The group kept talking.
Stories bounced across the table—funny mishaps, wild experiences, harmless teasing. Laughter came in waves, filling the room with warmth and noise.
But for Shriya, every laugh felt heavier than the last.
Because every single time someone said something funny—every time the room erupted—her eyes moved without permission.
Straight to MK.
And as if pulled by the same invisible thread, MK would already be looking at her.
They sat at opposite ends of the table. Four people separated them. Yet somehow, their gazes kept skipping every face in between, finding each other like magnets snapping back into place.
It made no sense.
And it made too much sense.
Ben noticed.
Sitting beside MK, he watched her carefully. Every time laughter rang out, her eyes flicked away from the group—never to him, never to Jesse—but always to Shriya.
He remembered something he'd once heard: When something is funny, you instinctively look at the person you like.
His smile faded.
Does she like her? he wondered.
MK hadn't looked at him even once.
---
"I'll go out for a bit," Shriya said suddenly.
The words slipped out after another accidental eye lock—another moment where her heart jumped when it shouldn't have.
No one questioned her. She stood and walked out before anyone could.
The hallway swallowed her footsteps.
What is wrong with me? she thought angrily. I've been avoiding her. I've been trying. So why—why won't you disappear from my life?
She leaned against the wall, pressing her palms to her face.
Then she heard footsteps.
She didn't need to turn.
She already knew.
MK.
"You can't wait to get away from me, huh?" MK said lightly, but her voice carried something sharper beneath it.
Shriya spun around. "What's your problem? What do you want from me?"
MK didn't hesitate. "I want you."
Shriya stared. "What?"
"I want you back, Shrii." MK stepped closer. "I always have."
"Please, MK," Shriya said, shaking her head. "You know that's impossible. Aren't you here with Ben? Go to him—he's a good guy."
"I don't want Ben," MK said firmly. "I want you. I'd do anything to have you back."
"Do you remember saying that before?" Shriya asked quietly. "And how did that turn out?"
MK swallowed. "What will make you believe me? I know what I want now. I choose you. Please… let me."
Shriya turned away. "I have to go."
---
Inside, Ben had been looking for MK when voices reached him through the doorway.
He heard everything.
Jesse stepped beside him. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "It's complicated between them."
"I can tell," Ben replied. He had already seen the glances—the kind that said more than words ever could. "You two close?"
"Best friends," Jesse said.
They continued talking, trying to fill the awkward space.
Peter, who had taken a liking to Jesse, didn't miss the tension. He joined them quickly, steering the conversation elsewhere.
But the air had already changed.
---
The next day brought training schedules.
Weekends were busy at the center. Some trainees chose parachute drills, others simulation runs. Shriya preferred dive training—real jumps, real wind, real fear.
She stood beside the plane with a clipboard strapped to her arm, scanning the list.
Her eyes stopped.
Michelle S.
Her heart skipped.
Then logic kicked in.
MK has a K. Michelle Kent.
She exhaled.
Shriya boarded the plane. She was scheduled to be the last instructor to jump. Others paired off with trainees for different drills.
She checked the list again.
Michelle S. was hers.
"Michelle S.," she called.
A figure stepped forward—hood pulled low, face mostly hidden.
"I'll be your instructor," Shriya said professionally. "Any objections?"
The trainee shook her head.
Shriya began securing the harness. Buckles clicked. Straps tightened.
Yet something felt… wrong.
Her pulse quickened every time she touched the trainee's arm. Her chest felt tight, like her body already knew something her mind refused to accept.
"You can remove the hood and face covering if you want," Shriya said. "It's optional."
The trainee hesitated.
Then slowly pulled the hood back.
Shriya nearly lost her balance.
MK stood there, smiling.
The world tilted.
MK had signed up for skydiving. Ben had arranged the pairing after Jesse explained everything. MK had apologized—awkwardly, sincerely.
And now here she was.
With her.
Neither spoke.
Shriya finished the safety check mechanically, her hands moving on instinct alone.
"Ready?" she asked.
MK swallowed. "I think I'm scared of heights."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because I've always wanted to do this," MK said. "And because… I don't feel safer with anyone else but you."
Shriya's grip tightened.
If she said she wasn't moved, she'd be lying.
"Let's go," she said.
They jumped.
The world exploded into wind and sky.
MK screamed, eyes shut tight.
"It's okay," Shriya said firmly into her ear. "I've got you. Just relax."
She held her close as they fell. MK slowly loosened, spreading her arms like wings.
"Shrii, I'm flying!" MK laughed.
Shriya smiled behind her helmet.
Then MK said softly, "I'm glad you're my first."
Shriya froze. It triggered something in her.
Their bodies shifted slightly out of balance.
"Not now, MK," she snapped.
"Sorry."
The air felt colder after that.
"Shrii… about prison," MK said quietly. "I was scared. I thought I wouldn't survive. I hurt you when I should've protected you."
"You called me names," Shriya said. "Loser. Idiot. Scum. I was already beneath you. What more did you want?"
MK swallowed hard.
"I called you every name I called myself. I hated what I became. And when saying the names I was calling myself, not you."
Shriya was stunned.
Then anger surged. "Nice lie. You wanted me gone so you could be with her. Well, you succeeded,."
"I don't even know how she looks," MK said. "I only ever had eyes for you."
Shriya wanted to believe her.
But another voice screamed inside her—You always fall for this. When will you learn?
"Shrii, please," MK whispered. "Give me one more chance."
Then—
"Oh shit."
Shriya looked down.
The ground was closer than it should be.
They'd lost track of altitude.
She reached for the parachute.
It deployed violently, jerking them upward before pulling them back down, the lines twisting dangerously.
"Sorry, it's my fault!" MK cried.
"Please," Shriya said sharply. "Just be quiet."
She focused—hands steady, breath controlled.
Right now, all that mattered was getting them safely to the ground.