The message sat on my screen.

"Hi sweetheart. Looks like I'm the only one you're destined for. Hope you don't mind me assuming you're meant to be my future wifey."

I read it twice.

Not because I was impressed.

Because I wanted to confirm it was as pathetic as it looked.

I typed back slowly.

"Sweetheart? Four minutes in and you've already exhausted your entire personality.

Ridiculous."

Sent.

I put my phone down. He could sit with that.

That's when the message from my teacher arrived.

Assist a new student tomorrow.

I stared at it.

Seriously? Out of everyone. Me?

Ugh.

Boring.

I closed my phone, got up and started practicing boxing.

Just in case he burned my mind more than necessary.

The next morning.

I reached college.

The teacher was already waiting near the entrance with the new student.

I saw him before he saw me.

Tall. Athletic. That same face that clearly had never been told no in its entire life.

He was looking around like he was already evaluating whether this place was worthy of him.

I walked over.

The teacher smiled. "Kavya, meet Ayaan. Ayaan, Kavya will be showing you around today."

He turned.

And smiled.

That specific kind of smile. The one that assumed it was welcome.

"Hey." He tilted his head slightly. "Didn't expect my guide to be this—"

"This way." I cut him off.

I started walking.

He caught up.

"You always this warm with new people or am I special?"

I didn't look at him.

"You're not special."

He laughed like I was joking.

I wasn't.

We stopped near the locker room.

I turned to point out the direction of the main hall.

That's when it happened.

Both his hands came down on either side of me against the lockers.

Caging me in.

He leaned close. Too close. His breath near my ear.

"You know—"

I didn't let him finish.

My elbow found his ribs first.

Then my knee found somewhere far more important.

He stumbled back.

I straightened my collar.

Looked at him once.

He was bent over, expression somewhere between shock and genuine pain. Probably the first time in his life his charm hadn't worked as planned.

"Personal space." I said quietly. "Learn it."

I picked up my bag.

"Locker room is on the left. You can find the rest yourself."

I walked away.

Behind me, I heard him exhale sharply.

Good.

I was almost at the corner when I heard it.

A voice from down the corridor.

"Ayaan! Ayaan Mishra!"

I didn't turn around.

But I stopped.

Mishra.

I knew that name.

Everyone with any real power in this city knew that name.

I turned my head slightly. Just enough.

He was still standing where I left him. Recovering his dignity. Or what was left of it.

Mishra.

I filed it away quietly.

Then I walked on.