Hope to Love

Chapter 10 - Hope to Defy the Ultimatum!

Avni

"You guys go ahead. I have to collect my ID card from the library." I inform Shaurya as the bell rings.

"I can come with you." Shaurya says, gathering his Quant books from the desk.

"Oh please! Waiting in that long queue is such a boring idea. I will rather spend my time with you in the canteen." Sneha tugs on Shaurya's sleeves, causing him to drop his calculator on the desk.

I suppress a smile, sliding his calculator into his bag while he is busy melting at Sneha's words, unaware of her actual desire to rush to the canteen.

All these weeks, she's been our friend, and her interests have continuously fluctuated. It's a miracle she hasn't slipped a love potion into any of the boys' drinks yet.

Initially, her only interest was Shaurya.

Until she met the Elmore boys.

And the rest is history.

"You go with her. I'll join you guys soon." I say to Shaurya. He hesitantly nods, trapped between the best friend and the crush. "You'd be of no help anyway," I add.

"Fine. Call me if you need anything." Shaurya says.

"Thanks, Avnu. See you soon." Sneha giggles, ensnaring her arm with Shaurya's and almost dragging him out of the classroom.

I hate that girl for shredding my name like that. Shaking my head, I gather my bag and leave the classroom, walking through the corridors with the herd of people.

As I enter the campus, I raise my head just enough to dodge the crowd, and my eyes land on the one person I didn't expect to see.

My heart hitches a beat before thumping.

Although the campus is packed with students, he is the only one I'm clearly able to distinguish. The whole crowd around him blurs, focusing on the face I desperately wish to forget, or at least not bother me every time I close my eyes.

Someone's shoulder bumped into mine, jolting me awake from my daydreaming. I instantly avert my eyes to avoid getting caught by him. Rushing ahead, I sidestep, hiding behind the bushes, fidgeting with my bag straps, and waiting for him to leave the campus.

Abhimanyu is the one person I can't ignore, even if my brain is screaming warnings at me. My heart always has different plans whenever he is around me.

Despite everything, there is a peculiar comfort in his presence that I crave.

Only if I hadn't witnessed his mess on the first day of college. Also, the regular flirting with Mihika and even Sneha sometimes.

Taking a deep breath, I glance around my hiding spot and sure enough he is missing from the spot where he was before. I sigh, stepping forward in the direction of the library.

"You can't hide from me, Avni." Abhimanyu's voice calls from behind.

I jump and swirl around, only to come face to face with the smirking Abhimanyu, lurking behind the bushes where I was hiding.

My eyes grow wide, and my throat dries. I don't even want to acknowledge my heart. Getting caught was not on the agenda. What if he asks me question I can't answer? After all, what am I going to say to him?

Every time he's around me, my heart does crazy things and my skin gets all warm and tingly.

What does that even mean?

I'm sure nothing that will prove me sane.

The past few weeks have been a complete game-changer for me. Especially after nearly losing my phone.