Song :- Black Space. ( Taylor Swift ).

Don't change so people will like you, 

Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.

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{ FALAK }

Standing in front of this huge building, a shaky breath left my mouth. Finally, senior year—The Elites Academy, Dehradun. One of the best schools in India—and even the world. Students from abroad also come to study here. A very elite school, just like its name.

Only rich kids are believed to study here... but that's just what the rich kids think. Students like me also study here—yes, kids from middle-class families.

I come from a middle-class family. I have my dad, mom, and a very annoying elder brother. My dad, Mr. Akhil Kashyap, works at a prestigious business firm. My mom, Mrs. Anjali Kashyap, is a housewife. My brother, Abeer Kashyap, and I study in this school through scholarships. My dad was on cloud nine when we got admission—and why not? It is the best school in India. But sometimes, they miss us a lot since they live in Delhi, and we stay here in the Royal Hostel.

Well, every student here lives in the hostel—it's a boarding school.
Lucky students? Yeah right... my bum.

I never wanted to live in a hostel, and knowing that my nightmare lives here... I definitely wanted to run away.

"Don't talk to unknown male students. You know him. Plus, I don't like guys looking at my sister..."
Breaking my thoughts, my brother Abeer said, standing beside me.

I gave him a look. We'd just returned from break after exams...

Yeah, sometimes I feel like he's not my brother, but that devil's brother. Why can't he see that that guy and his gang bully his little sister to no extent?

But who can argue with this hot-headed brother of mine? So, taking the safest route, I just nodded. He kissed my forehead and left for his senior section. We have a school protocol—we don't interfere in each other's matters unless it's something serious.

Well, my brother belongs to the Elite Group in school. He's the only boy in that group from a middle-class background, but I don't think anyone minds. Looking at them, anyone can tell they are inseparable best friends.

Speaking of The Elite Group—they are seven in total. Best friends since primary school:

Abeer bhai, Karan, Nikhil, Alisha, Sana, Pari, and... the He-Devil himself.
They're the most popular and followed group in school. With good looks, money, and power, they're treated like kings and queens—not just by students, but also by teachers and staff.
They bully people, rule over everything—but no one says anything.

Anyway, back to me. I made my way to my dorm room and opened the door, and the scene before me left me baffled...

"Ugh! Guys, at least lock the door before you start sucking each other's faces! God, my virgin eyes..."
I said, disgusted by the scene before me.

My two best friends.
They turned to me and smirked. Yup—they're shameless.

Naina. Naina Kapoor. Daughter of politician Raghav Kapoor and social worker Divya Kapoor. Yes, she's rich—but there's not a single rich-girl bone in her. She's wild, free, and has small but beautiful dreams.

And of course, my other best friend—Shubh Singhal. Yup, the He-Devil's brother. But he's been my best friend since 5th grade. We're inseparable.

And the secret?
Naina's family and Shubh's family are rivals.
But these two? They love each other to the core.

"Hey girl! You're back!"
Breaking my thoughts, Naina screamed and crushed me in a bear hug.

"Babe... can't breathe..."
I said with difficulty.

Shubh chuckled, gently separated us, and pulled me into a warm embrace.

"How are you, little one?"
he said, kissing my head.

That's what I love about him. He gives me brotherly vibes—a sense of safety.

"Good. How was your vacation in Italy?"
I asked, walking in as he wiggled his brows at me.

"You want to know about the vacation or... hmm?"
he said in a suggestive tone.

I rolled my eyes. As if I would ever ask about that playboy's romantic escapades.

"Shut up. Now tell me."
I said, tossing my bag on the bed.

Thank God the room was clean. One thing I absolutely love about Naina—she always keeps our room neat. We're both cleanliness freaks.

"It was awesome. I went to so many places—beautiful places... and beautiful girls. What a combo."
he said with a dreamy sigh, earning a pillow smack on his head.

I giggled. Naina is super possessive when it comes to Shubh. And he's the same—just better at hiding it.

"What? Babe, it was just for fun. I didn't sleep with anyone there... unlike BB..."
he mumbled the last part under his breath, but I heard it.

My body stiffened.
I saw guilt flash in his eyes when he looked at me.
I ignored it and continued unpacking.

Naina, glaring at her boyfriend, walked over to me.

"Umm... forget him, babe. My boyfriend can be an idiot sometimes..."
she said, hugging me from behind.

I gave her a small smile.

"Why would I be upset? It's none of my business in the first place..."

"But you—"
Naina began, but I cut her off.

"Naina... I've moved on. That was all in the past. And I hate repeating the same mistake over and over again."

"She's right, babe... and Little, I'm sorry for babbling nonsense to you..."
he said, pulling us both into a hug.

That's how the last day of our vacation went—unpacking with Shubh, chatting, laughing. After some time, he left for the boys' dorm.

In Royal School, boys and girls can roam around both hostel areas until 8 p.m. sharp.

By 8, we went to the canteen for dinner. As usual, it was packed with students.

Ugh... I hate crowds.
I have this strange fear of being in crowds. But here, surrounded by fellow students, it feels manageable.

Naina and I entered and began greeting our batchmates. We went to our usual spot—the end bench of the canteen. Shubh was already there, surrounded by some cheerleading bees from our batch.

"I swear, he wants me to commit murder at seventeen only!"
Naina grumbled, glaring at her boyfriend and the girls fawning over him.

I giggled as she marched toward them like a warrior.

"Well, well, look what we have here... or rather, who we have here..."
a voice behind me sneered.

I turned—and mentally cursed myself for not going with Naina.

Pari Ahuja and her bestie Sana Singhania.

Pari Ahuja—heiress of the Ahuja Empire. The Queen Bee of our school.
Also, the girlfriend of the He-Devil.
And Sana? Heiress of the Singhania Group of Hotels.
The He-Devil's best friend since diapers. Inseparable.

If someone sees them for the first time, they'd think they were a couple. But no—they're just best friends.

"Well, hello Miss Goody Two-Shoes. Or should I say, Boyfriend Stealer?"
Pari said with a smirk.

"So true, Pari! Poor Miss Goody Two-Shoes... Feeling bad?"
Sana added, giggling.

I rolled my eyes. Seriously? First day after vacation and I had to face these bitches?

Damage done. Nothing new.

I gave them a fake smile, turned, and walked toward my friends.

Yes, I ignored them.
Why? Because first, they are part of my brother's group.
And second? I do not want to face that He-Devil anytime soon.

"Hey, what happened? Why do you look so tense?"
Naina asked the moment I sat beside her.

She reads me like an open book.
Well, there's one more person who can read me just as clearly... but let's not go there.

"Nothing. Just Queen Bees,"
I said dismissively.

Her attention sharpened. I sighed and told her everything.
By the end, she was fuming.

"And as usual, you ran away! Instead of punching those bitches or at least giving them a piece of your mind, you ran. Ugh! Falak, you're encouraging them by staying silent! And why the hell should you pay the price for that fucker's mistake!?"

She was nearly shouting by now.
Shubh and I tried to calm her down.

"Babe, calm down. It's okay. Next time we'll be with her. You know how she is..."
Shubh said, trying to ease her—and me.

I was just nodding like the dumb girl I am.

She smacked my head, pulled me into a hug, and I obliged.

Shubh embraced us both. I always feel safe with them.

"Never run or hide from anyone, Falak. Face your fears..."
Naina whispered, running a soothing hand down my back.

Running.
That's what I do best.

I hate fighting people who don't matter.
And I would rather die than talk to that group.

Because my nightmare is their leader.
And hell will freeze over the day I face him again.

Naina and Shubh know I avoid him at all costs.
But I also know—no matter how much I run—he always has eyes on me.
He always knows where I am.

He is an Inferno.

And I... I don't want to burn in his fire.

My name is Falak.

And this is my story.                

****************

Hey Guys, 

So here is the update of New story.

So, its a Teenage romance, Journey of two people who will discover love and passion together....

How is it do share your thoughts.

Please leave your comment. Do VOTE.

Thank you,

Author.