Chapter 1


"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" A 10-year-old girl screamed at the top of her lungs as she saw a black spider on her bed. Chubby cheeks with freckles across the nose, short hair tied in pigtails, and big green eyes wide and filled with fear as she jumped off her bed.

After a few seconds of screaming she noticed the spider was not moving. She frowned and upon closer inspection, realized that it wasn't real. She heard it then, the goofy laughter of a boy standing by her door.

Zoya spun around and glared at the scrawny 11-year-old boy, who was hunched over laughing and holding onto his stomach. "ADITYA!!!! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Zoya screamed and dashed after Aditya Hooda, who ran out still laughing.

Aditya Hooda was tall for his age...a skinny boy on the verge of puberty. He had thick black disheveled hair and an awkward posture, a boy not completely comfortable with himself yet.

Being the eldest son of Hotel Billionaire Harshvardhan Hooda and his wife Anjana Hooda, Aditya was the apple of his parents' eyes. Much like Zoya was the darling of her parents.

The Hoodas and the Siddiquis were two of the wealthiest families in India. Wasim Siddiqui is the founder and owner of Siddiqui Electronics, one of the leading technological businesses in India and reaching other parts of Asia. Harshvardhan Hooda started his hotel chain in India before shifting to Canada to expand his empire further. Owner and founder of Hooda hotels, his chain is known as one of the most luxurious with its elite cliental; and Harshvardhan wishes one day for his sons, Aditya and Arjun, to expand his business further to the United States.

But before Wasim and Harshvardhan were business tycoons, they were childhood friends. A casual meeting between two young boys in boarding school became the friendship of a lifetime. A friendship...that was just as strong today as it was yesterday, and will continue to be stronger in the years to come.

The Hoodas came to India for a visit and were currently resided in the Siddiqui's lavish mansion. The four elders were sitting in the living room chatting, with a young Arjun and Noor, ages 9 and 8, seated on the floor playing a board game, when they heard laughter and an angry scream that followed.

"How is it that we are such good friends but our kids can't stand each other?" Wasim asked, knowing full well where the noises were coming from.

As if on cue, Aditya burst into the room with an angry Zoya chasing after him.

"Aditya how many times do I need to tell you to not come into my room!" Zoya yelled.

"Zoya! Manners!....they are our guests." Roshnaq scolded her elder daughter.

"Yea Zoya, I'm your guest...and all I want to do is get to know you..." Aditya retaliated, being the goody two-shoes boy in front of the elders.

"OW maa!" Aditya yelped as Anjana yanked his ear. "I know very well how much you want to know Zoya. You pulled another prank on her didn't you Aditya?" Anjana asked in a stern voice, knowing her son's every move.

Aditya pouted and replied, "But MAA...she started it by putting the lizard in my room last time." Aditya replied while accusingly pointing a finger at Zoya.

"But that is only because he pulled my hair!" Zoya complained and glared at Aditya. Both children glared at each other and the elders shook their head at their kids' antics.

"Now now kids...our families have been friends for years...you children should really get to know each other." Harshvardhan said in a gentle tone.

"EW! I don't want to know him/her!" Aditya and Zoya both protested at the same time.

"Enough! Both of you...be nice and go play outside. I will not tolerate any more of this." Roshnaq said in a stern tone, causing both Aditya and Zoya to sulk and drag their feet out of the room.

"My God...what are they going to do when they grow up?" Roshnaq asked to no one in particular.

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The moment Aditya and Zoya were out of hearing distance from the elders, Aditya pulled one of Zoya's pigtails. "OW! Stop doing that!!!!!" Zoya cried and raised her hand to hit him.

"Why!? I thought you loved it freckle face!" Aditya replied, dodging Zoya's attack easily since he was taller than her.

"UGH! I can't wait till you go back to Canada chicken legs!" Zoya retaliated by stepping on Aditya's foot.

"Ow!" Aditya let go of her pigtail and took a step back to look at Zoya. A mischievous grin then bloomed on his youthful face. "You don't know do you?" Aditya asked, amused.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Zoya asked, confused.

"We're staying in India dumb dumb. My family will be moving into our house and I'll be joining your school soon." Aditya answered, grinning evilly, liking the idea of playing more pranks on Zoya.

Zoya's jaw dropped.'But she made the damn wish on a shooting star! It should come true!' Zoya screamed in her head as she felt her world crash around her.

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