I'm so happy that you're here for another chapter. Don't forget to vote, cuties.

Sending lots of love <3.

It's been a week.

Somehow, I didn't drop out. That's already a win.

What's even more shocking? I actually like it here.

Simran and Yashika have turned out to be weirdly great. They are book girlies like me. And The kind of girls who'll send you memes at 3 a.m. and threaten to beat someone up if they look at you wrong.

Hira's become my closest person, though. The calm to my chaos. The only one who doesn't look exhausted after talking to me.

Even Himani's in the picture now. She's a junior, introvert but way too observant. She wasn't there on my first day, but she practically attached herself to me the moment she arrived.

And then there are the boys. I didn't know they were seniors.

Aman's the type who is always chill but will randomly say something philosophical that makes you question your life choices.

Aryan? He flirts like it's his full-time job. He's funny, though. And he knows when to stop.

And then there's Ivansh.

He's everywhere. I still haven't figured out what exactly his deal is. He flirts one second, disappears the next. And he's always calling me that stupid name like it means something.

"Daisy."

he makes it look like it's my real name.

I've tried ignoring it. Tried correcting him. Snapping at him. Threatening him.

He still says it. Every. Single. Time.

Annoying.

Today in the canteen, he brought me cookies. No explanation. Just dropped them in front of me with a wink and walked off.

The entire table went silent.

Aryan raised a brow. Simran giggled. Yashika whispered something to Hira.

And me?

I died. Spiritually. Emotionally. Socially.

"I'm gonna kill him," I muttered.

Hira just smiled. "You kind of like it."

I almost choked on my water.

No. I do not like it.

Eww.

And then there's my bestie.

(Sarcasm. If that wasn't obvious.)

Tanya Sharma.

The college's self-declared queen bee.

Thinks she owns every hallway she walks in.

And apparently, also thinks I stole something from her.

Her stares? Venomous.

Her friends? Carbon copies with lip gloss addictions.

The way they look at me? Like I accidentally killed their cat.

I didn't.

(I think.)

I mean, I haven't done anything.

Not to her.

Not to anyone.

Except exist.

Which, apparently, is a crime in Tanya World.

Do I care?

No.

Okay, maybe a little.

Okay, maybe it annoys me because I haven't even had the chance to throw my villain origin story yet and she's already treating me like the final boss.

But I won't lie-

Their hatred makes me feel hotter.

More mysterious.

Main character coded.

So yeah, keep staring.

Add some glitter next time.

I walk down the corridor, clutching my sketchpad. Music from the studio room echoes faintly through the hallway, and honestly, I'm in a good mood. A decent class. A good coffee. An even better hair day.

Peace.

I should've known that was temporary. Because there she is.

Tanya Sharma.

Resting like she owns the staircase. One leg crossed over the other, head tilted back in full queen bee posture, her signature Chanel gloss reflecting under the corridor lights.

Her friends are around her like well-trained puppies. Gossiping. Laughing too loud. All dressed like they're heading to a runway and not a college lecture.

I don't make eye contact.

I don't breathe in her perfume cloud of fake vanilla and even faker compliments.

I just walk past her like she doesn't exist.

And that's when -

A foot.

Casually extended.

Like a trap waiting to snap.

It brushes against my ankle.

I stumble.

Hard.

My sketchpad slips from my hand and flutters to the ground. My knee jerks but I don't fall. I catch myself, steady, heart pounding like war drums.

There's a moment of stillness.

Then-

Laughter.

High-pitched. Cruel.

"Oops," one of Tanya's friends says, pressing a manicured hand to her mouth. "Didn't see you."

"Oh my god," Tanya drawls, not even trying to hide her smile. "Careful, Maya. People might think you're clumsy."

I straighten slowly.

Pick up my sketchpad.

And turn.

The hallway has gone quiet.

Students have stopped.

People are watching now.

Almost thirty of them

Fuck. They tried to humiliate me in front of thirty people.

Suddenly, Hira's voice breaks the silence.

"Maya?" She rushes up, her bag swinging behind her. "What happened?"

"She tripped me," I say simply. Loud enough for everyone to hear.

The girl who did it gasps. "It was an accident!"

"Was it?" I ask. My voice is calm. Steady. Dangerous.

"You're delusional," Tanya says, standing now. "You think everyone's out to get you. You're not that special, babe."

I step closer.

Half a foot between us.

I tilt my head.

"No," I whisper. "But I'm clearly threatening enough for you to keep trying."

Hira comes to my side. "You okay?"

I nod once.

Then I look at the girl who tripped me.

And slap her.

The sound echoes.

Loud. Sharp. Stunning.

Like a slap to the air itself.

Gasps ripple through the corridor. A phone slides out. Someone's filming.

Tanya's friend recoils, clutching her cheek like she didn't just try to trip me two seconds ago. "You psycho!"

"Try it again," I say, ice in my tone. "And I promise next time I won't stop at one."

Tanya steps forward, eyes narrowed. "You think you can get away with this?"

I don't flinch. "I just did."

She opens her mouth-

"Enough."

That voice stops everything.

Ivansh.

He steps into the circle like he's walking into a battlefield, Aman by his side. White shirt. Black jeans. And those eyes-burning. Sharp.

People step aside. The crowd parts like the universe knows something is about to go down.

His gaze finds mine first.

"What happened?" he asks.

"She tried to trip Maya," Hira answers before I can. "And Maya defended herself."

Ivansh turns his eyes to Tanya and her group. "Is that true?"

"They're being dramatic," Tanya says with a practiced scoff. "Maya thinks the whole world's against her-"

"Did your friend stick out her leg?" he interrupts.

Tanya pauses. "She didn't mean to-"

"That's a yes," he cuts in.

Then he looks at the girl still holding her cheek.

"You touch her again," he says, voice low, quiet rage simmering beneath every syllable, "and I'll make sure you're banned from every college event this year. Try me."

There's dead silence.

Tanya opens her mouth, then shuts it.

Ivansh steps closer to me now. His voice drops-just for me.

"You good?"

I look up at him.

At the boy with the furrowed brows and clenched jaw.

I nod.

"Better now."

He nods once. "Follow me."

"Wh-"

And without waiting, he takes my sketchpad from my hand and starts walking.

Helplessly, I follow.

The hallway is still quiet.

People still staring.

Still whispering things to each other...

I swear to god I'll someday kill this self-obsessed bitch.

Ivansh pushes open the music room door and holds it for me.

I step in, silently, already annoyed by this day.

The moment the door clicks shut behind us, I turn around.

"What's wrong with you?" I snap, arms crossed.

He doesn't answer. Just steps forward a little, expression unreadable.

"Are you okay?" he asks instead, completely ignoring my question.

"That's none of your concern and-"

"I. Want. An. Answer."

He says each word slowly, firmly, like he's not just asking-he's demanding it. His eyes never leave mine.

I hesitate for a second. Then I nod. "I'm fine."

"I could've handled them," I add, crossing my arms. "You didn't need to step in like some knight in shining whatever."

"I know," he replies, voice calm. "But I wanted to."

I scoff. "She's your ex-girlfriend. And a family friend. You shouldn't be picking fights with her, she might cause you trouble. Um... maybe, cry to her daddy or something."

He actually laughs. Low and amused. "Tanya wouldn't dare. She knows better."

"She looked like she wanted to stab me with her heels."

"Let her try." His tone darkens. "I'll break every single one of them."

My breath catches. It's not the words-it's the way he says them. Like he means it.

"Don't worry about her, Daisy."

I groan. "It's Maya."

"Daisy," he insists, with that infuriating smile.

"Ugh. Whatever. Thanks, I guess."

He leans against the piano like it's staged. "I don't accept plain gratitude."

I blink. "What?"

"Take me on a date."

I stare. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"I'm grateful you stood up for me, but that doesn't mean I'm going out with you."

He raises an eyebrow. "So dramatic. It's not marriage, it's one date. Friday. Seven."

"Not happening."

"Why not?"

"Because you're impossible."

"I've been called worse."

"Well, congrats. I'm adding delusional to the list."

He shrugs. "Add hot and charming too. Just to balance it."

I shake my head, baffled. "I swear... I don't get you."

"You will when we start dating each other."

"I said thank you. And you know what? Go to hell."

He grins like I just complimented him. "Only if you walk with me there."

My jaw drops. "You're insane."

"And you're blushing."

"I am not!" I cover my cheeks immediately like a traitor.

"You so are," he says, laughing now.

"I hate you," I mutter into my palms.

"I know, and that's alright." he says softly. "I'll wait till you don't."

Something flips in my chest. Something I don't want to name. Anyway, annoying ass is back.

"Can you stop?" I snap.

He blinks. "Stop what?"

"Being annoying as hell."

He gives me a look. All innocent and smug at the same time.

"I'm not annoying."

"Haan. Main hi hun galat." I roll my eyes. "Always."

He smirks. Like he won. Like he always wins.

Then the bell rings.

"Oh my god," I groan, snatching my sketchpad. "It's my law class. I'm going."

I don't wait for a reply.

I push the door open and storm out like I'm on a runway with a purpose.

I walk fast. Like stupid fast. Because the last thing I want today is skipping my law lecture.

I take a left turn toward the staircase when I hear familiar voices calling me.

"MAYA!"

I turn. Simran and Yashika jog up, both slightly out of breath and clearly-very clearly-curious.

"You okay?" Simran asks, eyes scanning me like I've just escaped a burning building.

"Hira told us what happened," Yashika adds, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Tanya and her friends are such freaking witches."

I wave a hand. "I'm fine. I didn't even fall."

"Still," Simran says, stepping closer, "that's humiliating. I would've cried. Or murdered someone. Or both."

Yashika nods. "And then you slapped her?" Her eyes sparkle. "Iconic behavior."

"I swear to god, the slap echoed," Simran adds. "Everyone's still talking about it."

"Can we not?" I sigh, rubbing my forehead.

But they're not done. Obviously.

Simran leans in, whispering like we're plotting a heist.

"I heard Ivansh defended you."

I freeze.

"That too in front of Tanya," Yashika adds.

I roll my eyes. "It wasn't that deep. He just said stuff. Not a big deal."

"It is a very big deal," Simran says. "You have no idea what you've started."

"What does that mean?"

Yashika lowers her voice. "Their families, Tanya and Ivansh's? They want them to marry."

I blink.

"Like-arranged marriage?"

Simran shrugs. "Sort of. It's been brewing since school. They're like that family-friends-turn-lovers cliché everyone pretends to love."

"They've been shipped together for years," Yashika says. "Tanya acts like he's already hers."

"Well, news flash," I mutter, "he clearly doesn't act like he's hers."

"That's the thing," Simran grins. "He never publicly says anything against her. Ever. Not even when she's being her usual witchy self."

"But today?" Yashika raises her brows. "He literally warned them off. Like mafia-style."

Simran bumps my arm. "So yeah, Maya. That wasn't normal. That was new."

I open my mouth.

And close it.

Because what do I even say to that?

That I didn't ask for his help?

We walk, the three of us, our bags bouncing against our sides, shoes tapping down the stairs. The noise of campus starts to fade behind us, and the hallway to our lecture hall feels quieter.

"I'm telling you," Simran says again, "it was a moment."

I shrug. "He just wanted to help a new classmate."

Yashika makes a face. "No, Maya. You don't get it."

I glance at her sideways. "Don't I?"

"We've known him since childhood," she continues. "Ivansh doesn't do that. Like, ever. If someone's new, he'll be civil, yeah, but this? This was personal."

"So what are you trying to prove?"

"I don't know," she mutters. "But... never mind."

I roll my eyes but don't push.

We're at the door now.

As we step in, the usual classroom chaos greets us-chatter, someone yelling across rows, the sound of a desk being dragged way louder than it should be.

Hira waves at me from the middle row. I smile and walk over to her. The seat beside her is empty. Thank God.

I slide in next to her.

"You okay?" she asks under her breath.

I nod. "More than okay."

The teacher enters our class and the lecture starts.