Vansh (reads it, blinks hard):"Wait, what? No. I don't flirt with anyone else. Just you."
Pearl blinked at the message, her breath caught in her throat for a moment. That was… unexpected. She stared at her phone, the words swimming in front of her eyes. She hadn't expected him to be so direct, especially after everything that had happened.
But the more she thought about it, the more it started to make sense—that look in the library, the way his eyes lingered on her, the strange pull between them. It was like he was drawing her in, little by little.
She couldn't help herself, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips as she typed out her response, the tension already crackling in the air.
Pearl:"Okay, so you're telling me @love_peace is just... a coincidence?"
She hit send, heart pounding. There was no turning back now. She couldn't believe she was calling him out like this. But there was something so damn compelling about the way he played this whole game.
Her phone buzzed almost immediately.
Vansh:"@love_peace? You think that account has anything to do with me?"
Pearl (playfully):"You're gonna tell me it doesn't? Don't lie. It's too perfect. A locked profile with no posts? All mysterious, just like you."
Vansh:"I'm not lying. It's not about me."
Pearl (raising an eyebrow):"Then what's it about?"
Vansh:"I'll explain someday. But not now."
The reply came fast, almost like he was too eager to brush her question aside. Pearl felt the rush of excitement mixed with a strange tinge of frustration. What did that even mean?
Pearl (smiling):"You're full of secrets, huh?"
Vansh:"You have no idea."
Pearl sat back against her bed, staring at the screen for a long moment. The conversation had taken a turn she hadn't expected, but now it felt like a game—a push and pull that had only just begun.
She didn't know whether to be intrigued or annoyed. But one thing was for sure—Vansh had her attention now more than ever.
Pearl (teasing):"You're really not gonna tell me anything, huh? Keeping me in suspense."
Vansh:"Sometimes, suspense is the best part."
Pearl couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. He was good. Too good. And that made her want to push just a little harder.
Pearl:"Is that what you tell all the girls?"
The message sat there for a moment before his reply popped up, quick and almost... defensive.
Vansh:"No. Just you. I'm not that guy."
She blinked at the screen. His honesty did catch her off guard, but the fact that he was so direct, so confident about it... She wasn't sure if she should be impressed or frustrated. Maybe both.
Pearl (smirking, leaning back in her chair):"Oh, really? So I'm special then? That's cute."
She waited a moment, her finger hovering over the screen, debating whether to send it. But then she did. Why not?
The reply came almost immediately.
Vansh:"You're more than you think. Don't act like you don't know that."
Pearl (raising an eyebrow, typing with a mix of challenge and intrigue):"Is that supposed to flatter me? Because it's not working."
She hit send, but something in the pit of her stomach told her she was in deeper than she wanted to admit.
The response was almost immediate.
Vansh:"It wasn't meant to flatter you. It's just the truth."
Pearl felt her pulse quicken, her mind racing. The truth? What did that even mean?
Pearl (trying to keep her composure, but her heart was speeding up):"Okay, whatever. I don't have time for this. I'll see you at school tomorrow."
Her thumb hovered over the "send" button, knowing that her words were final, and yet, a part of her didn't want to let go. She quickly pressed it and leaned back, but the excitement didn't leave her.
Vansh:"Don't think you can just walk away. I'll be there. And I'm not going anywhere."
Pearl's heart skipped. He wasn't backing down. She stared at the screen for a long moment, trying to shake off the strange sensation building up inside her.
Pearl (challenging him, voice softer than intended):"Fine. See you tomorrow. But don't expect me to make this easy."
And just like that, she closed her phone. She knew he was probably smirking on the other end, but somehow... she couldn't wait to see what happened next..................