Vihaan's POV –
I didn't plan to care. But apparently my ego has its own personality. And that personality hates being invisible.
Me? Background wallpaper.
No! Not happening.
If she won't notice quiet Vihaan, she'll notice chaotic Vihaan.
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The Incident
It was sports practice week. Ground full. Noise everywhere. Seniors hogging the basketball court like it's their ancestral property.
One junior tried asking for a turn.
Senior said, "Move."
Junior stepped back.
Kiara saw that. Of course she did. She always sees injustice like it's her part-time job. She started walking toward them. I saw it coming. This was going to become a lecture.
And for some reason, I didn't want her in the middle of that mess.
So I walked first. "Court booked?" I asked the senior.
He smirked. "Why? You want it?"
I grabbed the ball from his hand. Spun it once.
"Yeah."
He stepped closer. "Who said?"
I shrugged. "Me."
Abhishek from behind: "Oh shit."
The tension was real. Crowd started forming.
Senior tried grabbing the ball back. I didn't move.
"Don't push it," he warned. I stepped forward instead.
"Then don't act like you own it."
Dead silence. For a second, I thought this might actually escalate. Then coach's whistle blew from somewhere.
Seniors backed off with fake laughs. "Chill bro." They left.
I tossed the ball to the junior. "Play."
Turned around.
And there she was. Kiara. Watching.
Finally.
FINALLY.
She walked up to me.
Heart? Annoyingly aware.
She said calmly, "You didn't have to do that."
Excuse me?
"That senior was being unfair," I replied.
"I would've handled it."
That irritated me.
"I know."
"Then why?"
I stared at her for a second. Why?
Because I didn't want you getting shoved. Because I don't like seeing you in arguments. Because I wanted you to look at me for once.
But obviously I said — "They were irritating."
She nodded. "That was reckless."
Reckless? I almost fought a senior and that's the review I get?
She added softly, "Still… thanks."
Then she walked away.
Like I just passed her a pen.
Not like I almost risked suspension.
So annoying.
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Kiara's POV – "Why Is He Like This?"
Okay. Vihaan is confusing.
He's always in the background. Arms crossed. Half smirk. Zero effort to socialize.
And suddenly he decides to go full hero mode? For a basketball court?
Boys are dramatic.
I walked up to him because it felt necessary. He looked… calm. Too calm.
Like fighting seniors is normal Tuesday activity.
When I said it was reckless, he got this tiny expression. Like I insulted his entire personality.
Why are boys like this?
I just meant he could've gotten in trouble. Still…
When he stood there, not moving, not backing down — There was something steady about it. Annoyingly steady.
Like he wasn't trying to show off. He just… did it. And then walked away.
No drama. No lingering. No "did you see that?" energy.
Just gone.
Weird.
________________________________________
Back to Vihaan
Abhishek ran up to me later.
"Bro that was insane."
"It wasn't."
"She saw."
"I know."
"And?"
"And nothing."
He smirked. "You care."
"I don't."
"You literally stepped in before she did."
"That wasn't about her."
"Sure."
Shut up, Abhishek.
________________________________________
The Annoying Part
Next day in class?
She treated me exactly the same. "Can you pass the notebook?"
Normal tone. Normal eye contact.
Like I'm just… another classmate. Not villain. Not hero. Just average.
Why does that bother me? I don't want special treatment. But I don't want neutral either.
What the hell is wrong with me.
________________________________________
Kiara's Inner Thoughts
Vihaan is strange.
He doesn't flirt. He doesn't tease. He doesn't hover. He just exists.
And sometimes suddenly does something bold.
But he doesn't look at me like Arjun does. He doesn't text like Mayank does. He feels… separate. Like he lives in his own lane.
And honestly? That's kind of peaceful. Which is stupid.
Because I do not need more complications.
I need marks. I need sleep. I need food.
And somehow this school is slowly becoming… Home. With all its idiots. Even the grumpy one.
Ugh.