"You know, how worried your parents sounded?" Samaira was repeating the same words as we walked in the corridors.

"You can't blame me for it," I argued, as we turned towards the cafeteria.

"I am not blaming just saying." She shrugged her shoulders.  "I guess, they were on the verge of filling a missing complaint." I shook my head, a result of an overprotective parent. They had called my class teacher and Mrs Gupta had inquired about it in front of the entire classroom. Things couldn't turn less embarrassing!

"How you got locked in the library? I thought you were smart enough not to repeat the mistake protagonist did in novels and movies." She giggled, coming back to her jolly self.

"I should blame history assignment for it." She laughed at my response. "You completed it?" I got concerned as the due date was the next day. I hadn't started apart from a few pieces of research I managed on the previous day.

"Almost completed!"

"You can't do that to me." I faked a cry, as we entered the cafeteria. "How am I supposed to complete twenty pages of essay on a historical event?" Sounding how unsure I was!

"What is your topic?"

"Partition!" I had decided on the topic the minute professor had announced the assignment. After the independence struggle, partition had always been an interesting topic for me. I could relate to how a grudge between two religious had destroyed thousands of lifes! It fascinated me to understand their pain, worries, suffering.

"Hey, girls!" I heard a call and soon arms engulfed around my shoulder. "How are you doing?" He inquired looking at me first and then at Samaira.

"Fine..." I whispered on Samaira's behalf. She pressed a smile at him, their encounter hadn't gone pleasing.

"You reached home on time?" I gave him a slight nod.

"How was the birthday celebration?" I inquired, feeling a need to continue the conversation further. I wanted Samaira to get along with Anuj. He was a better human so unlike his friend.

"Birthdays are always best!" He chuckled, "but granny's birthday had to turn awesome." He paused rewinding the events in his head. "You need to meet her, she is such a nice human being. I always say it, Ehaan is lucky to have her. She is the best granny anyone could wish for." He uttered, grin not leaving his face, those dimples popping out. Surely, he admired that lady.

There was silence for a second as the queue moved a little. "So, Ruhi you're coming for the football match?" I turned to look at him, stunned.

What! match? When?

"Don't look at me in such a manner. There is going to be a tournament, each year it happens. Maybe you're not aware but I am the school best football player though Ehaan won't agree with it." I rolled my eyes at his self-praising session. "So, as Zara calls you. My new friend, you're attending it." His voice determined, raising a brow if I would oppose.

"I can't come..."

"You can bring your friend along with you." He interrupted, "she will provide you with a company."

"That's not the problem. I need to submit my history assignment and I can't..." Again, I was interrupted by him.

"See Ruhi, you can't do that with me. I am your friend don't you consider me one? I need your cheering, please." He was pleading, indirectly eyeing at some direction. I frowned, glancing in the direction. Varun was present along with his friend, busy with his snacks. While Aarav and Zara were staring in our direction, Ehaan was busy having conversations with Mia. Unlike before she wasn't sitting at another table but with them, fully engrossed in each other.

Why would Anuj gesture to glance at it? Was Varun coming? Wait! Varun was in the football team. I diverted my gaze at Samaira who was digging holes on the carpet under our feet. So, Mr shipper was on a mission of uniting Varun and Samaira. A smirk played on his lip when he found me glancing at Samaira.

"What about my assignment?" I questioned again. I wasn't intending to lessen my grade. Ten was the biggest year of my school. What if I failed?

He rolled his eyes on listening to me. "Miss nerd, don't worry about it. I have a scholar who would help you with it." He was determined not to take a no. I nodded, still unsure where I was leading myself. Shouldn't I find ways to distance myself from the bad gang? Why was I doing the opposite?

Later the break went with peace soon Anuj got busy with his friends and we slipped from the cafeteria. "Seems like he is a good guy." Samaira sounded uncertain, as we crossed the corridor.

"Hmm..." I hummed in response, processing the latest change in the event. I wasn't planning to watch a match, not a football, I had the least interest in. How was I supposed to enjoy it when I had the least idea, how it worked? I shook my head, suddenly Samaira stopped. She was staring at me with a questioning gaze.

"What?" I asked, was there something on my face? I hadn't taken a bit from the sandwich.

"What are you troubling your small mind with?" She questioned raising a brow, munching on her roll.

"Match! You're accompanying me right?" I was sounding unsure, maybe I knew the answer. Her eyes diverted, the glow of the face disappeared. It was hard for her as Varun would be present, he was an important part of the football team the only person I knew from the football team a few days back.

"Ru... I will," she amazed me with her response. "I can't risk of you again getting locked in a library or maybe lost in that huge playground nor could I trust your new friends." She twisted her noise as if indirectly displaying she wasn't fond of my new friend.

"Does it mean someone is jealous?" I laughed, pulling her in a hug.

"Do I need to write it down loud?" I couldn't help but laugh aloud at her comment.

"If it would make you any happy, none is going to ever replace you from my heart," I mumbled in her hair.

"Not even Mr Popular." She teased, I pulled from her. Narrowing my eyes at her remark, she giggled seeing my expression.

"Are you going to stop shipping my name with him? He is off-limit." I raised my brow, asking her whether she got it.

"Surely," she responded and we carried with our walk towards the class. "What about your new friend?" I glared at her, and she raised her hand in surrender. "Backing off..."

"Better!"

The remaining day passed in extra fast speed, my mind troubling me with the match we were going to attend. I had called my parents and informed them about my visit to watch the football match. They were stunned by my decision, as they knew my very much lack of interest in football. Dad was happy that I was enjoying my time though he had ordered me not to leave Samaira's side for a second. On the other hand, mom was concerned about my lack of investing time in studies, dad convinced her as always.

"And here the final touch ends!" Announced Zara, standing from her seat. Due to the upcoming football match, Anuj and Varun were absent. Though many guys from football were dancing as well and they weren't bothered about the match, their calm, collected figure expressed it.

"Finally..." muttered Rudr, staring at me with hopeful eyes. "You will be aware of the football match." I nodded slightly, "I am anticipating. You will be present there?" His hazel blue orbs pleading, I smiled at him.

"Yeah..." it came out awkwardly. Me and my awkwardness!

"Really!" He shouted much loudly grabbing everyone attention in the auditorium. I haven't realised we were only two present on the stage along with Ehaan, who was glaring at us. "Man! I thought I would have to convince you so much..." without giving me any further warning he pulled me in a tight hug. I was taken by shock, though we had been in proximity during the practice but never had initiated a hug or any such thing. I wasn't feeling uncomfortable! Rudr never gave me such bad vibes rather it was surprising, his move!

He pulled from the hug within a second. "Sorry! I got flow in emotion!" He stroked his hair providing a sleepish smile. "Will meet you on the field!" Announcing it, he disappeared from the auditorium. Leaving me behind to enjoy the stares I was receiving due to his small act. I couldn't believe how 'the bad gang' small act could turn the centre of attention. As if they were some celebrities while others were local human beings.

Ignoring stares and glares I made my way towards my bestie, she too was enjoying offering me her favourite 'teasing smile'. I pulled the bottle from my bag beside her. "What was that?" She asked as I ignored her fully.

"What?"

She glared at me, I was behaving ignorant but I care less. "Another Mr Popular drooling over you? I never knew my bestie was so beautiful to grab every bad boy's attention." I rolled my eyes at her comment. "I won't be surprised if I find him heel over you in future." She pointed at someone in particular and there was Aarav sitting on a vacant seat beside Mia with a bored expression.

"Stop it, Samy!" I glared at her. "Nothing like that, we are partners in a dance competition."

"I had seen it and your chemistry does rock!" She winked at me. She was never going to change, I shook my head. Preparing to leave as the practice was done. "Maybe that makes Mr popular jealous! He couldn't move his eyes from you both throughout the dance session." I looked at her suspiciously.

"Who, Aarav?" Wasn't he dancing behind us? And why would he be jealous?

"No! His partner in crime. Mr Popular with anger issues," she spoke glancing at Ehaan who still was on the stage. Busy speaking with someone on phone.

"You have lost it, Samy! Officially! He hates me and he is never going to be jealous of my dancing skill. He is far better than I could ever be..." I muttered staring at him, he was too much engrossed in talks. His eyes darkened, nose twisting in digust, facial expression getting furious with a touch of frustration. Whatever conversation he was having, wasn't helping him to calm. Surely he was a guy with major anger issues!

I admired his talent and maybe I could be labelled as someone jealous not him. He was gifted in everything he did, from dancing to football even being a very fine guitarist. He was amazingly talented!

"He isn't jealous of your dancing skill but the chemistry you share with Rudr." She completed and I diverted my gaze from him to her. "I don't have any logical reasoning to prove it, maybe you should find it yourself someday." I shook my head. I wasn't coming in her thoughts. Why would he be jealous of anyone's chemistry when he shared a very fine one with his girlfriend. I glanced at Mia, she was busy talking with Aarav.

"Let's leave before you turn fully insane," I commented making her groan in disappointment.