High school hadn't changed Etasha.
If anything—
It had made her worse.
The classroom buzzed with noise, laughter, and the usual chaos—but at the center of it all was Etasha.
Still the same.
Still unpredictable.
Still the girl who could turn a normal day into complete madness.
"Etasha, I swear, one day you're going to get suspended," Anu said, shaking her head—but she was smiling.
Etasha grinned, swinging her chair back lazily."Please. Legends don't get suspended. They get remembered."
Anya snorted. "Yeah, remembered in the principal's office."
"Same thing," Etasha shrugged.
Across the room—
Kaiser stood with his usual crowd.
Tall. Effortless. Annoyingly perfect.
And right beside him was Rohan, laughing at something Kaiser said.
Natasha's eyes flicked there.
Once.
Twice.
Okay… maybe more than that.
Anya leaned forward, eyes narrowing."Oh my God."
etasha didn't look at her. "What?"
"How long are you planning to stare at Kaiser like he's some kind of limited-edition artwork?"
"I am not staring."
"You literally blink slower when you look at him."
Anu burst out laughing. "That's true. It's like your brain buffers."
Etasha shot them a glare. "Can you both not?"
Anya crossed her arms. "No seriously. How long is this crush going to stay in your head?"
Etasha exhaled, finally glancing back at them.
"I don't know, okay?"
Anu raised an eyebrow. "That's not an answer."
Etasha hesitated… then muttered,"Just look at him."
Both girls turned.
Kaiser ran a hand through his hair, laughing, completely unaware.
Etasha sighed."He's tall, he's—ugh—annoyingly good-looking, and he knows it. And don't even get me started on that stupid confidence."
Anu smirked. "So… you're in love."
Etasha choked. "I am not in love!"
Anya leaned in, grinning. "Then propose."
Etasha stared at her like she'd lost her mind."Are you insane?"
"Why not?" Anu added casually. "Worst case, he says no. Best case… you stop acting like a Wi-Fi signal around him."
Etasha groaned, dropping her head on the desk."You don't get it."
"Then explain."
She lifted her head slowly, voice quieter now.
"We've known each other forever… or fought forever, whatever. And yeah—he's helped me sometimes but…" she shrugged, forcing a careless tone, "he still thinks I'm a joke."
Neither of them spoke.
Etasha looked away.
"He thinks I'm childish."
Anu softened slightly. "And?"
"And why would someone like him take someone like me seriously?"
That hit a little deeper than she meant it to.
Anya nudged her. "You do realize half the school is scared of you, right?"
Anu added, "And the other half is obsessed with you."
Etasha smirked faintly. "As they should be."
"Exactly," Arnia said. "So stop acting like you're not enough."
Natasha rolled her eyes quickly, brushing it off."Okay, motivational speech over. We have more important things."
Anu's eyes lit up instantly. "Yes. Crime."
Natasha leaned forward, lowering her voice dramatically.
"Operation: Miss Sharma."
Arnia grinned. "Finally."
Anu pulled out a notebook immediately. "Alright. What's the damage plan?"
Natasha's eyes sparkled.
"So you know how Miss Sharma thinks she's impossible to prank?"
Both girls nodded.
A slow, dangerous smile spread across Natasha's face.
"We prove her wrong."
"Details," Anu said.
Natasha pointed at her. "You—genius brain—you're handling the fake notice."
Anu nodded. "Already thinking. Something believable but chaotic."
"Exactly," Natasha said, then turned to Arnia. "You distract her."
Arnia smirked. "Emotional breakdown or fake doubt?"
"Go with confusion. She hates repeating herself."
"Perfect."
"And me?" Natasha leaned back, grinning wider.
"I create the masterpiece."
Anu narrowed her eyes. "That sounds concerning."
"It should."
From across the room—
Kaiser glanced over.
Just for a second.
And caught Natasha smiling like she was about to start a war.
He frowned slightly.
"…What is she planning now?" he muttered.
Rohan followed his gaze and chuckled."Whatever it is, I feel bad for the victim."
Kaiser shook his head, almost amused."She never changes."
Back at the desk—
Natasha felt his eyes for a moment.
Her smile faltered.
Just a second.
Then she looked away quickly.
"Focus," she said, more to herself than anyone else.
Arnia raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
Anu tapped the desk. "Alright, chaos queen. Final question."
Natasha looked up.
"Is this just a prank…"
Anu smirked slightly.
"…or are you trying to impress someone?"
Natasha froze.
Then scoffed.
"Please. I don't need tricks to impress him."
Arnia grinned. "So you admit you want to impress him."
Natasha pointed at her. "You're both extremely annoying."
But she was smiling.
And her eyes—
betrayed her again.
Drifting, just once more…
toward Kaiser.