Are first impressions, true impressions?

Nivedya touched Nimrit's hand to check if she was okay, but a strong current jolted them and he removed his hand instantly. Nimrit saw the reason for her fall and what she saw made her fly up above the sky. Her heart fluttered and bubbles of excitement erupted on her skin.

A tall boy with broad shoulders, warm features, wheatish skin tone, and thick black hair was so close to her, looking at her like she was the most beautiful sculpture in human skin.

"Child, are you okay?" The skating instructor asked Nimrit with concern and she got up nodding in yes. "Nivi, get up. Hope you are not hurt?" The teacher enquired Nivedya but unlike Nimrit, he was still in a state of trance. He could not take his eyes off her.

The principal with Nimrit's parents came to the skating rink and commented playfully, "So, I see you have already collided with the most charismatic boy in your class."

Nimrit felt conscious because she did not want her overprotective father to know about the little encounter. Nivedya's friends helped him get up and the class greeted their Principal.

The Principal put her hand around Nimrit's shoulder while introducing her, "Good afternoon, everyone. I am glad to inform you that this girl standing next to me is Nimrit Khanna and will study in your class from tomorrow. She is an ex-student of the La Martiniere School. Apart from being an excellent academic student, Nimrit is the current skating champion of India in the under sixteen category. I am sure you all will befriend her soon not just because of her achievements but because she is a beautiful person."

"Beautiful? Ask Nivi who is ogling at her like a bee to a doughnut." Collin whispered and a few children who heard his comment tittered teasingly.

"We look forward to seeing you roll on the wheels, Nimrit. Welcome." The skating instructor shook hands with her, but an otherwise confident person Nimrit was nervous. Nivedya was still staring at her and as much as she wanted to, she couldn't risk reverting his gaze.

The class was over and everyone dispersed to their respective conveyances. Nivedya ignored Collin's remarks and comments. All he could think about was Nimrit's pretty face, especially her eyes which transitioned their expression from accusing to admiring in a split second.

Next morning when the alarm rang Nivedya got up at once surprising Rose.
When Nivedya was combing his hair he saw his reflection and smiled. He had the 'good' looks courtesy of his beautiful mother, and his height was around 5 feet 9inches which made him above the average height for a fourteen-year-old. His grades were good too, but what made him stand out from others was his empathetic nature and his immaculate fighting skills. His father and brother were trained in MMA and other techniques, and he was picking up quickly.

Nivedya plucked a rose from his garden and kept it safely in his bag. He wasn't sure if he would give it to Nimrit but he was sure if it was meant for anyone, it was for her.

Nimrit's father, Amber gave her a pep-talk before dropping her at school, "Nimrit, you know the rules. Talk to boys only when necessary. The boy who banged into you yesterday was not accidental. Boys use such cheap tricks, so keep your guard on. Remember, you are the best. Swarnbhoomi High kids are nowhere close to you, my girl."

"Papa, I know this is new for us but I assure you, like always, you will be proud of me." Nimrit replied confidently before stepping out of the car.

She was walking to the P.R.O's office to get her schedule when a group of girls stopped her and said, "Hey, Nimrit welcome to Swarnbhoomi High School. We study in the same class. Come with us."
Nimrit gave the girls a half-smile and walked with them. "By the way, I am Aarna, she is Aarfa and she is Aashna." The girls giggled at their alliteration introduction but Nimrit gave a 'whatever' expression and entered the class.

She portrayed confidence but as she reached the class she wiped her sweaty palms with her skirt. The conversation she had with her best friend the day before had disturbed her thought process and shaken her confidence.

"It was love at first sight, Nimrit! Oh! My God! You fell in love on the first day? Sorry! First visit to your new school? Haha! This is so boring. I thought you will explore options before giving away your heart to just some random guy who collided with you. So cliched, Nimrit." Nimrit's old school friend, Barkha teased her when she told her about her first visit.

"It was not love at first sight. I was angry and memorised his face so that I can take revenge in future." Nimrit tried to defend herself but that didn't seem to help. She wasn't sure what exactly happened but that night all she could see in the clouds was the face of the boy who ruined her first impression and gave her unnecessary goosebumps.

"Would you like to sit with me Nimrit?" Aashna asked Nimrit bringing her out of her thoughts.

Nimrit sat on the first bench proudly ignoring Aashna's sweet offer and remarked, "I belong to the front row."

"Really? Princi, told us you were an excellent academic student. Why do you want to sit in the front then?" Aarfa's question confused Nimrit so she explained the policy their school followed, "in this school, there is no divide. Everyone is free to sit as per their requirements. If anything, teachers prefer students who require extra help in their studies to sit in the front so they get more attention and their concentration is not diverted."

Nimrit refrained from letting them know she was impressed with the idea. She was instructed to behave pricy because she came from the best school in India.

Nimrit settled in the third row only to realise that she was sitting diagonally opposite the boy who according to her father was a loafer. She tried hard not to look behind but from her peripheral vision, she could see him and all she wanted was to see him properly, just once or maybe, more? Fighting all pros and cons Nimrit was about to turn when the Science teacher arrived.

After welcoming Nimrit formally the teacher briefed her about the topic they had done and the one they were doing. Before the bell rang the teacher collected the projects due for submission.

"Ma'am, can I get two more days? I haven't finished it yet." Nivedya requested the teacher and for the first time felt bad for not doing his work on time. He wanted to create a good impression on Nimrit.

"Nivi, what can I say? Okay, do one thing, Nimrit also has to finish her project so why don't you do a combined project? She will understand the topic easily like that and the burden of the project will reduce." The teacher's suggestion thrilled Nivedya and shocked Nimrit because she wanted to stay away from him.

"Not a problem ma'am. We have a free class today." Nivedya replied excitedly earning a stifled titter from his friends.

The teacher left after approving and Nimrit's heart was throbbing against her chest. She could sense Nivedya was coming to talk to her but next teacher arrived like an angel sent from above and Nimrit quickly drank water from her bottle. She didn't want to faint with the growing anxiety.

It was break time and Nimrit knew Nivedya would come to talk to her. She made up her mind to believe that he was a flirtatious boy who should be ignored.

"Nimrit, we all share food and eat in the garden. Have you brought a tiffin or will grab something from the canteen?" Aashna asked Nimrit and she quickly took out her tiffin and exited with the girls.

In the lush green gardens, the entire school was sprawled. Nimrit was used to closed and small groups but here the entire class sat together and everybody was everybody's friend. She sat with her class and ate her lunch. Observing the freedom kids had in this school she couldn't help comparing it with her old school where they had strict rules and regulations. Eating properly on chairs and tables and not spread out on the grass. Boys and girls snatching food from each other were out of the question. There were no boys in her previous school and girls behaved like "well-cultured ladies" were supposed to.

'Such uncouth behaviour! Girls should at least behave properly not run like that for a piece of bread.' Nimrit thought. So, she finished her lunch quickly and got up.

Aarfa requested Nimrit to stay but she denied saying, "I have work to do. Can't waste time on petty gossip."
While walking back to the class, she saw a girl running behind Nivedya trying to hit him playfully. Nivedya was dodging her attempts successfully but he was certainly unsuccessful in creating a 'good' impression on Nimrit who walked angrily to the class and took out books for the next subject.

Nivedya heard his classmates analysis of Nimrit's behaviour. She was deduced to be a proud, snob and thankless girl. But, they decided to give her time to settle and mend her ways. Nivedya didn't say anything but didn't like the character analysis either.

"Nimrit, hi." The world stopped and so did Nimrit's heart. The bustling school was quiet and Nimrit felt numb. "Nimrit..." Nivedya called again and Nimrit looked at him. "We have a free class now. Will you prefer the library or shall we go to the 'thinking garden' for the project?"

"Umm... I do not want to do my project with you. I will do it on my own." Nimrit was happy she didn't fumble while rejecting the handsome boy.

Nivedya could not decipher why anybody would deny an offer of a combined project. So he asked her, "Why? Shaina ma'am suggested us doing it together. It'll be easier for you."

"I do not like the easier wrong. I know my capabilities, I doubt yours. If you could not do it on time when others did, I am sceptical you can do it now. What next, you will be simply copying my project? So, we should do it individually." Nimrit didn't know she could be rude too. In her last school, she was known for helping her classmates in any and every way she could.
'But, they were not like this boy who was going to simply copy her project.' She reasoned with her heart.

"If that is what you choose then I'll respect that. But if you want, you can take help from this project made by our senior, Janice. It's very comprehensive and will help you understand easily." Nivedya gave the file to Nimrit and left with a smile. He also thought it was better they completed the project separately. He knew his Science sucked and he didn't want to be called a fool. Besides, the way his heart was behaving while talking to Nimrit was unusual.

Nimrit stood rooted with the file in her hand. She tried to ignore the sweetness she experienced, and therefore resorted to reading the project file. In the coming periods, most of the teachers asked Nivedya to share the work done before Nimrit joined the school with her.

After the final period Nivedya gave his notebooks to Nimrit but she rejected his help saying his writing was terrible and she could not understand a word he wrote.

"Nimrit are you trying to avoid me? If it's because of yesterday, I am sorry. It was an accident." Nivedya apologised honestly. He didn't want her to think he was a notorious boy.

Nimrit told him curtly, "Oh! Please. I know your kind. I have been warned to stay away from boys like you."

"Care to elaborate, please?" Nivedya was all attentive to the accusation.

Nimrit looked at him and replied, "The ones who try to get close to girls either by banging in them purposefully or indulging in games like snatching their food to have them chase you. Then you know... accidentally touching them or... why am I explaining? You know your kind better than I do." Nimrit packed her books and left the class.

Nivedya was processing what the new girl he wanted to welcome with a flower and look at her gorgeous face for hours, just accused him of. He took his bag and marched out in anger. He or any of his friends were nothing like that. His mother had taught him well to always respect women and he never failed. No one had ever condemned him for inappropriate behaviour.

"You swine. I will kill you." Nivedya shouted at top of his voice and ran after a boy. They reached the school ground where Nivedya boxed the boy black and blue.

Nimrit was shocked to see Nivedya behaving like a hooligan, but what scared her more was her father's angry face. She didn't want to leave the school she attended for just a day.

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Dear Readers
Nimrit and Nivedya collided and felt an instant connection. Where Nimrit decided to ignore it, Nivedya embraced it.
Nimrit has made it clear that she wants to stay away from "boys like, Nivedya" will she be able to do that?

Find out
Stay hooked
Happy Reading