So, hello there! I'm your narrator and I'll be introducing you to our characters today.

The loud noise of the alarm rings through the room. A hand impatiently searches for the device that's blaring the noise. The alarm is turned off and sheets are shuffled in an attempt to get rid of them.

So, let me introduce you to-

The sound of a heavy object hitting the floor echoes through the room followed by a groan.

Oh! Meet this sleepyhead also known as Jaimi Ved Patel. She's your usual 16-year-old teenager.

Kamiya: Get ready! We have to be at school in an hour.

The voice booms from the kitchen across the house. Jaimi groans and untangles herself from the sheets. She throws them on the bed and makes her way to the bathroom. She freshens up and sifts through her closet. She throws on a pink sweatshirt and black jean shorts she found. She brushes her hair and is out of the door while struggling to wear socks. A girl about her age pops up in the kitchen while Jaimi is chugging the chocolate milk.

Meet Kamiya, her third cousin, more like aunt. Jaimi still introduces her as cousin because Kamiya is a year younger than her. As for Jaimi's defense she says, "It's weird to introduce someone younger than you as your aunt."

Kamiya: How long does it take for you to get ready?

Jaimi rolls her eyes then, stares back at Kamiya who has her hands on her hips.

Kamiya: Can't you at least be on time once in your life?

Jaimi, again being herself rolls her eyes. She walks past her to the living room and throws her book bag over her shoulder.

Jaimi: If you have so much problem then, have your father drive you or ride the damn bus!

Aashutosh: Your daughter needs to learn some manners!

Oh-oh! The deep voice belongs to Aashutosh Patel, Kamiya's father. He and Jaimi are typically enemies living under the same roof. Aashutosh is Jaimi's grandpa's cousin.

Jaimi is throwing daggers at the man in his fifties with her eyes.

Ved: Jay?

She lets out a sigh and turns to meet her father's eyes. Meet, Ved Patel, as you already know, her father.

Jaimi: Meine kuch galat toh nahi kaha! Yeh roz ka hain. My schedule is tight aur itni hi problem hain toh bus mein chali jaae.

Her dad lets out a sigh. She slips on her shoes and grabs her keys before sprinting out of the apartment when her eyes fall on the clock. Kamiya runs behind her and they hit the road in no time. Within minutes, she pulls into the school parking lot. She swiftly parks her car and grabs her bag.

She runs up the tower staircase to her locker and grabs the books necessary for the class before slamming it shut. A hand wraps around her shoulder and she continues to walk knowing who it is.

Ashton: What do you think about bunking the class and going to the movies?

She gives him a really look.

Meet this guy, Ashton Pate. The star baseball player of the district and one of hottest guy in the school. He and Jaimi are the best of frenemies since the 6th grade.

Jaimi: As fun as it sounds, we cannot escape this hell and Mrs. Giovanni is announcing a project. I'll take you up on your offer next time.

She says before focusing on the crowded hallway. They both feel a bit weird as the others are giving them a twisted look. They reach their class at the end of the hall and take their seats. Their classmates mirror the same look they got in the hallway.

Ashton: Ok! What the fuck is wrong with you people? Why the hell are you staring at us?

He bursts out getting frustrated. Jakob, Casper, Summer, Caysen, and Eli round their desk with a curious look. They all are Jaimi and Ashton's friend.

Jaimi: What?

Summer: Bitch! Why the fuck did you not tell me that I'm going to be an aunt? And, this?

Summer looks at Ashton and gives him a really look.

Summer: You could have done a lot better!

Ashton: What do you mean by could have done a lot better? And congrats on becoming an aunt, but what does it have to do with me and Jay?

Abby: It means Jaimi is pregnant with your child! You two should really drop the act. Everyone knows.

Abby, the queen bee and the cheerleading team's captain. Along with that, I would like to give her the title of being the #1 hater of Jaimi at the school.

She walks towards the group followed by her minions, Sasha and Hailey.

Ashton: What the hell? This is your doing, isn't it?

Abby smirks and crosses her arms over her chest as she turns to Jaimi.

Abby: This, my darling, is a payback for the humiliation I had to face in the gym. You know karma is quite a bitch!

Abby smirks while Jaimi laughs. Abby's smirks falters as she draws her eyebrows together in confusion.

Jaimi: Aww! Glad to know you can spread something farther than your legs.

A tall man with tan skin and chocolate brown hair walks into the room just in time to hear what Jaimi said. Abby turns red and is glaring murderously at Jaimi who nonchalantly starts preparing for class. The others around them are laughing and gossiping and some even recording.

Abby: You bitch-

Mrs. Giovanni walks into the classroom.

Mrs. Giovanni: Abby, I will not tolerate you disrespecting other students in the classroom. First and last warning!

She orders everyone to sit down. The male moves to the back of classroom after stealing a glance at Jaimi. Mrs. Giovanni takes attendance and starts the lesson. Half an hour into the class she introduces the project and announces the groups.

Mrs. Giovanni: Jaimi, Ashton, Jakob, and Casper are the last group.

The intercom rings and Mrs. Giovanni is called to the office.

Mrs. Giovanni: Get in your groups and start working on the project. Jaxon will be helping you get started!

She heads down to the office after making the announcement. All the students move around a get in their group. Jaimi moves towards the little nook in the back and sit on the table while the boys are on the beanbag or the rug.

Jakob: Jaimi, you know that you are so getting in trouble with Abby's mom. Kara posted the video on Snapchat and it's kind of circulating everywhere.

Jaimi: Oh well.

They get started on their project. After a few minutes, Jaxon walks over to them and leans over the table to look at Jaimi's screen. Jaimi jumps in horror feeling a presence behind her.

Jaimi: Fuck! You scared me.

Jaxon: You are not allowed to curse, Ms. Patel.

Jaimi: Then don't creep up behind people.

They have a intense staring contest that is interrupted by Abby snapping her fingers in between them.

Jaxon: Yes, Ms. Hudson?

Abby: Oh, Abby is just fine, Jaxon!

Jaimi rolls her eyes and gets back to work.

Jaxon: It's Mr. Harper for you!

Abby: Could you help me with finding a good quote?

Jaxon: No! That's what you are being graded on so no. It won't be fair to others if I helped you.

Abby: But-? Ok.

Jaxon turns around to address the loud chatter across the room when Abby leans over to Jaimi.

Abby: Watch your back. Everyone knows how much of a bitch and whore you are now.

Abby purposely runs into Jaxon as he is turning and mumble a quick sorry with a flirty smile. He shakes his head. Mrs. Giovanni returns to class and starts checking on the groups. Half an hour later, the intercom buzzes again.

Intercom: Send Jaimi Patel to Mrs. Hudson's office.

Mrs. Giovanni: Jaimi, you heard that?

Jaimi: Yup. On my way!

Jaimi heads down the stair case to the main office. She stands in front of a room with a nameplate that reads Erika Hudson, assistant principal. She knocks on the door and heads inside hearing a come in.

Erika: Follow me.

She follows Erika to a conference room at the end of the hall. She sees Gina Jones, the school principal, along with the other two assistant principals and four guidance counselors in the room.

Gina: Have a seat!

Jaimi takes the only seat left at the end of the table. Everyone in the room turns to look at her.

Gina: Would you like to explain the video circulating on Snapchat since the morning. The language you used is not allowed in this school. We have strict policies against such language and bullying.

Jaimi: Then, I'm sure you won't have any problem enforcing them to the actual bully and her minions.

Mr. Thompson, the assistant principal looks at Jaimi before speaking.

Mr. Thompson: Would you like to explain yourself?

Jaimi: Mind if I connect to the projector?

They all have dubious looks, but Gina ends up nodding. One of the guidance counselor turns on the projector as Jaimi connects to it. She shows the private Snapchat story from Sasha and Hailey's account where they announced Jaimi is pregnant with Ashton's child. Abby is in the back congratulating the two as they all giggle. They she plays another video from when Abby was calling her a bitch and a video recording from when she tells Jaimi to watch her back.

Jaimi: Anything else you need or is that enough? I have witnesses as well.

Erika: This story was private, so how did you get access to it?

Jaimi raises her eyebrow with a small frown before it turns into a smirk.

Jaimi: How do you know if it was a private story or not? It didn't mention it in the clip. Were you aware that they posted this and didn't take any actions against such behavior?

Erika is speechless for a second. She regains her composure before facing Jaimi.

Erika: Of course not! I took a wild guess.

Jaimi: This shows that I am the victim, not the bully. I hope you can be fair and take corrective actions. Also, take those snaps and stories down before I have to do it on my own.

Erika: You can't do that! We have a procedure that we have to follow and this might all be a mistake or some silly joke that teens pull off on one another.

Jaimi: There's a difference between slander and prank, Mrs. Hudson. I can sue your daughter for slander, defamation, and mental harassment cause unlike her I have a reputation to uphold.

There's a knock on the door. Jaxon enters the room and placed the book bag beside Jaimi.

Jaxon: Came to drop it off. The class already ended.

Jaimi: Thanks.

He gazes at her for a second too long before nodding.

Jaimi: Anything else I can help you all with? I'm running a little late this morning. 

Gina waits to see if someone has anything to say.

Gina: That'll be all. We will call you if we need anything.

Mr. Kirk, one of the guidance counselor speaks as Jaimi is grabbing her things.

Kirk: Do you have the hall open for the 16th of next month?

Jaimi: What hall?

Kirk: At the hotel.

Jaimi: Which one in particular?

Kirk: Belmont?

Jaimi: I don't have the dates memorized, but you can call the hotel and inquire. Ashton should be there in the evening. I'm sure he'll be able help you out.

Kirk: Ok.

Jaimi leaves the room with Jaxon.

Jaxon: You should end the feud with Abby. It is impacting your reputation negatively.

Jaimi: I'm aware but that bitch doesn't drop it.

Jaxon: I'm still your instructor, Ms. Patel.

Jaimi: Ok, Mr. Instructor. How old are you anyway?

Jaxon: 22.

Jaimi: You're literally 6 years older and the last time I checked Mrs. Giovanni's name was on my report card, not yours.

Jaimi's phone rings as Jaxon is about to retort.

Jaimi: Sup, Leo?

Jaxon can see Jaimi's expression change.

Jaimi: What're you talking about?

Her face starts to flush as her anger rises.

Jaimi: That son of a bitch! Draw up that damn agreement I got some scores to settle.

She hangs up the call and is about to sprint to her car when Jaxon grabs her arm.

Jaxon: Don't act rashly. You need a ride?

Jaimi: No considering the fact that you almost totaled my car.

Jaxon: It was your fault, woman! You were backing out with looking.

Jaimi: Well you shouldn't have been going 70 mph in a 30 zone.

Jaxon: You should still have been checking your mirrors and cameras.

Jaimi: You should have also been looking at the road signs. I don't got time for this today. Have a good one, Mr. Car wrecking instructor.

Jaxon: You can't-

She is sprinting away before he can finish. He sighs in frustration before going to his car. She pulls up in her assigned parking lot in front of the apartment complex. She throws one of the book bag strap over her shoulder before unlocking the door and barging into the apartment.

Sachi: Shu thayu? Aatla gussa ma kem che? (What happened? Why are you so angry?)

Meet Sachi, Jaimi's mother dear.

Jaimi: Dad kya che? (Where is Dad?)

Sachi: Khava besya che. Tu pan khai le! (He's eating. You also eat!)

Jaimi walks through the living room to the breakfast bar in the kitchen. She sees her dad on video call with her grandparents, Jai and Krishna.

Jaimi: Tamara Kaka ne Kwik Trip na vishe kone kidhu? (Who told your uncle about Kwik Trip?)

Ved: Shu thayu? (What happened?)

Jaimi: Aemne John na saathe lease sign kari didhi adha kalaak pehla. (He signed the lease with John, half an hour ago.)

Ved: Me nathi kidhu! (I didn't tell him.)

Jaimi: Kwik Trip na vishe tamara, mara, ane Leo sivay koine khabar nati. (No one knew about Kwik Trip other than you, me, and Leo.)

Ved: Kyak thi sambhdyu hashe? (He might've heard it from somewhere.)

Jaimi sees a man in white shirt paired with black slacks and a black blazer in the screen behind her grandfather. She looks at him for a second before looking at her dad.

Jaimi: Sambhdyu nathi aemne papers joya che mara locker ma! Tamari chavi thi maru locker kholyu hatu. Chaavi kai rite aae aemna jode? Me camera ane security data banne check karya che. (He didn't hear it, bu he saw papers in my locker! That was opened with your key. How did he get the key? I checked both the cameras and the security data.)

Ved: Me nati aapi. (I didn't give it to him.)

Jai: Aa vaat ne have aatle khatam karo. Kone aapi kone na aapi ae vaat bhuli jao. Aashutosh tamara be thi moto cho. Aena naseeb ma store hato teh aene malyo. (End this topic here. Who gave the key, who didn't, forget about it. Aashutosh is older than both of you. The store was written in his fate so he got it.)

Jaimi: Naseeeb jaay bhaad ma. Ae store pachar hoon ek varas thi mehnat karu chu. Ae store maro na thayo ne toh aemno ae nai thava dau. (Hell with fate! I've been working after that store for the past year. If that store isn't mine then, I won't let it be his, either.)

She makes a roll of roti and sabzi then, drops off her school book bag in her room before grabbing her keys from the foyer.

Jaimi: I'm going to the store.

Sachi: Eat, first!

Jaimi: Bhookh mari gayi. (I'm not hungry anymore.)

She drives to one of her stores.

Jai: Gussa ma tari copy che! (She's just like you when it comes to anger.)

Ved: Aeno gusso dekhay che pan kaka ae shu karyu ae nathi dekhatu? Kantari gayo chu aemni aavi harkato thi. Jaimi ni ae vaat khoti nathi. Aenu locker kaya haq thi kholyu hatu? (You can see her anger, but you can't see what uncle has done? I'm tired of his behavior. Jaimi is not wrong in this. With what right did he open her locker?)

Krishna: Jaimi ne support karvanu bandh kar. Tane dekhatu nahi ketlo gusso che ane kevi rite bole che. Chokariyo ne aavu sobhe? (Stop supporting Jaimi's such behavior. Can't you see how she is talking and her anger? Is this how girls act?)

Ved: Mom, I'm not arguing on this again. I won't treat her like the society because she is a girl. 

Krishna: But-? 

Ved: You should join the guest. Jai Shree Krishna!

Ved hangs up the call to see Sachi looking at him with a small smile. 

Ved: Why're you look at me like this?

Sachi: I'm glad that you're standing up for our daughters at least. 

Ved is a bit hurt by the "at least", but holds Sachi's hand over the counter. 

Ved: I'm sorry. 

Jaimi, on the other hand, reaches one of her store and greets the employees before picking up the reports from the past week. She unlocks the small office and calculate the expenses and profit. It's already 4 by the time she steps out of the office. She chats with the Sales representative before leaving for her hotel. She parks her car and greets the valet at the door. 

Jaimi: Hey Chuck!

Chuck: Hey sweetheart! How are you?

Jaimi: I'm good. How is Anne?

Chuck: Very much pregnant. 

Jaimi: You're going to have fun with that one. Have a good one, man!

She walks around the hotel and inspects the cleanliness and picks up a few reports along the way from different services before going to her office. She looks out the window at the bustling downtown district. She gets started on her weekly calculations of expenses and profits. She checks the accounts and makes necessary corrections. She empties the safe under the reception area and brings the cash back to the office. She counts the money and divides it. She refills the three ATMs with money and give necessary cash to the reception. She makes three bundles of money and hides it in her jacket. She bids her staff good night and leaves the hotel around 8 in the evening. 

She arrives home to see her parents, little sister, Dhriti, Aashutosh, Kamya, and Aashutosh's wife, Meena, having dinner. She washes her hands and sits between Dhriti and her Dad. She grabs vaghareli khichdi, bhakri, and achaar. She has dinner quietly trying very hard not to lash out at Aashutosh. 

Aashutosh: Jaimi, you should be back at home right after school. You shouldn't roam around the city till late night. 

She grits her teeth and looks at her mom who signals her to stay quiet. 

Meena: He's right! Sachi, you should discipline her. Look at what she wears. She roams the city in shorts. You know how men are? Teach her to cover up. 

Jaimi: Mardo ko itna hi problem hain mere shorts pehen ne se toh aap unko kehna ki apni aankhein cover karde. (If men have problem with my shorts then, tell them to cover their eyes.)

Ved: Sahi hain! (Right.) It's not about clothes, its about mentality. Teach your sons to respect women and stop objectifying them then, there won't be any problems. 

Aashutosh: Men will be men! Girls should learn to cover up. 

Ved: She will wear what she wants. End of the discussion!

Jaimi has her dinner quietly then, chats with her sister about her day before putting her to bed. She finishes up the project then, goes to bed around midnight. The face she saw on the screen behind her Grandpa keeps flashing in her mind as she twists and turns to find sleep. Her heart beats rapidly when she thinks about him. 

*****

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