I thought things couldn't get worse after what happened earlier.
I was wrong.
Very wrong.
After somehow escaping that terrifying girl, I finally managed to find my classroom.
"Well… at least nothing bad can happen now," I muttered as I walked inside.
Big mistake.
The moment I entered, the entire class went silent.
Every single student turned to look at me.
"Why is everyone staring…?" I whispered.
Then I noticed something.
A girl was standing near the front.
No—
Not just any girl.
She had a confident posture, long brown hair, and sharp eyes filled with attitude. Her presence alone made it clear—
She wasn't someone normal.
And right now…
She was staring directly at me.
Great.
"Look who finally decided to show up," she said, her voice filled with sarcasm.
I blinked.
"Uh… me?"
The class burst into laughter.
"Of course you," she replied, crossing her arms. "Do you see anyone else entering late like an idiot?"
"Hey, I got lost!" I defended myself.
"Lost?" she smirked. "In the campus… or somewhere more interesting?"
For a split second, my brain froze.
Wait.
No way.
Did she—
"Judging by your face," she continued, "I think I'm right."
More laughter.
I could feel my soul leaving my body.
"Sit down before you embarrass yourself further," she said casually.
Too late.
I was already embarrassed beyond recovery.
I quickly looked for an empty seat and rushed toward the back.
But just as I was about to sit—
"Stop."
I froze.
Slowly, I turned my head.
She was still looking at me.
"Who said you can sit there?" she asked.
"…No one?"
"Exactly."
She pointed to the front row.
"Sit here."
The entire class went quiet again.
My eyes widened.
"Front…? Why me?"
"Because I said so."
Simple.
Direct.
Terrifying.
I had no choice.
I walked toward the front row under everyone's gaze and sat down.
Right.
In front.
I could literally feel everyone staring at my back.
"This is torture…" I muttered.
"Say something?" she asked from behind me.
"…Nope."
A few minutes later, the teacher entered the class, and things finally calmed down.
Or at least… I thought they did.
Halfway through the lecture—
"Sir," the girl suddenly raised her hand.
The teacher nodded. "Yes?"
She pointed at me.
"This student came late and was disturbing the class."
My jaw dropped.
"W-What?! I wasn't—"
"Is that true?" the teacher asked, looking at me.
Every eye in the room turned toward me again.
This was a nightmare.
"I… I just entered—"
"Stand up," the teacher said.
I slowly stood up.
"Introduce yourself."
Of course.
Of course this would happen.
"My name is Ayaan Verma," I said awkwardly.
"And next time, be on time," the teacher said strictly.
"Yes, sir…"
I sat down again, completely defeated.
From behind me, I heard a faint whisper—
"Pathetic."
I clenched my fist.
For some reason…
That annoyed me more than everything else.
"Who does she think she is…?" I muttered under my breath.
But deep inside—
I knew one thing for sure.
This girl…
Was going to be a serious problem.
And somehow…
My life just got even more complicated.