ANAYA’S POV:
The morning sun streams through my bedroom window, casting a soft golden glow across my small but cozy room. I stand in front of my mirror, tying my hair into a neat ponytail, leaving a few flicks to frame my face. My brown eyes studies my reflection as I reach for my lip gloss, applying a thin layer.
Grabbing my tote bag from my desk, I checked for the essentials-my books, my water bottle, my gloss and my phone. Just as I was about to sling the bag over my shoulder, my phone buzzed.
Meher: "Come down already, sleepyhead! I'm waiting!!"
I rolled my eyes with a small smile. Meher Kapoor-my best friend, my polar opposite, my personal headache.
Me: "I'm coming. Stop yelling."
Meher: "You love my yelling. It adds excitement to your boring life."
The moment I stepped out of my house, I saw Meher leaning against her scooty, her curly hair bouncing as she huffed dramatically. "Took you long enough!" she pouted. "Were you writing poetry or something?"
I sighed, adjusting my bag. "I was getting ready, Meher. Like a normal person."
She gasped. "You? Getting ready? Oh my god, did my influence finally work?" She stepped closer, narrowing her eyes at my lips. "Wait... is that gloss I see? Anaya Joshi, wearing gloss? Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?"
"Shut up," I muttered, cheeks warming.
She linked her arm with mine, dragging me toward her scooty. "Anyway, I have something so important to tell you!"
I sighed, already knowing what was coming. "Let me guess. Atharv?"
Meher's eyes sparkled, her excitement bubbling over. "Yes! I saw him at the café last evening. He was wearing that stupid black hoodie that makes him look ten times hotter than usual. And I swear, Ana, he looked at me! Like, really looked at me."
I snorted. "Maybe he was just staring into space."
"Rude." She flicked my arm. "You're supposed to be my supportive best friend. Not a dream killer."
"I'm just keeping you grounded," I teased, climbing onto her scooty as she revved the engine.
"Well, my feet are far from the ground, babe. I'm floating," she sighed dreamily. "Atharv Thakur is going to be mine. Mark my words."
I smiled, shaking my head at her delusions. As much as Meher was all talk, I knew she had a real crush on Atharv. The problem? He was best friends with Rudra Rathore.
A chill ran down my spine at the thought of him.
Rudra Rathore-arrogant, cold, and absolutely insufferable. He walked around like he ruled the world, like everything and everyone belonged to him. And worse? People actually let him.
I'd never spoken to him, never had any reason to cross paths with him. And I planned to keep it that way.
"Earth to Anaya!" Meher waved a hand in front of my face. "What's with you? You zoned out."
I shook off the uneasy feeling. "Nothing. Just... thinking about today's lecture."
Meher groaned. "Ugh, nerd."
Rolling my eyes, I let the conversation shift back to her grand plans of seducing Atharv as we rode toward St. Xavier's University.
The place where the Four Horsemen ruled.
The place where Rudra Rathore existed.
And the place where I intended to stay invisible.
Being invisible was a blessing.
It meant no unnecessary attention, no trouble, no expectations. I could exist in the background, untouched, unnoticed. While other girls fought for popularity or validation.
People only noticed you when they had something to take from you-status, entertainment, or control. I had nothing worth taking. And that's what made invisibility perfect.
We reached the college gates, parking Meher's scooty before heading toward our first lecture. The moment we stepped into the classroom, I pulled out my notebook and pen, ready to focus. Meher, on the other hand, sighed dramatically.
"This is so boring," she whispered, resting her chin on her hand.
I rolled my eyes. "The professor hasn't even started yet."
As the lecture started, I tuned everything else out. Numbers, formulas, theories-this was my safe space. It was predictable, logical, unlike the messy, uncontrollable chaos of people.
Meher, on the other hand, spent the entire class daydreaming about Atharv.
"Anaya," she hissed, nudging my arm halfway through the lecture.
I ignored her.
"Anaya!"
"What?" I whispered back, still taking notes.
"Do you think Atharv likes girls with curly hair?" she asked.
I gave her a blank look. "I think he likes girls who pay attention in class."
She gasped.
I shook my head, hiding my smile. This girl.
After the lecture, we made our way to the canteen, the scent of fried snacks and fresh chai filling the air. It was crowded, as always, students laughing and chatting at their usual spots.
"Samosas and chai?" Meher asked, already knowing the answer.
I nodded, and she dragged me toward the counter, ordering for both of us.
As we waited, she kept rambling about Atharv, his hoodie, his jawline, his everything.
Just as we sat down, the canteen door swung open, and everything shifted.
The air changes. Conversations dims. A presence too loud to ignore entered the room.
Rudra Rathore.
And his team.
All four of them walked in, their towering frames impossible to miss. They were still in their basketball jerseys, damp with sweat, their presence like a storm rolling in. The scent of exertion and cologne clung to the air around them.
Meher let out a sharp breath. "Oh my god. He looks so-"
I didn't hear the rest of her words.
Because my gaze had unwillingly locked onto him.
Rudra Rathore.
Stormy black eyes, sharp jaw, chiseled arms flexing as he ran a hand through his damp hair. His muscles straines against his jersey, veins popping along his forearms. A walking, breathing nightmare.
I clench my jaw.
What does he think of himself? Some kind of king? Just because every girl in this college throw themselves at his feet?
Pathetic.
He might have the entire college wrapped around his finger, but I wasn't like other girls.
I had no interest in his arrogance, his stupid smirks, or his suffocating presence.
The rest of the lectures dragged on.
I focus, jotting down notes, while Meher continued sighing dramatically beside me, doodling hearts on the margin of her notebook. I didn't have to guess who she was thinking about.
By the time our last class ended, we made our way toward the open courtyard, where Kashvi and Naina were already waiting.
Kashvi is leaning against a pillar, her arms crossed, exuding her usual confident, untouchable aura. She is the kind of girl people don't mess with. And if they did, they regret it.
Naina, on the other hand, was practically bouncing on her feet, her excitement radiating like the sun.
"There you two are!" Naina beams, grabbing Meher's arm. "I was just telling Kashvi about the party."
"Party?" Meher's eyes lit up instantly.
I sighed, already sensing where this conversation is going.
"Yes, THE party," Naina emphasizes. "The Elites are hosting it. Huge event. Off-campus. Everyone's invited!"
Meher squealed. "Oh my god! Atharv is an Elite! That means he'll be there!"
I subtly elbow her. "Shut up," I muttered under my breath.
She blinks at me. "What?"
I gave her a pointed look before flicking my eyes toward Naina. The human megaphone.
Realization dawns on her face.
"Oh," she whispered.
Too late.
Naina gasps. "Wait, wait, wait-Meher, you have a crush on Atharv?"
"She does not," I cut in quickly. "And you're not telling anyone."
Naina pouted. "Anaya, you wound me. I would never."
Kashvi smirked. "She totally would."
Naina ignores her. "Okay, fine, I won't say a word. But back to the important part-the party. We're all going, right?"
Meher nods aggressively. "Obviously."
Kashvi shrugs. "I could use a distraction. And maybe some fun."
Then, three pairs of eyes turned to me.
I sigh. "No."
Naina gasps like I had just insulted her entire bloodline. "What do you mean, no?"
"I mean no," I repeat, adjusting my tote bag. "I don't do parties."
"But why?" Meher whines.
"Because they're loud. And crowded. And full of people."
Naina grabs my hands dramatically. "Anaya, please. You can't make me suffer through this without you. And what if something scandalous happens? You won't be there to witness it!"
I sigh, but before I could argue, Meher pulled out her trump card.
"You promised to be my wingwoman."
I freeze.
"Fine," I mutter.
A chorus of excited squeals erupted around me.
Naina claps her hands. "This is going to be so much fun!"
I highly doubt that.
But as I stood there, with Meher and Naina squealing in excitement, I couldn't shake the unsettling feeling in my gut.
Something told me this party wasn't just going to be loud and crowded.
It was going to change everything.
Hello lovely people. This is my first time writing. Do shower your love as hearts and comments.
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