Chapter 1: The First Conversation

Kriti – The Quiet Soul with a Shattered Faith in Friendship

Kriti a calm, quiet girl who finds it difficult to open up to people around her. She often appears lost in her own world, her expressions soft yet distant. Introverted by nature, Kriti isn't shy because she lacks thoughts or feelings—rather, her silence is shaped by past experiences that taught her people don’t always see beyond appearances.

Kriti has always felt judged—by her classmates and even her teachers—based on her looks and her average academic performance. While she isn’t “brilliant” by conventional standards, she puts in genuine effort in everything she does. But those efforts often go unnoticed. Whether it was school competitions, stage performances, or leadership roles in class, she was constantly overlooked. Teachers' harsh words and peers’ mean comments gradually chipped away at her confidence. Even before it could bloom, it was crushed.

This constant cycle of rejection and invisibility made Kriti withdraw further into herself. She started believing that no one could truly see or appreciate her for who she was. To avoid more pain, she decided to stop trying for things that would bring attention or judgment. She distanced herself from everyone and everything—except her books. Studies became her refuge, her only way to validate her self-worth. Though she longs for genuine connection, her past has made her wary and cautious of new bonds.

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Nia – The Cheerful Stranger with a Lonely Heart

Nia is an introvert, but her introversion takes a slightly different form. She is a sweet, cheerful girl who knows how to smile through the silence. Though she doesn’t have any close friends, she never lets loneliness make her bitter. Instead, she finds joy in little interactions—helping a classmate, smiling at someone in the hallway, striking small conversations just to pass time.

Nia is carefree, unaffected by school politics, popularity, or judgment. She lives in her own little world, where she finds happiness in books, music, or her thoughts. She talks easily but not deeply. She laughs but doesn’t share her heart. There is a part of her that remains untouched, unseen, because there is no one close enough to whom she can truly open up. Her life is full of moments but empty of that one person—a friend she could claim as her own.

She fills the void of friendship with love from her family, never complaining, never asking for more—but sometimes, just sometimes, she wishes she had someone in school she could call her best friend. Someone who would understand her without words.

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Fate had now placed them on the same bench.

The sunlight filtered through the dusty classroom windows of 9th grade, falling in quiet, golden patches on the floor. Kriti sat by the window, her notebook open but untouched, her pen idle in her hand. Her eyes were on the blackboard, but her mind had wandered far.

The first few periods passed in complete silence.

Kriti scribbled notes with precision, barely glancing at the girl beside her. Nia rested her head on her hand, staring ahead with mild interest. They were both locked in their own shells, neither willing nor knowing how to break through.

It was during the fourth period, just before lunch, that something changed.

“Um… excuse me,” Nia’s voice was soft, hesitant.

Kriti looked up.

“Can I borrow a pen? Mine just died,” Nia asked, holding up a sketch pen that had indeed given up on life.

Kriti blinked, surprised. “Oh… yeah. Sure.” She reached into her pouch and handed her a pen.

“Thank you,” Nia said with a smile that was too warm to ignore.

Kriti gave a small nod and looked away, but something had shifted. A word had been spoken.

By the next day, the pen incident had evolved into small nods and occasional comments. On the third day, the conversation properly began when Kriti noticed Nia flipping through her English notebook with a confused expression.

“Need help with that?” Kriti asked before she could stop herself.

Nia looked at her, a bit startled, then smiled sheepishly. “Actually… yes. I don’t get these summary questions at all.”

Kriti moved a little closer and pointed at the paragraph. “Here, you just need to find the main idea. Like this sentence—it explains the entire theme.”

Nia nodded slowly. “Oh… wow. That makes so much sense when you say it.”

Kriti almost smiled. “It’s not that hard once you try to break it down.”

“I think I’ll need you in every English class,” Nia said dramatically.

Kriti laughed, a genuine one, maybe for the first time in days.

The friendship, though slow, began to blossom.

One afternoon, during Geography, Kriti noticed Nia dozing off, her head tilted, a faint smile on her lips as if even her dreams were cheerful.

When the bell rang and Nia blinked herself awake, Kriti whispered, “You really slept through the entire class?”

Nia stretched. “Yeah. It was so boring. And I was sleepy.”

Kriti raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you scared? What if the teacher had caught you?”

Nia yawned and replied, “What’s there to be scared of? I was sleepy, so I slept.”

Kriti shook her head, chuckling softly. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I know,” Nia grinned.

During the lunch break.

Kriti opened her tiffin quietly, as always. Just as she took the first bite, Nia turned toward her, offering her lunchbox.

“Want to try this? It’s veg, don’t worry,” she added with a playful smile. “No poison in it either.”

Kriti hesitated, unsure.

“Oh come on,” Nia nudged the box closer. “Take a bite. I swear it’s safe.”

Kriti laughed. “Okay then… I trust you.”

She took a small portion, and then, smiling for the first time without restraint, she slid her own lunchbox toward Nia.

“You want to try this?” she asked.

“Only if you promise it’s not poisoned either,” Nia winked.

“Promise,” Kriti replied, and both giggled.

As they ate, the conversation deepened.

“I have a big sister,” Nia said between bites, “and a little one on the way.”

“Oh, you mean… your mom’s expecting?” Kriti asked.

“Yep,” Nia beamed. “Any day now.”

“That’s exciting,” Kriti said. “I have a little brother. He’s two. A handful, honestly.”

“I bet he is,” Nia laughed. “Siblings are chaos, but the good kind.”

They spoke of home, school, teachers, annoying relatives, and things that mattered to them in ways they hadn’t realized. And when the bell rang, they packed up slowly.

As they walked back to their class, Nia turned to Kriti. “Hey… can I have your number? Just in case I need help with English again?”

Kriti smiled shyly. “Yeah, sure. You can text me anytime. It's my mom's number”

As they exchanged numbers, something quiet but solid formed between them—something that didn’t need grand gestures or dramatic promises.

It was just the beginning. But it was real.

After the break, as they walked back to class, Kriti and Nia were no longer strangers. A quiet connection had formed between them.

Nia: “I never thought you talked much. But today… you surprised me.”

Kriti (smiling): “I thought the same about myself. But talking to you feels… nice. Actually, it applies to you too. I’ve never seen you talk so freely with anyone either. So, what changed today?”

Nia: “Maybe talking to you feels nice too.”

They continued walking toward the classroom, soft smiles on their faces.

Nia: “So… from today, are we friends? If you don’t mind?”

Kriti paused for a second, then smiled and extended her hand.

Kriti: “Friends.”

They shook hands and entered the corridor outside their classroom, only to realize the teacher had already begun the next lecture. They were five minutes late, having lost track of time while talking.

Kriti looked at the classroom door nervously.

Kriti: “The teacher's already here… we’re late. What should we do?”

Nia: “I don’t know… maybe we should ask for permission and go in. What else can we do? We were talking and didn’t even realize the time… and neither of us had a watch.”

Kriti: “I can’t do it… I’m scared. You go first.”

Nia: “No, please. You go first.”

Kriti: “You go.”

Nia: “No, you.”

As they quietly argued about who should enter first, a student sitting near the front noticed them at the door and informed the teacher. The teacher turned toward the door, her expression stern and voice sharp.

Teacher: “Yes, you two. Come in and stand in front of me.”

Kriti and Nia exchanged a nervous glance before slowly stepping inside the classroom.

So that’s it for now! Let me know what you thought about the beginning—was it good, or do you think it needs some changes? I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments. Don’t forget to like, comment, and share. Thank you, and I’ll see you in the next part soon!