The deadline loomed like a storm cloud. Their research was a mess of scattered notes and half-formed slides. Ananya tapped furiously at her keyboard, jaw tight. Across the table, Riyan slumped in his chair, arms crossed, staring anywhere but the screen.
"You can't just quit now," she snapped.
"I'm not quitting," he shot back. "I'm just… done letting you boss me around like some drill sergeant."
Her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me for trying to salvage both our grades while you sit there acting like this doesn't matter."
His chair screeched back as he stood. "Of course it matters! You think I enjoy everyone believing I'm just a dumb jock who gets by on charm? You think I don't hear the whispers?"
The sudden rawness in his voice stunned her. He wasn't smirking, wasn't cocky—just… exposed.
For a beat, silence stretched, heavy with words unsaid.
"Riyan…" she started, softer now.
But he shook his head, pacing. "Forget it. You wouldn't get it."
Something inside her flared—anger, pity, something more. She stood too, moving to block his path. "You're wrong. I do get it. People look at me and only see the bookworm, the girl who doesn't matter. Invisible until I screw up and suddenly everyone notices."
He froze. Their eyes locked, both breathing hard, the walls they kept so carefully built cracking open.
"You drive me insane," he muttered, stepping closer.
"Right back at you," she whispered.
And then—they were too close. His hand brushed hers on the desk, electric. Her pulse thundered. His gaze dropped to her lips, lingering there, burning.
The world narrowed to that single heartbeat—leaning in, breath mingling, so close she could taste the possibility—
The library door banged open.
They sprang apart, guilt flashing like neon. A janitor shuffled in, humming, oblivious.
Riyan ran a hand through his hair, muttering a curse under his breath. Ananya pressed her notes to her chest, willing her heart to slow.
Neither spoke as they packed up, but the silence between them was louder than any argument.
Because both knew what almost happened.And both knew it wasn't over.