Invisible String

Chapter 8

Iyaara

I got home,my heart was racing, and honestly? I couldn’t stop smiling. Like—seriously, wasn’t that the sweetest thing ever? My legs felt too tired to walk after what just happened, but my mood? Sky high. Thank god he decided to come with me today.

“Where were you, girl?” my aunt’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Did something good happen?” she asked, a teasing smile on her face.

“Noo,” I said quickly, trying to sound casual. “Just tried some good food.”

Her eyes flicked to the plushie in my hand. “And what’s that for, huh? Did someone give you this?” she asked, smiling but with that sarcastic tone that made my stomach twist.

I froze. “No—I—uh…” I stuttered, completely caught off guard.

She burst out laughing. “Relax, I’m just kidding!”

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“Anyway,” she continued, “dinner’s ready. Your favorite—meatballs and spaghetti!”

“Ahhhhhh!” I exaggerated dramatically.

She laughed again, shaking her head.

After freshening up, I sat down to eat, and later, I did what I always do when I’m either too happy or too sad—
I rewatched 10 Things I Hate About You.

I don’t know why, but that movie always hits different. I just… can’t get enough of it.

After the movie ended, I got off my bed, stretching and mumbling, “I wish there was a man like Patrick Verona out there.” I turned off the lights, flopped back into bed, and did what any normal person would do—started scrolling on my phone again. Seriously, if there was a job for scrolling, I’d be a billionaire by now.

Somewhere between memes and random videos, sleep won.

The next morning, I woke up a few minutes before my alarm—every overachiever’s dream—but decided to do the one smart thing: sleep again. Those few minutes before the alarm? They’re sacred. Precious. And of course, I opened my eyes ten minutes after I was supposed to.

“Ughhh,” I groaned, staring at the clock like it personally betrayed me. I shot out of bed, ran to the washroom, took a quick shower and barely managed to grab my breakfast from my aunt before running out.

“Eat properly!” she shouted as I fast-walked out the door, toast in hand, checking my watch every three seconds like that would somehow make time slow down.

Finally reaching the school gates, I let out a dramatic sigh of relief. The hallway buzzed with familiar laughter and chatter—everyone complaining about the same thing: the post-exam hangover.

I saw Ava and Kairo bickering again and couldn’t help but facepalm as I made my way toward them. Their constant squabbling never failed to amuse and exasperate me at the same time.

“See! He said he wouldn’t pass in any subject, but he literally passed in everything!” Ava exclaimed dramatically, throwing her hands in the air.

Then I remembered—it was the day the test results were announced. My heart skipped a beat. Results.

I scanned the list, my eyes darting down the names. First: Ryker. Second: Amelia. Third: Iyaara.

A surge of pride and satisfaction hit me. I had come third, and that was something to be genuinely happy about. Yet a small part of me couldn’t ignore the shock of seeing Ryker at the top. Oh, the topper, I murmured under my breath, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

A sudden sense of being watched prickled at the back of my neck. I turned—and nearly jumped out of my skin. Someone was standing right behind me.