Minho hates Kavya, Kavya hates him more they both compete over everything and now they are stuck together for the whole year. Yet something starts drawing Minho closer and pushing Kavya away.
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The break bell rings, signalling a temporary reprieve from the relentless pace of the first day of Year 12. I stride purposefully through the crowded hallways, my mind a whirl of thoughts about upcoming assignments and deadlines. I know Minho's trailing behind me, his presence as annoying as ever, but I refuse to let it bother me. Not today. I've got more important things to focus on.
But then, in the corner of my eye, I see him close the distance between us. Before I can react, he reaches out and tugs on the delicate ribbon tied in my hair. The bow falls away, fluttering to the ground with an almost blissful grace. I whip around, ready to unleash my frustration, only to see Minho standing there with that infuriating, self-satisfied grin plastered across his face, the ribbon now twirling between his fingers.
"I'm doing you a favour, Kav," he says, his tone dripping with smugness.I scowl, my eyes narrowing as I assess the situation. This isn't the first time he's pulled a stunt like this, and I doubt it'll be the last. I reach up, trying to grab the ribbon back, but he's too quick, lifting it just out of my reach. Of course. He knows I can't grab it, so he dangles it above my head like a taunt, like we're kids on the playground again.
I used to be taller than him when we were younger, and I never let him forget it. We'd argue about it relentlessly, each of us determined to be right. But when we hit thirteen, everything changed. He shot up like a beanstalk, and suddenly, the height advantage I'd lorded over him was gone. And it wasn't just that—he got stronger, too. He must've joined every gym in the area because now, at seventeen, he's built like a freaking tank. His biceps are huge, and he doesn't exactly hide it. Not that I was looking, of course. It's just hard not to notice when he's always flexing them like he's trying to prove a point. But whatever. At the end of the day, he's still just a boy.
"Minho, give it back. Don't be a dick," I snap, glancing at the clock on the wall. Time's ticking, and I don't have patience for his nonsense. "And seriously, stop calling me that."
"No way. I'm doing you a favour, Kav," he repeats, his smirk widening as he watches me grow more frustrated. He knows exactly how to push my buttons, but I'm not falling for it today. I have plenty of ribbons. It's fine. This little power play of his won't ruin my mood. Not today. I shoot him one last withering glare before turning on my heel and walking away, determined to find Tessa.
The halls are buzzing with activity, but I scan the crowd until I spot her near the lockers. Her shoulder-length black hair catches the morning sun, giving it a glossy sheen. She's wearing her skirt just above the knee, and as always, she has a bright smile on her face. She's chatting with a boy I don't recognize, which immediately piques my curiosity.
The boy is tall—almost lanky—with dirty blonde hair that falls messily over his forehead. His brownish eyes seem warm, but it's his limp that catches my attention. He's leaning heavily on one leg, favouring it as he stands there talking to Tessa. I'm certain I haven't seen him before, so I assume he must be new.
As I approach, Tessa's eyes light up, and she rushes to greet me with a tight hug. I return the embrace, feeling a rush of warmth. It's been too long since we last saw each other. Most of the summer, I was holed up studying, buried in textbooks and revision guides. But Tessa understands—she's always been patient with me, never complaining about my obsessive dedication to schoolwork. I'm grateful for her in more ways than I can express.After we pull apart, she turns to introduce me to the boy.
"Kavya, this is Newt. He's new here," Tessa says, her voice bright with excitement."Newt, pleasure to meet you. And you are?" His accent is thicker than most, suggesting he's from somewhere further south in England. There's an easy-going charm about him, something almost comforting.
"Kavya," I reply, smiling. "But if that's too hard to say, Kav is just fine."He returns the smile, and I feel an immediate sense of ease around him. There's something about his demeanour that's different from most of the boys here—less competitive, more genuine. It's a nice change.
We chat for a bit, and I learn that we've chosen nearly the same subjects for our A-levels. The only difference is that he's taking psychology instead of math. As we talk, I feel my mood lifting, the earlier encounter with Minho fading into the background. Newt seems genuinely interested in getting to know us, asking about our teachers, the workload, and even our favourite spots on campus. It's refreshing, and I find myself smiling more than I have all morning.
Tessa seems to like him too, and I'm relieved. She's usually a good judge of character, and her approval means a lot to me. As we finish our conversation, I realize that I'm actually looking forward to the rest of the day. Maybe Year 12 won't be so bad after all.
The bell rings, signalling the end of break, and we start to make our way to class. I glance back at Minho, who's still lingering nearby, probably waiting to deliver another snide comment. But instead of engaging, I just smile to myself. Let him keep the ribbon. Today, it doesn't matter. I've got my friends, and I've got a new ally in Newt.
Minho may know how to get under my skin, but I'm not letting him win this time. Not when there are far more important things to focus on. As I walk away, Tessa by my side and Newt following close behind, I feel a sense of calm settle over me. Year 12 is going to be challenging, no doubt about it. But with my friends by my side, I know I can handle whatever comes my way.
As we head to our next form, I can't help but glance back one more time. Minho is watching me, a curious expression on his face, but I just shake my head and turn away. I have better things to focus on. Besides, there's always tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. The year is just beginning, and I have a feeling it's going to be one to remember.
