Novels by Balqees Suleiman

SKYLA’S POV The trip to California was one long, exhausting trip, with almost everyone and everything getting on my nerves. If there was anything that I was grateful for? It was that almost everyone minded their business, and they weren’t all up in mine. Which meant no prying eyes, no unnecessary conversations. Just me and my thoughts. I was currently in the back of one of the local taxis headed to my mom’s bakery, the rickety car jolting me every now and then as the man blasted country music from his run-down radio. A song I never thought I would hear again played loudly through the static radio, about a love that was never meant to be, a love scorned by society. And just like that, my mind drifted to Xavier and the events that had led to the end of our relationship. Cliché? Maybe, but that was the truth. “Here we are,” the driver called out, his southe

" I need you to run far away from here, far from here where he wouldn't find you, my life depends on your decision sky" My mom’s voice cuts through the still night, what was supposed to be her eyes were hollow holes staring deep into mine.The sound of a gun being fired reverberating through the thin air.Followed immediately by a sharp crack, I watched my mom’s body going limp in horror."Mom..... mom?" I screamed frantically, blindly reaching for her. Instead, the hollowed faces of the Andersons loomed before me. Their guttural growls sending bouts of fear trickling down my spine."Mom.... mom. ! I jolted awake with a scream, my whole body drenched with sweat. My hand swung out, knocking down the unfamiliar bedside lamp to the floor with a crash."Are you okay, Sky.... I heard screams. " Ed's voice rang from the staircase, the early morning sun flooding into the cramped room, pictures

Six years agoCalifornia, San Diego Was back from college for a short break, and I made it my duty to assist my mom I’m the bakery, half of the town had started to whisper about my mom’s paranoia claiming that it had started to drive customers away. Business had slowed, and I wanted to support her in any way I could.But the main reason why I was helping her along with my distant cousin EdWas because this was the only thing that was left of him anyway, and while he was alive, he cherished this bakery with the whole of his heart. In his words, not mine “The bakery has been with me since trying times Sky, when I ran away from my abusive parents at nineteen the only reasonable thing I had in my possession was baking pans, and the piece of doughnut I had stolen from my parents pantry.”I could still hear his voice at the back of my head.Keeping this business wasn’t just about survival but also honouring him. It

It’s been three hours since my whole life went up in flames, three hours since I became homeless, bankrupt, and helplessThree hours since my breakup with Steve, three hours since my fallout with my best friend, and three hours since my encounter with him. The past darned hours have been the worst miserable hours of my life.I sat curled up on Ed's couch, my arms wrapped tightly around my knees. The ticking of the clock is a cruel reminder of how my life had crumbled in the span of a single evening.“I give you a day off, and in just three hours you’ve managed to wreck your whole life, career. Heck, you are the most talked about on the Internet. Sky, what the hell happened?” Ed yells, the veins on his forehead popping as he paces the length of his tiny apartment in frustration.The soft chime of his rickety dishwasher reverberates through the thin walls.I could hear the frustration in his words, I could even taste the anger at the tip of my tongue,

“Welcome to Johnny’s” A loud voice boomed over the loud music the moment I stepped inside.I had no idea how I ended up here, ended up in a run-down bar at the heart of the city, but right now, I didn’t care. I needed thisI needed the Distraction.I stumbled towards the bar, my emotions haywire. “Something strong” I muttered, slumping unceremoniously onto the seat.The bar tender smirked as he grabbed a bottle. “Rough night?” his voice carried a warm teasing lilt, his sea blue eyes twinkling under the dim lit room.Sea blue eyes, just like Steve’s, I could feel another bout of tears threatening to spill. I hastily squeezed my eyes shut, inhaling an unhealthy amount of breath. I wasn’t going to think of him “Say something?”“Make it strong” I muttered, plastering a fake smile on my face. The loud thumping of the music made me feel queasy.He nodded, expertly mixing my drink. The rhythmic clinking of the ice against the glass was oddly soot

It felt like my whole world was crumbling beneath me, drowning me in a sea of betrayal, lies, and deceit with absolutely no one to hold on to, not even my sanity.“Please tell me this is not true Tanya” I pleaded, my brown orbs wild with unshed tears, fear palpable in my raging heart. It couldn’t be right? I was imagining things, and it wasn’t true.“I am sorry, Sky, we didn’t mean to.” Tanya’s voice trembled, her words tearing me into pieces, and for a moment, I wished I had remained oblivious to the truth. My child hood best friend sat before me, the guilt coating her warm hazel orbs was enough to drown me in my misery. “I.. I...I don’t understand” I stammered, pulling at my hair in frustration. The rubber band that I had used to hold it in place came undone.I stared at her, my mouth wide open, praying this was one cruel joke. “ I don’t understand Tanya. Please tell me this is a joke, please..” I pleaded, my voice hoarse with unshed tears and disbelief.