MAIN VILLA 11:37 PM Khalid didn’t thank me for deliberately losing the fight. He went to celebrate his victory with a so-called friend, he won’t be coming home tonight. Hakim is out too, invited to a party. And Maria is sleeping over at one of her friends’ places. My body is sore all over. I’ve been lying in bed staring at the ceiling for thirty minutes without moving. The sky is covered by a storm. When I was little, I used to run to Maria’s bed. In her arms, I always felt safe. "For once, you actually listened when I talked to you." I turn around. I see Alexander with a big black sports bag. I get up from my bed, holding my torn beige satin robe tightly. I definitely need to buy a new one when I get the time. I grab the black sports bag and check its contents. I smile: one pr

