"Aghh- I hate him. He is handsome, but that doesn't mean he has the right to be rude." I complained to my best friend, who was now laughing.

"He got your attention, sweetheart!" I rolled my eyes, "Nothing's funny about that. He is just a bastard- I was so embarrassed, bro, when he straight went like, 'NO'."

"Happens, it's okay." She smiled.

"Leave about me, tell me about you and Abhimanyu?"

"Oh- he?"

"Spill!"

"He is my ex," she spoke casually.

"Wait- what?"

"Yeah- it's just."

She shared her story, and I listened, interjecting with replies. This time I spoke, "It's okay, you can finish your love story now."

"Maybe?"

"He has something for you, babe, just notice how he looks at you."

"How?"

"Like he'd devour you right there." Her face curved into a smile, revealing her dimples.

"Shut up."

⋆.˚༄

It's the middle of the night, and here I am sneaking out of my room, sighing. I carefully closed the door, making sure not to wake advika. I moved towards the terrace- the place that has become a comfort in the last few days.

It was a beautiful night, and stars sparkled in the sky. I picked out my headphones and put on 'The Way I Loved You' by Taylor Swift. I am obsessed with this song.

'It's so cold,' I muttered as I rubbed my arms. Moving, I took place beside the wall where I could see the moon and the teacher's residence building. My eyes moved around the building, only to see a few rooms lit up.

Now the sailor song played. My playlist got some mood swings.

I averted my gaze from them and looked at my hands, which were now on my lap."What am I doing in my life?" My mind whispered.

"Why do I have this heavy feeling inside me again?"

Loneliness - that one feeling that runs deep inside me, no matter how many people surround me or how much I love them or even myself. That ache in my chest never goes away; it always remains.

Was it because of my parents, who didn't ignore me but never truly noticed me either?

Or because of my school friends, who acted as if I didn't exist?

Or maybe...it's the girl who gets love but still craves more. The greedy one. Is that why loneliness never leaves?

My eyes turned teary. Why, for once, can't I just be happy? Why does the world feel like slipping away from me whenever I am happy?

The ache in my chest grew heavier, and before I knew it, tears were spilling down my cheeks. I'm falling again.

Nothing's wrong in my life-I have a roof over my head, food to eat, people around me-so why am I crying? Why is it hurting? Why?

⋆.˚༄

After twenty minutes, her sobs finally quieted

After twenty minutes, her sobs finally quieted. From the shadows, I watched her-her red, swollen eyes still glimmering with the trace of tears. Her face was a mess, yet somehow, a painfully beautiful one.. Something inside me twisted. I should have walked away the moment she stepped onto the terrace, yet here I was, listening to her sobs for the last half hour. I shouldn't care-she was none of my concern-but I did. My heart throbbed against my chest, almost as if it were syncing with hers. I closed my eyes and let out a long, quiet sigh..

I stepped out of the shadows, pacing slowly toward her. As if sensing my presence, she looked up, meeting my gaze. The moonlight caught her features, giving me a clearer view of her tear-streaked face. Her hands moved instinctively, rubbing at her eyes, trying to wipe away the remnants of her sobs.

I stopped a few feet away, letting the silence stretch between us. Her gaze didn't waver; if anything, it grew sharper, wary yet curious. My eyes traced the trembling of her hands, the slight quiver of her lips, the way she hugged herself as if trying to hold her pieces together.

"You shouldn't be out here alone," I finally said, my voice low, almost a growl.

She didn't flinch, only blinked slowly, meeting my eyes without fear. "Maybe you shouldn't be either, professor," She whispered- the same mocking tone. I took another step closer, careful, deliberate.

"It would be better if you keep your attitude in check, Vixi," I said, my voice low, my lips curling into a faint smirk.

She straightened, gathering herself. "I should be going. Good night, Professor." I nodded slowly, letting my voice drop just enough to make her pause. "Night, Vixi."