Aditya's POV
The classroom was unusually quiet that day—one of those rare free periods where even the walls seemed to be resting. I sat at my desk, half-bored, lazily flipping through my notebook, not really reading anything.
That's when Leonor stopped beside my bench.
"Can I borrow your book?" she asked, her voice soft—too soft.
I didn't think twice. I handed it to her automatically. But just as she turned to leave, she paused. She leaned in, close enough that I stiffened without meaning to.
"I like you," she whispered.
For a second, my brain shut down.
Before I could react—before I could even breathe properly—the bell rang. Chaos exploded. Chairs scraped, bags zipped, voices flooded the room.
And Leonor disappeared into the crowd.
That night, sleep wouldn't come.
I kept staring at the ceiling, replaying that moment again and again. Did she mean it? Or was it another one of her games? After everything that had happened… trusting her felt stupid.
By morning, the thought sat heavy in my chest.
In class, I finally cracked and told Rohan, Shweta, and Charlotte.
"She said what?" Rohan half-yelled, his eyes wide.
Shweta folded her arms immediately. "This smells fishy already."
Charlotte frowned. "She's definitely planning something."
Their reactions didn't calm me—if anything, they confirmed my unease.
Indhu didn't know yet. I waited. Too long. When I finally told her, she just listened—quiet, unreadable.
After a pause, she said, "Maybe it's a plan. Just be careful, Aditya."
Her calm scared me more than panic would have.
Later that day, I noticed something off.
The four of them—Indhu, Rohan, Shweta, Charlotte—were whispering together. When I tried to join, they waved me off with vague smiles.
It bothered me. But I didn't push.
While heading home, Indhu finally walked beside me and murmured, "Don't worry. Just… trust us. Tomorrow, you'll understand."
I nodded—uncertain, but trusting her anyway.
The next day, the tension was thick enough to feel.
Leonor approached me near the corridor. Her eyes were shining, almost triumphant.
"So… what's your answer?" she asked, her voice shaking with anticipation.
I kept my face calm. Neutral. Empty.
"Yes," I said.
Her reaction was instant—shock, then a wide smile. For a brief second, she looked victorious.
Then—
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Slow applause echoed down the corridor.
I didn't turn. I already knew.
Indhu. Shweta. Charlotte. Rohan.
Leonor's smile collapsed. "What… what is this?"
Indhu stepped forward, her eyes sharp, burning with something controlled and dangerous.
"Leonor, did you really think we wouldn't see through your plan? You thought we don't have brains? This—" she gestured around—"this was our move. Your revenge ended before it began."
Shweta crossed her arms, smirking. "You walked right into it."
Rohan shook his head. "Too easy."
Charlotte tilted her head. "Honestly, at least make your traps interesting."
I finally spoke.
"You wanted me to say yes? Fine. I said it," I said calmly. "But it doesn't mean what you think. I don't play games with fake feelings. And I won't be a pawn in yours."
The color drained from Leonor's face.
Indhu's voice cut through last. "This is what happens when you underestimate us."
We turned together. Walked away together.
Behind us, Leonor stayed frozen—her so-called victory shattered.
I didn't look back.
But I knew one thing for sure:
This wasn't over.