Her eyes burned with fury, but her whisper carried only betrayal:
Rania (to herself):
"'Not my type'?... After everything I did for him? After I stood by him when everyone laughed? Houssam… why?... Why?"
Behind her, Jacob stood frozen, watching Houssam, who hadn't moved. His eyelids trembled, lips quivering, face pale as if wrestling with something inside. Jacob approached cautiously.
Jacob (softly):
"Are you okay, man?"
Houssam didn't look at him. He took a few steps back, shoved a hand in his pocket, and pulled out something small—quickly hiding it.
Houssam (hoarse):
"I'm fine… Just… need to do something. I'll be back."
He turned and stumbled toward a distant tree, back hunched like he was clutching his chest.
Jacob (gently):
"Rania… You should forgive him. He's not great with words."
Rania (cutting him off):
"They're not his words! It's his ego! I'm not some toy to inflate his pride!"
Jacob (pleading):
"He's hurting… and he loves you. Even if he can't say it. I saw his eyes earlier—that wasn't hate."
Rania (looking away):
"Maybe. But pain isn't an excuse. I'm tired, Jacob…"
A scream shattered the moment.
Girl (shouting):
"Call an ambulance! NOW!"
They sprinted toward the crowd.
There on the ground, Houssam convulsed, his face ghostly white, blood trickling from his mouth. Each breath was a struggle, as if his chest were collapsing.
Jacob (kneeling):
"Houssam! Breathe! Just breathe!"
Rania (sobbing):
"No… no, no, no…"
Houssam (gasping):
"Rania… forgive… me…"
His voice choked. His eyes glazed over.
Jacob (screaming):
"HOUSSAM!"
A massive figure pushed through the crowd, tall, muscle-bound, with eyes like stone. George, 28, dressed in black, moved with military precision. He roughly searched Houssam's body.
Jacob (lunging):
"Stop! He needs help!"
Rania (shrieking):
"Get away from him!"
George backhanded Jacob to the ground, then slapped Rania aside. The crowd recoiled as he pulled a small object from Houssam's pocket, the hidden thing.
George(smirking):
"Knew it. You're in big trouble , Arab boy."
He hauled Houssam over his shoulder like a ragdoll.
Jacob (struggling):
"Don't take him! He'll die!"
Rania (scrambling after them):
"Who are you?!"
George (without turning):
"I end stories… don't write 'em."
The black car door slammed. Tires screeched.
Jacob collapsed to his knees, hands gripping his hair.
Jacob (whispering):
"They took him… They took Houssam…"
Rania (tears streaming):
"And my last words… were to hurt him."
Jacob met her gaze, voice steel:
"We'll find him… Before his disappearance becomes our end."