Today’s the first day of school. I already hate it.
My mom picked the school without even asking me. Same place, same faces, same suffocating air. God, when is something actually going to happen in my life?
But fine. I can’t afford to be dramatic. I’ve got to focus. I need to get out of here — at any cost.
Our uniforms aren’t ready yet, so I have to wear something decent.
Black kurti. Matching jhumkas. That’ll do.
Now here I am, climbing the same dusty old stairs I’ve dragged myself up for ten years. If that’s not punishment, I don’t know what is.
“Hey Sanvya, are you headed to the audio-visual room? These people are new. Can you show them the way?” the aunty calls up from the bottom of the stairs.
The one perk of being in the same school for a decade? Everyone knows you. And by everyone, I mean literally everyone — from the principal to the aunty who hands out chalk.
It’s convenient… until it’s not.
I pause and look down. Two girls are waiting — definitely twins, but not identical. One stands quietly, barely making eye contact, while the other’s all bright smiles and overflowing energy. Total opposites, but somehow it works. Kinda cute.
“Hey there. AV room? I’ll show you the way,” I call out.
We chat a little on the way — just the usual small talk.
Once inside, the room’s filled with unfamiliar faces — and a few old ones I wish I could forget. The stares from them say it all: Oh, it’s her.
Can’t blame them. I wasn’t exactly a fan favorite back then.
But I’m not the same Sanvya. Not anymore.
I’m different. I’m trying, at least.
I take a deep breath and find a seat. Some light socializing, nothing too intense.
Soon the formal event kicks off. Our class teacher is Ms. Linda — she’ll be handling botany. Thank god. She was always kind to me in high school, one of the few teachers who didn’t look at me like I was a problem.
Maybe this year won’t be a total trainwreck.
We’re guided to our class — spacious, not bad.
Since I know the place, I do the usual rounds, stopping by to greet my old teachers. Some looked surprised to see me back.
As I return to class, I notice two girls sitting in the far back, giving off serious “we judge everyone” vibes.
Charming.
I find a spot for myself. The girl next to me looks calm — the quiet type, with that distant kind of presence that makes you think twice before starting a conversation.
“Hey, I’m Sanvya. What’s your name?” I ask, extending a hand.
“Hey, I’m Celine,” she says, nervously shaking it.
She doesn’t seem like the social type, so I let it go. No biggie.
And then — she walks in.
The kind of girl you’d see in movies. Blonde ponytail. Brown oversized top tucked into high-waisted blue denim. Elegant. Confident. Effortlessly pretty.
For a second, I look down at myself and feel... plain.
Celine instantly lights up, makes a move to talk to her. Within minutes, they’re laughing. Just like that — they click.
I go back to chatting with some of the old classmates. They’re not great, but at least they’re familiar.
After more rounds of teacher introductions, the day finally ends.
The biggest change for me? I get to take the bus home alone. No more being dropped off and picked up like a little kid.
Progress, I guess.
Home is, as always, empty.
I throw myself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Everyone around me feels like they belong to a different world.
Polished. Classy. Put-together.
Me? I feel like a glitch.
With a sigh, I close my eyes.
“These two years… they’re going to be hectic.”
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