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Wondering what Drayton and Carmine have been up to...? Perhaps, they must be coming together for an after-school bonding. They probably even want to have some battling today!

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Pros of re-reading your own fic

a good time;

Has exactly the tropes you like and the characterization you want to read;

Gratification: yes you did finish a thing and yes you did do good;

just a very fun time all around.

Cons of re-reading your own fic:

Is that another TYpO

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FPHAIL LOL

Was trying not to cry laughing at radiology today

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While I'm for sharing links to help people in Gaza, please note DO NOT SHAME PEOPLE FOR NOT POSTING OR SHARING LINKS!

I get so tired of this! "If you don't share this! You're a horrible person! Stop ignoring! Your silence is disturbing! How can you sleep at night!?"

If you say this, I'm sorry but it just makes you look like you're doing this for an ego trip!

I won't share links that say have brutal images like people hurt, dead or burn on my page, you know why? Because I have young kids that follow me and I have people who are sensitive to that and I'M sensitive to such images as well. Anything that's gory I won't share because my blog is family friendly and friendly to those with sensitivities and I rather keep it that way. I can hear someone say "Put warning tags" and some people may not see those and that's not even the point.

Shaming on people for seemingly "ignoring" or not posting about it isn't helping people either! It just makes you look like a jerk trying to look better than everyone else. Whatever the reason why people don't post or share certain things, is not an excuse to judge and make nasty comments towards people. You're not getting any closer to helping people. Just share the link to people who will share and donate and move on!

I especially won't share links if I see the post saying anything along the lines of "If you don't share/donate you're a bad person" That will make me instantly block you! It's childish and petty.

People have their reasons to not share or post things. Whether it's for an understandable reason (Sensitivity issue, child friendly blog, ect) or for more selfish reasons, shaming on others is just as bad as the silence. It doesn't encourage people to help. No one needs to be guilt trip to help. That's more of a manipulation tactic if anything. Be encouraging and be kind because that's what people need more of right now.

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Rewatching Alrawabi school for girls and as a Muslim it reminded me that many Muslim girls tend to seek out boys due to lack of love, appreciation and acceptance from their families. Layan was not feeling heard by her family, she felt it was unfair how differently she was being treated compared to the freedom her brothers had in her household which is a valid point. In the scenes where she's talking to Laith you can tell that she feels happy, she feels heard and understood unlike the rest of her time when she feels "trapped" at school or at home. Eventhough she has friends at school I don't think they are enough for her because she still feels the control of her family over her life and the only time she probably feels like she can truly be herself without being restricted by a huge list of rules is with Laith.

Alot of times Muslim adults would say that a girl is "a bad Muslim" or "she doesn't have morals" or "her parents didn't raise her right" while neglecting the effect we have on young Muslim women as a society.

I understand that sometimes it's hard to take teenagers seriously once you become an adult but I personally feel that we tend to deal with teenagers like "young adults" i.e. we do not cut them slack. We tend to throw a million rules at them and expect them not to make mistakes or make a huge fuss when they do make a mistake. Teenagers are still developing and I think the Muslim ummah in general tends to put alot of pressure and restrictions on them, especially girls, and maybe that's making more and more Muslim woman wanting to escape, even if it's haram things.

Probably if I was in Layan's place I would have done the same, I mean it's the only way she can "break rules" and feel some form of control over her life, she cannot leave and get a job or move out of her parents house, it's not the West, so she did what she could. You can argue that she's mature enough to know what she's doing but that doesn't erase the fact that she's still growing and maturying, she's not a full adult yet. Her family should have taken that into consideration even if she did have a boyfriend and I know that's a big deal to us as Muslims but you know what It's not unforgivable, she's human, she's still a kid she'll make mistakes and that's ok, she should be helped and guided in such situations not shamed and killed for it.

I hope we can do better. i hope we can treat Muslim girls and Muslim women better because it's just not fair.

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A closure to the past events...

Al Rawabi School for Girls fans:

Season 2, episode 4, 50:00.

Thank me later.

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WIPs are still works in progress even if no progress has been made on them for a while.

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Two Birds On A Wire

Also on Ao3

‘I’m so tired. I-I’m so sick of being the scapegoat for everyone’s bullshit.’

Noaf closed her eyes and took a deep breath to erase the words. Yet, it didn’t work.

‘I’m done. I’m done with them. I’m done with this school.’

She played a song on her headphones to block the words out. It worked to dampen the sound of the world around her. 

But the words wouldn’t leave her. They stubbornly stuck with her. Taunted her.

‘I’m going to ask my mom to transfer me to another school. I-I can’t do this anymore.’

Her stop arrived, and she ran out of the bus as if the devil himself was on her tail. In a way, he was.

Her feet took her down to the familiar path leading home. Usually, she would enjoy walking absentmindedly. Let her muscle memory do all the work as she let her mind wander. But not today. Today her thoughts haunted her. She searched for something, anything to come and distract her. But no such distraction came.

So she did what she could. She turned the volume higher and gripped her bag tightly until her knuckles turned white.

‘But Mariam, if you do that. Then your just giving up and letting them win.’

‘Noaf... they’ve already won.’

She ran. She ran and ran and ran. She ran until she reached her home and further still. She ran until the words inside her head started mixing together and stopped making sense. She ran until her lungs burned, and she couldn’t breathe. Only then did she stop.

She leaned against a wall to catch her breath. Savoring these few short moments of peace before the words would return. All too soon, she caught her breath and had to make her way back up the path she had come from. 

When she reached the door of her room, she received a message from Dina. Raising an eyebrow, she opened it.

Dina:

Come over to mine ASAP

I have to tell u something

Another message. This time the location to Dina's house.

Me:

Tell me what???

Dina:

I cant tell u on the phone

Just come quick

Furrowing her brows at the strange behavior, she went inside to get changed out of her uniform. Well, she was the one who asked for a distraction. And this was better than nothing.

Half an hour later, she found herself standing outside Dina’s house. She checked the address one more time. To make sure she was at the right place before ringing the bell. She was let in by Dina. Who didn’t answer any of her questions and dragged her straight to her room.

Her room was… something. For one, it was bigger than the one she shared with her sister. And it had pink, lots and lots of pinks. Though other colors helped even it out. There were a few pictures and posters on the walls. Multiple plushies and throw pillows were scattered across the room. There was soft music playing. A light shaped like a cloud hung above the bed. Overall it wasn’t half bad.

She turned to Dina and asked. “This room is just for you?”

“Well yeah. Who else would it be for? Duh.” Dina replied.

“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes. She turned around and took a deep breath before asking. “Are you going to tell me why I’m here?”

“Listen, Noaf. It’s our responsibility to not let Mariam give up and leave school. If anyone’s gonna leave, it should be those…bitches.”

Noaf let out a surprised chuckle. It was the first time she had heard Dina swear.

“Hey, look at you. Where did you learn to curse like that?” She teased before her mood turned sober. “But you heard what she said earlier. She can’t take it anymore, Dina. And to be honest, after everything, I’m not surprised that she wants to move schools.”

“Exactly. That’s why we must stand by Mariam now more than ever. Let's be honest, Noaf. It was our fault as well. When Mariam needed us the most, we weren’t there.”

A sharp pain erupted in her chest. Like someone had taken a knife and plunged it through her heart. Dina was right. They should have been there for her when she needed them the most. And Mariam had been right as well. She shouldn’t have drawn attention to them. She had only followed the guy as a petty form of revenge on the girls for hurting her sister. The guy wasn’t even good-looking. He looked like an urban dictionary definition of a douche bag.

It didn’t matter. Right now, Noaf had to focus on helping Mariam. 

“You’re right. We weren’t there for Mariam before, but I want to be there for her now. And I will stand by whatever decision she makes. If she wants to move schools, then I’ll stand beside her.”

“What?” Dina’s jaw dropped. She opened and closed her mouth a few times. “What are you talking about? Don’t you want to help her?”

She sighed and sat down on a chair.

“Don’t get me wrong, Dina. I want to help Mariam, I really do. And this is the only way I can think of to do that. The school's environment isn’t healthy at all, much less for a social outcast like her.” Dina tried to interpret, but she cut her off. “Answer me truthfully, Dina. Do you really think that if we get rid of Rania and Layan, all of Mariam’s troubles are going to just end? Do you think that none of the other girls will bully her in their place?”

“No.” She mumbled, looking away.

“Exactly. As you said, Mariam needs us now more than ever. We have to stand with her and show her our support.”

“I guess you’re right.” She said as she dropped into the seat beside her.

“I am. So if you have any plans against Rania and Layan, please drop them.”

“Fine.” Dina groaned. “But we will use our plans against them afterward. Okay?”

“I’ll think about it.” Noaf bumped their shoulders together before she leaped up from her seat. “Well, if that’s all. Then I’ll take my leave.”

“You just got here. Why don’t you stay for a bit?”

“I’m sorry, but there is something I have to do.” 

“Oh, okay,” Dina said dejectedly.

At the sight of Dina’s frown, she said. “Hey, once all of this is over. Let’s all hang out. You, me, and Mariam. What do you say?”

Dina jumped up and down excitedly. “Yes.” 

She tried to hug her, but Noaf put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. At the pout that she received, she rolled her eyes and held a hand out for her to shake. A decision she regretted not long after when her shoulder felt like it had been dislocated.

Here she was, standing outside one of her friend's houses for the second time that day. Unlike last time she stood outside the door hesitatingly, unsure if she should really be here. Shaking her head to get rid of her thoughts, she knocked on the door.

Just like last time, Mariam’s father opened the door.

“Hello. You’re Mariam’s friend. Noaf right?” He gave her a friendly smile.

“Yes, is Mariam home?” 

“She’s upstairs. Let me call her down. Mariam, your friend, is here.” He called upstairs. They waited there for a few moments, but no reply came. He moved to call for her again, but Noaf stopped him.

“If it’s okay with you, I’ll go up there myself.”

He nodded and sent her off. Outside Mariam’s door, she took a deep breath to build up her courage before she knocked on the door. There was the sound of groaning from the other side. That made her worry. 'Was Mariam okay in there?' She knocked again.

“Mariam. It’s me, Noaf. Can I come in?” She asked.

“Yeah.”

She stepped inside and closed the door behind her Mariam was sitting on her bed. Rubbing her eyes. She was wearing shorts and a baggy shirt, her hair fell out of her bun. Her eyes were bloodshot like she had been crying for a while.

“Hey, what are you doing here? Is everything okay?” She asked, her voice croaky and a confused look on her face.

“Yes, everything is fine. I came to see you. I wanted to talk to you.”

Mariam sighed heavily. “Look, if this is about what happened earlier, then I’m sorry. I dragged you into this mess with me, but I was wrong. And I-I…” She trailed off with tears in her eyes.

“Hey, Mariam. No.” Noaf sat down beside her. She didn’t know what to do. She was not emotionally equipped to deal with tears. Her mind went to her sister. And how she said that a hug always helped her. So she raised her arms awkwardly between them. Mariam looked at her arms then at her questioningly. Noaf gave a tiny nod. With that, she fell into her arms and started sobbing. She rubbed Mariam’s back and made small shushing noises. Rocking the two back and forth to help her calm down. 

After a while, Mariam’s sobs gave way to the occasional sniffle. Noaf gave her a squeeze before pulling back.

“You have nothing to apologize for, Mariam. You didn’t drag me into anything. I willingly came with you. And if anyone here needs to apologize, then it’s me.” She opened her mouth to protest, but Noaf cut her off. “Let me finish, please.”

At Mariam’s reluctant nod, she continued. “You were right earlier. I should never have followed Rania’s boyfriend's account and brought attention to myself. I knew I shouldn’t have. But I couldn’t help myself. I wanted revenge on them for what they did to my sister. And I shouldn’t have shouted at you either it was wrong of me. I’m sorry.” She looked away and started playing with her hands.

“It’s okay. I understand why you did it. And I’ll forgive you only if you forgive me.”

“Well, that’s easy enough.” She replied. A comfortable silence settled between them. They sat side by side, their shoulders touching. 

The silence was broken by Mariam.

“Did you really come all the way out here to apologize to me?”

“Yes, I did. But I also wanted to talk to you about you leaving.” Mariam tensed beside her.

“Noaf, please don’t try to convince me to stay. I don’t want to argue with you right now.” She said.

“Don’t worry, I won’t.”

“You won’t?”

“No, I won’t. I came here to tell you that I am here for you. That I support your decision.” 

Mariam pulled away far enough to look into her eyes and whispered. “You do?” In a small voice, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Yeah. You know I was wrong earlier. You aren’t letting those girls win. I think it’s brave of you. It takes a lot of courage to stand up for yourself and even more to admit to others that you have reached your limit. By making this decision, you won.”

“Thank you,” Mariam said with tears in her eyes. Noaf pulled her into another hug without any thought. Maybe the hugs weren’t too bad.

“Hey, what are friends for?”

Mariam wiped her tears and said. 

“Who would have thought? The cool Noaf, giving hugs.”

She rolled her eyes. “Tell anyone, and you’re dead.”

“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”

The two settled against each other once again. This time with Mariam’s head on her shoulder.

"Have you talked to your mother yet?" Noaf asked.

"No, I was just about to."

"Do you- would you like me to be there with you?"

Mariam gave her a small smile and said. "I would like that. But-"

“But?”

“I think I have to do this myself. If that’s okay.”

“Of course it is. Just remember I am here if you need me.”

"Hey, Noaf?"

"Yeah."

"I'm glad we are friends." Said Mariam making her smile.

"Me too, Mariam."

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Ugly, sad, and cold hard truth.

It's actually pretty scary how this could definitely and probably has happened to people irl.

Like this girl was beaten and hospitalized and the culprits were free from consequence because the lead mean girl decided to lie about a situation where she claimed that Mariam touched her breasts.

So because of homophobia and people's obsession with shame, the girl who was the actual victim of bullying and physical assault is being shamed, while the bully walks free.

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AlRawabi Girls of the first season, besties in real life galore!

i just love them!

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Am I the only one who didn't like what they did with trying to make Layan sympathetic in Alrawabi? It feels watered down and it felt like they were trying to make us forget the horrible things they made Mariam go through. The ending was way out of left field.

Yeah, I didn't really like those parts either. A while back I would have dismissed it as an intentional part on the writers' to make a point about how conflicted we can be when it comes to things like retributive justice and conditional misogyny, but though Layan didn't deserve...that ending, she was still an awful person who did awful things to other people.

Also, I generally hate the trope of "girl bullies others but you've got to forgive her because don't you know she faces misogyny too? She's secretly a feminist, it's all in the name of girlpower and girl solidarity" when nearly every other woman burns around her. Making Layan say a few good lines doesn't erase the fact that she too uses sexist ways to bully other girls, and people like her don't deserve the benefit of pulling a last minute victim card narratively speaking.

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Burder at mconals

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Look it's the,,, sneet snart,,,

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Somebody's got a cru- *gets hit by a car*

(non-dialogue version because the dialogue seemed a bit off when placed on the image)

Basically the original dialogue

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Day 6: firsts / baking

I'll post the last prompt tomorrow

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GreatestTreasureShipping jumpscare

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AUGH MADE THIS YESTERDAY AND FORGOT TO POST IT