They moved closer, the small space of the empty classroom charged with electricity. Their faces were inches apart, both blushing so hard it felt like a fever. They leaned in, their eyes fluttering shut, but just as their lips were about to touch again, a shrill bell rang, echoing through the halls.
They jumped apart as if shocked.
"We have to go," Rajat said, his voice shaky.
"Yeah," Ranjita breathed, straightening her uniform.
They stood there awkwardly for a second before she gave him a small, nervous smile. "Bye... boyfriend."
"Bye... girlfriend," Rajat replied, the word feeling foreign and thrilling on his tongue. They rushed out of the classroom in opposite directions, their hearts pounding.
***
Hours later, Rajat was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind still reeling. His phone buzzed. A notification from Instagram: *Ranjita Malla has started following you.* A second later, another from TikTok: *Ranjita Malla is now following you.* His heart hammered against his ribs. A direct message appeared.
It was a picture. Ranjita, in a tight blue tank top that left little to the imagination and a pair of tiny, lacy pink panties. She was lying on her bed, one leg slightly bent, a playful smirk on her face.
Rajat's brain short-circuited. He quickly typed back a single question mark.
A reply came instantly. **A gift for my new boyfriend ;) **
His face felt like it was on fire. They spent the next hour messaging back and forth. She asked about his coding, he asked about the pressure of being popular. They shared terrible jokes and found themselves laughing alone in their respective rooms. It was easy. It was real.
**Ranjita:** So... are we gonna go on an actual date?
**Rajat:** I'd like that.
**Ranjita:** Saturday? We could go to that new cafe in Thamel?
**Rajat:** Sure. Saturday.
They said their goodnights, and Rajat's mind was buzzing. He had a date. With Ranjita Malla. He had to tell someone. He opened his chat with Bikram.
**Rajat:** dude. i have a date on saturday.
The reply was almost instant.
**Bikram:** a date?? with who?? another one of your anime waifus come to life??
**Rajat:** no. it's real.
**Bikram:** no way. who is she? do i know her?
**Rajat:** ...it's ranjita.
**Bikram:** ranjita who? your cousin?
**Rajat:** ranjita malla.
There was a long pause. Rajat imagined Bikram's brain melting.
**Bikram:** BULLSHIT. you're lying. this is a prank.
**Rajat:** it's not a prank. it's real.
**Bikram:** HOW?? you met her YESTERDAY and said you never saw her before!
**Rajat:** We kissed yesterday.
Another, longer pause. Then a torrent of messages.
**Bikram:** YOU KISSED HER?! THE RANJITA MALLA?! the girl with like 10k followers on tiktok? the one every guy in school talks about? HOW?? WHY?? WHAT DID YOU DO??
**Rajat:** she was being bothered by some guy and i acted as her boyfriend. one thing led to another.
**Bikram:** this is insane. this is the biggest thing that has ever happened in our friend group. what is she like? is she a bitch? is she as hot in person?
**Rajat:** she's... different. really nice. and yeah. she's even hotter.
**Bikram:** i can't believe this. my fat, nerdy best friend is dating the queen of the school. i need details. ALL the details.
Rajat smiled, typing back a few more vague answers, his exhaustion finally catching up to him. He put his phone down, the ghost of Ranjita's kiss on his lips, and fell into the deepest, happiest sleep of his life.