Chapter 31: Rumors
The morning classes passed slowly for Mia. Ever since the incident during the debate presentation, she could feel the occasional whisper or glance from some students. Although not everyone cared, a few people clearly remembered the embarrassing moment far too well. Mia sat in her seat trying her best to focus on the teacher's explanation, but her thoughts kept drifting elsewhere. Princess training, her mysterious grandmother, the limousine rides, and the strange traveler named Anshul who somehow appeared everywhere in her life recently. It all felt surreal.
During lunch break, Mia walked into the courtyard carrying her tray while Lilly followed beside her, talking nonstop about some political topic she had seen on television. Mia only half listened. Her eyes were scanning the courtyard.
"Looking for someone?" Lilly asked suddenly.
"What? No," Mia replied too quickly.
Lilly smirked. "Sure."
They sat down on their usual bench under the tree. Students were scattered around the courtyard talking loudly, laughing, and enjoying their lunch break. A few minutes later, Mia finally spotted the familiar figure she had been subconsciously searching for. Anshul was sitting at another bench not far away, casually scrolling through his phone while observing the school environment.
Mia stood up almost immediately.
"I'm going to say hi," she said.
"You mean you're going to confirm whether the mysterious traveler still exists," Lilly replied teasingly.
Mia rolled her eyes and walked toward him.
"You really like this place, don't you?" Mia said as she approached.
Anshul looked up and smiled slightly. "It's peaceful."
"This is a high school."
"Exactly."
Mia sat down beside him. "You don't have anything better to do?"
"Right now? No."
She studied him curiously. "You're a strange person."
"I've heard that several times recently."
For a moment they simply sat there watching the students around them. The atmosphere felt comfortable in a strange way. Mia didn't feel judged when she was around him, which was something she rarely experienced at school.
Suddenly someone approached their bench.
"Thermopolis."
Mia looked up.
Josh Bryant stood there with his usual confident smirk, two of his friends standing behind him. His gaze shifted toward Anshul briefly before returning to Mia.
"So the rumor is true," Josh said.
"What rumor?" Mia asked cautiously.
"That you've got some mysterious new friend hanging around school."
Mia frowned. "He's just visiting."
Josh shrugged. "Sure."
His eyes examined Anshul again, clearly trying to evaluate him.
"You from around here?"
"No," Anshul replied calmly.
"Didn't think so."
Josh gave Mia a final amused look before turning away. "See you around, Thermopolis."
After he left, Mia sighed.
"He's annoying."
Anshul shrugged slightly. "He seems insecure."
"That's exactly what you said earlier."
"Still true."
Mia laughed softly.
Meanwhile, across the courtyard, Lilly watched the interaction with growing curiosity. Something about the way Mia behaved around Anshul was different. Normally Mia was shy and awkward around most people, but when she talked with him she seemed more relaxed.
When Mia finally returned to the bench, Lilly immediately leaned closer.
"So…"
"So what?"
"You like him."
Mia nearly choked on her drink. "What?!"
"I'm just observing."
"You're wrong!"
"Am I?"
Mia avoided eye contact.
Meanwhile, Anshul stood up and began walking toward the school exit.
Mia noticed.
"Where are you going?"
"Just exploring the city."
"You'll come tomorrow?" she asked almost automatically.
Anshul paused and looked back at her.
"Probably."
Mia smiled slightly.
As he walked away from the school courtyard, Anshul checked the World Theater interface on his phone.
Limitless progress: 41%
The world was still advancing naturally.
Everything was moving according to the timeline.
But right now, his attention was more focused on something else.
The girl sitting under the tree inside the courtyard.
Mia Thermopolis.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Anshul realized something surprising.
He wasn't just observing the story anymore.
He was becoming part of it.