He smiled and all I could think was
'Oh shit'

The fifth period was free. Being the optional and the teacher absent, Laksh decided that instead of playing antakshari like I thought. Even Aryan agreed to play and I also managed to pull Riya from her place to us. But Laksh rained on my parade saying I should not waste my time rather utilize it in studying. This side of him wasn't much attractive.

Oh yeah I could say that but I loved ..just a little too much annoying him by doing the complete opposite. Well I never said I am going to make his work easy. He can't boss me around. That easily.

"I am sleepy I think I will sleep" I laid my head down on the desk, very much aware Laksh was irritated at my drama.

"Did you complete your homework?" He asked for the third time today, which(homework) I didn't do like again and again and again...

"A sleeping person can't reply" I mumbled.

"You're wasting time you know?"Laksh said not being fun at all.

"You're boring you know?"I asked, tilting my head at him

I lifted my head.

"Let's get this straight you don't like me I don't like you either," I said staring at him with a bored look, blowing on my nails. I don't like him, yes if I kept on saying it to myself, maybe I'll believe it also.

He returned with an equally blank.

I continued nevertheless, "so let's pretend we are in love"

He did something I guess must've shocked him too, he laughed Laksh freaking Kashap laughed.

I turned around, back at the class, in shock couldn't believe in my own eyes and ears.

Unfortunately, the class missed this epic moment due to the constant chattering. Where's this class freaking captain?

When I turned Laksh was back to normal that is back to being Laksh. Which made me more confused, maybe I imagined it, so I repeated, "let's-

"I heard you the first time" he cut me off.

"What's so funny then? 'Us' pretending to be in love part?" I asked trying not to sound offended. I mean I get that he laughs and it was a pleasant sound but I didn't like what he laughed at.

When it was exactly how I meant to come across, in a joke way.

Honestly,I just don't get myself when I was around him. That pretending and me being me real, line gets blurry with his case and I don't know how to behave then.

"The love part" he said slowly but intently.

"Ohh bad boys don't fall in love that way?" I mocked.

"Well I don't know about bad boys but I am not good at pretending" he told shrugging looking at me.

I wasn't expecting an honest reply.

I replayed his words taking them in slowly

And he again had me here speechless

Was he flirting with me?

I chewed my lower lip usually I would have come back with a savage or a funny reply instead of gasping like a fish out of water. Immediately I got up taking my books.

"Umm..library can we go to the library..? Right.." I babbled walking my way out of the class, stumbling and bumping to desk which hurt like bish!. I kicked the desk annoyed at it forgetting Tanya was behind it.

The day couldn't get any better.

At the Library my mind was all over the place. My heart; that stupid dude had freaking gone insane now, so let's not talk about it. Ever

The next period that is the last period I'll meet Ishaan in the locker room.

So officially my life is messed up

Before this all, everything was fine, I had a plan to get over this year of my school. Have enough money to leave this all behind someday and start anew, NOT just get tangled up in situations like this! It wasn't on my list to do. Why couldn't I just behave normal around Laksh why do I slip my act???

I think he could read me I could see it in his eyes how he remained unfazed by my pretence and how they searched for something deeper in me.

I can't read him. I don't get him at all.

Why did he actually want to help me?

Who do I remind him of??

I blinked didn't realise, I wasn't concentrating to what Laksh was saying rather I had my eyes glued to his face, spaced out wrung up in my thoughts.

He had stopped explaining must have noticed my lost of attention. His light browns eyes peered at me as if trying to figure out what was going on in mind.

Which was a lot of nothing,

It was buzzing at the same time, it was numbed

"So do you like me?" I said it directly. I was direct I was upfront and one should always be clear about their feelings, if you don't speak up things get complicated.

"Wait" I hissed before he could even answer I put my head down embarrassed, shy and frustrated of myself.

I banged my forehead on the table repeatedly but softy, shit what was wrong with me? I wanted to cry and I am legit serious now.

"Please don't reply" I mumbled in the table.

"Please reply" I mumbled again.

"Okay just leave I am done with you, today" I shook my head on the table.

When I faced up Laksh was still there leaning back against the chair, sitting casually watching with amused expression, another episode of Avi Shukla's Embarrassments.

"Don't say anything" I warned pointing my index finger at him.

He tilted his head grinning.

Oh my my

I need a heart transplant

"Let's pretend this never happened" I said drawing a lock of hair behind my ear looking down my cheeks scarlet.

Suddenly my chair was pulled in front. Taken aback I leaned in dropping my palms on the table.

Laksh had drawn in my chair by his feet. He leaned in too leaving barely any gap between our heads. He had his head angled down making mine hovering over it. My breath hitched, his warm brown eyes roaming over my face. I didn't find any danger in them they were gauging my reaction. I was gauging my reaction too. I didn't feel intimidating or dark aura. I only felt heated up, so excited so flustered and wanted to hold his head and diminish that little gap which was becoming unbearable the second passes by.

Laksh's eyes gleamed as they finally landed on my parted lips, he looked up at me shifting slowly without taking his eyes from mine. I closed my eyes feeling this moment, feeling his cool breath on my neck. It was refreshing, was so calming with our erratic breathings.

"Like I said I am bad at pretending" his words literally touched my lips. With a light brush of our noses he pulled back. I lost the contact my hands curled in protest.

I opened my eyes but stayed in the same position catching my breath back.

"Complete the homework this time Avi"

My head snapped up at my name. It feels kinda pleasing when he says my name.

"And if not then, punishment for sure" he said with a serious expression and my favorite glinting eyes.

I remained transfixed watching him leave.

Just because of the punishment I won't do the homework this time also.
I grinned sagging on the table placing my head on the hands, sighed.

So beautifully confusing

••

Still dreamy and a smile plastered on my face. I ambled to the locker areas. My backpack on my shoulder, I tried to stifle in my exhilaration and had to firmly placed my foot on the ground and not go around bouncily.

I shook my head.

I took out my mobile from my skirt pocket.

Riya
You're buzzing with secrets Avi if you won't tell me anything then I guess our friendship is over

Avi
Emotional blackmail!

Riya
Spill it then..

Avi
I will tell you soon pakka

I put it back on reaching the boys locker room. Where Players change and have their sport related stuff or scandals with girls. Last year only, Ishaan was caught with some girl and that was the last time ever that girl was seen around this town. Tanya took care of it no doubt.

I passed the navy blue lockers. It wasn't empty, some of the guys were still lingering behind on the benches and talking/shouting.. same thing. And yeah not to forget they were shirtless.

There seemed to be some engaging conversation going on because all five or six of them where focused on and didn't notice me. So I didn't change that actually I stepped back aligning myself behind the first locker near the hallway. I looked back making sure no one had spotted me doing so. The narrow passage behind, was vacated like the rest of the school. It was 30 mins over since the school got over. I thought to appear late but not this late.

"Ishaan you're hooking up with that Avni girl"

I rolled my eyes. If you're talking about me at least say my name correctly.

the tan skin one joked. Since I didn't know their names cause honestly all players looked same in the jerseys and they were from different classes, so I will label them by their type of appearance I spot at the moment.

One with big jaw guffawed, "no offense I agree she's like a little peach but isn't she a bit weird and btw how did you even get her?"

Peach!!!

The piece of shit even moved his hands describing me. I looked down involuntarily at my hips.

I WILL FREAKING KILL YOU BIG JAW!!!

I made out Ishaan the only one with a dog tag silver chain around his neck. He moved having his back on me.

I stared at his back and comparing it with my imaginary shirtless Laksh.
Ehh

I slapped my forehead then jerked up fearing they heard me.

Ishaan said, "I managed?? she's all over me. So desperate not my type"

What...

••