How could I have seen him?

I hadn't really slept. The figure I'd glimpsed yesterday—what I was so sure had been Varun—seemed to flicker in my mind every time I closed my eyes. I'd had enough trouble concentrating on classes, wondering if it had all just been my mind playing tricks on me. You need to get a grip, Avantika, I told myself. He's the lost boy. He can't just be wandering around Blackthorn.

I shook my head, trying to push these thoughts away. A shiver ran down my spine, and I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to shake off the eerie feeling that clung to me like a shadow.

As if reading my mind, Sumi bounced into the dorm room, eyes bright with excitement.

"Guess what!" she practically sang, plopping herself on my bed and pulling me out of my gloomy thoughts.

"What's up?" I managed a small smile.

"There's a Freshers' Party tonight! No teachers allowed!" Her grin was contagious, and I couldn't help but smile wider. "All three houses are throwing it together, and it's supposed to be the event of the term!" Her smile grew even wider, bursting with excitement. "And it's by the pool! Just imagine—fresh air, no walls, and only good-looking seniors. We have to go, Avan!"

I chuckled at her enthusiasm and found it amusing, even endearing. The thought of this party, as a way of distraction from all the questions brewing inside my head, began to thin-out that seemed to exist because of this Academy. "I don't know, Sum," I said, only half-jokingly.

As soon as I said that, she fixed me with a pleading look. "C'mon, Avantika! We deserve this. You deserve this! I picked my outfit already, and I'll help you pick yours, too. It'll be so much fun, I promise."

Sumi's infectious grin pulled me in, and I found myself laughing as we tore through our wardrobes, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she tossed clothes onto my bed. Sumi wore a flowy skirt that looked like water flowing over her and matched it with a soft colored strapless tube top that made her look like a fairy from an enchanted forest. She looked beautiful.

For me, she picked out a dark blue dress with a halter neck that I didn't even remember owning. I was rather impressed with how well it worked for me, so no one would describe it either as formal or as informal. Just the right balance between classy and casual. My hair was secured into a high top knot—practical and out of the way, just the way I like it. I added my comfortable Converse sneakers to complete my look, which even got an approving nod from Sumi.

The school pool was the venue for the party, this was so bold given the self-sanctified 'no teacher' clause that was perpetually enforced amongst seniors. We followed the winding path through the campus, the silent night breeze ticking with increasing anticipation. It felt like something out of a movie scene, being led into a place I couldn't quite predict.

The evening was warm as we entered the poolside party, the area strung with golden arrays of lights that twinkled like stars against the darkening sky. Music pulsed softly in the background, while clusters of students filled the space all over the place, dressed to impress and exuding an electric energy as laughter echoed over the surface of the pool. The seniors had really transformed the area; it felt both festive and slightly magical. Within moments of our arrival, Aarav appeared, greeting us with a grin that sent a flutter through my chest.

"Hi! Glad you both could make it," he spoke, his gaze lingering on me just a moment longer than necessary. He looked effortlessly cool, dressed in a crisp white shirt that accentuated the warmth in his eyes and a perfectly fitted black leather jacket. Sumi must have sensed the shift, because she gave me a grin before excusing herself to grab a drink, leaving me alone with Aarav.

"How's your night going?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"So far, much better now that you're here," he replied, a playful spark in his gaze. He was sweet in a way that felt disarming.

I couldn't help but smile at that. "You know, flattery will get you everywhere."

"Noted!" he replied with a playful grin, leaning in just a bit closer.

"But, let's keep that between us. I wouldn't want anyone else in here to get jealous of my charm."

I laughed, the sound slipping out before I could even think to hold it back. "I doubt they're worried about you stealing their spotlight."

Aarav acted a gasp, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. "You injured me! I thought I was the star of the show tonight."

"Well, you are the one wearing that leather jacket," I teased, "It's definitely a statement piece."

He smirked, playfully adjusting the collar of his jacket with an air of seriousness. "I call it my 'save the day' jacket. Works wonders for impressing scholar girls."

I laughed, surprised by how easily he made me forget the heaviness of the night. Who knew he could be this charming? The warmth of the moment wrapped around us like the night air, and I realized I was enjoying this much more than I'd expected.

"Scholar girls, huh? You might want to be careful with that line; you might end up with a whole fan club."

"Hey, I wouldn't mind that," he replied, his voice playful. "As long as the president of the fan club is you, I'm in!"

But just as I started to let my guard down, and was about to respond, he was called over. "Aarav! Get over here, dude!"

He looked at me apologetically and let out a reluctant sigh as he turned to glance back at me. "Sorry, duty calls. I'll be right back, okay?"

I nodded, trying to suppress my smile as he jogged away, towards them.

For a second, I stood alone, taking in the sights around me. People were dancing by the pool, some were chatting in small clusters, and others, well, they were busy eating each other out like fishes breathing inside the ocean. Get a room, already. It was a marvelous sight to witness everyone being so uninhibitedly free. I couldn't help but smile a little. Now that I was here, well, despite all the undercurrents of secrecy and shadows, the place actually did have its moments.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tanya sauntering over, with Alia trailing closely behind, like a well-trained little dog. I could see the glint in Tanya's eyes as she approached—something that said this wasn't a friendly visit, so to speak. She sneered and snorted as she got closer, saying, "Well, well, well, look who it is—the school weirdo, standing here all alone. Did you come here to get work done, or to actually have fun?"

Heat crept up my neck as Tanya's mocking gaze pierced through me, my throat tightening as I struggled to form a response. Then she cast a knowing look in Alia's direction. With a wicked grin, she nodded toward me. Alia lifted her cup and—without warning—poured her drink all over my dress. The liquid clung to the fabric, leaving a dark stain across the blue.

"Oops," Alia said in a ridiculously sweet voice.

Tanya smirked, crossing her arms. "Seems like you need to learn how to hold your distance, weirdo."

Before I could even react, Aarav appeared again, his face hardening as he took in the scene. He took a step forward, shrugging off his jacket and slipping it over my shoulders immediately. His jacket came down almost to my knees, and I caught a whiff of his cologne. It was warm, comforting, and made me feel instantly better.

"Real mature there, Tanya," Aarav said, his voice cutting through the air. "I thought you were better than this. Can't you find another way to get people's attention?"

Tanya's face twisted in a mix of anger and embarrassment, but she said nothing. She only glared and stormed away, dragging Alia behind her.

A warm flutter spread through my chest as I looked up at Aarav, his kindness melting the tension that had gripped me moments before. "Thanks for standing up for me. Guess I owe you one."

He shrugged. "Anytime and honestly, you deserve way better than that. You're too amazing for any of their nonsense." His gaze softened, and for a heartbeat, it felt like the crowd around us vanished, leaving just the two of us in our own little world.

We lingered like that for a moment before he cleared his throat and glanced at a group of seniors waving him over. "I should probably head back. You'll be okay?"

I nodded, feeling his jacket heavily shielding my exposed body. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks again, Aarav."

With one last smile, he turned and walked off, leaving me alone once more. But this time, I felt a strange sense of warmth, something I hadn't felt in a long time.

As I made my way to find Sumi, I spotted Abhimanyu standing opposite me on the other side of the room. He was surrounded by his newfound friends. I hesitated and weighed my decision to approach him.

When did approaching Manyu become this hard?

Finally, deciding to go ahead for a quick hello. I waved my hand feebly at him in the hope that it might be a warm greeting.

But as I drew closer, his friends snickered, and one of them muttered something that sent the others into even louder laughter. Abhimanyu didn't defend me; instead, he smirked along with them, and a sharp pang of hurt pierced through me.

When I was just a few steps away, he caught sight of me and quickly turned back to his friends, diving into an inside joke at my expense. Their laughter rang out, cutting through the air, and it stung more than I expected. I felt my heart sink and turned to walk away, my smile fading. Just then, he grasped my wrist gently and murmured, "Mickey, I'm sorry. That was... a stupid thing to do." He paused, looking down for a moment, his grip tightening slightly as if he was afraid I might disappear. "Why are you wearing his jacket?" A spark flickered in his eyes—one I had never seen before.

"Why do you care?" I shot back, pulling my wrist away. The words spilled out, laced with a mix of anger and hurt. I turned and walked toward the restroom, needing a moment to gather my thoughts. When I returned, Sumi was waiting, her face etched with concern.

"I heard what happened," she said, pulling me into a hug. "Aarav told me. You okay?"

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah. Nothing I can't handle."

As we stood there for a moment, I could sense Abhimanyu watching us from a distance, his gaze lingering on me. My pulse quickened as I caught Abhimanyu's eye, the realization that I was wearing Aarav's jacket suddenly making the air feel heavier between us. There was a flicker of something in his eyes, but I didn't spare him a second glance, determined to focus on Sumi and shake off the weight of his stare.

"We can head back to the dorm if you want. It's getting late anyway," Sumi said, her voice laced with true concern. She looked at me, furrowing those slight brows of hers, and I could see the worry in her eyes. "Sure," I nodded. Thank goodness she knew without asking. The weight of that evening pressed down upon me, one strange tightness in my chest. I wanted to tell her how I actually felt—very exhausted but somehow I was lost for words.

"Why don't I walk you two back to your dorm?" Aarav said in a calm, reassuring voice, falling into step beside us. Having him there somehow, was a comforting shield against the chaos of that evening. We walked along those dimly lit pathways together as the sounds of the party dwindled behind us.

***

Abhimanyu's POV

The party was winding down, at least for me, but I stuck around, watching Avantika leave with Aarav. Frustration and confusion twisted in my gut, coiling tight. My muscles were tense, like I was ready to jump in, do something—anything. I hated that she was with him; it felt like a punch to the gut. How did I let things get so messed up? I'd been such a jerk to her, and she'd only ever been good to me.

My so-called friends yanked me out of my thoughts with their crude remarks.

"Damn, bro, you never told us she could be this hot!" one of them sneered, a snicker edging into his voice.

"Seriously, man. That dress is hugging her just right after that drink spill. I wouldn't mind getting my hands on her," another one added, his tone thick with disgusting intent.

A rush of adrenaline hit me, heart pounding, fists clenching before I even knew what I was doing. What did you just say? I didn't think—I just swung at him, fist connecting squarely with his face. He stumbled back, blood trickling from his nose, and I turned on the other guy, fury fueling me as I jabbed him in the stomach, feeling the impact echo through my arm.

Every muscle in my body felt wired, buzzing, like I was ready to take down anyone else who dared to say another word about her. Why am I acting like this? She deserves so much better than my mixed signals. My voice dropped, almost a snarl. "You F*CKERS better stay ten feet away from her, or you'll have to deal with me."

A u t h o r's   N o t e

Hey blueberries!

I'm curious to know what you think of this chapter. Did you enjoy the little sneak peek into Abhimanyu's POV? Your thoughts really mean a lot to me, and they help shape the story as it unfolds. If you could take a moment to VOMMENT, vote + comment, it would really support my work and remind me that I'm not just writing for the air around me. Your engagement keeps me motivated! 🌟💖