When the Story Continues (Sequel to When the Script Changes)

Pin had successfully avoided Anil for exactly two days.

Which, considering Anil's persistent nature, was an impressive feat.

She had ducked out of hallways when she saw Anil coming.
She had skipped their usual library spot.
She had even faked a stomachache to get out of PE, just so she wouldn't have to be near her.

But of course—

Anil didn't give up easily.

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Day Three: The Hunt Begins

Pin was quietly minding her own business, hoping to sneak into the classroom unnoticed.

And then—

A shadow fell over her desk.

Pin froze.

Slowly, painfully slowly—she looked up.

Anil.

Grinning.

Smirking, actually—the kind of smirk that screamed, "You can run, but you can't hide."

"Hi," Anil said, dropping into the seat beside her.

Pin turned to stone.

A whole three days of avoiding eye contact, avoiding conversations, avoiding—well, Anil entirely—had just gone to waste.

Anil leaned forward. Too close.

"Did you think I wouldn't find you?" she asked, voice playful but with something else underneath.

Something serious.

Pin swallowed.

Opened her book. Pretended to read.

"Not now," she mumbled.

Anil's eyes sparked.

"So, later then?"

Pin gripped the pages tighter.

"No."

Anil tilted her head, looking far too amused for someone who was just rejected.

"You like me," she said, like it was a fact.

Pin's face burned.

"No, I don't."

Anil laughed.

Pin hated how much she liked that sound.

"Well," Anil mused, tapping her fingers on the desk, "I like you."

Pin blinked.

Brain? Gone.

Heartbeat? Unstable.

Reality? Not computing.

Anil smiled. Soft this time. Real.

"And I'm not giving up."

And just like that—

Pin knew she was in trouble.

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Day Four: The Relentless Anilaphat

Anil didn't just pursue things.

She chased them like she was born to win.

Pin quickly realized she was not an exception.

The next morning, there was a coffee on her desk.

Pin eyed it warily.

"What's this?"