"First day of college: 80% excitement, 20% fear of getting lost between classes."- Unknown

SANA was lost in a perfect dream, warm and cozy under her blanket, when suddenly-splash!

A freezing wave of water hit her square in the face. She jolted upright, gasping.

"Mom!" she shrieked, wiping her face and shivering. "What was that for?"

Her mother stood by the bed, holding an empty glass, her expression firm. "You're going to be late for your first day at college if you keep lazing around like this," she said, not a hint of regret in her voice.

Sana groaned, pulling the blankets up to her chin. "But it's so cold! How could you do this to your poor, defenseless daughter? It's practically child abuse!"

"Enough with the drama, Sana," her mother said, crossing her arms. "You've been dying to go to that college, and now that the day is finally here, you're acting like it's a Sunday morning. Get up! Your father is waiting for you at the breakfast table."

Sana sighed, knowing her mother was right. She had been dreaming of St. Merry College for years-ever since ninth grade when Richa, the neighbor's daughter she jokingly called "Riche Rich," told her all about it.

She could still remember Richa's excitement when she got into St. Merry's after her 12th-grade exams. The girl had practically glowed as she came over with a box of sweets.

"It's like stepping into a Karan Johar movie, Sana!" Richa had said, eyes wide with enthusiasm. "The college is just like the ones in Student of the Year and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. The buildings are massive, the grounds are lush, and there are all sorts of people-toppers, fashionistas, sports jocks, bad boys. It's a world of its own."

Sana had been captivated by those stories, imagining herself walking through those grand gates, living out her own college drama with friendships, rivalries, and maybe even an epic love story. But right now, she had to survive her first day.

"Alright, alright, I'm up!" Sana tossed the covers aside and grabbed the outfit she'd carefully laid out the night before-a white top, black trousers, and her favorite jacket.

She rushed to the bathroom, knowing she didn't have a minute to waste.

A quick warm shower later, she stepped out feeling wide awake. The white top was soft against her skin, and the black pants fit perfectly, giving her a sleek look. She slipped on her jacket, the material wrapping her in warmth.

Sana took a moment to look at herself in the mirror. Her long hair was still damp, so she reached for the blow dryer, running her fingers through the strands until they dried, cascading down her back.

She grabbed her comb, carefully detangling her hair, before moving on to her makeup. Just a touch of nude foundation, a soft pink lipstick that matched her natural lip color, and a thin line of eyeliner to make her big eyes pop.

Satisfied, she reached for her most favourite perfume, spritzing just enough to leave a subtle scent. She strapped on her most expensive watch-a gift from her father-and finally, slid on her black square-framed glasses.

"Today's going to be amazing," she whispered to herself, smiling at her reflection.

Sana hurried downstairs, thoughts of St. Merry College is filling her mind. She couldn't stop thinking about the stories Richa used to tell her.

The college really did sound like something out of a movie-tall, architecturally stunning buildings, wide hallways with big windows, green, well-kept lawns, and that massive sports field where the future champions practiced.

And the library! Richa had said it was a book lover's paradise, with towering shelves full of every genre imaginable, a place where you could lose yourself for hours.

As she entered the dining room, she was greeted by the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread.

Her father looked up from his newspaper, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Good morning, Sweetheart," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Morning, Papa," Sana replied, returning his smile as she took the seat opposite him.

The breakfast table was laid out just like always-toast, butter, jam, and a steaming pot of tea.

Her mother placed a plate of scrambled eggs in front of her, her usual stern look softening a bit. "Eat up, Sana. You'll need your energy today."

Sana nodded, tucking in. "You won't believe how excited I am, Papa. I've been dreaming about this day for years!"

Her father chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee. "We know, we know. St. Merry College, the place you've been talking about since... what, class nine?"

"Exactly!" Sana grinned, buttering her toast. "It's going to be just like Richa said-like stepping into a Karan Johar movie. I'm going to be surrounded by all sorts of people, and the campus itself is supposed to be beautiful. I can't wait to see it all."

Her mother shook her head, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "Just remember, it's not all about the glamour. Focus on your studies too."

"Of course, Mom," Sana promised, taking another bite of her toast. But her mind was already wandering to what lay ahead. She could almost see the towering buildings and sprawling green lawns of St. Merry in her head. Today was the day she'd finally get to experience it all.

After breakfast, Sana grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and headed out to her red scooter parked in the driveway. She hopped on, the familiar hum of the engine filling her with a thrill of anticipation.

But first, she had to pick up Julia⁠-her best friend.

She pulled up outside Julia's house and honked. Her best friend appeared at the door, grinning as she skipped over to Sana. But as soon as she saw her, Julia's smile turned into a frown.

"Sana, what are you doing?" Julia asked, eyeing her glasses with disapproval. "Why are you wearing those? You know your lenses make you look way hotter."

Sana rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but laugh. "They're comfortable, Julia. And besides, I like how I look in these."

"Comfortable? Sure, but we're going for hot today, not just comfortable," Julia insisted, crossing her arms. "Did you bring your lenses?"

Sana sighed dramatically, reaching into her bag and pulling out the case. "Fine, fine. I'll put them on once we reach the college. Happy now?"

Julia's face lit up with a triumphant smile. "Very much."

She leaned over and kissed Sana's cheek, making her scrunch up her nose in mock disgust.

"Ewe, Julia, you're gross!" Sana teased, wiping her cheek. "I'm not your type, remember?"

Julia just laughed, unfazed. "Too bad, because you're looking super sexy today. I bet half the boys at St. Merry are going to be dead on their feet when they see you, my sexy lady."

Sana couldn't help but laugh along with her. "If they are, you'll be to blame, not me. Now, let's get going before we're late!"

They sped off toward the college, the wind whipping through Sana's hair. She glanced over at Julia, who was still grinning like a fool and felt a wave of affection for her friend.

Julia was right; today was going to be great.

Hopefully!

As soon as they reached the entrance of St. Merry College, Sana quickly removed her glasses and swapped them out for her lenses. Julia, standing beside her, whistled in approval.

"Now you're ready to slay like a queen and break some hearts," she teased, her grin wide.

Sana laughed, shaking her head. "You're too much, Julia. I'm just here to study and experience college life, not to break hearts."

"We'll see,"

"Sure." Sana laughed.

But as they walked through the gates, Sana's excitement bubbled over. Her heart raced as she took in her surroundings, each step slower than the last. The college was everything Richa had described and more.

Tall, elegant buildings stood proud against the sky, with sprawling green lawns that seemed to stretch endlessly. The architecture, the atmosphere-it all felt like a scene straight out of a Karan Johar movie. It was surreal.

Just as she was getting lost in the beauty of it all, Sana's steps faltered, and the smile on her face faded when she heard a thick, commanding male voice from her left.

"Hey! You. White top and black trousers girl."

Sana frowned at the way he addressed her, irritation prickling at her skin.

Who the hell did he think he was?

She turned around slowly, crossing her arms over her chest as she faced him.

The first thing she noticed was how tall he was, his six-foot-three height adding to the aura of arrogance that practically oozed from him. He had a dusky skin tone and whiskey-colored eyes that were sharp and assessing, taking her in with a lazy sort of interest. His features were handsome, annoyingly so, with a lean, muscular build that was easy to notice beneath his all-black attire. Black t-shirt, black pants, black jacket-everything about him screamed-bad boy.

He sat on a bike with a thick silver chain around his neck, his messy hair falling effortlessly into place. That sexy, evil smirk on his face told her everything she needed to know: he was trouble.

And if the five guys and one girl standing around him in matching leather outfits were any indication, he was the leader of this little group.

As Sana faced the group, her heart raced, but she refused to show any sign of intimidation. She kept her posture relaxed, her arms still crossed over her chest, waiting for him to speak.

"You called me?" Sana asked, her voice steady.

"Sana, let's just leave," Julia whispered urgently beside her. "They're bullies. They're ragging the fresher."

But Sana wasn't about to back down. She gave Julia a reassuring glance. "Shut up, let me see what he does," she said, her eyes never leaving the guy on the bike.

The guy smirked, clearly amused by her defiance. "Yes, you," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "What's your name?"

"Sana D'Souza," she replied without a hint of hesitation, her gaze unwavering. There was a brief moment of silence, and then she saw it-a flicker of something in his eyes.

Was it interest? Or amusement? She couldn't tell, but she knew one thing for sure: He wasn't used to being challenged.

"I like your attitude," he said, getting off his bike and walking toward her with slow, deliberate steps. Each one seemed calculated to make her feel small, to intimidate her. But Sana held her ground, even as he towered over her.

"But it won't last long, baby girl," he continued, his smirk widening into something more sinister. His voice was low and smooth, like he was making a promise rather than a threat.

Sana felt the tension in the air thickening, but she refused to be the one to break. She looked up at him, her expression calm, and her eyes locked with his.

"Try me," she replied, her voice cool and confident.

His smile faltered for just a second before returning, broader this time. "You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said, clearly impressed despite himself.

He leaned in closer, his face just inches from hers, and for a brief moment, Sana could feel his breath against her skin.

"I'm going to enjoy breaking that attitude of yours," he whispered, his tone laced with a dangerous kind of promise.

"Good luck with that," Sana shot back, refusing to back down even as she felt her pulse quicken.

Just then, one of the guys in the group-a tall, lanky one with a mischievous glint in his eyes-chimed in. "Hey, Sidharth, why don't you give them a task? Let's see if this attitude of hers holds up after that."

Sana's ears perked up. Sidharth. So that was his name. The name struck a chord, and she filed it away in her memory. He was the one Richa had warned her about. The bad boy, the leader of the pack.

"Sana, a new boy, joined my college as freshers last week. But he acts like a senior and bullies everyone in college. Including his seniors." Richa said, voice filled with anger.

"Did he bully you?"

"Fortunately, no. But my best friend, Maya was his prey today. And, I hate him." Richa said. "Fucking asshole."

Sana felt like laughing hearing a new guy have bullied a senior but controlled seeing Richa's anger. But her interest in knowing the name was there.

"What's his name?" she asked, amused about his guts.

"Sidharth Vyas."

Sidharth looked at his friend, then back at Sana. He seemed to consider it for a moment before nodding slowly. "Not a bad idea, Kartik," he said, his tone thoughtful. "Let's see what they're made of."

Kartik's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Alright, two tasks then. One of you has to eat a spicy lollipop which Payel made at home," he said, pointing at the only girl in their group, who grinned wickedly.

"And the other." Kartik paused dramatically, glancing around, before his gaze landed on a shimmy belt hanging from his bike. "...has to do a belly dance wearing this."

Sidharth chuckled darkly, clearly pleased with the options. He turned to Sana, a devilish grin spreading across his face. "Let's see, who should do what?"

He let the tension build for a moment, enjoying the way Sana's eyes narrowed at him, and how Julia visibly shrunk beside her.

"Alright"' he finally said, his voice dripping with authority. "Sana, you get the lollipop."

Sana raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a smirk. "Is that the best you've got?"

Sidharth's eyes darkened slightly, but the smirk remained. "Take it like a good girl, and suck," he ordered, assuming she was naive because of her innocent face and doe eyes.

Never judge a book by its cover.

Sana's eyes flashed with fury. She could feel Julia tense beside her, but she refused to let Sidharth's taunts get to her. Without missing a beat, she shot back, "Why not? After all, this spicy lollipop must be bigger than your tiny dick."

There was a beat of silence. Sidharth's friends gawked at her, their jaws dropping. Sidharth himself looked momentarily stunned, his smirk faltering as he processed her words. But he quickly composed himself, his eyes narrowing as a new wave of respect and intrigue filled them.

She wasn't like the other girls-she had fire.

"Eat. It. Now." He ordered his voice calm but laced with a quiet authority that made it clear he wasn't used to being disobeyed. Inside, though, his mind was racing. No one had ever spoken to him like that, and the fact that she had the guts to do it made his pulse quicken.

"I liked her attitude. But.. no one can disrespect me like that. I have to teach her a good lesson that she'll remember all her life." He thought, promising himself looking at her with determination in his dark eyes.

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