"Stay. Away. From. Her." He enunciates each word gritting his teeth and turns around.  

      It is Sumeeth, and I can swear to God that I couldn't recognise him for a moment due to the anger arising from him. His look is deadly, as if he could kill Aarav, and his pace is vigorous as he exits the cafeteria. I run after him and shout,"Sumeeth, stop."

     He just stops there, without turning around. I stop in front of him, panting, and say,"You shouldn't have done that. But, thank you", I smile.

    Just like that, he smiles and pats my head,"No one should even dare to think of hurting you, Amaira. You deserve to be treated as the princess."

     I scoff, "If anyone hears this, they would think you've got this huge crush on me, which made you beat Aarav into pulp. But I should admit, I felt good inside, seeing someone stand up for me."

     "HAHAHAHA. You know whom I love Amaira, and I am sincerely waiting for the day she accepts my love. And you can count on me Aam, I'll be there for you."

     "I know that", I smile and turn around.

    "Be safe, don't knock that punk's teeth out", I say and start to go to math class.

    "Will try to keep that in mind", Sumeeth says with his signature style of saluting with two fingers and leaves.

     I smile to myself for the umpteenth time, when I remember the look on Aarav's face while he was falling down. Yeah, I sorta like him, but I decided, no one will come in between me and my pride from now on. 

   Mr Patel is extremely broody today, again, no surprise. He is going on giving some problems, asking us to solve them. Everyone groans, as he finishes the class and asks us to hand them in by tomorrow. Just as he is about to leave the class, the school peon comes in, bearing a circular. Mr Patel reads it out loud for us:

    ' The school is planning on a picnic for tenth grade students. It is going to be at The Amaze Park, which is well known for all kinds of entertainment, ranging from The Roller-Coaster to The Ferris-Wheel. Interested children are to get the signed forms from their parents, which will be distributed at the Front Office. It is recommended that everyone should attend, as it helps to bond people together. There's a discount of twenty-percent just to the children of our school, and the amount you should pay would be fifteen hundred rupees only. The list of things to bring will all be provided in the form and the lunch is provided by the school. You may bring some extra money with you if you want to buy something, but do not bring high amount and costly cell phones. School will not be responsible for your loss. You will start by 5:30 A.M. tomorrow morning.  '

    (A/N: I just created 'Amaze Park', I don't know if it actually exists. And yeah, the name could be better, but that's all I could come up with. Sorry!)

     Everyone starts cheering, some even making faces at Mr Patel, for tomorrow is the visit and no one will be at school then. Maybe Amaze Park and my school are collaborating, to increase the company's profits. I've often heard the Park's name, but never had the time nor the patience to visit it. If you ask me to pinpoint a reason, then it might be that I've had no one to go with, together. Finally, i decide on skipping it and make my way to art class.

    We have art classes only twice a week, and I treasure them. They are like my blood supply, when I'm stuck in the tomb under the church for ages. Didn't get me?I just made a vampire diaries reference. Anyways, I enter the class and look around for an empty seat to settle my butt.

    "Hey Amaira, come over here", Rahul shouts, covering his mouth with his two hands to make his voice more louder.

   "Yeah", I reply and start to get over there. 

    "I heard that she was just two-timing, not three-timing", a silky voice says.

    I roll my eyes and huff in annoyance. I think of ignoring her and continue on my way, when I hear another one say, "If I were in her shoes, I would have stopped coming to school. Such a disgrace to her family."

    There goes the last string of my patience, which I am holding on to carefully. I snap at her, "Do you think it makes you a heroine to talk like that? Do you even know that you are spreading base less rumors and I can sue you for that?" I take a deep breath and start again,"You know what? it was senseless of me to try to get some sense into you. Just don't.... Nothing, go on, and destroy your life with stupid rumors, and trust me, you'll regret this one day."

    I take long steps and reach Rahul. He looks at me with an amused expression, and I yell at him too,"What?"

     He shakes his head, cracking a full blown smile. Why is everyone hell bent on annoying me today? I might as well die out of anger. And why in the devil's name is Rahul's smile so alluring? Uffff.....I should really concentrate on reality and I shake back out of my trance. I see Rahul looking at me with an undeniable emotion in his eyes. Rahul likes me! This realization hits me like a speeding train and I'm struck.  

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     My head's still stuck at the fact that Rahul likes me. Do I like Rahul? If not, then why do I find myself admiring Rahul time to time? Do I like Aarav then? I just need a break from all this stuff. The gospel that Rahul likes me further strengthened my belief that I should just stay at home tomorrow. I sigh again when a hand lands on my shoulder and turn back. 

     "Don't worry, this rumor phase will pass over. At the end, you'll be standing above all, while the rumor-mongers will be below your feet", Sadhvi tells me with a smile.

    I find relief in her words and say, "Thank you Sadhvi, it helps."

   "Any time", she smiles again and goes off.

   Why does she always smile? She's looking so beautiful with her graceful walking. I smack myself, am I bi? I shake my head and start leaving school. Rahul comes from my behind and throws an arm around me. I try to get away from him, finding it a bit awkward.

     Rahul stops, looks at me and asks, "Are you alright Amaira? Your mind seems to be wandering a lot these days."

    "No Rahul, I'm not alright, can I just go home and sleep?", I snap at him. I guess that's my period announcing its arrival.

    Rahul looks taken aback for a moment and recovers.He adds, "Shall I drop you off? You seem to be cranky."

    "No, thank you", with that I storm off from the campus.

     On my way home, I scold myself several times in my head, 'Why did I react to Rahul like that, he was just offering me help.' That night, before taking Freddy out for a walk, I text Rahul an apology and put my phone in my pocket.

    SO CHAPS, THAT WAS A SHORT CHAPTER I KNOW. BUT KEEP YOUR HOPES UP, FOR THERE WILL BE A DOUBLE UPDATE WITHIN A FEW DAYS!!! ALRIGHT THEN, I'M SIGNING OFF. UNTIL THEN, TAKE CARE, KEEP WAITING FOR MY CHAPTERS AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE, COMMENT AND SHARE ;)