Tuesday — 8:12 a.m. — School Corridor
Kia West had exactly two problems as she walked into school that morning:
There was a rumor that she and Ashwin Rao had gotten cozy in detention.
A red rose was sticking out of her locker.
She stared at it like it had personally offended her.
Someone behind her whistled. "Daaamn, secret admirer alert?"
Kia turned to see Rhea, her best friend and certified chaos-generator, smirking with her arms folded.
"Don't," Kia said.
"Too late," Rhea grinned. "First detention with the football star, now flowers? Babe, you're either living in a K-drama or a teen disaster movie."
Kia yanked the rose out and pulled the tiny note tied to its stem.
"Don't overthink this. It's just a flower. Unless you want it to be more.
— A."
A.
Ashwin.
Kia's brain did a triple somersault.
Before she could even react, a voice whispered over her shoulder.
"Didn't know you liked red. Noted for next time."
She turned — and yup. Ashwin, leaning against the lockers, looking way too proud of himself.
"You're seriously feeding this rumor?"
He shrugged. "Rumors are fun. Especially when they're half-true."
Kia narrowed her eyes. "Which half?"
"That's for you to figure out, West."
Why did he talk like that?! Like they were in some cinematic trailer and she was supposed to swoon?!
Kia shoved the rose into her bag and walked away with as much dignity as a person carrying a flower from their maybe-crush could manage.
But behind her, Ashwin called, "Wear red tomorrow!"
Ugh. He was impossible.
Later that Day — Chemistry Lab
Kia was mid-dissection of a badly drawn chemical equation when Nikhil, Rhea's twin and co-president of the Gossip Gazette, leaned over.
"So, tell me. Are you and Ashwin a thing, or should I keep the rumor mill spinning?"
"I will burn your newsletter," Kia deadpanned.
Nikhil just grinned. "Flames of love, baby."
4:45 p.m. — West Residence
Kia lay on her bed, staring at the rose now in a glass of water.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go.
She was supposed to be invisible, academically stressed, mildly sarcastic, and single.
But now… things were changing.
And she didn't know if it scared her or thrilled her more.
Her phone buzzed.
Ashwin [4:46 PM]:
Can I ask you something? No teasing.
Kia [4:47 PM]:
Depends.
Ashwin [4:47 PM]:
Would it be okay if I liked you more than a little?
Kia stared at the screen. Then typed.
Then deleted.
Then typed again.
Kia [4:49 PM]:
Only if I get to hate you a little while liking you back.
Ashwin [4:50 PM]:
Sounds fair.
Also… check your gate.
Kia ran downstairs — and found a second rose, this time white.
Tied to it?
"Red for chaos. White for peace.
Let's see what we become."