Aira Kapoor spent the last ten minutes of her final class not learning a single thing.
Not because the topic was boring.
Not because she was sleepy.
But because her brain kept replaying one dangerous sentence from Reyhan Malhotra:
"I'm picking you up after class."
Who says that??
Who announces something like that??
Who makes it sound like they're claiming a person—
Her brain slammed the brakes.
Nope.
Not thinking about that.
She packed her books slowly, hoping maybe—just MAYBE—Reyhan forgot.
He didn't.
The moment the bell rang, students poured out of the classrooms.
Aira walked down the hallway with Zayden and Sia, clutching her bag like a shield.
Zayden smiled kindly. "If you want, I can help with the project inste—"
Aira grabbed his arm dramatically. "YES. PLEASE. SAVE ME."
Sia snorted. "You're not getting saved. Your destiny has already been written."
Aira sighed. "Destiny sucks."
They turned the corner.
And Aira's heart dropped to her knees.
Reyhan Malhotra was leaning against the wall beside her classroom door.
Hands in pockets.
Head tilted.
Expression unreadable.
Uniform messy in the most illegal way.
He looked like he belonged on a book cover.
A stupid, irritating, annoyingly attractive book cover.
The moment he spotted her, he pushed off the wall.
"Aira," he said, like he'd been waiting for hours.
Sia squealed softly. Zayden suppressed a groan.
Aira whispered to herself, "I'm being haunted."
Reyhan ignored the witnesses entirely and walked straight to her, stopping just close enough to make her heart panic.
"You're late," he said.
Aira choked. "The bell rang literally twenty seconds ago."
"That's twenty seconds of my life I didn't get back."
Sia whispered, "He's so dramatic. I love it."
Zayden muttered, "I don't."
Aira crossed her arms. "Why are you even waiting here? I could've gone home."
"No," Reyhan said simply.
"No what?"
"No, you weren't going home."
"And who decided that?"
"I did."
Aira stared at him, stunned.
"How do you walk around with this level of confidence? Doesn't it get heavy?"
Reyhan smirked. "I work out."
Aira slapped her forehead.
Sia nudged Zayden. "This is better than Netflix."
Reyhan turned to them. "Can I borrow her?"
Aira sputtered. "BORROW?! I'm not a pen, Reyhan!"
Zayden stepped in. "If she doesn't want to, she doesn't have to."
Reyhan's jaw tightened for a second.
Not in anger—
in restraint.
Then he looked at Aira directly.
"Do you want to?"
Aira blinked.
It was the first time he asked instead of demanded.
She didn't know what shocked her more—
that he asked,
or that a part of her actually wanted to say yes.
She cleared her throat. "Fine. Project. That's it."
"Obviously," Reyhan said, stepping closer. "Let's go."
Sia whispered loudly, "YOU TWO LOOK LIKE YOU'RE ABOUT TO WALK INTO A DRAMA POSTER—"
"SIA!" Aira hissed.
Reyhan tilted his head. "Drama's not a bad idea."
Aira nearly fainted.
They walked out of the building, side by side, not touching but somehow too close. Each step made her more aware of him—
his presence,
his warmth,
his stupid height,
his stupid confidence.
She stole a glance.
He caught it.
Of course he did.
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"You looked at me."
"No, I didn't!"
"Yes, you did."
"No, I—"
Reyhan slowed until she had to meet his eyes.
"Aira."
Her heart did that dangerous flip again.
"Don't lie," he said softly.
"It doesn't suit you."
No teasing.
No smirk.
Just honesty.
Aira swallowed.
Then immediately ruined the moment.
"Your face is distracting."
His brows lifted. "Oh?"
"I meant—your EXISTENCE. Your general vibe. You're loud."
"I didn't say anything."
"THAT'S the scary part."
Reyhan laughed—really laughed—and Aira had to look away before she melted into the pavement.
They reached the school gate.
Aira stopped walking. "Okay, where are we working?"
Reyhan shrugged. "Anywhere."
"That's not helpful."
"We can go to the library."
Aira blinked. "You… study in the library?"
"No. But you do."
Her breath caught.
He noticed that?
He kept walking and added casually,
"And I don't mind sitting anywhere as long as you're there."
Aira's brain: 💀
Her heart: 💗💗💗
Her mouth: "W–Why?"
Reyhan didn't turn around.
"Because you're not boring."
Aira froze.
He said it like it was the truth.
Not a joke.
Not a tease.
And for the first time, she didn't know how to respond.
RULE #7: Don't keep Reyhan waiting for you.
Because once he starts…
you stop wanting him to leave.