By the time another week passed, the entire school had one question on its collective mind:
"Are Jaanvi Vaidya and Aditya Singh, like... a thing now?"
And the answer — at least according to Jaanvi and Aditya — was a loud, aggressive, and completely unbelievable:
"NO."
They said it in sync.
Too in sync.
"God, no."
"Absolutely not."
"Ew."
"Gross."
"Never."
"Burn my textbooks before I'd ever date him—"
"—her."
"—that clingy golden retriever—"
"—that overly dramatic turtle girl—"
"EXCUSE ME?"
People stared.
Then whispered.
Then posted.
Within hours, the rumors had their own hashtags.
#JayDitya
#DebateBaes
#OppositesAttract
#TensionYouCanTaste
#EnemiesToLoversButMakeItAcademic
Jaanvi wanted to scream.
Aditya just smirked.
Especially when she cornered him after history class and hissed, "Stop looking at me like that when people are around!"
"Like what?"
"Like you're in love with me."
"Maybe don't look so kissable when you're mad."
She nearly combusted.
Meanwhile, the Surveillance Squad™️ was having the time of their lives.
Lunch Table, Friday Afternoon:
"I'm just saying," Rey announced, munching chips, "you guys could at least pretend to hate each other better."
"We do hate each other," Jaanvi snapped.
"Yeah," Aditya said at the same time. "With a burning passion."
"Right," Meera deadpanned. "So that thing yesterday where you tucked her hair behind her ear mid-argument?"
"THERE WAS DUST IN HER HAIR," Aditya defended.
"I was in the middle of explaining why he's the worst debater alive—"
"—and she had a leaf. Like a full leaf. In her braid."
Ron sipped his soda. "So you're in love."
Jaanvi nearly choked. "We are not—"
Saachi leaned across the table, smug. "Okay, okay. If you're not together, then what exactly are you?"
Aditya and Jaanvi looked at each other.
Then at everyone else.
Then simultaneously replied:
"Rivals."
Siya clapped. "Cute. Toxic. Delicious. Keep going."
Aryan nodded. "I give it two weeks before one of you caves."
Kiara added, "One week, if there's a surprise thunderstorm and only one umbrella."
"Or if someone 'accidentally' pushes her into his arms," Isaar said, clearly planning something.
"No one is pushing anyone!" Jaanvi snapped.
Aditya just raised an eyebrow. "You sound nervous."
"I sound done with this conversation."
But her cheeks were pink.
And his were worse.
Later, at Debate Practice:
Coach Carter stared at them mid-pairing and muttered, "You two again?"
Aditya grinned. "Our chemistry's just that good, sir."
Jaanvi elbowed him in the ribs. "You're lucky I don't argue using fists."
"Please. You'd miss."
"You'd duck."
"I'd win."
"You'd cheat."
He smirked. "Only at chess."
And the rest of the room?
Suspiciously silent.
Watching.
Whispering.
Recording.
And Jaanvi, despite the chaos, despite the rumors — despite the boy beside her driving her insane — had to bite her lip to hide a smile.
Because honestly?
This was kind of fun.
Some denials are loud.
Some rivalries are fake.
And sometimes,
the biggest lie you tell the world...
is the one your heart already gave up on.
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