The days that followed were awkward, to say the least. Aanya avoided Meera as much as possible, only interacting with her when necessary for the project. But every time they were in the same room, the air felt charged, like something was waiting to happen. Aanya hated the way her heart raced whenever Meera was near, the way she couldn't stop thinking about that stupid smirk or the way Meera's eyes seemed to see right through her.
One evening, they were both working late in one of the empty classrooms, going over the final details of their project. It was quiet, the only sound being the soft scratching of Aanya's pen as she made notes. Meera was sitting across from her, leaning back in her chair, her legs stretched out casually as if she didn't have a care in the world. Aanya tried to focus on her work, but she could feel Meera's gaze on her, like a physical weight.
"What is it?" Aanya finally asked, her voice sharper than she intended, her pen pausing mid-sentence.
Meera didn't answer right away. Instead, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her dark eyes locking onto Aanya's with an intensity that made Aanya's stomach flip. "Why do you hate me so much?"
Aanya blinked, caught off guard by the question. "I don't hate you," she said automatically, though even she wasn't sure if that was true.
Meera's lips quirked into a small, knowing smile. "Could've fooled me."
Aanya sighed, running a hand through her hair. "You just... You're always in my space. You're loud, and you act like nothing matters. It's frustrating."
Meera raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "So, it's my confidence that bothers you?"
Aanya looked away, feeling a flush creep up her neck. "That's not it."
"Then what is it?" Meera pressed, her voice softening, but there was still that edge, that teasing note that always seemed to get under Aanya's skin.
Aanya didn't know how to respond. How could she explain the strange pull she felt whenever Meera was near? The way her body reacted, the way her thoughts tangled and her heart raced? It wasn't hatred, but it wasn't something she wanted to admit either.
Before she could say anything, Meera's hand brushed against hers. It was the lightest of touches, but it was enough to send a jolt of electricity through Aanya's entire body. She pulled her hand away quickly, as if burned, her heart hammering in her chest. Meera's eyes never left hers, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The air between them felt thick, charged with something neither of them were willing to name.
YOU ARE READING
𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞
Teen FictionAanya and Meera couldn't be more different. Aanya is reserved, thoughtful, and careful with her heart, while Meera is bold, passionate, and never afraid to speak her mind. From their first encounter, their tension was undeniable-what started as a ri...
