At one end of the hall, Mishti and Reyansh were indulgently watching the younger kids practice their group dance. A few feet away from them the actual Fine Arts Secretary, Sejal sat on a chair looking bored. Aaliyah, Maya and their clique sat in a circle, chatting.

I felt slightly intimidated and a little bit ashamed that I had hardly been practicing my own dance. I didn't want to fuck up the chances of our championship.

On the other end of the hall, near the stage, I spotted Riya fervently taking measurements for the choir girls

"Riya", I called out.

She stood up massaging her back, the measuring tape hanging around her neck.

"We need to talk".

"About?", she asked cheerfully.

"Abeer and Mrs Arora".

"What about that?", she asked her smile faltering.

"We went to see Mrs Arora yesterday".

"Who's we?"

"Me and Abeer".

"What? Why did you go? It's important to send only Abeer as much as possible", Riya said.

"Yeah because he alone can suffer then, right? While, you sit here having put as much distance as possible between you and the problem you've created".

"I don't know what you're talking about", Riya said turning away.

"I know very well, that it's not out of concern for Mrs Arora that you made Abeer pose as Darsh. You just thought you'd have some fun, didn't you? Create trouble for Abeer?"

And then I told her everything that had happened in Mrs Arora's house.

"Why Riya?", I asked angrily after I had finished, "When Abeer has shown you nothing but kindness? Is it because you wanted to get rid of him? Why didn't you just tell him that you don't want to go out with him?"

"It's not about that", Riya said quickly.

"Then why..", I began but then it came clear to me out of nowhere, "I know! You got scared that Abeer might outdo you as a troublemaker. You started this drama, exactly after Abeer brought that rat into the class. You always want to be the badass in chief don't you? Make people laugh and admire you. Well you have proved that you are indeed the bad girl on the block, Riya but this time, no one's laughing".

Riya looked at me sourly, "Very clever of you Zoya. Have you finished?", she asked

"Not yet", I said "I am yet to hear you apologize to Abeer or Mrs Arora".

"I will do that, Zoya", Riya said coldly "But at my own pace and not with any commands from you".

"I'm glad to hear that", I said as smoothly as I could.

"I'm sorry, I just don't like you that way, Abeer. But we can always be friends", Riya finished.

It had been horrible even for me to hear when Riya had told Abeer, infront of me, Mishti and Reyansh that she had deliberately wanted to create trouble for him and wasn't surprised at all when Abeer's expression changed to one of complete hurt and shock.

However, I also thought it was really gutsy of Riya to confess everything like that.

"Very well Riya", Abeer said finally "I understand you don't wanna go out with me. And I understand why you made me pose as Darsh. I'm not saying you did right but at least thank you for being honest with me. And you must go on being honest if you want us to be friends".

Riya immediately agreed to this and they shared a quick hug.

"This is all really cool and sweet", said Reyansh mercifully breaking the awkwardness "Now who wants lunch?"

I was waiting by the school gate when Riya came back after visiting Mrs Arora.

"What happened?", I asked eagerly.

"Mrs Arora is the best person ever!", Riya declared, "Can you believe it? We tried to fool her but she fooled us! I hope I'm sharp like her when I'm her age".

"I know right", I said "What did she say though?"

"Well, she gave me a truly deserved lecture at first and then she laughed it off and we chatted for sometime. Isn't she cool?"

"Totally".

"And Zoya..", Riya said, her tone changing now "I know I'm pathetic. You're a better friend to me than I'll ever be to you. And if I'm ever a bitch to you again..."

"I'll know you're back to normal", I finished.