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Here are the links for the previous parts of the story in case you missed them:
-Part 1
-Part 2
Ahmed made it to the game exactly in the right time. Samir ,the oldest boy in the team with his 19 years old, felt relieved because for a second he thought Ahmed won’t make it and, even though he was a small boy playing with bigger ones, he was counting on him because he was a good passer and a fast player.
The game started and they were winning with a large score but then, three men with sticks came and interrupted the game. They were looking for Samir, so everyone in the game ran and saved himself. But ahmed didn't. He attacked one of the guys and surprised him with a kick between his legs. and then he started hitting him with extreme violence, of course for his age. The other two guys stopped hitting Samir just to watch that funny scene. They Found it very entertaining how a fourteen years old boy was hitting an adult. Then they interrupted him and helped their friend up, threatened Samir to "kill him or worse" if he doesn't pay his debt in seven days and left.
-who are these guys? Asked Samir.
-you don't wanna know.
-how did you get involved with them ?
-long story, I have to go now, thanks for staying but don't put yourself in danger for me again.
Ahmed pursued him and said:
-Wait, how much do they owe you?
-500 dinars.
-How are you going to pay?
-I have a plan.
Samir was trying to end the conversation and leave. Ahmed chased him to the park were they sat on a chair and he started:
-I will always stay and I will always put myself in danger for you if you need me you know why ?
Samir didn’t reply so Ahmed continued:
-Because I know you would do the same for me. I saw you do it several times.
In that moment Lynda passed bye, waved her hand and said hello.They both waved back and then Samir, whou found this a good opportunity to change the subject, said to Ahmed:
-How do you know that crazy girl?
-She is my classmate but, still, I never thought she would recognise me if she saw me outside the class. Was she speaking to you?
-I think yes.
-Then how do you know the cutest and smartest girl in my class?
Samir laughed and told him that she's his cousin.
Ahmed felt really embarrassed and he wanted to say "sorry" but he thought that would only make things more awkward so he said:
-So the "crazy girl" is your cousin and yet you call her crazy!
-What would you call a girl who lives in this neighbourhood when she can be living in London?
They both stayed silent after that for few minutes and then they left.
Ahmed kept thinking about Lynda. He remembered a story he once heard in school. They say she goes to england once or twice a year with her father, that her father always says it's a work mission but nobody knows what kind of mission it is, including his brothers and sisters. And he kept thinking of her until he slept.
The next morning Lynda was determined to solve the puzzle, so she took a desk in the back of the classroom, right in front of Ahmed. And when she felt it was the right time, she asked him:
-how do you know that crazy boy?
He laughed and did his best not to let the teacher notice.
-why are you laughing? She added.
-because he asked me the same question yesterday.
-Did he call me "that crazy BOY" ?
Tat made them both laugh out loud so the teacher had to ask Lynda to sit in her usual desk.
Lynda thought she would be able to talk to him when the class ends or even walk out of school with him. But he just ran out as soon as the class ended.
Samir was waiting for him in the park with a weird request. He asked him to pick up a fight with two older guys. Then he came and finished the fight and disappeared without even explaining what was it about. Ahmed just felt good about the adventure, he didn't really need to hit any of them, because Samir did all that was needed, but he enjoyed helping him anyway and now the idea that he just made himself useful and helpful to his old friend pleases him.
Lynda at that time was thinking about the puzzle that kept getting more mysterious. She didn't have the chance to stalk him about the cat or about his writing. Now she has more things to be curious about like his habit of coming late to school and leaving as fast as possible. What could he possibly have to do everyday after school? And yes, what kind of relationship could he have with her cousin? Even she, his cousin, felt he's too old, or maybe too strange, to be considered as a friend. But she can alway ask Ahmed tomorrow, now that she managed to break the ice between them. That exact thought brought her the needed satisfaction to sleep.