Aadhya's POV
Next day.
I entered the class and—wow—what a beautiful sight.
Idiots.
Everywhere.
Laughing, shouting, throwing things, acting like they just won the Olympics instead of a literal street fight election. Amazing. Truly inspiring.
And there—
Sitting like the crowned king of nonsense—
Vivaan.
Smiling.
Grinning.
Glowing.
Like he didn't beat someone half to death yesterday.
Meanwhile—
Dheeraj.
Bandages.
Bruises.
Silence.
And me?
Rotting peacefully on my bench.
Honestly, at this point my bench deserves emotional support for tolerating me.
"Is the teacher dead?" I muttered under my breath. "Why is no one coming?"
Right then—
Movement.
Vivaan dragged a bench and sat right in front of me.
Still smiling.
God, someone wipe that smile off his face.
"Why didn't you join our celebration?" he asked casually.
I stared at him.
Join?
Join his celebration?
My team lost.
My dignity lost.
My faith in humanity lost.
And he expects me to clap for him?
"I just didn't want to," I replied flatly, avoiding his eyes.
He nodded like he understood.
But then—
"It's a shame," he continued, leaning back lazily. "You missed how we and Avi were enjoying… and drinking."
…
Wait.
What.
I snapped my head up.
"Drinking?"
He didn't even hesitate.
"Yeah."
Casual.
Like he just said "we had water."
My blood boiled instantly.
"You made Avi drink?" I cut him off sharply.
He actually looked surprised.
"Yeah."
Again.
Same tone.
Same attitude.
This guy—
I turned to look at Avi.
He was sitting near the window.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
Head slightly down.
Eyes unfocused.
Damn it.
Hangover.
Of course.
"He's only 14!" I snapped, turning back to Vivaan. "And you made him drink?"
He shrugged.
"It's normal. I had my first drink when I was ten."
…
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Trying to process the stupidity I just heard.
"But that's you," I shot back. "Don't compare him to yourself."
There was a slight pause.
But I didn't wait.
Didn't want to hear more of his nonsense logic.
Didn't want to sit there while he justified this.
So I stood up.
Abruptly.
"I'm leaving."
"Hey—where are you going?" he called out.
Ignored.
Completely.
I walked out of the class without even looking back.
This idiot.
This absolute—
Demon.
Who lets a kid drink like that?
Does he even think?
Or is his brain just decoration?
I clenched my fists while walking.
Okay fine.
I also tried it once.
But that was different.
I needed courage.
I had a reason.
This—
This was just stupidity.
I exhaled sharply and entered the nearest girls' washroom.
Finally.
Peace.
I walked into one of the cubicles and sat down.
Leaning my head back.
Closing my eyes.
"Ugh… idiots…"
For a moment, everything was quiet.
Calm.
Then—
Voices.
Outside.
"Why are you so quiet, Jiya?" a girl said in the most dramatic tone possible.
Wow.
Theatre kid detected.
"Seriously, you've been like this since morning," another added.
I stayed still.
Listening.
Not intentionally.
But now I was curious.
"Samar approached her again," a third voice whispered.
…Samar?
Wait.
My brain clicked.
The letter.
Music room.
Jiya.
Samar.
Ohhh.
This is getting interesting.
I leaned slightly forward.
Not moving.
Not making a sound.
Because obviously—
When drama walks into your life—
You sit back and enjoy the show.
"Girls, did you notice that new transferee… Aadhya?" one of them said in that overly polished, dramatic voice. Like she was auditioning for a daily soap.
"Yeah… but she's not that beautiful as Naman mentioned," another added casually.
…
Excuse me?
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Not pretty?
IMPOSSIBLE.
Like scientifically incorrect.
"Watch your words… but she is still Reyansh's cousin," another one chimed in.
"Don't call him darling," someone snapped. "He's Yuvika's."
And then—
The final boss of stupidity opened her mouth.
"Yuvika? That slut. She flirts with every rich boy. Vivaan, Nikansh, now Reyansh. I'm sure that Aadhya is the same. I heard she bribes Section E with food and sticks to that Aarav. Such a slut—oh my gosh."
…
Silence.
My silence.
Jiya's silence.
Everyone's silence.
But mine was different.
Mine was the calm before destruction.
I slowly stood up inside the cubicle.
Cracked my neck slightly.
Took a deep breath.
Alright. Enough.
The door flew open with a loud THUD.
All of them froze.
Like someone paused their lives.
Their eyes widened.
Shock.
Pure shock.
They didn't expect me.
Of course they didn't.
Because backbiting is easy.
Facing is hard.
I walked out slowly.
Step by step.
Calm.
Too calm.
I stopped in front of the mirror.
Looked at myself.
Then at their reflection behind me.
And wow…
Interesting sight.
One looked normal.
The other three?
Abstract art.
Like someone mixed Holi colors and forgot to stop.
I tilted my head slightly.
Admiring.
Analyzing.
Judging.
Then I smiled.
"Oh…"
I said softly.
"Who said I wasn't pretty?"
They looked at each other.
Confused.
Nervous.
No one spoke.
Of course.
Because now their voices disappeared.
Funny how that works.
I casually turned on the tap.
Collected water in my hands.
Once.
Twice.
They were still staring.
Still processing.
Perfect timing.
And then—
Splash.
Right on their faces.
All of them.
"WHAT THE—" one screamed.
"DAMN IT!" another shouted.
I didn't wait.
Didn't explain.
Didn't apologize.
I turned and RAN.
"COME BACK HERE!" the dramatic one shrieked, her voice now less artistic and more… chaotic.
Oh God.
She's chasing.
I sprinted out of the washroom, laughing under my breath.
This is so worth it.
I ran through the corridor, my steps echoing.
"YOU'RE DEAD!" someone yelled behind me.
Yeah yeah.
Stand in line.
I turned the corner and dashed towards my building.
My brain already planning.
They'll follow.
Of course they'll follow.
Good.
Let them.
Let's see how far this goes.
I slowed down just a little, glancing back.
Yep.
There they were.
Running.
Angry.
Wet.
Ruined makeup.
Honestly?
Beautiful scene.
I smirked.
"Game on," I whispered to myself and ran faster.
I ran straight into my classroom.
No brakes.
No thinking.
Just survival mode.
The moment I entered—silence.
Every single head turned towards me.
Wow.
Free entertainment delivered.
I quickly walked in and hid behind my bench like it was some kind of shield. Not that it would save me… but emotional support matters.
"What the hell did you do this time?"
Of course.
Him.
Vivaan Oberoi Windsor's voice came from behind, calm but already annoyed.
I ignored him.
Because priorities.
"Come here," I whispered to myself like summoning courage.
Too late.
Footsteps.
Fast ones.
They reached the door.
"Hi Riya," Neel greeted casually.
Oh.
So Miss Artistic Voice has a name.
Riya.
"Where is that Aadhya?" she asked, voice dripping with fake sweetness.
"There," Neel pointed.
Straight.
At me.
…
Traitor.
I slowly stood up.
"YOU. Come out. Now," she ordered.
"I won't," I replied instantly. "If you need anything, come here."
Fake bravery.
100%.
Inside I was like—God save me please.
"Eww no. Your class is full of bacteria," she said dramatically.
Wow.
Biology topper.
Before I could react—
A strong grip.
Vivaan.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the class.
"Now face the mess you created," he said, clearly irritated.
Damn it.
Outside.
Full audience.
Students gathering like it's a live show.
Seriously, don't you people have lives?
Riya smirked and grabbed my arm again.
These people really like holding my arm.
"HOW DARE YOU throw water on us?" one of her pets barked.
"You needed it," I replied calmly. "For your faces."
A few Section E boys laughed.
Small victory.
Riya didn't like that.
Not at all.
"Don't you know who we are?" another one snapped.
"No," I said instantly.
Riya clutched her chest like I stabbed her emotionally.
Some people laughed again.
This is fun.
Now a full crowd had gathered.
Great.
Public humiliation episode.
"Seems like you don't understand the hierarchy here," Riya said, stepping forward like she's about to give a TED Talk nobody asked for.
"Oh God…" I muttered under my breath.
"Let me explain."
No.
Please don't.
She snapped her fingers.
Her pets brought a bucket.
Dirty water.
Mop water.
…
Oh.
So that's where this is going.
Nice.
Very nice.
She began—
"Section A"
"The Royal Section. We get privileges because we excel in everything. Disrespecting us is a mistake."
She looked around proudly.
Some students straightened like peacocks.
Wow.
Clap clap.
"Section B"
"Disciplined and hardworking. Cross them and they'll make your life difficult."
Some students waved like polite citizens.
Good for you.
"Section C"
"Kind… until provoked. Then they make you suffer."
I spotted Saanvi there.
She didn't look happy.
At all.
Good.
At least someone has sense.
"Section D"
"Almost like your section… but with hope. And loyal to Section A."
Those boys smirked proudly.
Wow.
Being someone's follower is now an achievement.
Noted.
Then—
She turned.
Looked straight at me.
And said—
"Section E"
"The dirt of this prestigious school. Ignored by the board. Directionless. Good for nothing except fighting and causing trouble."
…
Silence.
Heavy.
Thick.
I felt it.
The shift.
The tension.
My fists clenched automatically.
Something twisted inside my chest.
I know Section E is… bad.
I know.
But—
Hearing it like that?
Like we're nothing?
Like we don't matter?
Like we're just… trash?
No.
I didn't like that.
At all.
And for the first time—
This wasn't about me.
This wasn't about water.
Or insults.
Or stupid fights.
This was something else.
I slowly lifted my head.
My patience—
Officially over.