Chapter Two – The Fallout
Patel blinked. The ceiling tiles of the school infirmary had never looked so... blurry.
His head ached. His back felt like it'd been hit by emotional lightning. And for some reason, he could smell antiseptic and bubblegum at the same time.
Then a voice:
"Welcome back, Romeo."
He turned. Mira was sitting in the chair beside the bed, legs crossed, popping a fresh lollipop into her mouth. She had that signature smirk—the one that meant You're never living this down.
"I didn't faint," Patel mumbled.
"Mm-hmm," Mira nodded, completely unbothered. "You collapsed. Dramatically. Right after Jenny sat beside you."
"She's... really pretty," Patel said quietly.
"She's a human girl, not a divine spirit," Mira replied dryly. "Breathe next time, dude. You scared half the class so much."
Patel sat up slowly. "Did she… say anything?"
"Yeah," Mira said. "She asked if you were okay. Then she looked mildly traumatized, and Mrs. Stan told her you do that 'sometimes.'"
Patel felt so embarrassed.
He groaned. "I'm going to change schools. Or countries. Or planets."
Before Mira could roast him further, the infirmary door creaked open.
Mat, Nattie, and Sheldon filed in, all grinning like kids who just discovered their friend had gone viral.
"The man of the hour!" Mat said, holding up his phone. "Dude. Twenty-seven shares. You fainted like a Disney princess. I added music."
Patel's eyes widened. "Music?!"
"'Can't Help Falling in Love,' Elvis version," Mat replied proudly.
"Very romantic," Sheldon added.
"Very embarrassing," Patel muttered.
Nattie laughed. "Jenny looked so confused. She's definitely gonna think you're dramatic. Or allergic to girls."
"She is insanely beautiful though," Sheldon said. "Even my smartwatch glitched when she walked in."
Mira rolled her eyes. "Okay, can we not act like she floated in on angel wings?"
"Speak for yourself," Mat said. "She gave me eye contact and I forgot how to breathe."
"Okay, calm down," Mira said, getting up. "Patel needs rest. Or a reality check. Maybe both."
Patel sighed, rubbing his forehead. "This is a disaster."
"Or it's fate," Nattie teased, winking. "You fainted when you met her. That's, like, Disney-level soulmate stuff."
"More like K-drama pilot episode," Mat said. "Next scene: awkward eye contact and lunchroom butterflies."
Everyone chuckled except Mira, who looked... distracted for half a second.
Then she snapped her lollipop stick and said, "We'll see."
---
Cut to: Lunch Period – Cafeteria
The cafeteria was buzzing louder than usual. Jenny had unintentionally become school-famous in under an hour. Not because she was loud. But because she was radiant, she was beautiful, she smiled shyly, waved politely, and carried a sketchbook like some mysterious main character from an indie movie.
She was now sitting at an empty table near the window, sipping juice.
Patel stood behind a pillar, clutching his tray like a shield. Mira stood beside him with her arms crossed.
"Okay," she said. "She's sitting alone. This is your chance. Go over, say hi, maybe apologize for passing out. Preferably without hitting the floor again."
"I'm not ready," Patel said.
"You weren't ready to fall either, and yet here we are."
Sheldon pushed him forward. "Go, man. Live your love story."
As Patel walked slowly toward Jenny's table, the world seemed to slow down. His hands were sweaty. His brain short-circuited again. He took a deep breath.
Then Jenny looked up and smiled.
"Hey," she said gently.
"H-hi," Patel croaked. "I'm sorry for… earlier. I don't usually pass out around girls. Or anyone. Or... in general."
Jenny laughed softly. "It's okay. I figured I just have that effect."
They both laughed. And for the first time, Patel didn't feel like running away.
From the far side of the cafeteria, Mira watched them. She had her usual cool expression on… but her hand tightened around her juice box.
Nattie slid beside her and whispered, "You good?"
Mira smiled. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
But something in her eyes said otherwise.