The Downsides Of Popularity ✓

Chapter 12

JUST NEEDLES & STITCHES.

 TODAY I DECIDED to wear my round thin-framed glasses to school and everyone in the corridor is looking at me and whispering stuff. Sans the people running down the hallway in costumes, probably headed for the make-up room.

This morning, when I was brushing my hair after dawning my school uniform, I accidentally knocked off my contact lenses from the counter and as it collided with the floor, it shattered. I was really nervous whilst telling my father about it but he said it was okay and he'd buy me a new pair this evening, after school for which I was grateful.

To be honest, I'm really happy to be wearing my spectacles today 'cause it's much more comfortable. Plus, today's going to be a busy day owing to the Inter-House Drama Competition.

In the first half, the houses are going to perform in front of the juniors and the second half is the important one 'cause the judges will also be present. So the first half can be considered a practice session before the final performance.

'H-Hey,' Utkarsh greets me as I drop my bag in class.

'You look different today.'

'Ya, I accidentally broke my lenses this morning so I wore my usual glasses,' I say as we head to the assembly hall for morning prayers.

'Oh, that's sad.'

'Dad will buy me a new pair in the evening so nothing to worry about.'

'I see. Great!' Utkarsh says and suddenly leans in to plant a kiss on my cheek. I stand a few feet away from the assembly door, startled as he laughs.

'Not in school!', I reprimand him knowing all too well he isn't scared to break a few rules.

'Okay, okay. Don't forget to come down in the first period right after attendance,' Utkarsh reminds me before opening the door and walking down the stairs to join his classmates.

***

'Did you talk to him?', Sreyansh perks up suddenly in between revising his lines. He's wearing a powder blue shirt paired with black pants and this is the first time I've seen him in formal attire.

'No. We're both preoccupied with the theatricals so I don't want to add more drama into the mix,' I say whilst draping some Christmas lights over the second set of curtains at the back of the stage.

The Christmas lights are a part of the set of the Ruby house and since they're going in first, I'm helping the members set up the stage.

'What drama?'

I turn around and almost fall off the ladder when I see Meera.

'What are you doing backstage?!' I ask a little too frantically to which she replies, 'Relax. I'm just here to wish our great dramatist in the making, good luck!'