Six months ago

"So no matter which stream you choose, there are plenty of careers you can make for yourself," Mr. 'I-don't-know-his-name' bowed dramatically in response to the overenthusiastic applause that erupted throughout the auditorium.

Shaking my head and chuckling slightly, I joined in and started clapping. Poor guy didn't even know that we were actually mocking him.

This was the seventeenth career counselling that the thoughtful teachers of our school had organised for our benefit.

Choosing the subjects for eleventh grade was a very difficult task. We were basically choosing what we would do for the rest of our lives, or so we were told. While these sessions were highly appreciated by me before we selected our streams, now I find them quite pointless since classes have begun and it was too late to change my mind.

Yawning through the principal's speech, which seemed incapable of thanking the guest speaker in just one sentence, I allowed my eyes to scan the crowd. They settled on the back of Karan's head, also known as my ex boyfriend.

My mind replayed our last conversation that occurred almost a month ago.

"I am sorry Ash, but I think we should end this."

A huge wave of relief hit me after hearing those words.

Honestly, I never wanted this whole 'relationship' thing with anyone, let alone with him. Don't get me wrong, he was a really good person, but I suffered from a chronic disease known as awkwardness whenever I encounted a situation even the slightest bit romantic.

And yes, that includes holding hands with any guy, boyfriend or not, or even sitting beside him. Since that ends up with me constantly debating with myself whether to show affection and risk looking stupid, or just continue sitting there and let myself drown in the sea of awkwardness.

So, of course, I was happy that I would not have to go through that every day. On top of that, I didn't have to initiate the breakup in the first place.

Wow Ashiana you're so brave.

Shut up stupid conscience!

"Okay."

To say he looked surprised would be an understatement, he was downright baffled. I guess he was not expecting the lack of emotion in my words, or in this case, word.
Nevertheless, he proceeded to explain the reason behind his abrupt change of heart.

"You have every right to be angry Ash, I understand, but no matter what I do, this won't work, we're not going anywhere."

'Of course we are not going anywhere you idiot' I screamed inside my head. 'We're both barely sixteen for God's sake! Even if we do continue our 'relationship' it would not end in marriage or some shit like that.'

Obviously I did not say that. My reply was far worse.

"No really it is not a big deal. The only reason I said yes to you was because Radhika asked me to, as according to her, if I didn't it might've broken our group."

Now that was something one should never say to a guy. Unfortunately, I was a second too late to realise that.

Needless to say, we stopped talking to each other after that, or rather he stopped talking to me.

I now faced regret everyday when he just walked away as soon as I came in a five feet radius. In the case where he could not walk away, like when we were all eating lunch together, he just stopped talking.

I faced regret for not saying something better. I certainly did not regret the breakup.

But no matter how many times I replayed the conversation in my mind, I could not imagine myself saying anything other than the truth. And it was not because of my somewhat bad lying skills, alright, fine, it was because I am a bad liar.

The irritating sound of someone tapping a mic interrupted my, otherwise never-ending, chain of thoughts. Everyone was getting  up to leave the auditorium, no one bothering to listen to the harassed looking announcer.

"Students please settle down, class 11th A step out first followed by 11th B. Do not break the order. Everyone please settle down------" Ignoring the person shouting, who must be a member of the management, Radhika and I strutted out of the auditorium.

"You know I still haven't changed my mind about engineering," Radhika said as we climbed the endless stairs that lead to class 11th D.

"I know right? One would think that after being grilled countless times in these workshops I would actually consider something like hotel management or accountancy but my sole aim is still A.I.I.M.S. "

"God Ash I've officially given up on you and your jokes." A very familiar, yet annoying voice came from behind me.

"Nice to see you too Vivaan." With that being said, I increased my pace and quickly walked down the corridor, leaving the two lovebirds to do whatever they did when left alone.

Radhika is kind of like my best friend, although I refuse to categorise any friend of mine, since it seems really unfair.

When you make a friend, it is not on the basis of any rank or score. You can't say a person is your good friend or best friend simply because he or she is more close to you than others.

A friend is a friend, no extra adjective needed.

So back to the topic, Radhika and I are really close. Not the 'tell each other your biggest secrets and braid each other's hair' close but rather like 'perfectly understand each other like long lost sisters' close.

She is like the mother hen of our group, sort of like Monica from Friends. She more or less knows everything about everyone and if she doesn't, it becomes her private mission to make that person spill their guts out to her.

I stoped the groan that threatened to escape my mouth as soon as I entered the classroom. What secret pleasure a teacher gets in arriving before the bell rings would forever remain a mystery.

Mourning over the loss of those five precious minutes, which every student is entitled to waste, I slumped in my seat beside Radhika, not even bothering to ask how in the world she reached the class before I did.

Our English teacher started the lesson and the next forty five minutes were spent marvelling on the beauty of the writing style of Jane Austen. Please note the sarcasm.

"I hate Mondays," Radhika muttered, two minutes before the bell rang.

"At least it is the last week before the summer break. She won't give us any homework."

Alas! I spoke too soon, as usual, because the very next second we were assigned to write a five page essay on our favourite English writer, which was to be submitted the day after next.

'J.K Rowling,' I thought.

But then ma'am added the last sentence.

"An English writer of the nineteenth century."

I officially hate my life.

{[]}

"Last date of submission is eighteenth May, children. Do not forget, this chapter will be in your unit test."

Happy that I've already turned in my assignment, I made my way out of psychology, also the final class for the day.

I dumped my bag behind a pillar in the main hall, where all the bus users gathered, and turned around to look for my friends.

When I finally spotted a familiar guy, with a bob of curly black hair on his head, waving frantically, I grinned and walked towards him.

"Hey psycho," Aditya said as soon as I reached him.

"Hey math?" Though it was supposed to be a statement, it came out more like a question.

"You really need to work on your comebacks Ash. Anyway, where were you during lunch today? I wanted to speak to you."

"Oh I had a peer teaching session. But you look worn out, having troubles with Sia again?"

"Who is Sia?"

"She is your girlfriend, the one with red highlights in her hair and an unhealthy obsession with One Direction."

"Not anymore, we broke up two weeks ago. Wake up, Ash."

"Well, I am sorry that I am not able to remember things I was never told," I accused.

"Hey, in my defence I did assume that Radhika would tell you."

"Clearly you don't know me too well then Aditya, I don't gossip," Radhika said, her face suddenly popping over my shoulder.

"Yeah, she didn't even tell me anything, and congrats bro, good riddance," Vivaan said, mimicking Radhika and resting his chin on Aditya's shoulder.

"God you are the only person in the planet who still says bro." Aditya stepped away. Vivaan lost his balance and fell on his hands and knees.

Vivaan clutched his heart dramatically, "My first love has practically left me to pick up the broken pieces of my heart from the ground. I love you Aditya, why did you do this to me?" Still on his knees he took Aditya's hand and started rubbing it on his cheek.

Unable to control myself, I started laughing, Radhika joined me and we both doubled over, clutching our stomachs. The expression of disgust etched on Aditya's face was just too much to take in.

"I don't even want to know what happened here." My laughter instantly died down upon hearing that voice.

"Hey Karan."

Completely ignoring me (no surprise there) he turned to Vivaan, "Do you mind returning my chemistry notes, I have a test coming up."

"Sure, wait a second." Vivaan started shuffling through the contents of his bag.

"Um... guys I think I should get going, bye."

Without waiting for their reply, I rushed towards the pillar, where now a lot of bags were lined behind mine.

Quickly swinging it over my back, I started walking across the football field towards the buses, not worrying about the fact that my bus in-charge was likely to bite my head off. It would be the third time this month of me skipping the process of marking my attendance, but I didn't care about that. I needed to think, and the backseat of an empty school bus seemed like a pretty darn good place to do that.

As soon as I spotted bus route number nine, I climbed in and was greeted by the shrill voices of the primary school students. I continued walking and slumped on the window seat of the last row.

Looking out the widow I absorbed the scene of many street food vendors lined outside the gates of our school, the sweet aroma of jalaebees attacked my nostrils along with the smell of freshly fried pakoras and samosas.

Resting my head on the slightly hot window frame, I closed my eyes and let my mind wander.

There is no excuse for Karan's behaviour, but that I couldn't do anything about it. I missed him a lot but since he was the one avoiding me I decided that I would stop trying to talk to him.

A girl can apologise only so many times and two weeks was my limit. Besides, I already had a lot of things to do without fussing over his mood swings.

With that in mind I took out my notepad and started making a list of things.

1)Complete the chemistry practical file

2)Finish all the bio diagrams

3)Study for physics viva

4)Start the essay on Elizabeth Gaskell

5)Convince Alia to come swimming with me

6)Watch the last two episodes of Friends season eight

"Wow you have a dull day planned ahead of you," a cheerful voice said. I looked up to find Aryan grinning at me and dropping on the seat next to me.

He and I were friends practically since our diaper days. It was all quite ironic because both our moms used to be really close when we were about three and we used to hate each other. However, after so many forced play dates, we became inseparable.

Our friendship strengthened over the years because of our common love for Harry Potter and hatred for cricket, while our mothers now hate each other.

"By the way you owe me big time; I had to convince Mr Poop to mark you present by promising him the position of head volunteer in this year's MUN."

"Yeah right; you're saying that as if you'll keep your promise." I rolled my eyes. "Anyway do you want to go swimming today with us at six?"

"Depends; is this Alia girl hot?" he said peeping at the notepad.

"She is pretty; I can't say anything about hot. But she is definitely out of your league."

Aryan scowled."Way to burst my ego Ash, and yeah I'll be there, I have nothing better to do."

"Cool."

We spent the rest of the ride back home debating who is more evil, Bellatrix Lestrange or Dolores Umbridge.

Obviously Umbridge won.

{[]}

"Do you always look this sexy or is it the swimsuit?"Aryan said as soon as we joined Alia in the pool.

Unfortunately for him she completely ignored his statement and turned towards me, raising her eyebrows, I sighed.

"Alia this is Aryan, Aryan the name of 'the sexy chick in a swimsuit' is Alia," I introduced.

"How do you girls know each other? Ash never mentioned your name until today."

"We were in the same math tuition last year."

"Thank God for that. Otherwise I would have never met such a pretty girl." Aryan winked at her.
"You are really nice but I am not interested," Alia said before swimming away.

"Told ya," I said before joining her.

For the next forty five minutes we did laps. The whole time Aryan was mercilessly flirting with Alia. That is, if attacking the poor girl with pathetic pickup lines comes under the category of flirting.

Clearly her lack of reactions did nothing to faze him; rather he thought that she was too shy to say anything. It kind of went like this:

"I lost my phone number. Can I have yours?"

No reaction.

"I am not a photographer, but I can picture us together and we'll definitely look great."

No reaction.

And many more such pitiful attempts to melt her. Since our deadline was seven fifteen we had to shower and change by seven.

"Ash," Alia called out from the changing room adjacent to mine.

"Hmm..."

"Is he always like that or am I special?"

"Nah he is just a huge flirt; that's all. Not that you're not good looking."

"Oh okay."

I could tell that she wanted to know more but didn't ask anything else. Secretly I was glad. The last thing I needed was even more teenage love drama in my life, even if it was not directly related to me.

Walking out of the changing rooms, the three of us passed the reception of the club and walked outside to be greeted by the warm air of May. We went our separate ways.

I was going towards my tower when I saw a truck being unloaded near it. 'Hmm they might be the people moving in the flat beside ours.' The old couple which was living there moved out last month to live with their kids.

As soon as I reached home the strong smell of frying onions reached my nostrils. I stepped into the kitchen and saw ma frying onion and garlic to add in the dal.

"Go change and study Ashiana, dinner will be ready in an hour." Ma kissed my forehead and shooed me away.

Dinner went by as usual. As I laid in bed next to my little sister, my phone glowed, indicating a new message. It was Adiyta.

Hey I never got the chance to speak 2 u so pls be in ur class during lunch. Gn :)

'Now what?' I thought.

{[]}

A.I.I.M.S - All India Institute of Medical Science (Top medical college)

Hello awesome people!!

So almost all the main characters have been introduced. What do you think of them? Comment below to let me know.

You all will meet a special someone in the next chapter ;) until then please,

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