So High School!

Chapter Thirty seven

Aadi

She’s mad. And rightfully so.

The weight of her silence presses on me harder than any scolding could. I don’t even know the full extent of what’s going on in her head, and that’s what makes this harder. Making it up to Aarushi isn’t going to be easy. Not when she’s someone who guards her self-respect like armor. A girl like her doesn’t just forgive. She makes you work for it. She makes you prove you deserve another chance.

"Good six, Aadi," Coach shouts from the sidelines.

I nod mechanically, bat still in hand, eyes searching the edge of the field instead of the bowler. My mind is far from the game.

And then, she walks in.

Aarushi. In her regular uniform, her sash perfectly in place, hair tied up neatly. Composed, elegant, and fiercely untouchable. The sight of her sends a jolt through my spine. But she doesn’t look at me. Not even a flicker of recognition. Like I’m just another player on the field.

And then that asshole Rohan makes his move. Of course he does.

He jogs over to her with that stupid grin on his face, puffed up with fake confidence, thinking he has a shot after all that happened. She doesn't stop him, but she doesn’t smile either. She just listens, tense.

She turns to leave, but he stops her. The Audacity.

The next ball is bowled. I don’t wait. I swing..hard.

Crack

The ball soars high and fast, a perfect arc... and smashes straight into Rohan’s head.

Boom.

The field goes silent for a second. Rohan yelps and stumbles, clutching his head as he curses.

That’s what you get when you try to flirt with my girl.

Aarushi gasps and rushes toward him, eyes wide with panic. But then she lifts her eyes, and locks on mine. No anger, no smugness. Just... shock. And something else.

Fear? Aarushi.

Why do I always fuck up?!!

I sigh, guilt washing over me like ice. That wasn’t just a warning shot. That was reckless.

But come on, no one touches my girl and gets away with it.

She looks at me like she doesn’t know me. Like she’s wondering if I’m the same guy who always made her laugh. And that, cuts deep.

Yeah. Making it up to her? That just got a hell of a lot harder.

Without a single word, she leaves.

"Aadi. What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?" My coach screams coming towards me.

"He shouldn't have stood in the way." I state clearly smirking. Guilt. Ha. Far off.

That. Asshole. Deserves. It.

Wiping the damn sweat from my forehead, I take a quick swig from my bottle, chest still heaving from the last round of batting. Coach signals a short break, and I head back onto the field, casually, like i didn't just injure someone.

My confidence drops. I see it.

A sight that hits harder than any bouncer ever could.

Rahul. That so called friend of mine.

Standing behind her, behind Aarushi, my girl. His hands guiding hers around the bat handle. Too close. Too damn familiar. Her head tilted slightly toward him, like she’s listening. Like she’s letting him.

My jaw tightens. Blood rushes to my head.

I run over, eyes locked on them like a target.
"Step. Aside," I snap, my voice colder than the wind cutting through the field.

Rahul looks at me, his eyes flicker with something like guilt or fear and without a single word, he steps away. He knows better than to test me when I’m like this.

Aarushi doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t even look surprised.

"You like irritating me, don’t you?" I growl, trying to keep my voice steady, though my anger is barely under control.

"Oh, look who’s talking," she says flatly, rolling her eyes. Her tone coldly cutting me deep. I try to hold but she moves away.

"Aarushi, I know I messed up. But I’m trying to fix it. You ignoring me like this... it’s not helping anything."

She finally meets my eyes and damn, that look could freeze fire.

"Aadi, stop making this a scene and just leave." Her voice is calm, but every word feels like a blade. Precise. Meant to cut.

"Come with me to the equipment room. Just talk to me, five minutes. Please." I say stepping closer.

"I won’t," she replies instantly, turning her back to me like I’m nothing more than an interruption in her day.

And that stings more than her words.

Then Mira walks in.

Aarushi stiffens the second she sees her. It’s subtle, but I catch it. The twitch of her shoulders, the way her fingers grip the bat tighter. But her face stays blank, wearing that mask she’s mastered, 'I don't give a damn.' But I know better. I can feel the tension flood the air.

Mira gives eyes at her, then glances at me. She knows. There’s something unsaid between the two of them, something I don’t know yet but I can feel it.

Did they talk? I hope they didn't.

Mira thinks she's the baddie, but when Aarushi talks, everyone listens.

Without a word, Mira walks towards me rolling her eyes at Aarushi.

That boils my blood.

Aarushi exhales slowly, then turns to leave, back straight, chin high, like nothing just happened.

I saw it. The strom brewing in her. The inner battles she is fighting.

"Aadi. Hey." Without sparing a glance at her, I follow closely behind her, because I’m not giving up.

Not until I make things right.

She enters in a empty classroom and sits on a bench in the corner. Her eyes red, and exhausted.

"Aarushi." I say lightly, walking towards her. She sighs taking a deep breath before looking up.

"I am sorry...I

Boom. The door bursts open. She stood there. Mira.

"Oh, did I interrupt something?" She speaks like she didn't what she just did.

Author's note - This is it for today! Let me know your views on this and don't forget to vote...

Next chapter will be exciting and romantic too, I guess, I'll try...

I know I disappeared but I wasn’t doing well and couldn’t really bring myself to write. I still don't feel too good so I can't promise about the next update. I am sorry.

I'll try to update before 12 may. Until next time, byee 💕