Wednesday — 11:22 a.m. — Chemistry Lab
"Alright, pairs for today…" said Mrs. D'Souza, glaring like she lived to ruin dreams.
Kia muttered under her breath, "Please not Ashwin, please not Ashwin—"
Mrs. D'Souza: "Kia West, Ashwin Rao."
Rhea cackled from behind. "Karma's favorite child, clearly."
Kia dragged herself to the same lab table Ashwin was already at, smirking like he owned the lab bench. He slid a beaker her way without a word.
She looked at him. "We're not doing this flirty science thing. We are strictly focusing on titration."
Ashwin: "That's exactly what I was going to say, West. Strictly… chemistry."
Kia: "You are not funny."
Ashwin: "You're laughing."
(She was, but silently.)
As they started the experiment, Kia noticed something strange. His notebook had little doodles in the corner: A lightning bolt. A rose. A small 'K'.
"What's with the—"
"Nothing," he said quickly, flipping the page.
Kia arched a brow. "You doodle your enemies' initials now?"
Ashwin: "Only the ones I like."
Ugh. This boy was a walking contradiction wrapped in sarcasm.
And unfortunately… kind of hot.
1:00 p.m. — Cafeteria
Everything was normal until Aryan Mehta — football captain, drama king, and Ashwin's ex-best friend turned rival — dropped his tray at Kia's table.
"Well, well, Kia West," Aryan said loudly. "Didn't take you for the type to flirt your way out of detention."
The whole table froze.
Rhea: "Back off, Aryan."
Aryan: "Relax. Just pointing out the obvious."
Kia stood up slowly. "You done?"
Aryan smirked. "Not yet."
Just then, Ashwin appeared behind him like a storm brewing in real time.
"Say another word, and you'll be eating mashed potatoes through a straw."
The entire cafeteria went dead silent.
Aryan laughed mockingly. "Defending your little science buddy now? You're slipping, Rao."
Ashwin: "She's not my buddy. She's…"
(He paused.)
"She's someone I respect. Unlike you."
And with that, Ashwin grabbed Kia's hand — bold, confident, in front of everyone — and led her straight out of the cafeteria.
1:15 p.m. — Behind the Sports Block
Kia yanked her hand away. "You didn't have to go all knight-in-shining-sarcasm back there."
Ashwin ran a hand through his hair. "He was being a jerk. And I don't like jerks near you."
Kia: "Why do you care?"
Ashwin: "Because I like you, West. In the completely inconvenient, mess-with-my-head kind of way."
Kia: "You barely know me."
Ashwin: "I know that you hate raisins, doodle in your history notes, and have a stupidly brave mouth. I also know you don't like roses, but kept both of mine."
Kia blinked.
Silence.
Then she said softly, "I hate how you talk like that."
"Why?"
"Because it makes me want to believe you."
Ashwin stepped closer. His voice dropped. "Then believe me."
And before she could protest — he leaned in and kissed her.
Soft. Not pushy. Just… curious. Real.
Kia's mind went blank for 3.5 seconds before she pulled away.
Ashwin: "Too much?"
Kia: "…Maybe."
Ashwin: "Wanna try again tomorrow?"
She rolled her eyes, but her smile gave her away.
"…Maybe."