"Do you have any plans after classes?" Ishani asked me during lunch. The weather was sunny, so many students went outside and occupied all the benches.

I pictured my cheeky sister's face and replied without much delay, "No plans. Mom will come home from work late in the evening. It's her first day at her new job, so I don't think she'll be home early."

"Great! So you, me, and my mom are going to the mall."

"Wow! We just met, and you're already introducing me to your parents. Girl, don't you think we're moving too fast?" I said, lowering my voice like a guy who's not into anything serious.

"Babe, but you said you love me. Last night was perfect..." Ishani replied in a sultry voice. We burst into loud laughter, forgetting we were playing the roles of high school chameleons.

Ishani dug into her lunchbox, exploring its contents.

"Dig in!"

"Thanks, it's delicious," I said, happily stuffing my mouth with some sweet treat. "What's this?"

"My mom made it. It's Gulab Jamun. I'm a bit embarrassed that my mom still packs me lunch like I'm in elementary school."

"Are you kidding! That's so cool. I'm kind of jealous," I admitted sincerely. "My options are limited, either school cafeteria food," I wrinkled my nose, "or cold tasteless sandwiches my mom usually leaves for me and my sister in the fridge. She's always busy, so we either order takeout or go to the nearest diner. We just moved here, and our favorite diner isn't around. We haven't decided where to go yet."

"It's cool that you guys often have dinner out! In my family, it's the opposite! We always eat at home. My mom cooks tons of food for me and Dad, he's a doctor. It's a family tradition that's just impossible to break. I've tried so many times to convince them to go somewhere else for dinner or just order pizza, fries, a cheeseburger, or at least some Chinese food. They can be so unbearable. I'd rather have your cold turkey sandwich."

"Trade?"

"Deal!"

While my new, hopefully long-lasting friend enjoyed the delights of cheap store-bought food, I looked around. The courtyard of our school was actually nice: sitting in my new school's courtyard during this warm fall, it was like stepping into a calm oasis. The ground was covered in red and yellow leaves, and there were cozy benches under the trees. The air smelled like earth and flowers, and sunlight peeked through the leaves, making patterns on the ground. Maybe it could become a lively place for me. I looked at students chatting and laughing as they hung out with friends or studied together. It just felt like a nice spot to relax and enjoy the season.

Bianca. Beautiful, stunning, very beautiful Bianca. I think I've already mentioned she's beautiful. She walked surrounded by three cheerleader friends. The girls had already changed and looked like they came out of an expensive designer boutique; they all had long, beautifully styled hair, stylish purses, and the latest smartphone models in their hands. What an amazing figure she has!

"She has a cool figure," Ishani said with a sigh.

"Yeah, I don't know, maybe," I muttered. "Maybe."

Was I staring at her so openly?

"Did you notice too? It's hard not to. My mom would never let me rock such a cool crop top and jeans just like that... and why would I even need a crop top when I'll never have a flat tummy like hers. Irene and I tried to slim down at some point, but it didn't work out. Nothing came of it," sighed Ishani, touching her stomach through a dusty rose knitted sweater. She turned away from their company.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"Nah, all good."

"You're really cute... seriously," I genuinely tried to reassure Ishani.

"Yeah, 'cute', but not 'hot' or 'beautiful'," she muttered.

"Come on, stop it. I'm telling you the truth. They are fake: all makeup and brands. You are real. Why did she even put on a crop top, it's fall for crying out loud! You're supposed to wear a proper sweater or pullover under your jacket if you don't want to catch a cold," I said with fake enthusiasm, while secretly unable to take my eyes off her adorable abs and cute little belly button. I didn't have to admire her for long, because, as if hearing my words, Bianca zipped up her jacket.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead," Ishani replied, she looked happier after my words.

"I don't want to seem ungrateful, and I'm really glad you've taken me under your friendly wing: it's rare to start being friends with anyone so quickly in senior year, but you don't seem like someone who hasn't had friends throughout your time in this school?"

"You caught me."

"Now you're obliged to either initiate me into this secret or kill me."

"There's not much of a secret. See that girl with wavy brown hair? She's walking with Bianca's crew, the one on the right, don't stare so intently, yeah, her, with the short skirt, the little Miss Minus-an-inch-off-the-skirt-length-and-I-can-be-expelled type?"

I nodded.

"We were inseparable bff just a year ago," Ishani replied with an indifferent tone, but it was clear she was pretending.

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