The shock of metal hitting metal jerked Ragini from her nap. She could hear her heart pounding in her chest. She turned to Divya to make sure she was fine and vice versa.

"You're okay?" Divya questioned as they stepped off her car and stared at the now broken left headlight. "Shit!"

The woman from the other car got down and did a visual scan of the people she hit. She let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding when she saw that they were fine. Ragini gave her a once over as well. Once she was satisfied, she sighed at the exchange that was about to go down.

"Why are you staring at me?! You totalled my popcorn!". The woman opened her mouth to defend herself but Divya didn't let her. "look at him! My poor baby's eye. You have made him legally blind." she said caressing her headlight.

It took a minute before it finally clicked that Divya was referring to her car as 'popcorn'. She rolled her eyes at this girl in front of her. Who names their car and why popcorn?

"Hi, my name is Drishti. I'm sorry. I know it's my fault and I'm ready to compensate for your loss." she apologised, genuinely feeling sorry. It was her fault for zoning out and losing focus. It ended with her coming in the wrong lane without signalling the other drivers.

Divya turned her attention away from her headlight the second she heard her name. It felt familiar but at the same time foreign. She has heard it before but can't remember where. She stared at her for a second before shaking the feeling away. There were more important things to deal with.

"How can you compensate for the pain you caused to my baby? And if you don't know how to drive, why were you even driving in the first place?!"

Drishti was usually a calm person. She never really snapped or spoke to intentionally hurt someone. But today was not really one of her good days so she was getting more and more irritated by this girl. She glanced at her watch hoping she wasn't going to be late.

"Excuse me. I think you're overreacting. It's just a broken headlight, it will be fine. And moreover, who names their car? You need to deal with your attachment issues before questioning my driving skills." she shot back.

"Excuse you. I don't have attachment issues, not that it concerns you anyway. In case you have forgotten the basic rule for turning or changing lanes, let me remind you. You're supposed to turn on the indicators before do so,"

"I'm aware and again, I apologise for my mistake but you are overreacting..."

"If I hadn't slammed my brakes when I did, Ragini and I would be in the hospital right now. You are lucky that we, you included, are standing here." all the snarkiness she possessed earlier on evaporated.

Drishti retracted with guilt. She thanked her lucky stars that the accident wasn't that major. Although that wasn't an excuse for the way Divya was behaving or rather misbehaving with her. "As you said, we are all fine. So we should drop this topic here. I don't have time for this."

Divya clenched her fist and took a threatening step towards her. Ragini who was just standing and watching the back and forth between the two of them took it as her cue to enter the conversation before Drishti said something that she would regret.

She walked to Divya and held her back. "Guys, calm down. Miss Drishti, I'm Ragini Khanna and I apologise on her behalf. We'll send the repairs cost receipt to you."

Divya was about to protest but a sharp glare from Ragini ceased any further arguments. There really was no point in furthering the argument. No one was hurt, the damage had been done, and the lady was willing to cooperate.

Drishti was relieved. This Ragini seemed to be more sensible than the car naming girl. they exchanged numbers, bid goodbye to each other and got into their respective cars.

Drishti drove off while Ragini and Divya moved the car to the side of the road.

Once they had safely parked, Ragini smacked Divya on the arm. "Ouch!" she winced. "What was that for?"

"For making a scene for no reason. Why were you fighting with that lady? She was apologising right."

"She damaged popcorn! Look at the state..."

"It's a headlight. One that can be fixed," Ragini softened her eyes and held Divya's hand. "Jannu, I know you were scared. Not for your car but for our safety. That being said, doesn't mean you start arguing with people on the road," she paused and looked out the window before adding. "This reminded you of that, didn't it?" she didn't know what that really meant. But she knew something happened. She hoped one day Divya would tell her what it was

"Wow, you are really delusional, you know that? other than my popcorn I wasn't concerned about anything else. His poor eyes. I'm not going to spare that woman. Who the hell does she think she is questioning my mental state?!" she said slamming her hand on the steering wheel.

Ragini sighed deeply before leaning her head on the headrest. She was not going to get anywhere with this stubborn girl. She closed her eyes hoping that the day would be better. "Let's just go to school." After all, it couldn't get any worse.

Right?

---broken promises---

Drishti cursed her fate as she walked into the school of performing arts and creative education also known as S.P.A.C.E. she strode to the principal's office with her appointment letter in hand, knocked on the door and waited to be invited in.

The school campus was pretty big, the facilities provided seemed promising but what caught her eye was the number of music awards placed in the general office. She was looking through them when she got called in.

"Good morning Mrs Malhotra"

The principal gave her a firm handshake and gestured for her to take a seat. "Good morning. Welcome to space. I hope you enjoy the next few years here with us." She gave a warm smile and signed off on the appointment letter before passing it back.

"Thank you. I will try my best not to let you down."

Ms Malhotra giggled at her newest employee. Just like everyone else, she thought this principle was a strict woman who they needed to be formal with. "Miss Sharma, I know you will. As a colleague, I will wish you all the best for the class you are taking. I'm sure you were told about their behaviour."

Drishti nodded.

"So just curious why did you still choose to take up the job?"

Drishti snickered. "You won't be impressed."

"Try me."

She leaned against the table and took a deep breath. "I admit I was reluctant at first. But at the end of the day, my job is to teach, if they want to learn they will. If they need help they will approach me. What's the point of forcing them to learn?"

"But what is the point of going to a classroom and talking to walls?"

Drishti snapped her head at her principal. Did she just call her student's emotionless non-living things?

"With all due respect Ms Malhotra, they are students, your students. Referring to them as walls is a little rude. I'm sure with the right support and environment they can excel."

"You just said..."

"I said my job is to teach, not that I'm the right teacher. Put it another way, I'm a teacher, not a counsellor or therapist."

Ms Malhotra narrowed her eyes. "Want to know what I think?"

"Sure." she really didn't but she also didn't want to lose her job

"I think a teacher can be a counsellor to her class if she wants to. The students spend a lot more time with them than a shrink ever can."

"You think the counsellor is not good at their job?" Drishti raised her eyebrow in question.

"No. I respect that profession as much as any other, I'm just saying that with regards to the group of people, the person who spends the most time with them and is able to impart knowledge in them would have more of an effect than a shrink." she let her words sink in before continuing. "They spend nearly their whole day here, with the same person, five days a week. Don't you think that person would have more of an influence?"

She did have a point. Drishti couldn't deny that. A therapist would only see them for once or twice a week and even for that session to be successful, the environment outside had to compliment the session for it to work.

She was at a loss of words. It took a while but she understood what this woman was trying to do. "Should I take that to be a challenge?''

Miss Malhotra gave her an approving look. "Smart. Yes, I am challenging you to change them. The previous teacher, Miss lee tried and failed. They also weren't keen on seeing the counsellor either."

"Ms Malhotra," she started taking a deep breath. "I'm here to do a job. Not to form bonds. For a teacher to be that influential you need to form a rapport. So no, I do not accept that challenge," she said, standing up. "I believe my desk is waiting for me.''

She turned to leave but was stopped by the principal.

"Miss Sharma, you may be here to just do a job. But for them no matter how notorious they are, You are their class parent. The attachment you're running away from is inevitable."

"We'll see. See you around miss M."

---broken promises---

Ragini and Divya made their way straight to the canteen to wait for their friends. They occupied their usual seats in the canteen. No one dared to occupy that table. Ragini was resting her head on the table and Divya was staring at the ground with her nails digging into her palm.

"Hey ladies." Lakshya and Shikar greeted them as they joined them at the table. They waited for a response but didn't get any. Shikar slowly got up and went towards their ears and screamed bringing them back to reality.

Ragini recoiled at the sudden noise and her first instinct was to whack whoever it was. Just as her tray was about to slam into the side of his head, she realised who it was and lightly shoved him away. They shrugged and Shikar went to get coffee for them while lakshya took the seat opposite Ragini.

He waited for shikar to return before starting. "what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just a little accident with the car. You know, broken headlight,'' Ragini replied casually sipping on the coffee shikar had bought. "Nothing serious."

"What?!" Lakshya shrieked as Shikar spit out his coffee. "What do you mean by a little accident? Why didn't you go to the nurse's office?" As far as he could tell they weren't injured but you can never be too sure.

"Can you keep it down? It's not a big deal. We were on our way to school and the car came from the left but we are fine. Just a broken headlight. I talked it out with her and we were on our way."

Lakshya sighed in relief but he was angry that someone nearly killed his friends. He hid his anger and drank his coffee. He was sure Divya would not have left her without giving a piece of her mind.

"When are you going to pay her back then...?" Shikar questioned as he wiped the drink of his trousers.

They were the school bullies. The whole campus is aware not to mess with them especially Divya. If anyone messes with her, they should make sure she doesn't get her hands on them. And this person crashed the car, broke her headlight, all while Ragini was with her. There is no way she could walk around freely.

"Why will we pay back, she was the one who broke the headlight."

Shikar scratched his head trying to figure out what Ragini was saying. "Yes, she hit your car and divi broke her windshield right? Or her headlight?"

"Nothing of that sort happened. We just apologised and went our separate ways."

"Wait, I'm confused. you talked it out?" Lakshya asked, bewildered.

Shikar turned to Divya who hasn't uttered a word since they arrived. "How hard did you hit your head?"

Ragini rolled her eyes at him. "Not all conflicts need to be settled with violence. You'd be surprised what a simple talk can achieve"

"This is the divi we are talking about here. Seriously, Is her car still intact or is she in the hospital or somewhere in the forest?'' Shikar took out his phone to check the news. If it was the second was right, the media would have definitely reported it.

"shikar..."

A slam to the table effectively cut her off. The three of them jumped out of the way to avoid the spilt coffee.

"Divi!" Ragini scolded as Shikar waved the cleaner over and apologised for the mess. "We know and understand that you're angry but that doesn't give you the excuse to behave like this."

"I don't know who she is but I'm going to find her. She's going to regret ever waking up today." Divya threatened. She stood up and started making her way to their jam room with them following her closely behind. "No one hurts my family."

Ragini closed the door once they were in the room.

Shikar walked up behind Divya and hugged her. "We are with you. We will teach her a lesson," he smiled. "Right guys?"

Laksh nodded his head but Ragini just stared unbelievingly at them. "I'm not," she said angrily

"We know." They chuckled.

"You will not participate but you will make sure we are bailed out if the need arises." lakshya said, pinching her cheeks.

"You are our innocent little baby whose only goal in life is to pass exams. No pranks, no fun." shikar snickered as he hugged her from the back.

"Our Lil carebear," Divya added.

"Lucky!'' he would support her.

She was the group's mother and the kid in a sense. She stepped up to make sure their pranks don't become too extreme and scold them when necessary. But if not she was the shy one, the one everyone was protective of and the one of could make them cave in.

"Yes, mera bacha" he laughed.

She pulled away from shikar and sat on her chair grabbing her hair in frustration. "It was just a mistake. Why are you guys overreacting." she knows the answer and that it is useless to argue with them.

They wouldn't do something that would endanger someone's life but that doesn't mean it won't be painless for the other person. They religiously followed one motto; no one messes with the midnight spirits.

Divya walked up to the table kept at the side and picked up a sticker. "Because we are the midnight spirits."

"Exactly." laskhya placed his arm around her shoulder giving it an assuring squeeze.

After a prolonged silence a rumbling tummy made them laugh and look at Divya. "I'm hungry," she admitted aloud, rubbing her tummy.

"Bhukkad."

She gave a cheeky smile before running to the canteen. They shook their heads at their crazy best friend and followed her out.

---broken promises---

She was wrong.

So wrong. The day somehow found a way to become worse. Not because they were going to hunt the person down. No, this was much more than that. This was a disaster, a disaster waiting to happen. Because standing in front of them was their new teacher.

"Good morning class. I'm Drishti Sharma. I'm going to be taking over Miss Rachel lee as your...classparent." Drishti announced. She wrote her name and contact number on the board. Once she was done she turned and got a good look at the class- my class, she corrected herself.

It wasn't particularly large. Barely 25 students with regular absentees. Before taking over she was briefed on their behaviours. They were failing their classes with the exception of four but refused to do anything about it. They attended the class because they have to not want to. Most of them were zoning out, talking, leaning back in their seats, looking out the window. the presence of a teacher didn't matter to them. She was going to ignore that, however.

Her focus was on teaching, not changing the attitudes of these teenagers. That would require forming an attachment which for her was dangerous.

The most infamous of them all was the midnight spirits, the school's music band. She had heard many stories of their antics and didn't want to be involved with them. Pranks, truancy, damage to property and detention was normal for them. Their identities weren't disclosed to her yet and she wasn't eager to know either.

As she was skimming through the students, she noticed something rather someone that made her want to crush the marker she was holding. The girl from earlier this morning. The one she collided with. She saw her shifting under her gaze. With her were three other students, one whom she recognised as Ragini from this morning as well.

The realization that this short-tempered girl was now her student hit like a punch to the gut. The marker cried in response to her tightening grip. She loosened her fist and turned her attention back to the class.

"I'm here to teach not to fool around. I'm sure we all are aware that your class msg is not that...impressive, to say the least. I will try my level best to help you but you need to meet me at the halfway point.'' She was met with blank and bored faces. She masked her irritation and decided to just start the lesson. "Let's just begin. I believe Miss lee was assigned..."

she didn't get to finish her sentence as the bell rang and the students filed out of the classroom except for the 4 of them.

"Aren't you guys going to leave?" she questioned although it was quite obvious they wanted to say something. Only Ragini seemed ready to leave, the other three were staring at her menacingly. Their tense shoulders and cold stares were enough to send a chill down her spine. Of course, she wasn't about to show it to them. She raised an eyebrow when they didn't move an inch.

"Actually yes, we are. Bye, miss Sharma." Ragini said getting up and trying to pull the other three along with her. She wanted to leave the class as soon as it started. She had seen Drishti staring at her or Divya, she couldn't really tell but it didn't matter. They were already planning something for their new teacher and she turned out to be the one who hit them. She was sure she was going to be crying by the end of the week.

They stood up and made their way to the teacher's desk. Divya slinked closer to the table to inspect her as if she were prey.

"I'm sorry," she said. Drishti and the three of them looked at her confused. "Other than Ragini, we have not introduced ourselves. Bad manners," She stood up straight and pointed to the two boys. "Lakshya Maheshwari and Shikhar Maheshwari."

The boys waved at her when their respective names were called.

Drishti was now extremely confused. This girl standing in front of her, whom she nearly sent to the hospital is introducing her friends for seemingly no reason. Was this a threat? Well, that would be a really stupid thing to do because she was their teacher. She could easily send them to the principal. Anywho, she decided to play along with this incredibly weird girl. "And what's your name?"

"I thought you'd never ask," Divya smirked. She brought her hand forward for a shake. "Divya, Divya Singhania."

Drishti felt a time stop for a second. Divya. But just like always that hope flew away as soon as it arrived hearing her last name. This girl can never be my sister anyway. She quickly recovered from the shock and was about to shake hands with her. Before their hands could meet Divya took it back and chuckled.

"Too slow. Now miss Sharma, we are not here to be friends. We just came to give you some friendly advice."

Drishti rolled her eyes at her delirious students. "What advice could the four of you possibly give other than slacking in class," she taunted. "I'm not an idiot. I did my homework. The three of you," she said looking at Ragini, Shikar and lakshya. "Are the ones failing your sciences really bad. Maybe you should focus on your academics rather than advising others."

The four of them except Ragini laughed at her comment. She just wanted to leave. This poor soul had no idea what she was getting herself into. "Guys we are getting late for our next class. Let's go." she rushed, tugging on Divya's arm.

"If you did your homework, Miss Sharma, you should have known better than to mess with the midnight spirits," shikar smiled as lakshya pasted a sticker on her arm. "I advise you to watch your back." he walked out with the rest of them by his side. Their gait presented a strong front.

The colour drained from her face hearing their gang's name. "Oh yay," Drishti cheered sarcastically. This was what she wanted to avoid. Now she had the schools most misbehaved and rich kids, the midnight students as one would say were out to get her. She carefully peeled the sticker off her arm and took a closer look at it. It was a pretty neat picture of wings attached to a guitar and a moon on top with M.S written in it surrounded by stars. It looked so innocent but was actually filled with evil behind it.

"They are going to be a pain in the ass," she grumbled. 

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