"Wake up, love! Or you will be late to school." I heard my dad screaming from downstairs.

Ugh! Not again. How come the sun raised so early? I pressed my face further into the pillow. "Ruhi!" Another yell fell on my ears and it was mom shouting. Soon blanket was pulled from me, the one providing warmth. "Are you planning to skip school today?" Only if I could! Only if I!

"Get up! Or I would pull it off." As if she hadn't pulled the blanket already. I rolled my closed eyes.

"Yeah!" I rubbed my ears, slowly lifting my head from the pillow. I glimpsed at my mom. She could be so fresh as if it wasn't seven in the morning! How could someone smile in the morning? I shook my head, sitting on the bed.

"I had prepared your breakfast and kept it on the counter." She was folding my blanket. "Bus will reach in half an hour. See that you finish it on time," she wasn't waiting for my response, as she knew I won't provide her with any. Who even talks early morning? When you're forced to wake up? "Hmm... be ready by the afternoon. Need to visit granny, she was missing you."

"What?" That grabbed my attention. No, not now! I was planning to have a beautiful morning.

"Can for once you show the happiness of visiting your granny's place. It isn't something so scary as you show it off." She rolled her eyes, walking towards my desk. Inspecting everything in my room, I sighed. Wasn't in a mood to argue, I felt so less energized.

"Preethi would come as well." She answered. Maybe reconsidering my worries. I hummed in response. Why? Groaning inside my head. I was planning my evening with several incomplete books to read. I wanted to know how Eve and James would end up? Not desiring to spend a day with my cousins, uncle, and aunts. Scaring evening! My mind would ponder about it the whole day. Why did even she have to inform me in the early morning? I was feeling like crying, why even I overthink to such an extent? Everything would turn good, think positive Ruhi. You won't be humiliated with your not-so-amazing cousins.

"Make it fast!" Commanded as she walked out as if she hadn't just blasted a bomb on my head. Surely, I was exaggerating but I couldn't help it.

I made my way towards the washroom, and after completing all my business, I walked downstairs. My parents might have left long back. I moved towards the kitchen counter. The black shelf had my sandwich placed on a plate. I smiled at it. Though mom is a working woman, she never puts off her duty as a mom or a wife. I never could match up to her energy. Preparing food was always her way to express her love.

I moved my eyes towards the clean shelf. I shook my head. Took a bite of the sandwich, shifting my eyes on the watch, indicating I had more than fifteen minutes for the bus to arrive.

I was never a fan of rush eating, ignoring the thought I took a big bite this time. Inhaling deeply, my eyes fixed on the family photo. A smile crossed my lips, I was blessed with a wonderful family. A figure in his fifties got into view, his black hairs turning grey at the edge. Yet he would claim about him being a young. The arguments of him considering to be young made me smile wide. I keenly observed his picture. Those big black orbs did justice with his dark black hairs. It wasn't much longer and had the same cut, his favourite. And his orbs were shining in mischief, showcasing the child held within.

The brown coat covering his never-so-fit body with a tummy increasing its size every passing day defined how foodie my dad was. Credit went to the lady standing beside him. She had wrapped her charming self into a golden saree. Her blackish-brown hair was pinned into a bun. Leaving loose strands to fall from either side of her face, making her look gorgeous. Her fair skin was only making her beauty known to the world around, with those brown orbs radiating slight shyness. Those were the most beautiful couple in the world.

Slowly my eyes moved to the person in the centre, the one sitting on the armchair. Okay! I was going to admire myself. I was in my pink floral frock, reaching below my knees. Was quite younger at that period, as it was two years back. My brown, wavy hair was put into a ponytail. A wide smile played on my lips, the happiness was radiating from my dark brown orbs as well. My tiny figure wasn't doing any justice to the people whom I named my parents. They had certain glory; I could never match to. Yet, I couldn't deny I was picture perfect in that frame.

Coming out of my trace of thoughts, I glanced at the watch. Only five minutes were left. I jumped from the chair and completed my bread; I rushed out from the door. With the bag hanging on my back. Checking I had properly locked the door, I slipped the keys into my bag, making my way out on the road.

The neighbourhood wasn't busy at seven past thirty in the morning. Most people were sleeping or hardly woken up. Couldn't claim the same about children forced to school. Who even invented the idea of early morning school? I love my sleep, pretty too much! Walking along the vacant path, finally stood at the bus stop. I wasn't alone studying in the city's one of the most popular schools. "The Heaven High" And much to my dislike school was nothing like heaven, pretty much hell!

I pressed a smile at the girl waiting for the bus. "You reached on time," she commented. I barely nodded in response. She was a year bigger than me, living a few houses away from mine. Yet the only time we ever had a conversation was when waiting for a bus. As her routine, she got engrossed in her cell. I was never a fan of using mobile and prescribing I avoided it in public. She was taller than me, I had to blame my short height for it. None could guess I was in 10th. My slim figure, rather a thin figure was to blame as well. I had no idea, how could people look adorable in uniform but the girls of our school could pull those stunts.

One such girl was standing before me. Couldn't label her most popular, but she had the aura to attract people so unlike me. I could feel so inferior around those girls, her hairs were pulled into ponytails. Her lip shining with the pink gloss she applied, and yes couldn't miss the eyeliner around her round almond eyes. The only feature which I had common with her yet she presented it so gracefully, unlike me.

I needed to move my thoughts away. I took a chance to glance at the street. Carriers were hurrying from their houses, on their way to start a new day. What was even refreshing in it? Man! My day was going to turn rather horrible with the afternoon in granny's place. Was just hoping for a miracle, maybe somehow dad work got extended? It did on many occasions, I hope I could take it as an option. As I was lost in my worries, the bus pulled before us.

Soon I got inside, followed by the girl beside me. I took a vacant seat near the window. It could provide me with an escape from the loud chores of teenagers, as it was the first day of school after the weekend. I had no idea. What was so desirable about it? Weekends were way better than the horrible Mondays! Maybe thoughts weren't mutual.

Passing my entire journey, glancing out of the window. With random thoughts entertaining me, mostly it contained my ideal fantasy world. I laughed at my thoughts as the bus halted in our school parking lot. People started moving out, all the excited ones. I had no hurry to get into the boring building yet I was left with no other option. Slowly made my way towards the familiar building and very much familiar class. I was going to spend the rest of my five hours in here, huffing in annoyance.

As I walked into the room, I searched for the only person who made my school worth attending. A smile crossed my lip as I found her sitting among other girls in our class. I walked towards our desk, keeping the bag in there. Slowly made my way towards them. She smiled on seeing my presence, and I sat beside her at that desk.

"Ruhi, did you finish your English homework?" The girl sitting at the desk before I asked. Her eyes peeked from the book for a second. She was the scholar in our class. The one who never let others to overthrown her from that position. Maybe none was interested except Aryan Dessai.

Another topper, but due to Ruksar he always ended up coming second. I gave a slight nod, murmuring "yes."

"Seriously!" She was horrified for a second, covering it a minute later. Fully engrossing in the book, I passed a confused gaze towards my bestie. She pressed a smile, biting her lip so she doesn't burst into laughter before her.

"Let's move, will see you later," Samaria spoke, getting up. I followed her as Ruksar was least bothered to nod at us.

"What's up with her?" I inquired, making myself comfortable on our desk.

"She was so much in celebrating her cousin's birthday, she forgot about it." She chuckled, followed by me. It was a miracle. Completing every work, every assignment on time was her duty. She yearned to be always the teacher's favourite. It troubled me, how could someone take so much attention. Not that I never craved for it, but it would be impossible. Nor I was the brightest kid, neither the dumbo. Always in life, I came in between and so was given the least attention. Could claim the same for my best friend, Samaria.

"You did it?" I asked, for which she nodded.

And soon we started talking about the subject we had for the day and the remaining due days for the assignment given to us. It wasn't something rare for the student of 10th to worry about studies, especially when our teachers and parents were constantly reminding us about our upcoming boards.

The class was packed soon and the bell rang calling the students roaming in corridors to get into the class. The first period started with Science, I never hated it. To be specific, I never hated any subject other than maths. The teacher was always a nice one, explaining the subject as if she had mastered it. As she had taught it for more than a decade. Her grey hairs and those big glasses along with wrinkles indicated it.

"Students! Most of you might be knowing about the upcoming competition." Listening to the statement, I started packing my book inside the bag and removing the book for the next lecture. Extra activities! I was never good at it. The only thing I was proud of, was my studies. I got decent grades and teachers never were provided with an opportunity to complain so it was lovely.

"It's about dancing..." suddenly she grabbed my attention. Dance was love! I enjoyed it more than I ever enjoyed anything. And I always was praised for it. So, I had concluded, I was good at it. But never must up courage to showcase my talent other than our family function or annual celebration that took place each year. The annual celebration was the only occasion that I ever was excited about due to my love for dance.

I could express my skill without me being the centre of attention. I very much knew I could never match the high skilled dancer our school held. I was fine with me being highly noticeable yet I loved it when I was offered praises for my dancing. A grin played on my lips as I was lost in thoughts, "so anyone interested could fill their name. I am passing the sheet," motioned the teacher. I could feel Samaira's eyes on me, as she too was fond of dancing.

"So?" she asked with pleading eyes.

"It's competition." I shrugged my shoulder.

"Against other schools!" she continued showcasing her enthusiasm.

"We won't be selected, we can't compete with the high-level dancer." I voiced my view. She was discouraged by the statement.

"Why can't we give it a try?" She suggested. I gave her a 'do you think so?' look. She nodded vigorously. "Come on!" She nudged my shoulder as the paper was passed to us.

"And yes! The practice starts from today after school. Students will have to stay behind for a few more hours." Announced Mrs Gupta and I made the decision. After school! Afternoon! No visiting granny's place! Dance practice was far better than spending time in random talks and with my very sweet cousins.

I grabbed the pen in my hand.

Ruhi Raichand

Samaira Singh

The decision was made! I was partaking in the competition. What could be the problem? I had participated in many annual celebrations, only that this wasn't going to interact with only my classmates but students of the entire school. And something very unexpected was on the way! My intuition voiced it but I ignored it, acting like a foolish human.