Author pov......

Everyone, attention! Good morning, students. I hope you're all doing well," the principal began, his voice echoing through the packed auditorium.

He smiled a tight, practised smile and continued,

"As you know, the rules of this academy are going to change. I hope you all adapt well to the new environment."

A few students whispered to each other.

"Yaar, phir se koi naya drama hoga."

(Oh great, another drama incoming.)

The principal paused, then gestured toward the stage.

"And now, I'd like to invite our student council president to say a few words. Please welcome... Ishana Mehra!"

A crisp clap rang out as Ishana stepped forward.

"Good morning," she began calmly.

"I'm Ishana Mehra, your student council president. I hope you guys are doing well and  I just want to remind everyone, especially students who are new here and think that they can change anything here for your kind information this school has always run on hierarchy and power... so don't meddle in matters that don't concern you this is for your own good.

A whispered spread like wildfire, and everyone started whispering to each other.

"Kya matlab hierarchy?"

(What does she mean by hierarchy?)

Some new students whispered among themselves, their voices low but filled with nervous curiosity.

"Ishana....." the principal's voice cut sharply.

"Yes, Principal Rao?" she replied, her voice calm and composed.

"You can't say that!" He whispered, his face filled with tension and irritation.

Ishana's gaze didn't waver she just stood there for a few seconds without a word  then she finally spoke.

"It's just the truth sir no one can deny it ." With a bitter smile

"I'm just reminding everyone of it."

Classroom..

Near the benches -

"Ishana... woooh, that was something," Tanya whispered dramatically.

"Queen of Alden for a reason."

Vivaan scoffed cutting Tanya's words and put an arm around her shoulder.

"Drama queen zyada sahi rahega. You want to create chaos nothing more don't you ishana mehra -"Queen of Alden" he stretched the words.

(Drama queen would be more accurate.)

"Excuse me?" Tanya snapped.

"Tumhe problem kya hai? Since when did you start disliking chaos?" She taunted him.

(What exactly is your problem?)

I don't have a problem with chaos it's just a little dramatic something straight from a movie it feels a little cringe" He murmured.

"Oh really?" Tanya leaned closer

Vivaan rolled his eyes.

“Tell me, Ishana… that was so dramatic. Like some scene from a romance novel telling other students to stay in their boundaries and then falling in love with one of them. Like, seriously?”

Ishana just stared at him.

“Falling in love? Me?” she said in disbelief.

“That’s right,” Tanya cut in from the side. “Are you for real?” she laughed. “The Ishana Mehra who doesn’t care about anyone other than herself......falling in love? What a joke.”

She said it without even realising the weight of her words.

Vivaan gulped and quickly tried to stop her from blabbering.

“Oh, dumb ladki, kuch bhi bolti hai,” he murmured, covering her mouth with his hand before she could say anything else.

(Oh, stupid girl, you say anything without thinking.)

Tanya bit his hand in frustration.

“Main dumb?” Tanya hissed, glaring at him.

(“I’m the dumb one?” Tanya hissed.)

"Phir ye dumb ladki racing tournament wali baat tumhare papa ko bata du? I'm dumb anyway so you won't mind na"

(Should I then tell your dad about the racing tournament?)

Vivaan froze for a second.

"Tanya, hadd hoti hai. Why do you always do it?

(Tanya, there's a limit.)

"Guys-guys, calm down," Tia stepped in, her voice gentle but firm. "Why are you always fighting?"

Tanya looked at tia and rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.

Tia walked straight towards Ishana's desk her eyes were only on her.

"Aur Ishana," Tia muttered "that was unnecessary. You know damn well."

Ishana didn't look up. She kept reading, utterly uninterested.

"They work just as hard to get into this prestigious academy," Tia said softly but firmly.

"Just because they weren't born with a silver spoon like us doesn't mean you get to judge them."

Her tone was sweet, her words were not it was more like someone stabbing the knife but with honey on it.

Ishana slowly closed her book.

"Tia," she said softly,

"Apni fake sympathy kisi aur ko dikhana we all know you don't give a damn about others."

(Show your fake sympathy to someone else.)

"You're the last person I'd ever take advice from."

Tia leaned closer and whispered in her ears

"Isha, can you please drop this act? It’s so frustrating for everyone especially for me when everyone already knows what you’re really like,” she said.

“Samjh jao,” she added, lightly tapping Ishana’s shoulder.

( Get the hint.)

Warna consequences acche nahi honge." And you should lose a little bit God knows what's gonna happen in future.

(Understand this. Otherwise, the consequences won't be pleasant.)

"I don't care," Ishana replied calmly.

She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.

A sharp tap echoed as someone knocked on the table.

"Tia," a voice called, "what are you doing here? We're supposed to be at the basketball ground."

Tia turned around. "Oh-right, Sarthak. I was just about to leave."

She looped her arm through his casually, then glanced back at Ishana.

"Just giving some advice to my dear little sis," Tia said sweetly, smiling a smile that carried more superiority than kindness.

The bell rang, sharp and commanding. Students hurried back to their seats, conversations dying down as the classroom settled into uneasy silence.

The teacher entered, her heels clicking against the floor.

"Good morning, students," she said, placing her books on the desk. "As you already know, this year our academy has made some... changes."

A few students stiffened. Others leaned forward.

"We have admitted a small number of scholarship students," she continued. "They earned their seats here through one of the toughest national selections in the country."

The room went quiet.

"Please welcome," the teacher said,

"Diya Awashti and Arnav Kapoor."

All eyes turned towards them everyone was curious about the students who were here reminding them that the system that has existed for years is going to crumble soon.

They weren't just new students, they were the holes in the long - standing building.

Students, the teacher said, extending a hand toward the front, "Please introduce yourselves."

The girl stepped forward first.

"Hello. Myself diya Awashti I'm your new classmate I hope we get along well.  She said with a smile on her face.

After she completed her introduction, the teacher signalled toward the boy. He stepped forward and started his introduction.

Arnav began, "H-hello, I'm-"

A shutter sound echoed and he stopped at the mid-sentence.

Someone mocked,

"Arre bhai, atak kyun raha hai?"

(Bro, why are you stuttering?)

Another voice laughed,

"Scholarship se aaye ho, confidence bhi free nhi mila kya?"

(You  get a scholarship, didn't get confidence for free too?)

His face turned red from embarrassment.

"Silence!" the teacher snapped into the mic.

The room fell quiet instantly.

This is how you welcome new students she snapped.

"You will all return to your allotted seats," she said coldly, turning to the new students.

"And you two take the empty desks in the third row."

Diya walked without hesitation.

Arnav followed, eyes lowered like he didn’t want anyone to look at him and acknowledge him.

But the whispering and mocking didn’t stop for Arnav.

St. Alden Academy had made its welcome clear.

Diya sat beside Ishana and tried to talk with her "Hi," she said brightly.

"I'm Diya. I hope we get along."

She smiled warmly.

"Waise tum first aati ho na har saal?"

(You top every year, right?)

"I could tell. You have a great presence and you are even so beautiful, especially your light brown eyes."

Ishana flinched when she talked about her eyes and her jaw tightened she stared at her.

"Chup reh sakti ho?" She murmured

(Can you stay quiet?)

"Who said you could talk to me?" She frowned

"We are not equal, Divya... or whatever your name is." She rolled her eyes with disinterest.

"It's Diya," she corrected calmly.

"Naam yaad rakhna itna bhi mushkil nahi hota."

(It's not that hard to remember a name.)

Ishana smiled coldly.

"Tumhara naam yaad rakhne ki mujhe koi zarurat nahi," she said calmly.

(I do not need to remember your name.)

"Don't pretend we could ever be friends."

"Know your place", she replied, because "I know mine well" Her voice was low when she said those words.

Diya didn't flinch and just looked at her.

"Friendship zabardasti nahi hoti." I don't need friends anyway Ishana added.

(Friendship isn't forced.)