Flashback — Indhu's POV
It was the first day of 9th grade.
A new section. A new crowd.
I stepped into the classroom and instinctively scanned the benches, my eyes searching for something familiar in all that noise.
Leanor wasn't there.
Her absence felt strange, but I didn't let my thoughts wander too much. I chose an empty bench and sat beside a girl named Naira — quiet, calm, someone I barely knew then. We didn't talk much. There was just a silent understanding between us, a quiet agreement to share space.
Across the room, Swetha walked in — confident as ever, glowing in her own way. We had been friends back in 3rd grade, but time had quietly pulled us apart. She walked past me without stopping and joined her old 8th-grade friends.
I told myself not to take it personally.
People change.
Memories fade.
Even old friendships sometimes feel locked behind passwords you forget.
Then Rohan entered.
He was new. He didn't speak to anyone, just took a seat near the window. I noticed Swetha glance at him once, confused, but she didn't approach.
Aditya was still absent.
I saw Swetha glance toward the door now and then. I noticed it — but I said nothing.
📆 Day Two
Our class teacher walked in with a frown. "Too noisy. I'm changing the seating arrangement."
Before anyone could react, she called out,
"Indhu, Naira, and Leanor — go sit there."
I looked up.
Leanor had finally arrived, walking in as if nothing had happened. The three of us ended up sitting together, just behind a boy I had never seen before.
That boy was Aditya.
He turned slightly, nodded at us, and said softly,
"Hi, I'm Aditya."
That was the first time I saw him — not through someone else's words, but right there, in front of me.
There was something about him.
Not loud. Not charming.
Just… something that made you want to understand him.
In front of us, Swetha noticed Aditya's return and seemed eager to talk. But Aditya, calm and quietly clever, already had a plan.
He leaned toward Rohan, nudged him lightly, and said with a half-smile,
"Hey, talk to her. She'll ask me too many questions."
Then, loud enough to be heard,
"Swetha, this is Rohan. You two should talk."
Swetha blinked, smiled nervously at Rohan, and sat beside him.
From the back bench, I watched it all happen.
Right in front of my eyes, a trio formed —
Aditya. Swetha. Rohan.
And I sat just behind them.
Not invisible.
Not involved.
Just… in between.