third episode

The third day of the new term began with unusual energy—even for Maya. She stood near the lockers, her friends circling her like detectives interrogating a suspect.

“So he really said ‘Noted’? JUST that?” one of them asked.

Maya groaned. “Yes. That’s literally all he said. No smile, no expression, nothing. I’ve seen rocks with more emotion.”

Her friends broke into laughter, but Maya just shook her head. She shouldn’t care. She truly, sincerely shouldn’t.

And she wouldn’t have cared—

If Aryan hadn’t walked in at that exact moment.

Aryan, with his usual messy hair, his rectangular glasses, and that annoyingly bright smile that made Maya’s stomach somersault like it was performing for a talent show. He was carrying a stack of football equipment for the PE teacher—because of course he was helpful like that.

“Maya!” he called out when he saw her.

Her soul left her body for a second.

She turned to stone. Her friends looked at her like they were watching their favorite drama unfold live.

Aryan came closer. “Hey, can you hold this for a sec?” He placed a football in her hands before she even answered. Typical Aryan energy.

Maya nodded stiffly. She could chat with strangers, teachers, juniors—but Aryan? No. Her brain refused to function around him.

“Thanks. You coming to the club meet later?” he asked.

She forced a smile. “Y-yeah.”

“Great! Don’t be late, okay? I wanna show you something.” He flashed his easy grin and jogged down the hall.

Her friends squealed the moment he was out of sight.

Maya covered her face. “Please. Stop.”

Before they could tease her further, someone brushed past them—tall, silent, and straight-backed.

Rishav.

He gave a short nod to the group as he walked, eyes focused ahead. Not a single glance at Maya. Not one.

Her friends elbowed her. “He didn’t even look at you today.”

Maya shrugged, a little irritated. “Why would he?”

But a tiny part of her wondered why he had stared so openly the first day but seemed uninterested now. Was he just shy? Or did he not care at all?

The question followed her all the way to the club meet after school.

The classroom buzzed with chatter as students arranged chairs. Aryan was helping set up the projector, sleeves rolled up as he worked. When he noticed Maya entering, he waved enthusiastically.

She waved back—clumsily, of course.

But then she froze.

Because behind him, sitting calmly with a notebook open, was Rishav.

He was observing the room like he was studying it, not participating. When Aryan called, “Rishav, can you help switch off the lights for the projector?” he stood up with a quiet nod.

Maya blinked. “Wait… he joined the same club?”

Aryan wandered over to her. “Yeah, he wanted to. Said he preferred something productive after classes.”

“Oh,” she said, trying to sound normal.

But the second Aryan walked away, Maya felt two completely different emotions hit her.

One from the crush she’d had for two years.

And one from the mysterious boy who didn’t even look at her today.

Great.

Just what she needed.

More confusion.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***