Watched

By Noran Khaled

A group of friends decide to live their lives by moving across the country to join their dream university. They planned to have the best time ever. Party all night, attending lectures, making new friends, make lifelong memories together. The list is endless! Everything changes when they start receiving mysterious letters. They try their best to ignore them but things get worse and worse by time goes on. All that there is left to do is to stick together and they have to face the ugly trut

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ukiyoto
• Release date: Jun 28, 2021

Book preview

Watched

When the past hits hard

Noran Khaled

Ukiyoto Publishing

All global publishing rights are held by

Ukiyoto Publishing

Published in 2021

Content Copyright © MS Penarts

ISBN

Edition 1

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated, without the publisher’s prior consent, in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.

www.ukiyoto.com

Acknowledgements

To Kayla, my best friend who never left my side. Who helped me a lot during my writing career. The person whom I truly love from the bottom of my heart. Who never gave up on me. I love you, now, then and forever.

To Kat, my best friend who always stood by my side. Who always helped me when I struggled. Who always loved me without any conditions. Who was always there for me whenever I needed her. Love you, forever.

To Israa, who is not only my editor, but my best friend too. Three years and counting. Who always cared about me when nobody else did. Who always stood by my side whenever I needed her. Who never failed to cheer me up in my darkest times. Who never failed to support me in every hard situation. Who never failed to make my smile grow wide. I don’t just love you. Believe me, I love you to death.

To Menna, my best friend and biggest supporter. Who is always the first one to show up when I need help. The first one to show up when I need encouragement. The first one to show up when I need support. Love you from the bottom of my heart. Love you with all of my soul. Forever together.

I’m really so honoured to have friends like you in my life. You were always there for me. You always cared for me. You always supported me. You always loved me. And I’m honoured to dedicate my first novel to you. I promise that I will never stop loving you whatever happens.

Prologue

They have goals and dreams.

They stick together and keep chasing their dreams.

They only think about their future and totally forgot about the past.

The past which they never knew anything about, but it will keep haunting them anyway.

And it will turn their perfect dreams into a lifelong nightmare.

Chapter 1

Nick

Come on, Nick! Wake up! Mum’s voice yelling echoed in my large room as she opened the curtain, allowing the golden sunlight to enter my room and hit my face.

Mum! Can’t you just leave me for another hour, please? I groaned as I wiped the sleep away from my eyes and lazily lifted my weight on my elbows.

Another hour? Are you kidding me? It’s two in the afternoon for God’s sake, Nick. Don’t be so lazy, mum said seriously while cleaning my messy room and picking my dirty clothes up off the floor. Can’t you just keep your room clean as normal people do? I’m tired of following after your mess.

Mum, can’t you just keep quiet for a bit until I completely wake up then tell me off as you wish? I huffed.

Mum gave me an angry look, then continued to clean my room. I didn’t mean to get on her nerves though. I just hated when she yelled at me for no reason.

Okay okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it, I apologized as I dragged myself out of bed and went to hug her.

You know that I’m just trying to help you. You are traveling alone tonight. You won’t have someone to clean after you every single day. Please be a more responsible grown-up, Mum said as she rubbed my back gently.

Don’t worry. Sally and Julia are coming with us. So I shouldn’t bother to clean my room. I hope you got my point, I winked while pulling away from her warm hug.

She couldn’t help but laugh a little at my words. Women are not made just for men. We aren’t created to clean your mess.

Why do you even exist then? I smirked and raised my eyebrows at her.

Nick, stop this bullshit and go wash your face. The food will be ready in a couple of minutes, Mum rolled her eyes and got out of my room.

Wait! You haven’t told me why you exist yet, I shouted as I ran to the threshold, watching her getting down the stairs.

I will tell you when you grow up, honey, Mum replied in a sarcastic way which made me chuckle.

I finally walked to the bathroom to wash my face. Turning on the water tap, I gathered a big amount of cold water between my hands then splashed it against my face. Immediately, when I felt the cool splash of water against my skin, I felt fresh and awake.

I grabbed a large white towel and dried my face while looking in the mirror. My blond hair was messy as usual, while my big blue eyes were still a little bit red from the day before. I played video games all night long which made my eyes red from harmful radiation. I didn’t care though. Video games havealways been my life since I was a kid. I wasn’t going to give up on it unless I went blind. My perfect thin lips were rosy, and my defined jawline was a perfect touch to my face. I had to admit. I looked really good.

Nick, lunch is ready, Mum announced from downstairs.

I’m coming, I replied as I opened the door and went downstairs.

The delicious smell of the roast filled my nostrils. I inhaled a large amount of air inside my lungs as I entered the kitchen.

You’re a great cook, mum, I giggled.

You only ever get up to eat or play video games. Otherwise, you just stay in bed and sleep! Mum rolled her beautiful blue eyes playfully.

I pulled up a chair and sat down with them at the table. Dad was next to me enjoying his food. He didn’t even notice that mum was mocking me.

When they invent something more fun than eating or playing, just tell me and I’ll definitely be up and about, I smirked, and my words made mum groan and focus on her meal rather than hitting me with something.

The roast was very delicious and I enjoyed every bite. I ate some rice with it and mushroom soup which made the perfect combination of flavors.

Nick, look at your eyes. You’re going to lose your sight from these damn games, Dad frowned.

"It’s Call of duty, Dad. How am I supposed to resist it?"

Call of duty? Why didn’t you invite me to play with you, asshole? Dad laughed.

It was four in the morning. I didn’t want to wake you up at that late time. Maybe next time, I winked.

Deal, Dad replied and winked back.

I could see that mum was watching us with a I can’t believe both of you look on her face. I and Dad laughed at her reaction, and she did nothing but roll her eyes at us.

Like father like son, She shook her head in disbelief as she took a sip of her mushroom soup.

I finished eating and cleaned my hands after thanking mum for the great meal.

I’m going to join a video chat with my friends now. Could you please pack my bags for me? I asked mum as I wrapped my arms around her neck, as she was eating her food.

Of course, I will, because if I don’t, you will forget your stuff instead, Mum mocked me.

Thanks, mum, I smirked.

For mocking you or for helping you?

For being the perfect maid for me, I teased.

Mum got up from her seat and started running after me. I laughed and ran as fast as I could to the living room, but she managed to catch me and kept kissing my cheeks like a baby. God! I was going to miss her so much when I traveled to Chicago to study.

I love you, son. I’ll miss you so much. Please take care, Mum quietly said as she pulled me for a warm, tight hug.

I’m going to miss you even more, I moaned.

Go call your friends now. I’ll prepare your luggage, Mum said, cupping my face between her soft hands.

I nodded and went straight to my room. I grabbed my laptop and jumped on my bed before I started the video chat with my best friends.

Hey guys, I greeted them.

Hey, why were you so late to call us? Did you just wake up or what? Sally giggled.

No. Actually, I woke up forty-five minutes ago, I laughed.

King of sleep, said Sally while rolling her eyes.

Have either of you started packing yet? Julia asked.

I’m too lazy to pack my bags. So I just asked mum to do it for me, I shrugged.

Do I have to? Daniel asked.

Yes, of course. How can you travel without bringing your stuff with you? Sally raised an eyebrow at him.

Challenge me. I can stay with the same socks on for the whole studying year, Daniel winked.

Okay. Challenge on, I giggled.

You guys suck! Josh laughed at us.

Come on! Isn’t it fun? Daniel laughed back.

A pair of rotten feet? Yeah, too much fun, Josh rolled his eyes.

I can’t believe that I’m traveling to study with some jerks like you! Julia chuckled.

Please, have mercy on me. I wouldn’t want to do my meditation in a place filled with the smell of your dirty socks, Daniel, Sally laughed.

Don’t you do anything other than meditation in your free time? Julia teased.

Like you could come up with something better?

Writing stories for sure, Julia recommended.

Guys, your hobbies suck. I recommend that you listen to music. It’s so calming and relatable, Daniel said in excitement.

I won’t say my hobby because you all already know it, I smirked.

We know it, Mr. Video games, Daniel winked.

What are you going to do until our flight time? I changed the subject.

I’ll go shopping with mum, Julia replied.

And I’ll spend the day with my cousin, Daniel said.

I’ll pack the rest of my stuff, Josh said.

Okay. See you all at the airport. Just remember not to take too many things with you. We have a weight limit. Only bring your necessary stuff, Julia reminded us.

All right. See you, I said, then we all said goodbyes to each other before I hung up.

I put my laptop back in the wardrobe and searched for clothes to change into.

Your bags are ready, Mum said as she knocked on my door.

Thanks, mum, I smiled. She put all my luggage in my room, then left me for some privacy to change.

I chose to wear a blue hoodie, and a pair of black jeans with white sneakers to finish the look. I checked my bags to make sure that mum didn’t forget anything, but as I expected, she didn’t put my PS4 console and my CDs. I went to the sitting room to bring my console and my favorite games and added them to my stuff. My bags instantly went heavier but I wasn’t going to leave my PS4 here of course.

After double checking my bags again, I headed towards the balcony where mum and dad were sitting and having some tea with sweets.

I’m ready. Dad, would you give me a ride to the airport?

Of course, son.

Mum and Dad got up and kept hugging, kissing, and saying their goodbyes to me with best wishes. They acted like they were never going to see me again or something, especially dad. He was overreacting in being sad and concerned about me, although I told them already that I would be back by spring break.

Let’s go, Dad finally said and guided me to the door. He helped me with carrying my bags as we put them inside the trunk.

I was going to miss my hometown so much. I have lived in San Francisco my whole life. I had never imagined that I would leave it one day. I have always wanted to achieve my goal and join my dream university, which I applied to months ago, and finally, I got accepted.

I noticed that dad was quiet during the whole ride which made me feel worried about him. He wasn’t just quiet, but I felt like there was an awkward silence between us. I wasn’t sure why I felt that way.

Dad, are you okay? I asked.

Huh? Yeah, yeah. I’m fine, He lied. It seemed like he was thinking about something. He didn’t seem fine at all.

Why aren’t you talking to me then?

I was just, I’m-- Dad mumbled as he couldn’t form a complete sentence. I will miss you so much, Nick. I beg you to take care of yourself, my little guy, He sighed.

I will miss you more, Dad. And by the way, I’m not little anymore, I gave him a small smile.

Yeah, you are right. You have grown up in front of my eyes day after day. I barely remember that you are a grown-up man now. Take care in this harsh world.

I will. Don’t worry.

Promise?

Promise.

Dad seemed worried and anxious since he knew that I was travelling to Chicago with my friends to study. I wasn’t sure why he acted like this though. It wasn’t my first time to travel without his company.

We finally arrived at the airport after such a long ride. Well, a long semi-silent ride. We got out of the car and Dad helped me with my bags. I spotted Sally, Julia, Daniel, and Josh standing near the entrance with their fathers, waiting for me. They had been my best friends since childhood, and our fathers had been the same with each other too.

Wow! Who could imagine that we just drove our kids to the airport to travel alone and study, Dad said proudly.

Yeah, Seth. Days are going fast. And we’re getting old too, Kevin told Dad.

You’re not getting old, Dad. You will always seem young to me, Julia told Kevin as she gave him a tight hug.

Josh would be so proud of you, Daniel. He always had that dream to see the day when you grow up and become an independent man. I named my son Josh after your father because he was a great friend and he never gave up on me, Anderson told Daniel emotionally.

May he rest in peace. I’m so honored to be named after my best friend’s father, Josh smiled at Anderson.

Thanks, Mr. Anderson. Your words really mean a lot to me, Daniel smiled.

All right, gang. It’s time to get inside the airport now. You don’t want to miss your flight, Joseph announced.

Goodbye, Dad. I’ll miss you, Sally told Joseph as he pulled her for a hug.

We all said goodbyes to our fathers then went inside the airport. We checked in, weighed our baggage, and did all these boring steps until finally, it was the best part of traveling, getting on the plane.

All of us sat down on our assigned seats and the cabin crew started to give us some safety instructions. I looked outside through the window, gazing at the beautiful dark sky illuminated by shining stars.

"University of Chicago, here I come," I thought to myself.

Hello, It’s Captain Steve. Please fasten your seatbelt. We are ready to take off, The pilot said through his microphone as the lights were turned off and the plane started to move.

Chapter 2

Julia

Iremoved my blindfold as the plane landed at Chicago’s airport. I had the best nap ever in my life, of course, because sleeping in the air has always been the best feeling ever. We got off the plane, then entered the airport to check in and receive our baggage. Foreigners were everywhere and I felt so glad that people actually liked to visit Chicago from all over the world.

We headed for the carousel to reclaim our baggage. Waiting for almost ten minutes, I got bored. I wanted to get out of the airport and see the city so badly, but our damn baggage didn’t show up yet.