I was late.
Again.
The bus was nowhere in sight, and the seconds felt louder than the traffic around me. Being new was supposed to mean fresh beginnings—but right now, it just felt frustrating.
And humiliating.
I still couldn't believe my cold, rule-obsessed cousin had insisted on controlling everything—from what I wear to the fact that I can't even dance anymore. Dance… the one thing that used to feel like freedom.
A bitter memory surfaced.
Caleb.
How did I ever fall for him?
I shook my head. No. Not today.
New school. New rules. New me.
This was my final year. I had promised myself one thing—focus on studies, nothing else.
Whatever happened four years ago… it was over. Or at least, that's what I wanted to believe.
The morning assembly had already begun by the time I reached the campus. Prayers echoed through the air as I slipped quietly into the back.
That's when I saw him.
A boy standing in the corner.
Tall. Composed. Unreadable.
Handsome in a way that didn't try too hard.
Something about him felt… familiar.
"Which class are you in?" I asked, hoping for help.
Silence.
Not even a glance.
Wow. Cold.
Like a rock.
I frowned slightly. Have I seen him before?
But before I could think further, the assembly ended.
I made my way to the office, slightly out of breath.
"Where is 11-D, ma'am?" I asked politely.
"Oh, another commerce student," she smiled. "I'll be your class teacher this year. Take these forms and ask your classmates to fill them. Your classroom is on the 8th floor—the stairs are over there."
8th floor? Seriously?
I stared at her for a second.
But fine. I could handle it.
Sports had always been my thing. And, ironically, being with Caleb had its… physical benefits.
Without wasting another second, I ran upstairs.
By the time I reached, my heartbeat was racing—but I walked in like I owned my breath.
I distributed the forms quickly.
That's when I noticed it.
Every seat was taken.
Except one.
Right next to… him.
The same cold, silent boy from assembly.
Of course.
"Hi," I said, giving a small wave.
Nothing.
Not even a reaction.
I shrugged and sat down anyway. Maybe he's just like that.
"Good morning, miss!" the class echoed as the teacher entered.
Then came the moment I dreaded.
"Introduce yourself."
I walked to the front, steady but aware of the sudden silence.
"Hello, my name is Shreya. I studied at St. Joseph's High School."
And just like that—
Everything changed.
The room shifted.
Eyes sharpened.
Whispers unspoken.
And then I saw it.
That boy—
The cold one—
Smirking.
Not just any smirk.
An evil, knowing one.
My stomach dropped.
They knew.
Of course they did.
My dance videos. My relationship. Caleb.
He had posted everything. Made it viral.
Except the breakup.
Of course he didn't.
Because Caleb didn't just leave—
He destroyed.
"So we have a small celebrity here," the teacher smiled. "You should join the dance club—"
"No, ma'am." I cut in, my voice firm. "I want to focus on my studies."
She nodded, slightly surprised.
But I could feel it.
The tension hadn't left the room.
I sat down quietly.
But something felt off.
Too many eyes.
Too much silence.
Too much judgment.
"Aren't you supposed to be in the science section?"
His voice.
Cold. Sharp. Irritated.
So he does talk.
"Now you want to?" I muttered, ignoring him as I opened my notebook.
Focus, Shreya. Just focus.
Stay invisible. Stay safe.
You're not here for drama.
You're not here for revenge.
You're not here for him.
But the past doesn't stay buried when others keep digging it up.
"Cheaters can cheat during exams too," he said casually.
That did it.
"What do you even know?" I snapped.
"Your boyfriend said enough."
My breath hitched.
"What?"
He leaned back slightly, that same irritating smirk on his face.
"Mr. Cold Shoulder," I shot back loudly, "mind your own business!"
The class went silent.
Every eye turned.
And he—
He just smiled.
Like he won.
I couldn't stay there.
I ran.
Straight out of the classroom.
Into the washroom.
And then—
I broke.
Tears blurred everything as I pulled out my phone with trembling hands.
Notifications flooded the screen.
Messages. Posts. Tags.
And there it was.
Proof.
Caleb had framed me.
Again.
A fresh wave of betrayal hit harder than before.
Tears spilled uncontrollably.
New school. New life?
No.
This was just the same nightmare—
In a different place.
End of chapter one