When the Story Continues (Sequel to When the Script Changes)

Chapter 30: Pin's First Crush

Pin sighed, clearly not in the mood for this. "You can sit wherever you want. Just be quiet."

Anil smirked. "Sure thing, nerd."

Pin's eye twitched.

----------

It turned out—

Anil was not the type to leave people alone.

Especially Pin.

She was the new kid, but within a week, she had somehow befriended everyone.

She was the type to skip class just for fun, the type to sneak snacks into the library, the type to challenge the teachers in ways that made them both angry and impressed.

And for some horrible, unexplainable reason—

She had decided that Pin was her favorite person in the world.

"Hey Pin, looking cute today, as always," Anil greeted every morning, sliding into the seat beside her.

Pin ignored her.

Mostly.

Except for the way her hands gripped her book tighter, or the way her ears turned pink every single time.

Anil would lean in close, way too close, and whisper, "What are you reading today?"

And somehow, some way—

Pin always answered.

---------

It took months for Pin to realize she had a crush. 

It was one afternoon when Anil literally fought someone for the seat next to her, that she finally caught on.

"You know you can sit anywhere, right?" Pin muttered, adjusting her glasses.

Anil leaned in, grinning. "Why would I do that when my girlfriend sits here?"

Pin's breath hitched. "I am NOT your girlfriend."

Anil tilted her head. "Yet."

Pin's face burned.

And that was the moment she realized.

Anil wasn't just being annoying.

She was flirting.

Hard.

And worse?

Pin didn't hate it.

And when she finally, did realize she had a crush—

She panicked.

Because oh no.

This wasn't just a phase or a fleeting interest.

This was real.

It was the way her stomach flipped every time Anil laughed.

It was the way she remembered every single thing Anil said, even the dumb, ridiculous things.

It was the way she always knew where Anil was in a room, even when she wasn't looking.

It was the warmth in her chest, the embarrassing excitement, the way her heart betrayed her every single time Anil smiled at her.

Pin was in trouble.

Big, big trouble.

----------

One afternoon, Pin was sitting in the library, safely hidden away in her favorite corner.

It was quiet. Peaceful.

And then—

Anil appeared.

Of course.

She dropped her bag onto the table, flopped into the chair across from Pin, and grinned.

"Hey Pin looking cute today."

Pin, not looking up from her book, sighed, "You say that every day."

"Because it's true every day," Anil said instantly. "Also, it's my love language."

Pin froze, slightly tilting her head upwards, eyes wide and cheeks flushed.

Love language.

Anil must have noticed because her smirk deepened.

Pin quickly looked back at her book. Focused. Stay focused.

Then—

"Hey, Pin?" Anil's voice was suddenly quieter.

Pin hesitated. Looked up.

Anil was staring at her.

Serious.

Thoughtful.

Too close.

Pin swallowed. "...What?"

Anil tilted her head.

"Do you like me?"

Pin's heart stopped.

Everything in her froze.

Her book. The library. The world.

Anil was waiting.

Watching her.

Smirking—but softer now.

Pin opened her mouth.

Closed it.

Tried again.

"I—"

And then—

She ran.

Straight out of the library.

Straight down the hall.

Straight past her own feelings because no, no, no, this wasn't happening.

But of course—

It was.

Because Anil was Anil.

And Pin was already too far gone.