The Right Kind of Wrong

17. Savi Notices a Shift

The crisp air filled the campus, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves as Savi made her way to the library. She felt different lately—lighter, as if a weight had been lifted. It was more than just her determination to succeed; there was a subtle shift happening in her relationship with Rajat, one that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Ever since their conversation in the library, Rajat had seemed different. He was still sarcastic, of course, but there was a warmth creeping into their interactions that hadn't been there before. His comments had become less biting, almost teasing in a way that made her smile instead of roll her eyes. The spark between them felt palpable, but she couldn't quite decipher what it meant.

As she entered the library, Savi spotted Rajat sitting at their usual table, surrounded by books and papers. He looked up as she approached, a genuine smile breaking across his face, making her heart skip a beat.

"Hey, Savi," he greeted, pushing a stack of books aside to make space for her. "Ready to dive back into this project?"

"Yeah, I guess so," she replied, taking a seat across from him. She couldn't help but notice the way he was looking at her—like he was actually happy to see her. "You've been... different."

Rajat raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Different how? You mean, more charming and irresistible?"

Savi rolled her eyes, trying to suppress a smile. "You're definitely not charming. You're just... nicer."

"Nice? Me?" He feigned shock, clutching his chest dramatically. "I must be coming down with something!"

Savi laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "It's weird, you know. I'm not used to this version of you."

"Maybe you're just getting to know the real me," he said, his tone suddenly serious. "I can be pretty great when I want to be."

"Or maybe you're just trying to earn extra credit for being nice," Savi shot back playfully, crossing her arms. "Either way, I'll take it."

They settled into a comfortable rhythm, their conversation flowing easily as they began discussing their project. Savi was surprised at how much she enjoyed working with him when he wasn't being a total jerk. They exchanged ideas, and Rajat even asked for her opinion on certain aspects, something she'd never thought he would do.

As the hours passed, the atmosphere around them changed. The sunlight streaming through the library windows softened, casting a warm glow on their work. Savi was deep in thought, scribbling notes in her notebook, when she reached for a book on the table at the same time Rajat did.

Their hands brushed against each other, and for a split second, time seemed to freeze. A jolt of electricity shot through her, and Savi's breath caught in her throat. She could see it mirrored in Rajat's eyes, a flicker of surprise and something else—something deeper.

"Uh—sorry," Savi stammered, quickly retracting her hand and forcing a smile. "I didn't mean to interrupt your very important book."

"Right," Rajat said, his voice a bit shaky. "Just grabbing... um, this." He picked up the book she had reached for, avoiding her gaze.

"Yeah, just a regular book," Savi replied, her heart racing. They both pretended the moment hadn't happened, but the air around them felt charged, thick with unspoken words.

As they continued to work, Savi felt a mix of confusion and excitement. She had spent so much time thinking of Rajat as her rival, her enemy. But now, with every passing interaction, the lines were blurring. She didn't know what to make of it, and it terrified her.

"Hey," Rajat said suddenly, pulling her from her thoughts. "You okay? You seem... distracted."

"I'm fine," Savi replied too quickly, forcing herself to focus. "Just thinking about how we're going to present this project."