Ryu had started walking to school alone.
No driver.
No old routine.
Just wind in her hair, her bag on one shoulder, and silence she chose for herself.
She liked it this way.
School Gate – 7:40 AM
A girl stood near the gate — half-lost, half-excited.
Bright butterfly clips. A stack of books. Nervous energy.
When Ryu walked past, the girl rushed forward. "Hi! Wait — are you from Section C?"
Ryu blinked. "Yes."
"Whoa. Brave of you," the girl giggled. "I'm Maya. Just transferred — they threw me into Section B, thankfully."
Ryu raised an eyebrow. "Why thankfully?"
"I've heard stories about your class. The boys? Wild. The President? Terrifying."
"He's... complicated."
"That sounds like code for handsome," Maya grinned.
Ryu didn't reply — but her silence gave enough away.
Main Staircase – Second Floor
They walked together, chatting — Maya was surprisingly easy to talk to.
"I had a crush on Kabir once," Maya said out of nowhere.
"What?" Ryu turned toward her. "Kabir?"
"Shh!" Maya hissed. "He doesn't know! But oh god, he's so quiet and smart... and his voice? Ugh. I melt."
Ryu actually smiled — a rare, small one. "You should tell him."
Maya nearly tripped. "NO!"
But the next trip didn't belong to Maya.
Ryu, distracted and halfway laughing, missed a stair and tilted forward — arms flailing.
Until—
Reyan caught her.
One arm around her back. One hand gripping her wrist.
Close. Too close.
"You again," he muttered.
"I—I wasn't looking," Ryu said, flustered.
"You never are."
Maya stood frozen on the top step. "Oh my god. That was like a drama scene."
Reyan let go, walked off silently.
Ryu's heart thudded harder than the stairs beneath her.
During Lunch – School Ground (Section C's Side)
"You good?" Shaurya asked loudly.
"Reyan out here catching hearts and girls now?" another joked.
"Hey Rey, you're starting to fall too?" someone snorted.
Ryu said nothing. Eyes on her food.
Maya peeked from the other side of the ground, mouthing: "HE SAVED YOUUU!"
Ryu narrowed her eyes playfully.
Later – Ryu and Maya under the neem tree
"So," Ryu said, sipping her juice. "Kabir, huh?"
Maya groaned. "Don't remind me."
"You literally melted when I said his name."
"I did not—okay, I did. But he's... so calm. I like that."
Ryu smirked. "Want me to pass him a note like we're in second grade?"
Maya threw a leaf at her. "Stop being evil!"
"I'm not. I'm just returning the favor."
"What favor?"
"You teased me about Reyan. So now it's your turn."
Maya blushed. "He saved you! That's different!"
Ryu looked off into the sky. "Yeah. It felt different."
They sat quietly for a few seconds.
The world still loud. Boys still wild.
But something peaceful had bloomed — between two girls from two very different sections.
As Ryu walked back to class,
She saw Reyan leaning near the hallway window.
He didn't say anything.
Just watched her pass.
But his hand brushed his jaw once — like he was still thinking about how close she'd been.
And maybe,
just maybe,
he didn't mind it.
📝 End of Chapter 13