The next few days were contradictory for different groups of people. They were busy for the students and teachers at S.P.A.C.E as they geared up for their respective aspire camps. The principal and heads of the school were still in the midst of clearing up the rumours and assuring parents after the bromine incident in the chemistry lab. But midnight spirits were also unusually quiet. With Divya's recovery and hand injury, they were taking it easy. She couldn't strum a single chord without whimpering so practice was on halt for now.

Ragini had not yet continued their conversation from the night at the hospital. She chose to wait until things kind of settled down. Meaning it would happen after camp. There was still tension but they were blissfully ignorant to it. It was easier to pretend that the elephant in the room was just a butterfly. To do that, they had to entertain themselves. Since they couldn't play music, they would find other means.

From her spot on the desk of the jam room, Divya pointed out, "That's cheating!" as she played scramble with shikar.

"No, it's not. Lumpatious is a word." Shikar protested from the spot opposite her on his chair.

Divya took out her phone and searched it up. "See, it doesn't exist in the English dictionary."

"It does in the Sam and Cat universe."

"This is not that universe is it?"

"Technically it is. Sam and cat were made in America and America is in this universe."

"That's not how it works!" she all but shouted.

"Yes, it does."

"No. Next you are going to say beck kissing tori in front of jade was fine and jade shouldn't be mad about it."

Shikar shrugged, recalling the episode he was forced to watch with his best friend. He found the show obscured and weird but he didn't have a choice in that matter. He did, however, have his own opinion about the situation. "Well, it was a stage kiss. Jade's reaction and treatment of tori were unfair."

Divya bit her bottom lip to prevent herself from getting into yet another argument they had previously about this same topic. "For the last time, her anger was not baseless. Yes sometimes it crosses the limit but it's not baseless. Besides, it was an improv scene means it's not scripted. Beck could've said no but he went along with it."

"Be that as it may, lumpatious is a word."

"no."

"yes."

"yes."

"no."

Divya smirked proudly marvelling at her victory. "See you admitted it. It's not a word. I win and you are a cheater." she smirked.

"No...but that's...Lucky!" he cried, turning to his two friends who were busy doing their own things.

"Keep me out of this. Besides, you admitted it." Lakshya said, going back to showing Ragini something on his phone.

"Ragini!"

She shrugged and continued her conversation with lakshya. They had been scrolling through Instagram watching memes until Shikar's plea interrupted them. The other two were playing scramble and they knew this was bound to happen. They rather not get involved with their illogical exchanges.

"I win and now you owe me food," Divya said, getting up from the table they were sitting on.

"Bhukkad."

She put on her lanyard and started making her way to the door. "I will be waiting for you at the canteen, cheater." she ran out before he could say anything else.

"Shikar get me a sandwich," lakshya ordered his little brother without turning his attention away from his phone.

"And a soda for me," Ragini added.

"Why should I? You guys didn't help me back there."

Ragini stopped what she was doing and went towards him with a lobe sided smirk on her face. She pinched his cheeks and laughed at him. "We are older so you will listen to us. Right lucky?"

"Yup. now go before divi comes back."

Shikar groaned, grabbing his wallet before going to the canteen.

"They are never going to change are they?" Ragini asked after he left.

"I hope they don't."

She looked at him curiously for a while trying to decide if he was upset or not. She had been noticing it for the past few days. He seemed a little off.

"You okay lucky?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Laksh."

He sighed, keeping his phone in his pocket and turning to Ragini. "Whatever has happened recently has...given me a lot to think about."

"You know this is not your fault." she reminded, keeping a hand on his shoulder.

"I know but that's not what is bothering me."

"Then?"

"Whatever happened got me thinking about all the other people who suffered like divi because of him. Divi has us to fall back on but what about those who don't have anyone to support them and listen to their story. The family members of the victims are longing to see their kids. They don't even know if they are alive. The kids are dying to see their parents again but they can't because there is no trace of where they came from. They only have the staff that work there and the counsellors that come every week. And therapy is good for them but there is no personal connection. No one they can call family. And there may be many of them just like Divya who refuse to confront that trauma. Ragini, avoidance is a temporary relief. The damage is far worse than we think. The kids are going to grow up with more than just trust issues. And all this is happening because of that bastard!" he punctuated the sentence with an outstretched leg to the table in front of them.

Ragini rubbed his tense shoulder as she waited patiently for him to continue. In the years, she knew when to speak and when to let them continue without being interrupted. The silence stretched out just a little longer before he spoke again. "There is no excuse for what he has done and no reason is big enough to justify his deeds. It was just greed. I'm disgusted to call myself his son." he spat.

"Then don't," she breathed. "Laksh, I agree that the kids have been through a lot. No one deserves to be put through all of that especially at such a young age. Family is not what you are born into, it's who you choose to call home. The people you feel safe with because there is no judgement there. So maybe just maybe, they do have someone to call family. Just like how the midnight spirits are family. The same way maybe those kids have found a family for themselves too."

"I understand that too. But what about those who didn't? What are they going to do?" he pondered, waving his hands animatedly.

"Do you want to help them?" It sounded astonishing for her to ask but she knew what she was doing.

"Of course I do," he said almost immediately. "That's the whole reason I am upset. I want to help but how. We couldn't help our own friend but I sure as hell can try to help those kids whose lives got turned upside down by one man's greed."

Ragini smiled at the sincerity in his voice. "I know you donate to that orphanage every month but like you said they need a personal connection. You can help them with that."

"How?"

"Every child wants to be loved and to make them feel loved, you need to give them time. So why don't you go and spend some time with them? Encourage them to make friends. You want them to have someone to listen to them. Why not be that listening ear?"

"What if they don't want to talk?"

"Keep trying. Show them you are here to stay. I learnt that from someone." she pointed to the previous spot her best friend was sitting at. "It took a really long time. That's why I know they need to know you are not going to stop trying because of one setback."

Lakshya turned away from her, eyeing his acoustic guitar. He had thought about this a lot of times. But he could never muster up enough courage to face the kids.

"They will hate me." he finally confessed, his voice so heartbreakingly small, that tears began to pool in Ragini's eyes

Ragini forcefully turned him so that she was staring into his big brown eyes. "No one blames you for any of this. You are not responsible for what your father did. You are not him." she gently cupped his face whispering. "You are lakshya. One of the kindest souls I know."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"You really think going there will help the kids?"

"The kids and you. Divi, Shikar and I are going there after camp viva, wanna join?"

"Yeah. yeah, I think I do," He smiled, giving her a warm hug. "Thank you mera bacha. What will I do without you?"

"You would be breaking every other piece of furniture in this room."

"I think so too." they chuckled.

They heard indistinct chatter from outside the door. Just as they stood up, the door burst open revealing the two of their friends bickering about something. They shook their heads.

"I wouldn't worry about them changing," Ragini whispered to the guitarist beside her.

"Me too. Should we break it up?"

She leaned back in her seat and rested her head on his shoulder. "Nah, I'm in need of some entertainment."

---broken promises---

A week later all the year three students gathered around the makeshift campsite for their camp viva. The teachers were struggling to take attendance over the noise of the loud students. It was chaotic but better than a bunch of low energized teenagers for the next 2 days.

"Sahil?" rakshit called out as he went down the row on the attendance list. He was in charge of safety for the camp so he was taking attendance. Since S.P.A.C.E was hell-bent on making the students independent, they were told to report to the campsite themselves. He didn't like that because it meant there were definitely going to be latecomers and attendance would a mess.

"Hi," Sahil replied.

As he neared the end of the list, he realised only the midnight spirits yet to arrive.

"Does anyone know where the nightmare- I mean midnight spirits are?"

"Probably with the ghost in the jungle around us." Harshad joked, earning a laugh from the students and staff.

"In that case, you will be happy to hear that the ghosts have invited you for a feast with them tonight." shikar said, catching their attention as they walked out from the forest.

The laughter ceased immediately as everyone went back to what they were doing. They unwillingly stood beside Harshad as there was no more space left but Ragini made a conscious effort to keep a gap between her classmate and herself. Although they were pissed with him, they smiled, a little too sweetly.

"What are you guys doing in there?" rakshit questioned, putting a tick in the little box next to their names.

"Preparing a feast for Harshad with the ghost." Divya deadpanned.

Rakshit sighed and went to update the board at the command post. He waved the students over to settle some administrator things while he wrote down the numbers.

"Did you like the bromine buffet?" Harshad whispered to Divya who was standing next to him.

She faked a smile. "I can't say for sure but I know you are going to hate what is going to happen to you next."

"That was for the punch. And you really think the four of you can do anything," he scoffed. "How naive."

"Don't be cocky Harshad," Ragini advised as the rest of the band came up behind him.

"It's called confidence, babe," he smirked devilishly as Ragini scrunched in disgust. "Something you don't have because if I remember correctly you were the one who was helplessly shouting for help,"

Ragini's eyes instantly started watering but she wasn't about to cry. She was going to fight back.

Lakshya was about to say something but Divya held his hand to halt any of his actions. This was Ragini's fight. She gave her best friend a little nod in support which gave the pianist the push she needed.

Ragini sucked in a deep breath. She stared him dead in the eyes. "If I remember correctly you were the one that got punched in the face, twice. And then suspended. Oh, and did I mention a beta form? Harshad, if anyone's the idiot here, it's you. So bark all you want, we are going to have the last laugh."

She gave a triumphant smile and walked away to where the teachers had called the students to gather once they were done with admin matters with her friends right behind her.

Harshad was left gaping but he wasn't done getting himself insulted. "Hey wait. I'm not done talking!"

"I was done listening," Ragini stated sternly, without sparing a glance at him.

They joined the rest of the students in front of the command post at the centre and waited for the principal to start camp proper. She took a step forward while the teachers stood in a line behind her.

"beautiful morning my dear campers," she started. "I know the mosquitoes are biting but get used to it 'cause this is going to be your home for the next 2 days! I'm sure you guys are going to enjoy camp viva. So are you guys ready?!"

The students let out a loud cheer and some of them took out their phones to capture the moment.

Drishti's jaw dropped to the ground seeing their reactions. This was the first school-related thing that they were enthusiastic about. All this while she had been thinking that all the planning was going to waste because the students were going to be jerks. "I think I was wrong."

Miss Andrews handed the principal a party popper, making sure the end was pointing away from her face. "Let the games begin!" She pulled the leash with as much force as she could. The field was immediately filled with confetti and streamers. Ms Malhotra stepped down, letting Ms Andrews take over.

She gave the campers a moment to compose themselves before starting. "Campers oi!"

"Oi!" the crowd shouted back even louder.

"Before we embark on the next 2 days of fun, let's get some admin matters settled,'' She rolled her eyes at the groans she got from the students. This was necessary, for the coordinators at least. "As always safety is the number one priority. Your safety IC is rakshit so anything related to safety, go to him. Next bunking in. The tents have already been set up for you guys and are divided into four quadrants. Boys on the left, girls on the right. No monkey business. Each tent will have two people inside and the name list is pasted outside the tents. That person will also be your buddy for this camp. your camp booklet will be given out later along with the housing system. For now, just get yourselves settled into your tents. We will meet back here at 3 pm sharp."

she looked over her clipboard to make sure she didn't miss anything out. "Oh and keep the whistle with you at all times. Teachers, anything to add?" when they shook their heads she continued. "That's about it. Am I clear?"

"Crystal clear." they chorused together.

"Then I'll see you back here at 3."

The campers scattered to their respective tents to get settled in while murmuring about the groupings to each other.

---broken promises---

As everyone settled in their tents, Drishti took a seat on the command post bench keeping her eye on her students. She was concerned. Not by the reactions of the students but because of the grouping list that had been given out this morning.

The principal is aware of the intentions of the midnight spirits. They wanted revenge from Harshad. So why did she approve of them being in the same group? At least, If they weren't together, there wouldn't be an opportunity for them to discuss their plan for vengeance.

She bit her nails nervously thinking about what Harshad would be going through. She had just hit their car and nothing happened. Despite that, she had to go through so much torture. Here Harshad had tried to rape Ragini and deliberately engineered for Divya to be admitted in the ER. If that wasn't enough he made fun of them in front of everyone. Her stomach turned thinking about what would be happening to him.

She hasn't been here for very long. Barely over two months, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out how close they were. She had seen the fear and panic in them when she got the call. They didn't think twice before rushing in and throwing themselves in harm's way. Divya punched Harshad and went to detention. Lakshya and Shikar chose to comfort Ragini while the younger girl handled the boy. Ragini didn't even wait for lakshya and shikar. Shikar's anger was because she had instigated such a response from his best friend. Lakshya was keeping cool for their sake. They love and care for each other just like family.

She didn't get to indulge in her thoughts further as rakshit came in. He started to boil some water as he looked at his tensed collage. His presence was registered yet there wasn't any reaction. He frowned and poured the boiled water into his mug. He prepared the coffee that he brought with him and sat at the table.

"Why the long face?" he inquired, sipping his coffee.

Drishti sighed and leaned back in her seat. Throughout the days in S.P.A.C.E rakshit was the one she talked to the most. She would even go as far as to say they were friends. Other than that, he was a counsellor. Of course, he could read her. There was no point in going down the path of denial.

"Miss Malhotra is weird. I don't get her," she confessed.

"What did she do now?"

Drishti took out the camp group list from her back and handed it to him. "How was this list approved?"

He set his mug down and read it over. "What am I looking at?" he asked once he was done.

Drishti gave him a serious look. "You don't see anything wrong with this?"

"No?" he said, checking it again. "What do you see?"

She took the paper and circled four names before handing it back. "Do you see it now?"

"Divya, laksh, rag...the midnight spirits. What about them?"

"Rakshit, they are in the same group."

He let the paper fall to the table and picked up his mug bringing it close to his lips. "They have been in the same group for all aspire camps. What's the big deal?"

Drishti gave him a look of annoyance. "The big deal is that there they are in the same group. Which means they will have the chance to plan their revenge."

"Revenge what revenge?" he was totally lost on where this conversation was going. He knows the band has a...reputation but they would do anything unless someone comes in their way. The students are smart enough not to do anything here. They were surrounded by a jungle. It's was stupid, stupid to mess with them here. Then who was it that gave their hand to the lion "against who?"

Drishti shifted her gaze from side to side as she realised the mess she created. No one knew about Harshad being the culprit behind the bromine leak. "I-i mean, they could...try to harm someone if they are together."

He raised his eyebrow at her. "What does revenge have to do with any of that? And I'm not an idiot."

Drishti dropped her head on the table and exhaled. Now she was really caught. "Harshad was behind the bromine incident in B3-03. Him being here is an unofficial invitation as Miss M calls it," she informed him, quoting the words, unofficial invitation, in the air.

"He is screwed." rakshit said after a few moments of processing this new piece of information. "He should be with the cops not here where he is an open target for them." Drishti jolted her head in his direction. Finally, someone was using logic. "We should keep an eye on them."

"That's what I told her!"

"And what did she say?" he asked. "It was a bad idea?"

She nodded her head. "She said that Harshad deserves what is coming his way. That's the consequences of his actions."

"He is getting punished by them. Not facing consequences. When they do something, it instils fear in them. He won't do it again but not because he understands that it's wrong. But because he is scared. Once that fear ends, he will do the same thing again."

He finished his coffee and went towards the washing area to rinse the mug. Drishti followed him and leaned against the makeshift sink. "I know. How can these students learn from mistakes if they don't see them as one? Just the other day Sahil vandalised the teacher's desk and sending him to detention did nothing. The next day he broke the chair."

"They have talent and passion, that's for sure. But it's the lack of mutuality that holds them back," he wiped the mug with a cloth set on the counter and kept it on the side. "So what are you going to do about it?"

"Me?" she frowned.

"Yes. After all that you have just said, you can't just sit back and do nothing. So what's the plan?'

"I don't have one?"

"I have an idea. Just be friends with them."

Drishti didn't hesitate for a second as he practically barked out the answer. "No," she said bluntly.

"It's easy. They won't bite. Most of them." he chuckled.

"No."

Rakshit looked at her confused. "Why not? You want to change them don't you?"

Drishti shut her eyes to keep herself calm. She was irritated at having to explain this over and over again. But in rakshit's defence, he didn't know about her problem with attachments. "Friends has an emotional connotation to it. Put into simpler words, I don't want to form a bond with them. I don't like attachments. I don't want them."

"They are your students. In any other case, I would say teach them responsibility but for that to happen they need a friend because they clearly despise authoritative figures." he tried convincing her.

"There are other ways to do this."

"Not really."

She sighed, putting the strap of her sling bag around her neck. "I don't want to form an attachment with them or anyone here. There's no point. After a few years, they are going to graduate, and the teaching staff will also change. If the hurt can be prevented, why bother with getting a cure later."

"So by that logic, I am not your friend?"

"I don't know." she left the command post leaving a baffled rakshit behind.

He was beyond confused. She doesn't want to form a liking for people to not get hurt? "Something has definitely happened in her life for her to be this restraint." thinking about this, he realised she hasn't shared much about her personal life. She wouldn't have done that on their first meeting for sure. but it's been weeks and he doesn't even know anything about her life outside school.

He assumed that she didn't have many close friends or any at all given how her mood changed from serious to irritated in seconds flat.

He packed the things he was going to need for the day and headed out the command post. He was going to ask her about this later. Maybe she needs a friend before being one to her students. 

A/N: Don't forget to R&R!