The sun was starting to dip low, painting the sky in streaks of orange and pink as Jaanvi slung her backpack over one shoulder and headed out of school.
Behind her, Saachi and Siya quickened their pace to catch up.
"Seriously, Jaanvi," Saachi said, falling into step beside her, "we need to talk."
Siya nodded, arms crossed, eyes sharp. "You can't just pretend nothing's happening anymore."
Jaanvi sighed, trying to keep her expression casual.
"Nothing's happening," she said flatly.
Saachi exchanged a look with Siya.
"Uh-huh. That's what you said last time, right before you almost kissed him," Saachi said with a teasing smirk.
Jaanvi's cheeks flamed hotter than before. "That was different."
"Different how?" Siya asked, voice skeptical.
Jaanvi kicked at a pebble on the sidewalk, hesitating. "Because back then... we weren't enemies."
"Enemies now," Saachi repeated. "Or at least... sworn rivals."
She glanced over at Siya, who nodded emphatically.
"And you're just... pretending all that tension isn't electric?" Siya pressed.
Jaanvi avoided both their eyes. "It's complicated."
Saachi laughed, a knowing sound. "Complicated is exactly what you think it is."
Jaanvi shook her head, half-smiling despite herself.
"Fine," she admitted quietly. "Maybe it is."
They walked on in comfortable silence for a moment, the tension shifting from confrontational to something softer.
"You know," Saachi said, glancing at her friend, "you don't have to do this alone."
Siya added, "If you want to figure this out, we're here."
Jaanvi looked up at them, surprised at the earnestness beneath their teasing.
"I'm not great at this," she whispered.
"You're not alone," Saachi said firmly.
Jaanvi's smile was small but real.
"Thanks," she said.
As they reached Jaanvi's street, Siya nudged her playfully. "But seriously—don't let Aditya walk all over you."
"Yeah," Saachi chimed in. "He's stubborn, but you're not exactly easy to handle either."
Jaanvi laughed, the sound lighter now.
"Maybe that's why it works," she said softly.
The three friends stopped at the corner.
"Text us when you get inside," Siya said.
"Or else we'll come knocking," Saachi added with mock menace.
Jaanvi shook her head, smiling as she waved goodbye.
"Will do."
As they walked away, Jaanvi took a deep breath and glanced down the street, where Aditya had just disappeared around the corner earlier.
Her heart skipped a beat.
And the invisible threads pulled tighter than ever.
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