A month has passed and it feels that I got my old friends back- Cabir, Yash, Aviral, Mukti, Radhika not forgetting a SPECIAL friend too (he'll kill otherwise), Manik... (Happy? "Hm.")

... or Mr. Cucumber. (Hehehe. " *glaring intensifies* ")

Though I am not a person who talks alot or gets involved in activities, but due to my friends I am always into one thing or another, unintentionally. Manik is a good boy, but only in front of teachers. He is the smartest person I have ever seen. He has the ability to change the context of any conversation anytime according to him. He has recently discovered his new hobby- Annoy 'Ms. Butter Chicken'.

We have just started our middle school, but he is already well known among seniors, all credits to his exceptional football skills. I have also met a few of his 'girlfriends', and they all were just like him, one of a kind (sarcastically).

Entering into middle school, that too ICSE bought a lot of study pressure. Science got divided into Physics, Chemistry and Biology; Social Studies got two books- History & Civics and Geography. Mathematics became a bit more dramatic and the school made music a compulsory subject. Sanskrit is no less than headache. Many of us are struggling to follow a proper study schedule but Manik; he hardly pays attention in class, but always gets good marks. He helped me in class-tests a lot of times and also made me cheat for the first time in twelve years of my existence. (I am somewhat happy about this. "See, I told you." Shut up.)

Today, he is taking me to meet one of his senior friends and I know she is a girl because Manik doesn't allows me to talk to any senior boys, not to even boys of other section.

"Hello, see I bought her to meet you." Manik says cheerfully to a girl. I have seen her many times talking to Manik. Turning towards me, "Meet Shrishti Sabbarwal, she is in Grade 8th and the Vice-Captain of Middle School Girls Basketball team, also my good friend." Manik says.

She has a mousy face. I mean small narrow eyes, pointed nose and pouted lips. Long- thin plaited hair and pale skin. The way she looked at me, I felt uncomfortable.

Forwarding my hand, I introduce myself- "Hi, I am Nandini Murthy..."

"and she loves Butter Chicken" Manik spoke in between simpering.

I glared Manik while Shrishti di smiled. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Butter Chicken" she shook my hands. I want to break Manik's jaw so hard right now, Mr. Cucumber!

After a light talk with Shrishti di, she left as somebody called her.

I turn towards Manik who was watching the football match in the playground.

"Why did you tell her about my food?" I say angrily. Smirking again, he looks at me- "you were about to announce it during your introduction, I thought you will tell her also so I told her before you could."

"Joke tha? Oh my God Manik Malhotra you are so funny, hehehe!" I spat at him and turn to leave stomping my feet.

"Achha sorry! I won't do it again." I hear him running behind me. Blocking my way, he stands in front of me, forwarding a small chocolate. No wonder he eats chocolates more than food. Snatching it from his hand, I shove it in my skirt's pocket. "You won't do it again, pinky promise?" curling my fingers into a fist and only little finger out, I speak raising my brows. "Pinky promise!" he interlaces his little finger with mine.

The after- recess bell rings loud and we both run to the class to avoid getting late.

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A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I tried to put inner-conversation between Manik and Nandini in bold brackets. Words in italics are Manik's dialogue while the plain are Nandini's. Kindly give your views whether I should write that way or not and also about the chapter.

Please vote for the chapter.

Stay safe.