(Simran's POV)
The classroom was buzzing. Not with gossip or drama today—but with fest prep tension. Everyone was on edge, waiting for the group announcements. Professor Khan stood at the front, clipboard in hand, adjusting her glasses like she was choosing teams for Hunger Games.
You sat back, trying to look unbothered.
Inside? Your stomach was doing somersaults. Junaid sat a few benches away, tapping his pen against the desk like a goddamn metronome of doom.
> "Okay, let's move to the fourth group—Decor and Dance Volunteers," the professor said.
You blinked. Fourth? That's yours.
> "Simran…"
A few people turned their heads. You felt Junaid's eyes immediately hook onto your profile.
"…Junaid."
Oh god. Here we go.
"…Alzan, Ayaan, Zain."
Dead. You were officially dead.
A pause.
Then Professor Khan looked up, gave a half-smile, and added:
"All of you seem to get along… interesting dynamic. Let's hope you focus on work too."
The room erupted in snickers.
You didn't even glance back—you felt their eyes on you. Junaid's smirk. Alzan's half-laugh. Zain doing that exaggerated "oooooooh" under his breath. Ayaan just gave a low whistle.
Perfect.
Just perfect.
(Junaid's POV)
He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, lips twitching upward.
Her. With him. With all of them?
What a fkn joke.
He already knew this was gonna be hell.
Zain? That loudmouth was gonna flirt just to piss him off.
Alzan? Always trying to one-up.
Ayaan? He played the nice guy, but those eyes had seen too much.
But Simran?
She just sat there, clueless, still chewing her lip like she wasn't about to be the center of every guy's attention.
Nah.
Junaid wasn't gonna let it slide this time.
"You okay with this group?" he asked, walking past her slowly as they all got up.
She looked up. Those eyes? Mischievous. "I think I'll survive."Oh she was teasing now.
Okay.
"Mm," he said, voice low as he leaned in, brushing past her shoulder,
"Just don't smile too much around Zain. He thinks that means 'try harder.'"
Her breath hitched.
Gotcha.
(Simran's POV)
By the time we all gathered near the side benches to start planning, the energy was… hot.
Alzan was sprawled across the desk like he owned it. Zain pulled up a chair right next to me—too close. Ayaan leaned over to other side with his usual lazy grin, sipping from his water bottle like he wasn't listening to every word you said.
Junaid just stood. Arms folded. Watching.
"So, Baby girl…" Zain started, his voice playful,
"You wanna handle lights, or are you the 'hold the ladder and look pretty' type?"
I raised a brow.
"I'm the 'climb the ladder and stab you with fairy lights' type."
Alzan choked on his laughter.
Ayaan grinned.
Zain put his hands up,"Damn, I'm into it."
I rolled your eyes, but didn't miss how Junaid's gaze darkened.
Possessive much?
"Okay guys, cut it out," Ayaan said, still smiling,"Let's get stuff done. We have like two days before Khan breathes fire."
"Yeah," Alzan added,"And I call dibs on glitter duties. Don't ask why."
Everyone groaned.
I couldn't help smiling.