They say overthinking is bad for you.
They say it drains your energy, ruins your peace, and keeps you up at night.
What they don't say... is what to do when your thoughts start leaking into real life.
I'm Divyanshu. Seventeen. Normal student. Regular school. Very regular face. Above-average overthinking.
And somehow, the universe decided to make me a joke by turning my mind into a live broadcast.
---
7:42 AM – My Bedroom
I'm staring at the ceiling fan, trying to negotiate with God.
"Five more minutes, please. I swear I'll become successful later in life."
"Divyanshu!" my mom yells from outside. "Why do you want five more minutes? You'll get late again!"
I blink.
Wait... what?
I sit up straight. She wasn't even in the room. How did she—?
Before I can process it, she storms in with a spoon in one hand and my socks in the other.
"Why were you thinking about skipping breakfast again, huh?"
I choke. "What?! I didn't say anything!"
"But you were thinking it. Don't lie. I got the message."
I freeze.
Message?
---
8:23 AM – On the Way to School
"I'm telling you bro, my thoughts went to my mom's brain today," I say, walking beside my best friend Aditya.
He's busy trying to balance a vada pav in one hand and a bottle of Mazaa in the other.
"Hmm... Maybe you're just sleep-deprived," he says, chewing loudly. "Or maybe... you're finally turning into your mom. Thought transfer unlocked."
"Not funny."
"Then explain how she knew?"
I stay silent.
I can't.
---
9:00 AM – School Gate
That's when I see her.
Khushi.
Hair flowing, earphones in, walking like the main character of a Bollywood music video.
My brain does what it always does.
"Wow. 10/10. No notes. She's literally an anime arc waiting to happen."
Her phone buzzes.
She stops walking.
Looks at her screen.
Looks straight at me.
Raises one eyebrow.
Walks away.
I'm 99% sure she just read my thoughts.
---
9:17 AM – First Period
Surya Sir walks in, wearing sunglasses inside the classroom like he just came from a secret spy mission.
"Why is he dressed like a villain from a web series?" I think to myself.
He stops mid-step and turns.
"Divyanshu. What did you just call me?"
My soul leaves my body.
"I-I didn't say anything, sir."
He narrows his eyes. "But you thought something."
I turn pale.
Aditya whispers from beside me:
"Bro... do you have a mind-reading virus?"
---
1:15 PM – Lunch Break
We sit under the staircase, where no teacher dares to disturb our sad little lunch club.
Aditya grabs my phone while I'm drinking water.
"Wait, what's this folder?"
He taps something on the screen.
Folder Name: "Live Thoughts Log"
I snatch the phone.
Open it.
My entire inner monologue is written there—timestamped, sorted by emotion.
Aditya's eyes go wide.
"You're leaking thoughts like it's a YouTube livestream."
I stare at the screen. "This has to be a prank. This is NOT real."
Ping!
New notification.
To: Maya
> "She's always staring. Maya is definitely a robot in disguise."
I look up.
Maya is already looking at me. Cold. Curious.
She walks over.
"Divyanshu," she says. "We need to talk. After school."
I gulp.
Why does this feel like the beginning of a blackmail arc?