Chapter 13
The Things We Avoid
The next day—
Bela came early.
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Earlier than usual.
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Earlier than everyone.
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Except—
He was already there.
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Of course.
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Vihaan sat in his usual place.
Leaning back.
Eyes half-closed.
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As if time didn't matter.
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As if nothing had changed.
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But everything had.
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At least—
For her.
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Bela stopped at the entrance of the classroom.
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For a moment—
She just stood there.
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Looking at him.
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Then—
Without a word—
She walked in.
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And sat down.
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No greeting.
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No "good morning."
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Nothing.
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Just silence.
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Vihaan opened his eyes.
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Looked at her.
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For a second longer than usual.
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Then—
"…You're early."
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Bela didn't look at him.
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"…I had work."
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A lie.
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A simple one.
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But it was enough.
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He didn't respond.
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Because something in her tone—
Was different.
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Not cold.
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But distant.
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The classroom slowly filled.
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Voices returned.
Noise built up again.
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But the last bench—
Stayed quiet.
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Too quiet.
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Samar noticed it immediately.
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Of course he did.
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He turned in his seat, looking between them.
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"…Did I miss something?" he asked casually.
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Bela shook her head.
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"No."
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Vihaan didn't answer.
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That was answer enough.
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Samar leaned back.
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"…Right."
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He didn't push.
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But he understood.
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Something had shifted.
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Again.
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The first period began.
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Bela focused on her notebook.
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Or at least—
She tried to.
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Because her mind—
Kept drifting.
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Back to yesterday.
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To that moment.
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To him saying—
"Because I wanted to."
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Her grip tightened slightly.
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Stop thinking.
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Just focus.
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"…You skipped a step."
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Her head turned instantly.
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Vihaan.
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"…I didn't," she said quickly.
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"You did."
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"No, I didn't."
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A pause.
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Then—
"Fine."
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That was it.
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No argument.
No correction.
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Nothing.
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He looked away.
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Bela blinked.
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Because that—
Was new.
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He always corrected her.
Always pointed things out.
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But now—
He didn't.
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Because she pushed back.
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And somehow—
That felt worse.
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The rest of the class passed like that.
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Small moments.
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Missed chances.
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Things unsaid.
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Break time came.
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"Canteen?" Samar asked.
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Bela nodded.
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She stood up quickly.
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Too quickly.
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Like she needed to leave.
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Before something happened.
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Or didn't.
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She didn't look at him.
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Didn't ask.
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Didn't wait.
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The canteen felt louder today.
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Or maybe—
She just felt it more.
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Samar sat across from her.
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Watching.
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Carefully.
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"…You're avoiding him."
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Bela paused.
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"…I'm not."
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"You are."
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"I'm just busy."
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"With what?"
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She didn't answer.
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Because there wasn't one.
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Samar leaned forward slightly.
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"…You know he notices, right?"
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Her chest tightened.
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"…He doesn't care."
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"That's where you're wrong."
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She looked up.
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"…What?"
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Samar held her gaze.
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"He notices everything."
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A pause.
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"And he cares more than he shows."
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Bela looked away.
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Because that—
Made things harder.
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Not easier.
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Back in class—
She returned to her seat.
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Sat down.
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Still—
No words.
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No glance.
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Nothing.
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Vihaan watched her.
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Quietly.
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Not obviously.
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But enough.
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Something wasn't right.
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Something had changed.
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And he didn't like it.
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Even if he didn't say it.
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After school—
Bela packed her bag quickly.
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Too quickly.
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Before he could say anything—
Before anything could happen—
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She stood up.
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And left.
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"Bela."
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His voice.
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Behind her.
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She stopped.
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For a second.
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Just one.
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Then—
"…I have to go."
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She didn't turn.
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Didn't wait.
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Just—
Walked away.
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Vihaan stood there.
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Still.
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Watching her leave.
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Something unfamiliar settled in his chest.
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Not anger.
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Not frustration.
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Something else.
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Something he hadn't felt in a long time.
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And didn't like feeling again.
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The next day—
Was worse.
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Because this time—
It wasn't just distance.
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It was avoidance.
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Clear.
Intentional.
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Bela came late.
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Left early.
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Didn't speak.
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Didn't look.
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Didn't stay.
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And Vihaan—
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Noticed every second of it.
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"Just talk to her."
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Samar's voice.
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Vihaan didn't respond.
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"You're both making it worse."
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Silence.
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"…I'm not the one avoiding."
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"Yeah," Samar said. "You're just letting her."
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That—
That hit somewhere.
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But he didn't react.
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Didn't move.
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Didn't go after her.
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Because—
That wasn't what he did.
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But for the first time—
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He wanted to.
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And that—
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Was the problem.