*Samaira's POV*
I hate morning assemblies. Why do we have to gather in the school ground at 8 am in the morning under the scorching sun when we can do the same prayers while staying inside the classroom?
Nevermind, It's not like I can change the rules.
I was walking outside my classroom towards the ground when Saisha was getting scolded by Rathi sir.
Rathi sir is our physics teacher and his morning starts with checking everyone's homework. I don't know what makes him think that everyone in this class will complete the homework but I love his resilience.
"Ms. Matthews! How many times have I told you to solve the entire question?" He practically screamed at Saisha.
"Sorry sir. I'll improve it" Saisha replied with her head lowered down.
Rathi sir let's her go because no matter how much he scolds us, he's also easy on us.
"Yaar main toh JEE aspirant hoon. Main kyu steps solve karu" Saisha whined.
[I'm a JEE aspirant. Why must I solve all the steps]
"That's not how it works yaar tujhe boards bhi toh dena hai" I advised.
[You've to appear for boards as well]
Saisha kept her notebook in her bag and we both headed out with Gaurika joining us.
The distance between 12-A and the ground is just one floor. Like every other day, I took the stairs instead of elevator.
Everyone prefers the newly installed elevators for the sake of fun but I am too scared of taking the elevator.
We reached the ground and lined up in a queue according to our heights. Saisha and Gaurika are both taller than me so they were behind me.
The air is filled with chatter and laughter as friends reunite after one long day. Teachers stand at strategic points, guiding students to their assigned spots with gentle reminders to maintain order.
*tap-tap-tap* Ms. Jain tapped the mic.
"Everyone! Stand in attention and join your hands" Ms. Jain announced.
The assembly proceeds with prayers, invoking a sense of spirituality and calm amidst the morning bustle.
All the prayers and national anthem get over within the next 30 minutes and we start heading back to the class.
Occasionally, a gentle reminder to "keep moving" or "stay in line" breaks the silence, maintaining the discipline of the procession.
I was walking while talking to Gaurika when a voice falls over my ear.
"Stop!" An unfamiliar voice said.
I turned around.
"Where's your ID card?" the unfamiliar voice asked.
I turned my head further to take a better look.
"PREFECT" was written in bold letters on the white colored badges adorned on his shirt pocket.
I looked up to see the face of the tall male figure in front of me.
Time seemed to slow as I took in his features - the way his eyes sparkled with a hint of superiority, the curve of his jawline, and the confident tilt of his head. It felt as though the entire world faded away, leaving only him and me in that moment.
My heart quickened its pace, and butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I tried to steady my breath. I couldn't hear the sentences he was uttering.
I felt a flush creep up my cheeks as I realized that I was staring, but I couldn't bring myself to look away.
"Excuse me? I am talking to you!" He said pulling me out of my lalaland.
"umm... It's in my bag" I said, almost stuttering.
"Keep standing here" he said pointing towards his left.
I quietly moved to the side with my head turned away, trying not to look at him.
I couldn't hold myself back and looked in his direction.
He glanced in my direction, our eyes locked for a fleeting moment, sending a jolt of electricity through me that I knew I would never forget. He looked away and I felt blood rushing through my cheeks.
Ye sab kya ho raha hai mere saath. Mujhe kuch samajh kyu nahi aa raha. Who is this guy? Why am in this state after looking at him?
"um... Aapko pehle kabhi dekha nahi prefect duty par" I said breaking the silence.
[I've never seen your before on prefect duty]
"I'm Raunak's replacement. He was the prefect before" He replied with his stern demeanour.
My heart raced like I just ran a marathon.
"come with me" he said moving forward, leading in the direction of my classroom.
"Kahan Jana hai?" I asked.
[Where are we going]
"Apna ID card dikhao mujhe class mein" He said instructing me to walk behind him.
[Show me your ID card in your class]
I showed him my ID card and he immediately left.
I wonder what section he's in.
I sat down on my seat and opened my English book. It's the beginning of class 12th and today we are starting the Last Lesson.
I turned back to talk to Saisha and Gaurika sitting right behind me.
"Yaar ek baat batao, ye new prefect kaun hai?" I asked.
[Who is the new prefect]
"Arre wo new admission hai. Raunak ne school chhoda tha last year isiliye he's the new prefect as well" Saisha said.
[He's the new admission. Raunak left the school last year]
"Tujhe kyu janna hai" Gaurika asked.
[Why do you want to know]
"Nahi bass aise hi" I replied.
[Nothing! Just like that.]
"Dikhta toh accha hai waise" Saisha said.
[He's good looking by the way]
"Hmm..." I replied turning my head away because I was aware of the crimson hue creeping through my face.
"tujhe pata hai wo Vanshika abhi se uske peeche hai" Gaurika said.
[You know what? That vanshika is already after him]
Gaurika is our go-to source of school gossips. She knows everything happening in grade 12. Sometimes I feel like she's the perfect fit for a journalist position.
"Vanshika Rout? From our class?" I asked.
"Haan... kehna nahi chahiye but if he ever likes her back, he'll be the dumbest guy ever" Saisha said.
I turned around, feeling a mix of emotions in my head. I tried to deviate my mind from all the useless thoughts and started reading the Last Lesson.
Ms. Tandon, our English teacher entered the classroom and instructed us to open the first page.
The class was almost over when I heard a familiar voice coming from the door.
"May I come in Ma'am" The voice said.
A 6 ft tall figure walked inside the classroom. He turned his head towards the students.
IT'S HIM. IT'S THE PREFECT GUY. I screamed in my head. My heart skipped a beat as I saw him standing in front the class. He looked effortlessly cool, with his tousled hair and that confident stride. His mere presence seemed to fill the room with an electric energy that I couldn't ignore.
"Class! We are having mini-elections after the recess today. Whosoever wants to contend for the remaining prefect position, kindly reach out to me in 12-C by the third period" He announced with an authority in his voice.
As I watched from a distance, I couldn't help but notice the way the other girls reacted whenever he entered the room. A pang of jealousy twisted in my chest as I realized that I was just one of many vying for his attention. I tried to shake off the feeling and focus on something else, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge of insecurity.
"Suno! I'll take part in the elections" I turned back and told my friends.
"Are you kidding me? You were the one who said that it's a waste of time" Saisha said.
"I guess I had a change of mind" I said.
"who are you trying to fool Sam? We know you better than you know yourself." Gaurika said.
"umm... Chill! I just wanted to try our something new" I said, trying to cover up the fact.
"Sach sach bata" Saisha said practically threatened me.
[Tell us the truth]
"It's nothing yaar. Tum dono CID banna band kardo" I put off the conversation and turned my head.
[Don't try to become CID]
It was time for the recess when I headed out to fill my water bottle. I saw the prefect walking in my direction.
I turned around and started running back to the class as if he was coming after my life.
"Arre itni jaldi bhar gayi bottle?" Saisha asked.
[How did you fill your bottle that quick?]
"umm... Nothing" I said clearly while blushing.
Gaurika noticed the flushed cheeks and instantly sensed the situation.
"It's the prefect right?" She asked teasing me with a mischievous smirk on her face.
"umm...you see ... he's pretty good looking and totally my type" I said revealing my emotions to my soul sisters.
"WHAT???!!!????" Saisha screamed.
"hume jiju mil Gaye!!! Awww" Gaurika said.
[We found our brother in law]
"Yaar itni door kahan jaa rahe ho" I said shutting them up.
[You're thinking too far in the future}
"Yaar abse humara mission hai. Hum iss Jodi ko banwa kar rahenge" Saisha said.
[Now it's our mission to make this alliance happen]
"Tujhe toh JEE ki preparation karni thi na" I said taunting her.
[You were preparing for JEE right?]
"Chhod na wo sab. Abhi prefect jiju pe focus karte hain" Saisha said.
[Forget that! Right now let's focus on prefect brother in law]
"So that's why you want to take part in the election" Gaurika said.
"You go girl!!!" Gaurika exclaimed.
The recess got over and I decided to gather all my courage to make my entry into 12-C.
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