Indhu POV
It was one of those sunny Fridays where everything felt lighter than usual. The bell rang to start the day, but something was… off. Not bad. Just quieter.
That's when it hit us.
Charlotte was on OD.
So it was just the four of us — me, Swetha, Rohan, and Aditya. And honestly? If anyone thought it would be boring without Charlotte, they clearly didn't know us.
Morning – Teasing Starts Early
I dropped into my seat and stretched lazily. Aditya leaned back from the bench in front and looked at me with a grin.
Adi said, "Hey, why were you absent yesterday?"
I yawned dramatically and said, "Ohhh, I overslept. Homeworks drained every cell in me. I woke up and it was already… almost lunchtime."
Rohan leaned in and said, "She probably woke up and thought it was still Thursday."
I nodded seriously and said, "Exactly. That's how tired I was."
Swetha laughed and said, "And she messaged me in the morning, 'I'm not coming today, you handle the world.'"
I grinned and said, "I was pranking you!"
Adi said, "Then I'll also say — I'm not coming Monday."
I shot back immediately, "Okay! Don't come! Maybe the world will finally have peace."
Adi raised his hands and said, "Wait, I was also pranking Swetha."
I pointed at him and said, "So was I!"
We all laughed. No pressure. No drama. Just nonsense — the good kind.
Last Period – Math Class Chaos
By the last period, the whole class had entered full Friday mode.
Our math teacher walked in, sighed, wrote a few problems on the board, and said,
"Solve these. I'll be back in ten minutes."
Ten minutes.
That was enough.
Rohan slid into Adi's seat. Swetha and I turned around, forming a tiny circle. Books open. Minds closed.
I smiled and said, "This feels like early 9th days."
Swetha nodded and said, "The seat-turning, secret-telling vibe."
Then a thought hit me.
I leaned toward Swetha and whispered, "Hey… shall we tell him?"
Swetha immediately signaled Rohan. Rohan grinned like he already knew what was coming. I covered my face, already laughing.
Adi looked confused and said, "What? What is this now? Why are you all smiling like that?"
Rohan said, "Indhu, your face is red!"
I laughed and said, "Swetha, you say. I can't."
Adi said, "Guys???"
Swetha calmly said, "Do you remember Aishu?"
Adi tilted his head and said, "Aishu…? Wait, the girl who used to talk to me a lot in 8th?"
I leaned forward and said, "Yes yes yes, that one!"
Adi said, "Okay… what about her?"
Swetha smiled and said, "She liked you."
Adi froze and said, "WHAT?"
I completely lost it. I dropped my head on the desk laughing. Rohan was shaking with silent laughter.
Adi said, "WHATTTTT— I never knew this???"
Swetha giggled and said, "You know what's funnier? One day Aishu told Indhu to give you something."
I lifted my head and said, "And I was like, 'What job is this?' I hit her lightly and said, 'You give it yourself!' I didn't sign up for love-delivery service!"
The laughter doubled.
Adi said, "So you're telling me there was a whole side story with me as the hero and I didn't even know?"
I wiped my eyes and said, "Yes! Welcome to Season 1 of your own rom-com. It aired without your permission."
Rohan's Turn
Once we calmed down a little, I turned toward Rohan.
I said, "Okay Rohan… your turn."
Swetha said, "Yeah yeah, we know your 6th-grade story."
Rohan said, "Wait… which one?"
I said, "Rebecca."
Rohan smiled and said, "Aaaah. That."
Adi looked curious and said, "Wait, what happened?"
Rohan explained, "Back in 6th, this girl named Rebecca liked me. I didn't care much. Then one day she told everyone she liked someone else."
I leaned in and said, "Now listen carefully."
Rohan continued, "I went home, collected all the gifts and drawings she gave me, put them neatly in a bag, and the next day I gave it to her and said — 'Here sister, take everything. Congratulations and best wishes!'"
Adi shouted, "NO WAY—"
Swetha almost fell off her chair laughing.
Swetha said, "This guy turned a crush into a farewell ceremony!"
Rohan smirked and said, "Professional maturity since 6th grade."
I laughed and said, "You made a breakup look like Raksha Bandhan!"
Right then, the teacher walked in and asked,
"Have you even touched the problems?"
Rohan said innocently, "Yes ma'am. We were solving life's problems."
As the Bell Rang
The final bell echoed.
The four of us stood near the door, still laughing.
I said, "Friday without Charlotte, but still full of drama."
Adi said, "Someone tell her she missed the season finale."
Swetha said, "I'll text her — 'Rohan's gift ceremony and Aditya's secret love story revealed.'"
Rohan laughed and said, "Next Friday, shall we roast Swetha?"
I smirked and said, "Don't worry. Her chapter is coming soon."
We walked out into the sunlight, laughter following us.