Aadhya's POV
Next day. I woke up early—like actually early, not my usual "five minutes late but still alive" early. Packed lunch, uniform done, hair left open because honestly I didn't have the energy to fight with it today. One deep breath. "Okay… ready to face the world," I muttered to myself, even though my heart felt oddly restless, like something was waiting for me at school.
I reached and walked into the classroom—and paused.
Silence.
Not the peaceful kind. The weird kind. Bags were there… books were there… but people? Gone. Like everyone vanished into thin air.
"What the…" I whispered, stepping back out.
Then I heard it.
A scream.
A woman's scream. Sharp. Panicked.
My heart skipped.
Oh no. Something's wrong.
I followed the sound quickly, my steps turning faster, almost running. But before I could reach the back side of the building, someone blocked my way.
Devit. Of course.
"Hi Aadi, what's up—"
"Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat," I cut him off flatly, not even looking at him properly.
He blinked. "What?"
"What are they doing there?" I asked, trying to peek past him.
He didn't move.
My patience snapped.
"Move," I said.
He didn't.
Fine. Plan B.
"Hey look there—" I pointed randomly to his right.
"What? Where?" he turned instantly.
"Your future, idiot," I muttered and ran past him before he could react.
And then I saw it.
My steps slowed.
My heart dropped.
Avi.
He was… punching someone.
Not just punching—beating.
His face wasn't visible, but his fists… his fists didn't stop. Blood. There was blood. The man beneath him was barely conscious.
"Avi—STOP THAT!" I shouted.
My voice cut through everything.
He froze.
He looked up.
And for a second… I didn't recognize him.
That wasn't my stupid, smiling, annoying Avi.
That was someone else.
Someone angry.
Someone broken.
His eyes shifted to Vivaan—like asking permission.
That hurt more than anything.
Vivaan stepped forward. Calm. Controlled. Like this was all normal.
"What are you doing?" I demanded, my voice shaking between anger and disbelief.
"We're making them confess," he said casually.
"Confess what?"
"For what they did to Avi."
I frowned, trying to process. Then I looked at the man properly. Recognition hit.
"That… that's her boyfriend…"
Before I could finish—
"Leave my boyfriend alone!"
The same woman from that day—Veena—came running, screaming, her voice breaking.
Neel and Bhavik were holding her back.
I didn't think.
I just moved.
"Let her go," I said, pulling their hands away from her.
They hesitated… then stepped back.
She ran to the man, holding him, crying.
For a moment, everything felt… heavy.
Ugly.
Wrong.
"What are you doing?" Vivaan's voice came again, sharper now.
I turned to him. "Don't you feel bad? He can't even open his eyes!"
He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "It was working. They were about to confess."
"Okay—we'll confess!"
The words came suddenly.
Everyone turned.
Veena. Crying. Shaking.
"She asked us to do it… she promised us things…"
My heart skipped.
"Who?" I stepped closer, my voice softer now.
She shook her head. "I can't…"
Fear. Pure fear.
Vivaan cursed under his breath.
Then he looked somewhere else. "Is this okay?"
I followed his gaze.
And froze.
Saanvi.
Standing there. Holding a camera.
Recording everything.
"What… is going on?" I whispered, completely lost.
"Nothing," Avi said, walking toward her now, calmer. "We were going to make them confess… record it."
Saanvi smiled slightly, coming closer. "Even if I hate Section E… I joined for you." Then she pinched my cheek lightly.
I blinked.
"Only for Adi? Not for me?" Avi said, pretending to be hurt.
For a moment… it felt normal again.
Almost.
I looked at Vivaan. "Is this your plan?"
He shook his head. "No. The original was different. This… happened because of what you did."
I didn't fully understand that. But something about his tone… it shifted. Dark. Subtle. But I didn't think much of it.
My focus went back to Saanvi.
"Thank you," I said softly.
She smiled. "I wasn't there that day… I wanted to help."
I nodded. Then hesitated. "Are you sure you'll be okay? If someone from your group—"
"It's fine," she cut me off gently. "I realized I was becoming like them. Maybe… this was needed."
I smiled. She smiled back.
"Guys—open your Facebook," Maddy's voice came suddenly.
We all did.
And then—
My eyes widened.
The video.
Uploaded.
Already spreading.
But not from Saanvi.
Not from us.
From… Riya's account.
"What—this is her account?" I asked, confused.
Maddy smirked. "Was."
Silence.
Then—
"I hacked it."
For a second, everything froze.
Then chaos.
Cheers. Laughter. Shock.
I just stood there… staring at the screen.
Views climbing rapidly.
40,000… 45,000… more.
Caption: There is no real thief.
And in that moment…
For the first time…
It felt like the truth was finally louder than the lies.
Reyansh's POV
Section A was exactly the same as always—some people scrolling on their phones, some pretending to study, and a few actually doing work. I was in the "actually studying" category. Next to me, Yuvika sat quietly, focused, but I could feel it—something was off.
Then—
"WHAT THE FUU—"
Riya's scream cut through the entire classroom.
Everyone's heads snapped in her direction.
"What happened, Riya?" Gracy asked, already leaning forward, curious.
"Just shut up," Riya snapped back, not even looking at her.
That's when I knew—it was serious.
"Someone deleted the video and posted another one," she said, her voice rising in frustration.
Manik frowned. "You deleted the video?"
"Someone," she shot back instantly.
"But it's your account," Manik said, confused.
Riya ignored him, frantically tapping on her phone, trying to fix something. Her fingers were shaking.
"Until it was hacked," I said, calm.
Silence.
Her phone slipped slightly from her grip.
She froze.
So did everyone else.
And then I felt it.
Something in the air changed.
Tension.
Fear.
And then I looked at the screen.
The video.
Again.
But this time… different.
Aadhya's voice.
Clear. Strong.
"…who asked you…"
I leaned slightly forward, watching closely, waiting—hoping—she wouldn't say anything about you About your plan.
But she didn't.
Good.
Relief washed over me.
Yuvika, sitting beside me, looked tense. Too tense. Her fingers clenched slightly.
I noticed.
Without thinking much, I placed my arm around her shoulders, pulling her slightly closer.
"Don't worry, Yuvika," I said softly, my voice steady. "I won't let anything happen to you."
She looked at me for a second.
Unsure.
I know Yuvika did it out of jealousy because before Aadhya, their all attention was on her. But now it was aadhya's.
But she didn't pull away.
And I meant it.
Whatever happens… whatever it takes…
I'll make sure she stays safe.
I know they'll keep quiet.