Aira Kapoor's morning had been exhausting.
Unfortunately, the day wasn't done destroying her yet.
After the pairing announcement, the whole school suddenly developed one personality trait:
Mind their business?
No.
Absolutely not.
Gossip?
Yes.
Aggressively.
The moment Aira stepped into the hallway, three girls elbowed each other and whispered, "Isn't that the girl Reyhan keeps talking to?"
Talking to?
Reyhan didn't talk — he disturbed.
Aira pulled her hoodie up, speed-walking toward the cafeteria like it was a war zone.
She had one goal: avoid Reyhan Malhotra until further notice.
But fate?
Fate hated her.
Because as she turned a corner, she collided with someone again — twice in the same day.
Except this time, instead of a walking menace, she bumped into—
"Aira," Zayden said with a warm smile. "Whoa, are you okay?"
Aira exhaled with relief. "Yes. For once, I'm glad it's you."
He chuckled. "Rough morning?"
"Rough is an understatement. I think I'm aging emotionally."
Zayden laughed, falling into step beside her as they walked toward the cafeteria. His presence was calm, grounding, and exactly what she thought she needed.
Until the universe decided she needed chaos instead.
Because out of nowhere, someone stepped between them, sliding in like he was the main character in an action movie.
Reyhan Malhotra.
Of course.
Aira stopped walking. "Why are you here?"
Reyhan leaned casually against a locker. "I was bored."
"So go… be bored somewhere else."
"No."
She stared at him. "Why not?"
He tilted his head. "Because you walked off and didn't say goodbye. Rude."
Zayden blinked. "You… needed a goodbye?"
Reyhan shrugged. "Manners are manners."
Aira nearly choked. "You of all people want MANNERS?!"
Reyhan gave her the softest, fakest, most annoying smile.
"That's hurtful."
Before she could throw a shoe at him, someone down the hall shouted:
"Yo! Reyhan! Why are you walking with Aira?"
Heads turned.
Whispers started.
Phones came out.
People stared like a live K-drama was happening.
Aira felt her soul leave her body.
"This is why I can't walk next to you," she hissed.
Reyhan stepped closer. "Why? Scared?"
"Yes," she answered honestly. "Of rumors. Of chaos. Of YOU."
Zayden stood awkwardly between them. "Should I… uh… go?"
"No!" Aira said quickly.
"Yes," Reyhan said at the same time.
Zayden raised a brow. "You two are ridiculous."
Then he left with a polite smile, leaving Aira alone with the menace himself.
Reyhan tapped her notebook sticking out of her bag. "Rule #5?"
Aira clutched the strap. "Rule #5: Don't walk beside Reyhan Malhotra. Ever."
He smirked. "Too late. We're literally walking right now."
"I'm not walking with you. I'm walking NEAR you."
"Same thing."
"No, it's not!"
"Yes, it is."
"No, it—"
Reyhan suddenly stepped closer, leaning down just enough to send her heart into panic mode.
"Aira," he murmured, "whether you admit it or not… the school already thinks we're a duo."
Her brain short-circuited. "A duo of WHAT?!"
"Chaos," he said simply.
She wanted to scream.
"I'm leaving."
He moved to her side. "I'll walk with you."
"No, you won't."
"I will."
"You won't."
He matched her pace anyway.
She sped up.
He sped up.
She turned a corner quickly.
He turned too, nearly bumping into her again.
Aira spun around. "Will you STOP following me?!"
Reyhan blinked. "No."
"Why not?"
He shrugged like the answer was obvious.
"Because I like annoying you."
Aira glared. "And what if I don't like it?"
He paused.
A stupid, soft expression flashed across his face — so fast she wasn't even sure she saw it.
"Then," he said quietly,
"I'll… try to tone it down."
Aira's breath caught.
But two seconds later, he ruined the moment.
"Maybe."
She stomped away again. "I hate you."
He walked beside her, hands in pockets.
"No, you don't."
"Yes, I do."
"No, you don't."
"Yes—"
Reyhan smirked. "If you hated me, Rookie… you wouldn't keep looking back."
Aira froze.
She HAD looked back. Multiple times.
She wanted to bury herself alive.
The cafeteria doors opened, and Sia instantly spotted them walking together.
Her scream echoing across the hall:
"OH MY GOD—YOU TWO ARE BACK-TO-BACK MATCHING VIBES!"
Aira wished the earth would swallow her whole.
Reyhan just grinned.
Rule #5 was officially destroyed.
RULE #5: Never walk beside Reyhan Malhotra.
Because the world will talk…
and he'll enjoy every second of it.
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