The courtyard fell silent.A circle had already formed—students clustering, whispering, phones discreetly angled for the perfect shot.
Ananya wanted to vanish. She gripped her books tighter, heart racing. But Riyan and Aarav stood toe-to-toe, the weight of their stares heavier than any words.
"You think this is a game?" Aarav said first, voice calm but firm. "Dragging her into your chaos, letting people tear her apart with gossip? That's not protecting her, that's selfish."
Riyan's jaw clenched. He tilted his head, giving that trademark smirk—except it didn't reach his eyes. "And what are you doing right now, golden boy? Jumping in like her knight in shining armor? You don't even know her."
"I know enough," Aarav snapped, his polished composure cracking. "Enough to see she deserves better than—than this." He gestured at Riyan, the tattoos, the rumors, the sharp edges.
Gasps rippled.
Riyan's laugh was low, bitter. "Better?" He stepped closer, the crowd leaning in with bated breath. "Better than someone who actually makes her feel alive? Better than someone who doesn't treat her like a project to polish for his perfect image?"
The words landed like punches. Aarav faltered, but his gaze didn't waver.
"Respect," Aarav said, steel in his tone now. "That's what she deserves. Not adrenaline. Not rebellion. Respect."
For a second—just a second—Riyan's expression cracked. But then his eyes flicked to Ananya, and the fire returned.
"Ask her," Riyan challenged, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "Let her decide. Right now."
Every eye turned to her. Phones recording. Friends whispering. The air so heavy she could hardly breathe.
Ananya froze, her pulse hammering. This was her worst nightmare—trapped between two boys, two worlds, under the scrutiny of everyone.
And just as the silence stretched to breaking—
The bell rang.A sharp, metallic clang that scattered the tension but didn't dissolve it.
Aarav stepped back first, his jaw tight. "Think about it, Ananya." He shot Riyan one last glare before walking away, the crowd parting for him like a tide.
Riyan lingered, his smirk gone, eyes shadowed as they locked on her.He didn't say anything. Didn't need to.
Because the unspoken challenge was clear: This isn't over.