Aira Kapoor was convinced her life was cursed.
Not in a dramatic, thunder-and-lightning way.
But in a quiet, personal way — like the universe specifically woke up and chose her to bully.
Because the moment she sat down in class, determined to erase the memory of Reyhan Malhotra's insults, someone slid into the seat beside her with all the confidence of a guy who believed gravity didn't apply to him.
Reyhan.
Again.
Aira closed her eyes. "Why… are you here?"
"It's my class," he answered, leaning back like the chair belonged to him. "I should be asking why you are here."
"For education," she muttered.
"Cute," he said. "But wrong room."
Aira's eyes flew open. "What?"
He tapped her timetable with his pen. "You're in 11-B. This is 11-A."
Her brain froze. "No… no, that can't be right—"
"It is," he smirked. "Rookie, you literally walked into the wrong class."
Aira wanted the ground to swallow her whole. Preferably fast.
She snatched her timetable, double-checked the number, and yes —
she was indeed sitting in the wrong classroom like a certified clown.
Reyhan grinned. "What happened to watching where you're going?"
Aira grabbed her bag. "Not. A. Word."
Reyhan leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
"Good."
"Unless they ask."
She glared so hard he laughed — a low, warm sound that irritated her more than the insult itself.
She stood to leave, but his hand shot out, lightly catching her wrist.
Aira froze.
Reyhan blinked, surprised at himself, and quickly let go — like he hadn't meant to do it.
Then, with a soft scoff, he muttered, "Relax. I was just going to tell you your shoelace's undone."
Aira looked down.
Her shoelace was perfectly tied.
She looked back up.
He winked.
She considered throwing her bag at him.
"Unbelievable," she said under her breath as she walked out.
"Thank you!" he called after her.
"For noticing."
---
Aira finally found her real classroom — 11-B — and slid into the nearest empty seat, cheeks still burning.
Zayden Rao entered right after, spotted her instantly, and grinned.
"There you are! You disappeared from the hallway. I thought Reyhan kidnapped you."
Aira dropped her forehead onto the desk. "Honestly? I wish it was that simple."
Zayden blinked. "Did he… say something again?"
"Zayden, everything that boy says is a problem."
Before he could reply, a girl with glossy hair and a mischievous smile slid into the seat in front of Aira.
The girl spun around dramatically. "Hi. I'm Sia. I know everything about everyone and I heard you survived Reyhan this morning."
Aira groaned. "Why does everyone talk about him like he's a natural disaster?"
"He is," Sia said. "The boy literally caught a fire alarm on fire last year."
"…How?"
"It's Reyhan. Physics doesn't apply."
Aira pressed her palms to her temples. "This is too much."
Sia leaned closer. "So tell me, what did he do?"
Aira hesitated, then admitted, "Uh… he said I was bad at life."
Sia gasped like she'd heard breaking celebrity news. "Oh my god. He TALKED to you?"
"That's your takeaway?"
Zayden laughed. "Sia's right though. Reyhan doesn't talk to new students. He usually ignores them."
Aira frowned. "Great. Exactly what I wanted — special treatment from a menace."
Before the conversation could continue, the teacher walked in.
Aira exhaled, determined to focus.
But the universe wasn't done bullying her yet.
Two seconds later, a familiar voice echoed through the hallway:
"Ma'am, sorry I'm late. Again."
Aira's spine stiffened.
No.
No no no.
Reyhan Malhotra walked into her class.
The teacher sighed, already exhausted. "Reyhan, find a seat and don't cause trouble."
He scanned the room — and in seconds, his eyes found hers.
A slow smirk cracked across his face.
Sia whispered, "Oh my god."
Zayden muttered, "Aira… run."
Reyhan strolled toward her row with the confidence of someone who owned the hallway, the school, and probably the air everyone was breathing.
He pointed at the empty seat beside her.
"Taken," Aira said loudly.
Reyhan arched a brow. "By who? Your imaginary friend?"
Aira clenched her jaw. "Yes. And she bites."
"So do I."
Sia choked on air.
Aira wanted to throw herself out the window.
The teacher snapped, "Reyhan! Sit."
He plopped into the seat beside her like he'd just been gifted the throne of Northcrest High.
Aira slid her chair an inch away.
He slid his an inch closer.
She moved again.
He followed.
She eventually gave up, whispering, "Why me?"
Reyhan rested his elbows on the desk, turning to her with a soft, mocking smile.
"Because you made rules about me," he murmured.
"And now I have to test all of them."
Aira's soul left her body.
Rule #2 was born instantly:
RULE #2: Never make eye contact with Reyhan Malhotra.
It ends badly. Every time.
Reyhan leaned back, looking entirely too pleased.
"Oh, this year is going to be fun."
For him.
Not for her.
Never for her.
---