CHARU

It is the first day of college, and I am already in trouble.

The sun is barely up properly, and I have already committed mild violence.

This is ridiculous. It is not my fault that the arrogant team captain does not watch where he is going. You would think that as the star striker of the football team, he would have better footwork. Still, I have zero regrets over tripping him. Maybe a broken nose will teach him not to run his mouth with those disgusting comments.

Doubtful. He is an idiot.

The hallway outside the dean’s office smells faintly of phenyl and old files. A few juniors slow down as they pass, whispering. News spreads fast here, especially when it involves the football team.

I drop into one of the chairs outside the dean’s office and wait for my turn. The plastic creaks under my weight. Now I get to find out what my punishment will be.

Honestly, I would not even mind in-college suspension. At least then I could finish my assignments in peace and skip the endless boring lectures. One more year, I remind myself. One more year and I am out of this place.

The glass door at the end of the corridor swings open.

A bubbly girl with long dark hair and bright pink glasses walks into the waiting area. The dean’s secretary gestures for her to sit next to me.

She is in full college uniform, pleated navy skirt, white blouse, black loafers, but she has added a soft pink cardigan buttoned all the way up and a tiny matching bow in her hair.

She looks like she belongs in a brochure.

Her head turns my way.

"Morning," she chirps, taking the seat beside me.

"Morning." I pull out my phone and open my Kindle app so I do not have to make small talk.

I can feel her sneaking glances at me.

"I am new here."

"I figured."

"Oh." She sinks back a little. "Did I do something to make it obvious?" She fidgets with the strap of her bag.

Her nails are neatly painted a soft pastel pink. Mine are matte black.

"No. I just know everyone here"

"Right." Her smile returns, brighter than before. "Well, it is really nice to meet you. I am Maya."

The name fits her perfectly.

It also clicks something in my head.

This is the girl.

The one the team captain was talking about in the hallway earlier. Loud enough for everyone to hear. Crude enough to make my skin crawl.

The same remarks that had me sticking my foot out and sending him face-first into the floor.

"Charu," I tell her, and somehow her smile gets even wider.

"Charu? That is such a cool name."

"It is better than Charvi." That is my full name, but I dropped it years ago.

I remember the first time someone mocked it. I never looked back.

"That is beautiful too, but I think Charu suits you way better." Maya is still beaming. It is so cheerful it is almost contagious. Almost. "Not that you look like a boy or anything," she rushes to add when I do not respond. "Just, you know, the black nails, the boots, the vibe." Her cheeks turn pinker with every word.

I glance down at my combat boots. They are black, so they technically follow the dress code even if the dean hates them. He would probably prefer me in loafers with little bows like Maya’s.

They are cute, I have to admit.

They fit her.

Not me.

"Maya," I cut in before she digs herself deeper. "It is all good. I get it." I even manage a half-smile.

She lets out a tiny breath of relief. "Thanks. Sorry. I guess I am nervous."

"You are a senior?"

"Yeah." She nods quickly. "New college, final year."

New college in final year.

That’s brutal.

"That would suck," I say, and she lets out a small laugh.

I kind of like this girl.

She is clearly not one of the preppy popular crowd. They would not let her in anyway with how territorial they are. But she does not seem like she would fit with the artsy group either.

As sweet and bright as she is, she is going to be on her own here. Cliques are already locked in by final year. Her family’s money will not change that.

"Are you waiting for the dean too?" she asks.

"Yep."

"Are you in trouble?" she whispers, glancing around like it is classified information.

"Yep." I pop the P.

"For what?" Another whisper.

"For being someone’s karma."

Her brows pull together in confusion. She is trying very hard to decode me.

She opens her mouth to ask more, but the dean’s door opens, cutting her off.

"Come on, Charvi, let us get this over with."

I stand and sigh.

It is the first day, and the dean already looks exhausted. His tie is slightly crooked. I am sure he got an earful from the team captain’s parents.

I hate that guy.

"Charu," I correct him automatically.

It is pointless. We have had this exact exchange a hundred times. I should let it go, but I am too stubborn. It always ends up biting me in the ass.

"Come on." He motions for me to enter his office. His secretary, Meera, hurries in ahead of me.

I do not miss the way the dean’s eyes drop to her skirt.

I am pretty sure they have been hooking up for years.

"Later, Maya." I wink at her before stepping inside and dropping into one of the chairs.

"I will be right with you, Maya," the dean calls before closing the door.

His office hasn’t changed. Same heavy desk. Same fake potted plant in the corner. Same candy jar.

"Miss me?" I ask, popping the lid off the candy jar on his desk and grabbing a chocolate.

The dean picks up the jar and moves it out of reach.

"It is the first day of classes," he says as he sits behind his desk. Meera sits off to the side, just here for protocol. "Do I really need to call your uncle already?"

That word hits differently.

"Please do not." I sit up straighter. "He is busy anyway. Probably will not even answer."

"I am sure he would make time to call back."

Damn it, he would.

He always does.

"Can not we just do the usual in-college suspension thing?" I ask, not wanting to drag Uncle Arnav into this.

He has been raising me for the past five years since I lost both my parents. Uncle Arnav does not need my drama on top of everything else. I actually really like him, and he tries with me. That is more than I can say about my own parents.

"The usual routine does not work with you," he says, and I clench my jaw. "You could apologize to the team captain."

"Over my dead body."

"As I assumed." He lets out a long sigh. "Honestly, Charu, I am starting to think this college might not be the right fit for you anymore."

That lands harder than I expect.

Oh no.

"You are kicking me out?" Can he even do that? The fees here are insane.

"I do not want to."

"Then do not," I suggest. "I will be good."

He lifts an eyebrow. Meera stifles a laugh.

"Okay, I will try to be good."

He shakes his head, not buying it. It is hard to be good when there are so many assholes around.

"If you can show me you actually want to stay here and behave, maybe we do not have to call your uncle."

"Okay, but how?"

The dean stands and walks to a closet door. When he opens it, I see the giant tiger head of our college mascot.

He places the massive head on his desk.

For a second, I think he is joking.

"I am not sure if you are aware, but Vikram sprained his ankle."

"No, I was not."

"He can not be Tuffy this year, and you know how important the mascot is, especially during football matches."

I do not go to matches, but I know how obsessed this college is with football. It is borderline insane.

With it being a private university, I am pretty sure they recruit players. I have no idea if it is legal, but I never cared enough to look into it.

I have seen Tuffy at assemblies, though.

"Please do not say what I think you are about to say." I swallow hard.

"It is not so bad. It might even be fun." Meera speaks up, and I shoot her a death glare.

"I could call your uncle," the dean offers.

"No!" He is not even in the city right now.

"Then what is it going to be?" The dean taps the tiger head. "Did you at least have it dry-cleaned?"

"Yes."

"Damn it," I mutter.

"Charu," the dean snaps.

"Sorry," I lie. "Fine."

I stand up, ready to get this over with.

What choice do I really have?

As much as I do not care about anyone here, I do care about my uncle.

I hate it, but I cannot disappoint him.

"Excellent choice." The dean hands me the giant tiger head.

"Were you talking to Maya earlier?" Meera asks.

"We exchanged a few words." I shift the heavy head in my arms.

"Then you would not mind showing her around?"

"I am already doing the tiger thing."

"That might not be the best idea," the dean says, taking my side.

"What does that mean?" He shrugs like I should already know.

Maybe I do.

But it is rude to point it out.

"I will do it."

I shove the head back at him.

"All right," he says, taking it. "But I will see you after classes. Come get the full costume and meet Vikram in the gym. He will help you practice."

"Great." I roll my eyes before walking out.

Maya is still sitting in the same chair, hands folded neatly in her lap.

"Come on, Maya." I nod toward the door. "You are with me."

"Really?" She pops up with that bright smile again. Too bright.

"Yeah, really."

"Awesome!" Maya practically hops after me to catch up.

I balance the tiger head against my hip as we step into the sunlight.

Final year.

Day one.

One disciplinary warning.

One mascot suit.

One mysterious new girl who smells faintly like vanilla and optimism.

There is no way things could get worse.

Right?

RIGHT??