The Classy Thirteen

Ball Night Event: Expect the unexpected

Aviraj's POV

The library had always been my safe space, the one place where no one talked too loudly, no one flirted, no one tried to decode your expressions, and most importantly, no one expected anything from you. Just books. Quiet. And the comforting smell of paper.

I sat by the far corner table, the one near the big window where sunlight streamed in like liquid gold. My headphones were dangling around my neck, though no music was playing. I just wore them so people wouldn't talk to me.

I was halfway through a French history book when I felt a soft presence behind me.

I looked up, and there she was.

Ayra.

Same usual poise, same confidence, and that soft little awkward smile she gave when she didn't know how to start a conversation.

She approached slowly, clutching a book to her chest.
"Hey, Aviraj," she said softly, her voice sounding like it carried both nerves and politeness.

I nodded back, closing my book halfway. "Hey, Ayra."

She stood there for a second too long, shifting weight from one foot to another. I could tell she was rehearsing something in her head.

"So... you in library this early?" she asked, smiling faintly.

I smirked. "Yeah. Unlike you, some of us find peace in dusty old pages."

"Excuse me," she laughed, mock offended. "I read too!"

"Wattpad novels don't count," I said.

She rolled her eyes, but I could see that sparkle, she was amused.

Then she sat down on the opposite chair, and for a few seconds, there was that comfortable silence. She started flipping through her notebook as if trying to find courage in it.

Finally, she said, "So... you read the notice about the ball night?"

My heart skipped.

For a second, I thought... is she asking me?

The idea hit me like a jolt. Ayra... me... at a ball night? A medieval-themed event, old French château, her in a gown, that mental image alone was enough to short-circuit my calm exterior.

I straightened a little, hoping my voice wouldn't sound too eager. "Yeah... I saw it."

She nodded. "Right, so... I wanted to ask you something about that."

I swear, in that half-second, my mind went through 10 different possibilities.
Was she going to ask me? Should I act cool? Should I say yes immediately or pretend to think? Should I...

And then she broke the bubble herself.

"Actually, it's about my friend Rakshita," she said casually.

Oh.

Ouch.

Instant deflation.

I blinked, keeping my expression neutral. "Rakshita?"

"Yeah," she said, playing with the edge of her notebook. "She doesn't have a date for the event, and I thought maybe you could accompany her? She's actually really fun and sweet, and she's super excited about the ball."

For a moment, I just stared at her, trying not to laugh at my own foolish expectations.

I cleared my throat. "Uh... I don't think I'll be attending, actually. I'll probably be busy."

She tilted her head. "Busy doing what?"

I shrugged. "Existing?"

Ayra chuckled. "Come on, Aviraj, don't be that guy. It's just one night. And she'll feel bad if everyone has someone except her."