For a second, everything froze.
Aria slowly lifted her head, heart pounding.
Right in front of her stood Sinas — the boy she had admired from afar for years. Her crush. Her dream. Her fantasy.
She stood up, brushing the dust off her uniform, never breaking eye contact with him.
Everyone around was staring at her — confused, shocked, curious. But Aria didn't care.
All she could see was him.
Sinas chuckled under his breath.
His eyes dropped to the badge on her chest, and his smile twitched slightly.
"From garbage, huh?" he murmured to himself.
Then he leaned closer, his hand casually reaching out to brush a bit of dust from her hair.
"A beauty like you doesn't belong in a place like this," he said softly, his voice almost charming.
He leaned in even closer now, enough for Aria to forget to breathe.
"Come with me, diva."
Aria's face turned crimson. She could feel her cheeks heating up and her stomach flipping.
Sinas let out a low chuckle, clearly amused by her reaction.
But in the very next second —
a strong arm pulled her back.
Zorvath.
He gripped her waist protectively, dragging her behind him with a sharp, possessive motion.
"Stay away from her," he said coldly, voice firm like a warning.
Sinas laughed again, as if he found it all entertaining.
One of the boys from G.H.S.S. stepped forward. "Are you her dad or what? What right do you have?"
Zorvath's eyes didn't flinch.
"She's from K.H.S.S. Of course, I have the right."
Sinas's smile widened as he stepped closer, calm but challenging.
"Sooner or later… she'll be mine. G.H.S.S.'s."
Then he looked at Aria again — this time softer, more focused.
Noticing her shoelaces were untied, he crouched down without a word and tied them for her.
Aria blinked, frozen again.
Butterflies. So many butterflies she almost forgot where she was.
When he stood back up, he handed her a small flower — a delicate yellow one he must have picked up nearby.
His fingers grazed hers.
His voice dropped low.
"For you," he said, all charm. "Try not to fall again — next time, I won't be this gentle."
Then he turned and walked away — casually, confidently — like he owned the street.
Aria stayed there, watching the direction he'd gone, eyes wide, heart louder than ever.
Even after he disappeared from view…
She couldn't stop staring.
"Done admiring?"
A deep voice spoke behind her.
Aria froze.
Slowly, she turned around, her head lowered — she didn't have the strength to face them. Not after that.
"Who are you?" Zorvath asked, his voice still cold.
"She's the new girl in our class," Leo replied, his eyes now on Aria.
Sona quickly stepped forward and grabbed Aria's hand.
"It's my fault," she said. "I shouldn't have brought her here."
"Stop defending her, Sona!" Aswin snapped.
Aria flinched. Her heart raced. Everyone's eyes were on her.
"I… I'm sorry," she whispered, barely audible.
"I didn't mean to mess things up…"
"Do you like him?" Mirzand asked bluntly.
"She clearly does," Rithul muttered.
Aria stayed silent, her eyes fixed on the ground.
Zorvath's voice broke the tension.
"Whether you do or not — stay away from them. Especially him."
With that, he turned and walked off.
The others followed, silent at first.
Then, while walking, Zorvath muttered under his breath,
"Is this girl dumb or what?"
Mirzand chuckled, glancing back at Aria one last time before disappearing around the corner.
Only then did Aria finally take a breath.
She felt like her lungs had been squeezed shut the whole time.
Sona stayed by her side.
"What just happened…?" Aria murmured.
Sona sighed, shaking her head.
"Congratulations, Aria. You officially messed things up on your first day."
**********************************
Aria's Room – Evening
Even hours after school ended, Aria was still in shock. Her mind kept replaying the moment over and over — Sinas's voice, his touch, that flower...
Sitting cross-legged on her bed, she pulled out the small flower he had given her. It was slightly wilted now, but to her, it was more precious than gold.
"I have to keep this forever," she whispered with a soft smile.
She got up and opened her craft box — a little tin filled with beads, threads, glue, and random bits she had collected over the years. After a few tries and small pricks on her fingers, she managed to place the flower inside a clear, round pendant she had saved for something special.
With a thin white chain and a bit of glitter sealed around the petals, she finally finished it.
A handmade locket.
Her first ever.
And inside it — her most beautiful memory.
She clasped it around her neck, the pendant resting just above her heart.
"Now you'll always be with me," she whispered, blushing to herself as she gently touched the locket.
Tik tik.
The sound of a notification popped on her phone.
Aria lazily reached for it, expecting something usual — but then her eyes widened.
"Sinas has accepted your follow request."
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
She jumped from her chair, nearly knocking it over.
"Woooohooooo!"
She spun in circles, dancing wildly around her room like she'd just won the lottery.
Tik tik.
Another notification.
"New follower: Sinas."
She clutched her phone to her chest, falling face-first into her bed, kicking her legs in the air.
"I can't believe it! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!" she squealed into her pillow.
Then she froze. Sat up. Tried to calm herself.
Deep breath in...
breath out...
Aria's POV_____
She opened his chat.
"Should I text him? No… what if he thinks I'm desperate? I don't want to be a disturbance… just one 'hii'? Ugh, no no no, I can't be a burden. He only accepted because we met today… right? He's a busy young man…"
[Tik Tik]
A new message notification.
Sinas: "Hii"
Aria froze.
He texted me. HE texted me! Okay, okay, be cool Aria… be cool…
She quickly typed back:
Aria: "Hyyy"
Sinas: "Are you busy?"
Aria: "No 😊"
Sinas: "Did you get hurt today?"
Aria: "Not much, just a little scratch. Thank God the tree wasn't that high 😅"
Sinas: "Yeah, yeah… but still, you should be more careful. That tree's high enough to break a leg. You're just lucky this time."
Aria: "You're right. I am lucky today… I got to meet the shining young stars of Mumbai ✨"
Sinas: "Hmm… your flirting skills are so bad, baby 😂"
Aria: "Is it? Then teach me 😜"
Sinas: "Are you sure?"
Aria: "Yup 😌"
Sinas: "Then we'll meet soon."
Aria: "Okay… 😳"
Sinas: "Time and place — I'll text you."
Aria: "So this time Mr. Sinas is serious?"
Sinas: "Yeah. I can't miss this chance. But I'm currently out of town — I'll be back in two days. Wait for me, Miss Crazy."
Aria: "Bye, Mr. ❣️"