Niyati’s POV

First days at a new school are supposed to feel exciting.

For me, they just felt terrifying.

I stood outside the gates of St. Aurora High, staring at the huge building in front of me. Students walked in confidently, laughing with their friends like they belonged here.

Meanwhile, I felt like an outsider.

“Great,” I muttered to myself, adjusting the strap of my bag. “First day and I already want to go home.”

Transferring schools in the middle of the year wasn’t exactly my idea of a fresh start. But life rarely asks what you want.
Taking a deep breath, I finally walked inside.

The hallway was loud and crowded. Lockers slammed shut, people talked loudly, and the smell of cafeteria food filled the air.

Everything felt unfamiliar.

I checked the small paper in my hand.

Class 11-B. Room 204.

“Second floor,” I whispered to myself.
After asking two students for directions and almost walking into the wrong classroom, I finally found my class.

I pushed the door open slowly.
And instantly wished I hadn’t.

Twenty-five pairs of eyes turned to look at me.

Amazing.

Exactly the attention I didn’t want.
The teacher looked up from her desk.

“You must be the new student.”
I nodded awkwardly. "Yes, ma’am. Niyati.

She smiled politely.

“Class, this is Niyati Chaudhary. She has transferred here recently. Please introduce yourself Niyati.”

I looked down first at the floor, oh wow, what a nice tiles. Then, I looked at everyone sitting in front of me.

“Hello everyone. Myself Niyati Chaudhary. I am a new student here in this school as well as I'm new to this city. Yeah, that's it.” I said very nervously.

Oh god, what would they think of me. I'm so pathetic. I feel second hand embarassesment right now. I looked at other.

A few students waved slightly. Others just stared curiously.

“You can sit in the empty seat at the back,” the teacher said.

Relieved, I quickly walked to the last row and sat down. Finally, I could disappear quietly into the background.

Or at least I thought I could.

Because a few minutes later, the classroom door opened again.

And suddenly the entire room went silent.

I looked up instinctively.

A tall boy walked in, looking completely calm despite being late. His messy hair, confident walk, and slightly bored expression made it seem like he didn’t care about anyone’s opinion.

Some students whispered his name.

Vivaan.

The teacher sighed.

“Late again, Vivaan?”

He shrugged casually. “Something like that.”

Clearly, this wasn’t the first time.

“Just sit down,” she said, clearly tired of arguing.

Vivaan walked toward the back of the classroom.

Toward my row.

Before I could even process what was happening, he pulled the chair beside me and sat down.

For a moment, I tried to ignore him and focus on my notebook.

Then I felt his gaze on me.

“Newbie?” he asked casually.

I looked up at him.

“Yes.”

He studied me for a second, like he was trying to figure something out.

Then a small smirk appeared on his lips.

He leaned back in his chair, completely relaxed.

“Well,” he said,

“Welcome to the most chaotic school you’ll ever see.”

Something about the way he said it didn’t sound like a joke.

One by one, the class ended and finally the bell rang for recess.

Oh finally.
I was starving.

As I was packing my stuffs, a girl suddenly appeared in front of me

“Hi, I'm Krisha, Krisha Kapoor. I'm looking forward to be your friend,” she said quicky almost in one breathe.

She seemed kind.

“Hi,” I smiled slightly. “I would love to.”

I offered a handshake and she shook it enthusiastically.

“Wanna have lunch together?” She asked genuinely.

I nodded.

She seemed very happy about that.

We walked towards the cafeteria.

This school was no ordinary school.

It was an elite school.

Everything here—from the walls, tiles, and ceilings to the benches, smartboards, and even the cafeteria—looked luxurious.

It’s not like I haven’t studied in rich schools before. I’ve changed ten schools because of my father’s transfers.

But none of them had the same aura as this one.

St. Aurora High.

“What would you like to have?”, Krisha asked me pulling me out of my thoughts.

“A burger and french fries.”

I don't usually eat junk food but today I didn't bring my lunchbox.
So I didn't really have a choice.

Krisha quickly placed the order and within a few minutes we got our food.

We found an empty table near the window and sat down.

“So,” Krisha said excitedly, opening her juice box, “where did you shift from?”

“Delhi,” I replied, taking a bite of my burger.

“Oh nice! But you came to the craziest school possible,” she laughed.

I raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

She leaned slightly closer to me like she was about to reveal a secret.

“This school has its own… hierarchy.”

“Hierarchy?”

Before she could explain further, the entire cafeteria suddenly became quieter.

Not completely silent.

But quieter.

I noticed several students turning their heads toward the entrance.

Krisha sighed.

“And here comes the reason.”

I followed her gaze.

A group of five boys walked inside the cafeteria like they owned the entire place.

In the middle of them was Vivaan.
Of course.

He was laughing at something one of his friends said, completely relaxed, like the whole world revolved around him.

“Who are they?” I asked.

Krisha looked shocked.

“You seriously don’t know?”

I shook my head.

“That’s Vivaan Malhotra and his group,” she whispered. “Basically the most powerful people in this school.”

“Powerful?” I asked skeptically.

“They run almost everything here. Music club, events, sports… everything.”

I rolled my eyes slightly.

Typical rich school politics.

I looked back at my food and continued eating.

Unfortunately, peace never lasts long in stories like this.

Because suddenly someone placed a tray on our table.

Hard.

I looked up.

Vivaan was standing there.

His eyes moved from Krisha… to me.

“Well, well,” he said slowly.

“The newbie.”

Krisha immediately looked nervous.
“V-Vivaan, we were just—”

He raised his hand slightly, stopping her.
His eyes were still on me.

“Enjoying your first day?”

I shrugged. “Trying to.”

He tilted his head slightly, observing me again.

“You picked an interesting seat today.”
I frowned.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

A few students at nearby tables were already watching us.

Vivaan smirked slightly.

“That seat is usually empty.”

“Okay?” I said calmly.

He leaned slightly closer to the table.
“Because people prefer not to sit near me.”

Krisha looked like she wanted to disappear.

But honestly?

I didn’t see the big deal.

“So what?” I replied casually. “Should I be scared?”

For a moment, the table went completely silent.

One of Vivaan’s friends chuckled softly.
Vivaan’s smirk slowly widened.

“Interesting,” he said.

Then he straightened up and picked up his tray again.

“Looks like the new girl has some attitude.”

Before leaving, he glanced at me one more time.

“Let’s see how long that lasts.”

And just like that, he walked away with his group.

Krisha stared at me in shock.

“Do you have a death wish?”

I blinked. “What?”

“You just talked back to Vivaan Malhotra.”

I shrugged again and took another bite of my burger.

“Well,” I said casually,

“He started it.”

Krisha and I were still talking when suddenly the lights in the cafeteria dimmed slightly.

Music started playing from the speakers.

“What’s happening?” I asked.

Krisha’s eyes widened.

“Oh no… I forgot to tell you.”

Before I could ask anything else, a group of students suddenly gathered near the small stage in the cafeteria.

And right in the center of it all stood Vivaan and his friends.

“Every Friday,” Krisha whispered quickly, “Vivaan’s group performs here. It’s like their thing.”

Vivaan picked up a guitar and adjusted the strap on his shoulder.

The entire cafeteria became quiet.

Even the students who were talking loudly before were now watching him.

He started playing.

And honestly…

He was good.

Really good.

The music filled the entire room, and his friends joined in with drums and keyboard.

Students started cheering.

Krisha leaned toward me. “See? That’s why everyone here worships them.”
I nodded slightly, watching the performance.

But then something unexpected happened.

Vivaan suddenly stopped playing.

His eyes moved across the cafeteria… until they landed on me.

For a second, I thought I imagined it.

But no.

He was definitely looking straight at me.
Then he spoke into the microphone.

“Looks like we have a new audience member today.”

Every single head in the cafeteria turned toward me.

Oh no.

Krisha grabbed my arm. “Why is he looking at you?!”

Vivaan smirked slightly.

“The new girl,” he continued. “Niyati, right?”

My heart started beating faster.

I slowly stood up.

“Yes?”

Some students were already whispering.
Vivaan tilted his head.

“You were staring pretty seriously during the performance.”

I crossed my arms slightly.

“I was just watching.”

He smiled like he had just gotten an idea.

“Good.”

Then he pointed toward the stage.

“Come here.”

My eyes widened.

“What?”

“Since you were watching so carefully,” he said into the mic, “let’s see what you can do.”

The entire cafeteria gasped.

Krisha whispered urgently, “Don’t go!”
But everyone was already staring at me.

And Vivaan was still standing there, waiting.

That stupid smirk still on his face.

For a moment I considered refusing.

But something about his expression annoyed me.

So instead…

I walked toward the stage.

And the entire school watched.

Vivaan stepped slightly aside and handed me the microphone.

“Go ahead,” he said quietly.

“Let’s see if the new girl can impress Aurora High.”

________

Sooooooo guys!!! What do you'll think what will Vivaan make Niyati do in the next chapter?? And will Niyati be able to that? Or will she be left embarrassed in front of whole Aurora High?
Find out about it in the next chapter.
See y'all. 💕