CHAPTER 5: BACK TO JOGGERS ;NEW BEGINNING
827 Words
Monday morning and I was FREE.
Pink gown was gone. Thank God.
I was in my uniform: black cargo shorts under the skirt, oversized white tee, white sneakers, cap backwards.
I looked in the mirror and nodded. *"That’s Poorvi."*
Tasha sat up. *"YES. Tomboy is back."*
Zara threw a pillow. *"Rumi’s mission complete. You can go back to being you."*
Nia smiled from her book. *"You look comfortable. That’s all that matters."*
These girls didn’t know me before yesterday. Mrs Kapoor just *said* *"new girl coming to 12B"*.
But 24 hours later it felt like we’d been roommates forever.
Imperial in the morning was loud. Girls running, laughing, seniors with coffee.
I walked to 9A with 12B and for once I wasn’t looking over my shoulder.
*Class 9A*
Back corner. Cap on.
Mrs. Mehta *said*, *"You must be Poorvi. Welcome."*
Tasha in front. Zara right. Nia left. My people.
Math. Science. English.
I answered one in Science.
*"Good job, Poorvi,"* Mrs Mehta *said*.
I sat back like "yeah, that’s me."
Break = canteen.
Zara asked, stealing my chips. *"So what clubs?"*
*"Tomboy stuff,"* I *said*. *"Football. Basketball. Running."*
Tasha gasped. *"Sports club! Also dance auditions Wednesday. You’re coming."*
*"I don’t dance."*
*"You will,"* Nia *said*. *"With us."*
After school, 12B dragged me to the field.
Girls playing football.
My eyes lit up. *"Can I play?"*
Senior captain Kavya looked me over. *"You for real?"*
*"Yeah."*
*"Join my team."*
And I was BACK.
Running. Tackling. *"PASS!"*
2 goals.
Kavya bumped my fist after. *"Practice 5pm daily. Don’t be late."*
*"Bet,"* I *said*, grinning like crazy.
Back in the hostel, showering, my phone buzzed.
*Unknown Number: _Nice goals today. Welcome to Imperial.*_
I frowned, towel on my head. Who is this?
I didn’t reply. Locked my phone.
At dinner Zara was yapping. *"Annual Day in 2 months. You’re doing dance. End of discussion."*
*"I don’t—"*
*"Yes you do,"* Tasha *said*.
Night. Common room. Movie on. I was on the floor with my head on Tasha’s lap.
Tasha braided my hair. *"Can I ask something?"*
*"What?"*
*"Why were you so quiet yesterday? Like you expected us to be mean."*
I went quiet. *"Old school. Girls were... bad."*
Nia stopped scrolling. *"I’m sorry."*
Zara hugged me from the side. *"12B Rule #4: We protect our own. You’re safe."*
My throat hurt. *"Thanks."*
Tuesday.
Classes good. Teachers good.
At lunch I felt someone looking.
I glanced up. Across the dining hall, juice counter.
Tall guy. 11th grade uniform. I didn’t know him.
I looked away.
Phone buzzed.
*Unknown Number: _You looked away fast lol*_
I stared. Who??
I didn’t reply.
I don’t even know who this is. Probably a senior messing around.
Wednesday = dance auditions. Only went because Tasha threatened me.
Music played. Everyone did soft moves.
Me? I danced like I was on the football field. Sharp. Loud.
Instructor clapped. *"You’re in. I like the energy."*
Zara screamed. *"TOLD YOU!"*
After practice I was walking back sweaty when my phone buzzed again.
*Unknown Number: _Saw you at auditions. You dance like you play football. Cool.*_
I stopped walking. Who keeps texting me??
I typed: *Who is this?*
Three dots. Then: *Just someone who thinks you’re cool. No need to reply.*
I didn’t. But I didn’t block him either.
Thursday + Friday flew.
Football. Classes. 12B movie nights. Laughing till curfew.
I started liking morning assembly. I started liking samosas.
I started liking that nobody here knew my past.
Sunday. Visiting day.
Mum, Dad, Akshay, Siddharth, Shaurya came.
And Rumi came with them. But Rumi doesn’t go to Imperial. She’s in a different school. She was just here to see me.
I ran to them in shorts and grass-stained tee.
Shaurya *said*, *"THAT’S MY SISTER!"*
Dad hugged me. *"You look happy, princess."*
*"I am,"* I *said*.
I introduced 12B to my family.
Tasha talked to Mum about books.
Nia showed Dad the library.
Zara raced Akshay and won.
My family didn’t know these girls before today either. But in 10 minutes they were acting like cousins.
Rumi pulled me aside under a tree. *"You’re glowing."*
*"Am I?"*
*"Yeah. This place is good for you."*
That night I couldn’t sleep. Too much energy.
I went to the rooftop.
Door opened. It was a senior boy I didn’t know. Hoodie.
He saw me and smiled. *"Can’t sleep?"*
I shrugged. *"Too excited."*
*"Same,"* he *said*. Sat a few feet away. Didn’t crowd me.
We sat in silence for 10 minutes.
Then he stood. *"Curfew soon. See you around."*
*"Yeah,"* I *said*.
I had no idea who he was.
Back in bed my phone buzzed.
*Unknown Number: _Rooftop was nice. Night, Poorvi.*_
I sat up. HOW DOES HE KNOW MY NAME??
I didn’t reply.
But I stared at the ceiling smiling like an i***t.
Because maybe Imperial wasn’t scary.
Maybe it was full of people who text *"welcome"* instead of *"go away"*.
And maybe... just maybe... I was going to be okay here.
- Writer
