LEECH

CHAPTER TWENTY - AISHA (NOW)

"So, how's life been?" Bhavna loops her arm through mine as we exit the canopy and head towards the field.

I smile awkwardly. Bhavna might have been my best friend for all those years, but things have changed widely since then, and I don't know what waters our friendship stands in right now. Out of all the kids at Bayview, Bhavna was one of the few people who weren't involved in the...affair that led to me leaving the school, but she's also best friends with Srishti right now, so the loyalty is...questionable, at the very least.

"Pleasant. I love Riva. A lot." I answer truthfully.

"Even more than Bayview?" A quiet voice speaks up. Srishti. That's the first thing she has said to me after the very fake and forced pleasantries.

My head swerves to meet her eyes, and I try to keep the offensive look out of my eyes when I see the genuine question in hers.

Oh. Is that what we're going to do? Pretend as if everything's okay?

"Yes. More than Bayview." I say, because I don't feel like playing along.

"So you've got new friends and stuff?" Bhavna teases, apparently ignorant to the hint of tension beneath mine and Srishti's words.

"Yes."

"Wow, lucky. I still have the same old friends. Stagnant social life." Her tone sounds a bit forced now, the smile too tight to be genuine.

"That's because you're stuck in the same place, B." I fold my arms over my chest, refusing to look at her.

She stops walking, and I feel her eyes trained on my back. "Why are you being like this, Aish?"

I come to a halt, sighing. Because I can't stand the pretences? Because I don't appreciate the bugging questions?

"Let's not talk about me." Is what I say in reply, because I don't want to spoil this reunion or their time at Riva. After all, they are guests. "Tell me about yourself. Is Bayview still the same?"

"Bayview's the same, but we have changed a lot." She shakes her head and follows me.

So you have, I think. The field is buzzing with students in different uniforms, going in and out of rooms and running around the area. I sidestep a junior who was inches from colliding into me. "Sorry di!" He yells, zooming away.

I smile, shaking my head in half exasperation and half fondness. When I turn back towards the girls, I find Srishti already staring at me.

"Well known around here, aren't you? I'm glad. Life really has changed for you, Aisha." She says, and grins, but it feels more like she's baring her teeth at me.

Or maybe I'm looking too much into it.

"Stand here if you don't want to get crushed to death." I pull them towards an empty spot, pointedly ignoring her snide remark.

Bhavna exchanges a look with both of us, and tries to change the conversation. "Well, why are we talking about the boring stuff? Leave that. Tell me all the gossip. What's the tea in your life, Aish? What have I missed?"

Why do you want to know?

"Nothing interesting. I'm...well...I'm the same. Boring old nerd." I shrug.

"Well you don't look like a nerd."

Nobody looks like a nerd, Bhavna. "Well, you get the point. You're the one with the drama though, whatever with Karan and all that."

B groans, burying her face in her hands. "Better if we don't talk about that piece of trash, or I'll punch someone."

That makes me smile. "You probably should punch his cheating ass. Why'd you even date him? I thought you would end up with..." I hesitate. "Sanket or something."