"...Yeah, I'm definitely dead."
The room went silent after I said that.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then—
"Get out."
The cold-eyed girl pointed at the door without even looking at me.
Her voice was calm… but somehow, that made it even scarier.
"I—I'm leaving!" I said immediately.
I didn't wait for another second.
I turned around and rushed toward the door like my life depended on it.
Which, honestly… it probably did.
As soon as I stepped outside, I slammed the door shut behind me and leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.
"What… just happened…?"
My heart was still racing.
First day of college… and I somehow managed to walk into the girls' changing room.
"Great start, Ayaan. Truly amazing."
I ran a hand through my hair and sighed.
But just as I was about to leave—
The door opened again.
Slowly.
Creak—
I froze.
And then… she walked out.
The same girl.
Tall. Straight posture. Long black hair falling neatly over her shoulders.
And those eyes…
Cold. Sharp. Like she could see right through me.
She looked at me for a few seconds.
Without saying anything.
Which was somehow worse.
"I told you to leave," she said finally.
"I-I was just going!" I replied quickly.
"Then why are you still here?"
"…Because my legs stopped working?"
Why did I say that?
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
For a second, I thought she might actually hit me.
Instead, she crossed her arms.
"You're new."
It wasn't a question.
"Y-Yeah."
"Name."
"Ayaan… Ayaan Verma."
She stared at me for a moment longer, as if memorizing it.
Then she spoke.
"Listen carefully, Ayaan."
Her voice dropped slightly.
"If I ever see you near this place again…"
She took a step closer.
"…I won't be this patient."
I gulped.
"Understood."
"Good."
For a second, I thought she would leave.
But then—
"Wait."
My heart sank again.
"Yes…?"
She looked straight into my eyes.
"What you saw in there…"
"I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING!" I said instantly.
Too fast.
Too loud.
Silence.
"…You're terrible at lying," she said.
"I'm not lying! I mean—I am lying! I mean—wait—"
I stopped.
This was getting worse.
Way worse.
For the first time, a faint expression appeared on her face.
Not anger.
Not exactly.
Something close to… amusement?
But it disappeared just as quickly.
"Stay away from trouble," she said.
Then she turned and walked away without another word.
I stood there, completely confused.
"What… was that?"
I exhaled slowly.
"First day… and I already met someone scary."
I paused.
"…And kind of beautiful."
Wait.
Why did I just think that?
I shook my head.
"Nope. Not going there."
I turned around and finally started walking away.
Completely unaware…
That this was only the beginning of my problems.
And that girl—
Was going to become a big part of my life.
Very soon.