Indhu's pov
The afternoon sun slanted through the classroom windows, making the tiles we were arranging shine like they were being watched. Everything felt calm—too calm. Like the kind of calm before a storm.
I was busy placing the tiles when I noticed Leonore leaning closer to Shweta. Her smile was that same quiet, fake sweetness she always wore. And honestly? I hated her. Not just hated—resented. She was like she'd always been in ninth grade, but now her face looked like it was painted over with some fake layer, and her attitude was just… gross. What does she even want?
She whispered something to Shweta, and I saw Shweta blink.
Leonore leaned closer, her voice soft enough for the rest of us not to hear.
"You know," she said, exaggerated sweetness dripping from every word, "Rohan said something amazing about you earlier."
Shweta's eyes widened. "He did?"
Leonore tilted her head, a teasing twist in her tone. "Well… amazing, but also kind of… critical. He's expecting you to… step up more, maybe."
Shweta's lips tightened. She glanced at Rohan.
And Rohan—caught her gaze.
Then Leonore moved to Rohan, just like that. Like she was a spider weaving a web.
"Shweta told me she thinks you're not contributing enough," she said to him. "You might want to… fix that."
Rohan furrowed his brows, confused. "Uh… what?"
And just like that, a subtle tension slipped into our group.
I didn't need to say anything. I could feel it—like a cold breeze passing through.
Aditya and Charlotte noticed it too. I nudged Aditya softly and whispered, "Looks like Leonore's at it again."
He smirked, trying to keep it casual. Charlotte rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Whoa, drama in real life. I didn't sign up for a soap opera today," she muttered.
Shweta and Rohan kept exchanging awkward looks, second-guessing each other. I could see the confusion building in both of them, and it made my stomach twist. Leonore watched us like she was enjoying every second.
But she didn't know one thing: we weren't falling for it.
Even Aditya and I—who always teased Rohan—noticed the subtle ripple of misunderstanding. Leonore thought she was dividing us. But she forgot one thing.
V5's bond was strong.
Later, when the classroom emptied and the sun dipped lower, I leaned closer to Shweta and Rohan.
"By the way… just so you know," I said softly, "none of what Leonore said was really true."
Shweta blinked, slowly processing. Rohan's expression changed as he realized what had happened.
Aditya added quietly, "Yeah. You didn't notice it, but it was a setup. Leonore thought she could create confusion—but it backfired before it even started."
Charlotte clasped her hands together, acting dramatic like always.
"We watched the whole thing. And now… it's our turn. Time to plan a final revenge."
Shweta laughed softly, the tension melting away. Rohan smirked.
"So, this was all… rehearsal for our next move?" he asked.
I grinned.
"Exactly. She's clever, but we're cleverer. And we'll make sure she never sees it coming."
Aditya leaned back, satisfied. "Let the games begin," he said, eyes shining with mischief.
As we walked away from the classroom together, the sunlight danced on the tiles, and I felt it clearly—
No matter what Leonore tried, she could never break us.
Our bond was unshakable.
And our final plan for her was already taking shape.