Are you flirting or starting a fight?

I sat at my seat glancing around as the other seats were being filled with students coming in. Almost everyone turned their heads to my way as if checking if the news was correct. The hothead Avi Shukla was back.

I turned my eyes to the door as the familiar lean figure entered. Laughing, his hand running through those silky strands that I could still feel on my fingertips. Ishaan threw his head back his shoulders shook with chuckles at what one of the guys on his basketball team said.

Ishaan was wearing the black one cap which had Captain printed with a skull and an anchor. I gifted him last year when our school won in the inter-schools sports league.

His eyes roamed over the class and landed on me. He smiled with full teeth then literally rushed towards my seat causing other girls something mixture of jealousy and swooning. He loves attention.

all I could hear was

"She thinks I want her man it sucks I just dated her because she's pretty and you know, looking to have fun around but she's too prudent and stubborn for that"

Too prudent. huh

He stopped dropping his elbows on my desk leaning close, his breath fanning my face, "Aliya?" He said

I remained unfazed perked my brow,
" forgotten my name already?"

He blinked then laughed, "Real Avi is so back" he leaned more to probably kiss me because I turned my face, his lips landed instead on my cheek.

He kissed on it then pulled back, "I missed you babe" he took the empty seat beside me and waved at his guys, "you all go I will attend this class!"

He was always like this living in his own little world expecting everyone to follow what he says. With laughing and bursting energy he will make you run around the school and you won't even realize that you're under his control. He had that sunshine and flowers type of aura rendering others to have gravitated towards him.

"So should we skip classes and have fun behind the campus?" He asked suggestively, shifting more towards me.

I inclined away almost hitting my head to the wall." where did you get the nerve?" I asked sharply. How can he behave so normally and forget what happened between us?

He looked at me and even had some audacity to appear confused. He thought I might have forgotten or could've used my condition for his own advantage.

I wanted to snatch off the cap tore it with my nails and stuff it in his pretty mouth. The source of all delusions.

Yep, I don't like him officially now.

"Ishaan you think I don't remember what you said? Prudent? Do you even know what prudent means?? And yes how you want to get back at Laksh using me?"

"Oh, that" he just appeared mildly sheepish not even embarrassed or guilty.

I continued staring at him in disbelief.

What was I expecting? Aside from him begging on his knees for forgiveness. I thought he would be more upfront about his mistakes. Would look remorseful or even clarify a bit.
Act defensive, a small argument, a few tears of his mistake, a fucking Second chance?? anything! than just admitting he said that with barely any change in his reaction.

I looked in front exhaling out I didn't notice I held my breath for his answer. For nothing. He really didn't care. What was that all about then? Those late nights phone calls, sweet texts, flowers, and chocolates all were a scam???.

Alright, he definitely made me feel like I was in love or like he was in love. Well, then I don't know what love is? Because at the end of it. It just feels like some trick which was amusing as long as we didn't know what goes behind the curtain. Or maybe I had expected too much.

"I want to get back at him I never liked him he got everything without even lifting a finger," Ishaan said facing front copying me where my eyes were transfixed which I just saw was on Laksh. He was looking back at me with a scowl and we were watching him.

Talk about awkward things.

I cleared my throat pulling my eyes away from him to Ishaan. "You could have lied at least," I said, "but here again you spoiled any trust I could ever build when it concerns you"

"We can start again?" He suggested then later processed on what he said and looked less sure now.

He didn't even know what he wants.

"Or we can just break up?" I said and checked how I felt. Surprisingly nothing at all than just a word prudent stung.
I was prudent. It stuck out in my head. This tells how bad he was reading at characters.

Moreover, now just looking at the things I realized I never felt excited when it comes to Ishaan. All charming and beautiful definitely got my eyes on him. Never tried any serious relationship before so was kinda curious also to know how this thing goes. And yep that's all. That's all.

Then why did my eyes burned with unshed tears? My old life seemed to be crumbling down. Not even slowly it was like all of a sudden, everything fell apart before I could even step away to save myself.

••

"Avi, you coming?" At the bell ring for the break, Lavanya asked... she asking me if I am coming? she was one of the girls who used to tail around Tanya and me. Tanya didn't even spare her second glance but now she's acting as the closest friend to her.

Turn of events.

I ignored walking right past her without acknowledging her. Then made my way to the washrooms.

So Ishaan and I were over.

It was doomed to happen.

Tanya told me this won't work I should've had listened to her. How will I tell her now? She might know already through Ishaan. But I can't help myself from feeling that I have wronged and disappointed her, when she had herself arranged our first date. She was against it but still, she rooted for us. I scolded myself for being dramatic and doubted our friendship for a moment.

Maybe I was prudent who knew? The relationship didn't work because of me.

I washed my face already exhausted now.

The rest of the periods after break were still left how will I manage without feeling this lifeless.

Seeing others having their normal routine life made me want to scream at the world. I felt drifting away like they don't know what I am going through or they know it so how can they be so fine with it? How can I be fine with it? And stop feeling like this so empty. I don't want to be in depression, God. My cards aren't good. I came to school to escape from all but how can I escape from my inside turmoil.

"Princesses don't cry," said a voice.

I sniffed looking back. It was the same girl with big glasses. Was she following me? what's her problem?

I chose to ignore, some I was becoming good at now.

"A princess doesn't cry" That girl again said carrying on her own work.

I shot her a look

"What?" She asked noticing, "I am just singing a song"

"What's your name?" I said.

She stared at me for some seconds then answered, "Riya"

"Well Riya stop bugging me," I said rolling my eyes.

"I am not bugging I just wanted to talk to Avi the one I know"

"Too bad she left already and won't be back ever," I told her.

She was unaffected by it, "you think that? You know what I think? she's still there, you may not remember but we do and we, as in Kavya and I will always be there for her whether she remembers us or not"

Didn't know how to respond to her earnest declaration. So, I gazed at her struggling to remember if I met her ever. But couldn't find any recollection other than the recent ones. "You were her friend?" I asked.

"I am her best friend" she answered correcting me.

I continued analyzing her why would I chose her out of all the people.

When I didn't even know she was in my class.

"I am repeating class 11th" Riya supplied.

Oh yeah, we were talking about Post Avi, shouldn't have expected something normal. I frowned."why would I choose you?"

"Because I give off real friends vibes.." she replied sassily.

I glowered at her, "what do you mean by that?"

"I don't know you tell?" She challenged me.

I hesitated but didn't want to end the conversation, "who else were her friends?"

She counted on her fingers. That bish happened to have more than one friend!!!!. How the fucking way??

"Two true ones excluding Lux"

Involuntarily,
I chuckled at 'Lux' so they still called him that after how I defamed him.

"I don't know what was going on between her and Lux. Other than he offered her to spy on Ishaan."

"What???" So he was also out there to use me. I am seeing red now!

Riya shrugged, "yeah But I think he likes her or something" she mumbled along the line not looking at me

I didn't let it go this easily like HELL, "please elaborate it" I requested

"Why don't you just go yourself and ask him?" Riya suggested briskly

Okay but what's with the change in behavior of her suddenly, my eyes widened, I shouted"oh no!! don't tell me you like Laksh??"

"Ah what? No!" her head snapped to me but those pink cheeks said something else.

"Where's he?" I asked changing the topic.

"Maybe in the Library or I don't know..."

••

Oh, he was in the Library. I couldn't believe I was skipping my break for that asshole. But so many questions in my head and how I want to kick their answers out of him. Mere the thought of him pumps my blood with adrenaline. Of rage and rage and excitement?

There was another piece of information that Laksh had helped me concerning study. A very bad job I must say. The notebooks were more or less empty like my brain about anything taught this year. My current class teacher suggested me to take Laksh's assistance since that asshole was the topper with the highest grades in all the section of our classes.

Over my dead body.

I swear I never saw him studying, I mean he's so busy in shooting 'how I am so great and others are stupid' looks like all the time so how did he manage to sort out a time for unnecessary things like studying??

It was a mystery and I had yet to solve it.

I bet he cheats in exams. Brought chits hid in refills, bottles, or inside his body organs... who knew or the school system was rigged, he bought it after selling his good personality on OLX.

I stopped, finding him near the corner most shelf in Library. His back was facing me and he was engaged in his task of finding 'how to improve an ugly personality?' guide.

You bet Asshole read 100's of them but your sucky personality won't ever change.

I stood at the back stealthily stepped closer on tiptoes. The maroon blazer fit unfortunately real good on his body. Why can't he be malnourished? Blazer lose and sagging on his toothpick body why wasn't he like a toothpick??. Matching with his personality. Pointed and straightforward.

I shook my head I am getting distracted.

I had an on spot evil plan to take him by surprise and scared him to death. I was aiming at a big goal but let's see.

Before my finger could even tap on his shoulder I was flipped and pinned against the adjacent wall with his body flushed to mine blocking completely.

He looked down at me with a skeptical expression. For a moment my eyes took in his face from such a close-up view. Quite long lashes for a guy, not badly suited nose and lips... Holyshit! That was a work of art.

I gulped dragging my eyes up from them and got caught up by his deep eyes. Shining like golden stars. I held myself before I just stared at them for who knows till when?

I gritted my teeth damn I was checking him out but his fault!! why so close at me. I tried to move but his hands on my shoulders held me and his body still crowding mine.

"What the hell are you trying to do?" I hissed pushing him but that log didn't budge.

"I can ask the same thing," he said looking up to down inspecting me. His gaze landed on my right hand I put it behind my back. Just to make him agitated when there wasn't anything in my hand. Ha!

"What is it?" He asked getting more suspicious now.

"Nothing, leave me otherwise I will scream" I warned him ready to kick him. He dodged it smoothly. I ducked to get out but he turned me pulling my closed hand in front.

"I swear Laksh I'll throw it in your eyes" I alerted him as he tried to open my fist.

Once during our rivalry, I poured an entire container of slime on him. Lime colored freshly prepared slime dripping from his hair. My my I will take that image to my grave. After that, his hair needed some serious fixing from the saloon. He grew alert and observant since that incident.

Eyes probably recalling that day, he appeared a little a like very very little in fear but mostly was vexed when he managed to find nothing in my hand. just do not want to give up easily, I raised my left hand in a pose of throwing something.

He flinched stepping back immediately with arms shielding his face position.

I clicked the photo from the mobile in my left hand.

"Best Lockscreen ever" I nodded in approval at the photo. "Aww so scared someone give this bachha a hug" I cooed smirking at him. Take that for kissing and tossing cat on my head.

He stared murderously settling back pushing his hands in his pants pockets. "If that's the reason why you came here for? Like asking about me, searching for me around this big library and "

the bell rang,

" and missing the break. Don't blame me if I start thinking you are in love with me " he said flatly. He picked the book and moved past giving me a frown.

I frowned too where's his calm attitude now??
"I am in hate with you Mister" I said

"Yeah okay," he didn't reply just placed it back on the shelf making me more confused with his reaction.

"Why are you scowling?" I spoke out my curiosity.

It was the same deep scowl when I saw him shooting me while I was talking to Ishaan.

"Because it's my face and I can scowl," he said brushing me off.

I kicked the rack making a few books stumbled down
"Don't speak shit. I am not dying here to talk to you. I just heard you helped me in studies?"

He looked at me tearing his eyes away from the fallen book,"yes I did how will you pay me back?"

"Maybe by strangling you," I told excitedly.

He folded his arm looking blank as a paper. Such more than okay features in not so proper use. I tsked internally.

"Why are you here?" He asked.

What's up with him??

"You can't ask me I can go anywhere I want," I said instead.

"Alright then I am leaving," he said turning on his shoe heels

Why???? My eyebrows furrowed nevertheless I followed him, "why are you being like this?" I said it finally couldn't stop myself.

"Like what?" He asked confused.

I don't know why it was bothering me. But I dislike the way he was behaving right now.

"Like so unlike yourself-

"And what is that?" He stopped in the track sounding interested to know my answer.

I scrunched my face failing miserably how to describe as in what I was referring to, "I don't know!... just forget it you go whatever hellish place you were going to"

I moved away still processing why did it upset me? He was never nice to me so what's the matter behind it? I mean he wasn't being flippant and matching the to and fro our verbal dispute like we used to.

Go to hell the least I could care.

"Wanna skip the rest of the classes?"He asked suddenly.

I turned shocked full evident on my face.

"I will tell you how I tutored you" he completed slyly.

"Must be a poor implement from your side because my Post self don't remember or did any work" I told him frowning.

"So is that a no?" He offered again.

I pondered on I didn't have any will to attend the classes now. Going back home was out of the question. Tanya and Ishaan both seemed to care the least about my whereabouts. Because they didn't call or look for me when I have hadn't appeared for the break. So I found no reasons as to why I shouldn't bunk. Having the topper beside me who knew I could get some secret study tips out of him.

Who was I fooling? Studying tips like that matters to me.

"I can't say no to a begging person yeah please don't touch my feet now ...I am coming," I said.

"You have to show me the shop from where you buy this overconfidence" He shot back.

"It's called natural talent honey"

"Or bad habits"

"I am good at all of them"

"Don't challenge me"

"I don't play with noobs either"
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And it continued all the way

*

Hehe

Vote pls 😇