Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
As Tarunika and Payal stood outside the classroom, both girls exchanged nervous glances. The sound of a droning lecture seeped through the door, signaling they were well beyond late.
"Okay, we’re only, what… twenty minutes late?" Payal whispered, clutching her bag like it was her last shred of dignity.
"Try forty," Tarunika muttered, leaning closer to the glass panel on the door. She squinted, catching sight of the teacher pacing at the front of the room, scribbling something on the board. "This guy looks like he’ll flay us alive if we walk in now."
"Great," Payal groaned. "What do we do then? Wait out here and hope they forget about us?"
Tarunika smirked, already brainstorming. "Oh, they’ll forget about us... after we make a memorable entrance."
Payal froze. "I know that look. No. No crazy ideas, Tarunika. I just want to live through the first day without becoming a campus meme."
Before Tarunika could respond, a boy sitting near the back of the classroom caught sight of them through the glass. With a mischievous grin, he turned to his friends and motioned toward the latecomers.
Within moments, a group of students had wordlessly decided to help. A girl with short hair scribbled something on a piece of paper and slid it toward the window.
Tarunika noticed the movement and reached down to pick up the note. It read: Window on the left. It’s unlocked.
She grinned and held it up for Payal to see.
"No," Payal hissed, backing away slightly. "We are not climbing through a window like burglars!"
"Would you rather barge in and tell Professor Doom why we're late?" Tarunika shot back, already heading for the indicated window. "C’mon, Payal. First impressions matter!"
