Confusion. That’s all I felt when I walked Into the classroom. Everyone of my companions were staring at something, as a matter of fact, at someone. I walked In and turned to walk to my seat, where everyone was looking, to see It was taken by someone who was completely covered by something black. I believed It was called a burka? I wasn't bothered that someone had taken my seat so I decided to sit next to her. A piece of her shiny black hair fell slightly over her shoulder which I knew wasn't supposed to happen since she hid It In her burka rapidly.
“Hel-,” I was about to say hello but the bell rang loudly interrupting me.
I looked at her but she had her head hanging low as If she didn’t hear me. Was she Ignoring me or did she simply not want to talk to me? Weird.
*Lunch Time*
I moved my legs as fast as I could, trying to get to the door before the bell rang. I stumbled thru the door, walking into the loudness and corruption of the cafeteria. My eyes looked from left to right searching for an empty seat. I was turning slightly with eyebrows furrowed when I spotted something black, It was the girl from class today.
“Don't go over there she probably will kill you,” My conscience troubled. I don’t know If I made the right choice by Ignoring that little annoying voice In my head. But It was too late to stop me now. I stumbled over, to where she sitting, with my hands behind my back and my fingers fidgeting. As I reached her I noticed how rapidly she wiped her tears, obviously not expecting me there.
“Hello are you alright?” I questioned.
“Yes-s, sorry I’m just really missing home.” She replied nervously and stuttering. My eyes went wide and my mouth fell open, I thought she was going to Ignore me. Her voice was opposite of what I had imagine, It was melodious and pleasant. Instead of just standing there, I sat across from her. She stared at me with one eyebrow raised, probably confused. After a while she finally spoke,
“Why are you sitting here?”
“There’s no where else to sit, and I want to get to know you,” I replied positively. I don’t know why all of a sudden I was interesting In getting to know her, but I got a feeling It’s a good reason. I looked around the cafeteria noticing that everyone was all of a sudden quiet and that they were staring.
“Why are you staring?! go back to what you were doing.” My face felt hot and I clenched my fists beside my thighs. I know why they were staring, they were all wondering why I’m sitting with her. But honestly I could care less of what they thought.
“Wow. Thank you for standing up for me, but you didn’t have to do that,” she said softly. I turned around to face her and saw that her eyes were wide, clearly surprised.
“It’s nothing,” I shrugged It off with a little wave. “I would do It again, they clearly need to learn that they can’t judge someone by first glance. So changing the subject, why don't you tell me about yourself?” I said nicely and then eagerly wanting to get to know her. She stayed quiet for a moment, mostly wondering how to start.
“Well first of all my name Is Shareen Hamady, my first name means sweet. I'm sixteen years old and I'm Muslim.” She said trailing off not knowing what to say next.
“I’ve never met a muslim person before. What Is It like being muslim?” I questioned with curiosity.
“Well it’s not fun, but its not the worst either. I left home to come here, because my dad was abusing my mom and i got really scared. Ummm, my mom was being beaten by him and that’s when I escaped.” Shareen replied swallowing the lump on her throat, trying hard not to cry.
“How did you escape? Isn't hard to get out of the city?” I asked cautiously .
“ To be able to travel outside of Afghanistan you have to have to have a male relative with you. So my mom had paid my cousin to take me to Pakistan, where I took a plane here to Philadelphia” she stated enlightened.
“Oh ok, so I told you why you was crying and you told me It was because you were missing home. Why would you miss home, If you’ll be going home to an abusive father?” I cross-examined.
“Well that was just to cover up, I thought you was going to walk away after I said that. But obviously you didn’t. Anyway now I know that I’m not gonna be walking the hallways alone, thanks to you.” She stated with cheerfully.
“It’s no problem and I would have not just let you cry your eyes out without helping you out. Oh, why was It that you was crying?” I cross-questioned.
“ Well ever since I’ve been here all that people were doing was staring and making rude comments and I just couldn't take It anymore so I would just cry unsuspectingly and Ignore people.”
“What kind of rude things would they tell you?”
“They would say things like “Why are you wearing that thing” or “Omg watch out the terrorist just got here” She uttered on the verge of crying. I felt bad because that was my first impression of her, but I knew she wasn’t like that .
“You know sometimes I think to myself, why do I need to live if I have nothing and everyone just hates me. My family Is not with me, I have no friends, and I'm staying at hotel. I’m sure they'll kick me out soon since I’m running out of money, So why should I keep up with this, It’s not like anyone will stop me anyways” She said. Tears made their way out of her bright brown eyes and down her rosy cheeks.
“I know It may seem like that’s the only choice you’ve got, but maybe It’s not. I could help you find a job so you could pay your hotel, Then I would Introduce you to my family so you can be a part of It” I responded pleasantly.
“You have been such a great help In the matter of time we’ve known each other. For that I want to be thankful and I appreciate all of what you have done.But what happens If your family doesn’t like me?” she put her face in her hands, worryingly. Grabbing her shoulder gently and looking Into her eyes, I replied with
“They would like you there’s nothing to worry about, I promise.”
“Alright thanks. Ok since you’ve been asking all the questions I'm going to ask you one. Why do you show so much skin” She asked me curiously.
“Here In America the girls simply don’t care If they are walking around In panties or bras, but there are some that do. But It’s up to you to dress how you like, I simply like wearing leggings and a jumper. Why do your culture cover themselves? ”
“ Well In my culture covering up Is a sign of respect towards women. women who do not cover up are considered a prostitute. Also It doesn’t keep men distracted. You can only take It off when you are at home with your husband or If your with a group of friends at home.” She said answering my question. The bell rang loudly, signaling the last period of the day.
“ Oh ok now I understand. Now let’s go I'm going to show you where I live” I said standing up and collecting my things.
For the rest of the school year I got to learn new things about Shareen. I learned that you don’t always need to take everything you hear and believe it. I believe we should try and not think a negative way but a positive way.