"You got that long hair, slicked back, white t-shirt
And I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt
And when we go crashing down, we come back every time
'Cause we never go out of style
We never go out of style"
~ Style – Taylor Swift
Tuesday morning arrived with the kind of California sunshine that made everything look deceptively perfect. The Westridge campus was alive with first-week energy—students rushing to classes, groups forming on the lawn, the coffee cart doing brisk business near the main building.
Kashvi had arrived early, as planned. Her fashion design class didn't start until nine, but getting there at eight-thirty meant she could grab a back-row seat and avoid the whole "let's all introduce ourselves to our neighbors" ritual that seemed inevitable on the first day.
She'd dressed simply black jeans, a plain white tee, her leather jacket despite the warm weather. Armor. Her headphones were already in, a soft indie playlist drowning out the campus noise as she made her way to the arts building.
She almost made it.
"Kashvi!"
She recognized Aadya's voice before she turned around. The twins were walking toward her—Aadya with her usual bright energy, Aadyant trailing slightly behind, hands in his pockets, looking effortlessly put-together.
Kashvi pulled out one earbud, forcing a polite smile. "Hey."
"Oh my God, I'm so glad I ran into you!" Aadya jogged the last few steps. "Perfect timing actually. We wanted to ask you something."
"Okay...?"
"So, Aadyant and I are planning to hold a small gathering this Saturday at our place, and we would love to have you there," Aadya said, her excitement palpable. "It's nothing too crazy, just close friends, good music, food. You should come!"
Kashvi blinked. "Oh. Um. That's really nice, but—"
"Before you say no," Aadyant interjected, a small smile playing on his lips, "it's really casual. No pressure. Just a chance to meet some people, you know? First week of college and all."
"I don't really do parties," Kashvi said, already feeling her chest tighten at the thought of a room full of strangers.
"It's not really a party party," Aadya insisted. "More like a... gathering? Honestly, it's just an excuse to have people over."
"I really don't think—"
"Please?" Aadya's eyes were genuinely hopeful. "You seem cool, Kashvi. And I know making friends in a new place is hard, but this could help. Plus, our friends are actually decent humans. I promise."
Kashvi hesitated. Every instinct screamed at her to say no, to make up an excuse, to protect herself from the inevitable disaster that social situations always became.
But there was something about the way Aadya was looking at her—genuine, warm, not pushy but hopeful—that made the automatic "no" stick in her throat.
"I'll... think about it," she said finally.
"Yes!" Aadya grinned. "That's not a no, so I'm taking it as progress. Here, let me give you the address."
She sent her the address.
"Great! I let you know my response in evening." Kashvi replied.
"I knew you won't say no!", Aadya says grinning.
~
~4 days later, AT THE PARTY~
"You invited who?" Vihaan asked, laughing loudly as he sprawled across one of the couches. He was sitting next to Aashika.
"Kashvi Singh," Aadya repeated, adjusting the fairy lights she'd insisted on hanging around the living room. "The fashion major we met on Monday. I told you guys about her."
"The girl from orientation?" Ritika looked up from where she was helping set up the snack table.
"That's the one."
"Wait, she actually said yes?" Shivansh looked surprised. He was the quietest of the group, but when he spoke, people listened. "She seemed pretty... reserved when we saw her."
"She said she'd think about it," Aadya corrected. "And then yesterday she texted saying she'd come. I'm counting it as a win."
"That's bold of her," Aashika said, finally looking up from her iPad. "I mean, coming to a party where she barely knows anyone? That takes guts."
"Or desperation," Vihaan joked, earning another swat from Aashika. "Ow! I'm kidding! I'm sure she's cool."
"She is cool," Aadya insisted. "She's just... guarded. I think she's been through some stuff."
I stayed quiet, nursing my drink and trying to look like I wasn't paying attention to every word of this conversation.
Truth was, I'd been thinking about Kashvi all week. The way she'd looked at orientation—walls up, shoulders tense, like she was waiting for the world to hurt her again. The way she'd hesitated before agreeing to even consider coming tonight.
I'd texted Aadya three times asking if Kashvi had confirmed. My twin had called me obsessed.
She wasn't wrong.
"Aadyant's been asking about her all week," Aadya announced, because apparently she couldn't help herself.
"Have not," I muttered.
"You literally asked me this morning if she was still coming."
"I was just checking—"
"Three times. You asked three times."
Vihaan burst out laughing. "Bro, you're down bad already and you've barely talked to her."
"I'm not—" I stopped, because arguing would only make it worse. "I'm just being friendly."
"Uh-huh. Friendly." Ritika smirked. "Is that what we're calling it now?"
Before I could respond, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Aadya practically sprinted to the door, her excitement palpable.
I tried to look casual. Took a sip of my drink. Checked my phone like I had somewhere else to be.
And then I looked up.
~
Time seemed to slow down as Aadyant's eyes found the doorway.
Kashvi stood there, framed by the soft glow of the porch lights, and for a moment, he forgot how to breathe.
She was wearing a soft pink dress—delicate, flowing, with long sheer sleeves that caught the light. The neckline was square and elegant, and the fabric cinched at her waist before falling in gentle folds just above her knees. It was simple but stunning, the kind of dress that didn't try too hard but somehow made everything else in the room fade into background noise.
Her hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, and she'd done something subtle with makeup—just enough to highlight her features without hiding them. But it was her expression that caught him—nervous, uncertain, like she was two seconds away from bolting.
She looked ethereal. Like something out of a dream he didn't know he'd been having.
"Kashvi! You made it!" Aadya's voice broke through his trance. "And oh my God, you look gorgeous! That dress is perfect on you!"
Kashvi smiled, a small, genuine thing that transformed her face. "Thanks. I wasn't sure if it was too much for a... gathering."
"Are you kidding? It's perfect. Come in, come in!"
As Kashvi stepped inside, her eyes scanned the room—taking in the fairy lights, the music playing softly in the background, the small group of people scattered around the living room.
Her gaze landed on Aadyant, and for a second, their eyes met.
He couldn't look away.
Neither could she.
~
I was already regretting this.
The penthouse was beautiful—all floor-to-ceiling windows and modern furniture and the kind of casual luxury that came from having money you didn't have to think about. But it was also full of people, and noise, and everything my anxiety hated.
I'd almost turned around three times on the way here. Had sat in on my bike in the parking garage for ten minutes, arguing with myself about whether this was a terrible idea.
But Aadya had been so genuinely excited when I'd confirmed I was coming. And some small, stupid part of me wanted to try. Wanted to believe that maybe—just maybe—I could be normal. Could make friends. Could belong somewhere.
So here I was, in a dress I'd spent two hours picking out, feeling like an imposter.
And then I saw Aadyant.
He was standing near the couch, holding a drink, wearing dark jeans and a simple white button-down with the sleeves rolled up. His hair was slightly messy in that effortless way, and when our eyes met, something in his expression shifted.
He looked at me like I was the only person in the room.
It should've been uncomfortable. Should've made me want to run.
Instead, it made my heart beat faster for reasons I didn't want to examine.
"Come on, let me introduce you to everyone properly," Aadya said, linking her arm through mine before I could escape. "You already kind of met them the other day, but official introductions are better."
She guided me toward the group, and suddenly I was surrounded by friendly faces and welcoming smiles.
"Guys, this is Kashvi! Kashvi, you remember everyone, right? Vihaan, Shivansh, Aashika, Ritika."
"Hey!" Vihaan grinned, raising his drink in greeting. "Glad you could make it! Love the dress, by the way."
"Thanks," I managed, my voice quieter than I wanted.
"Seriously, you look amazing," Aashika agreed, setting down her iPad. "Is that vintage? The cut is gorgeous."
"No, it's... I actually made it myself."
"Wait, what?" Aashika's eyes widened. "You made that?"
I nodded, feeling heat creep up my neck. "It's just something I put together for some competition I had participated in last year."
"That's incredible," Ritika said, studying the dress with obvious appreciation. "The stitching is perfect. And the fabric choice—that's silk chiffon, right?"
"Yeah. I wanted something that would move well but still hold its shape."
"You have serious talent," Shivansh said, speaking for the first time. "That's designer-level work."
I didn't know what to say to that. Compliments always made me uncomfortable—like I didn't deserve them, like they were just being nice.
"Told you she was talented," Aadya said proudly, like my skills were somehow her accomplishment too.
"Drink?" Aadyant's voice came from behind me, and I turned to find him holding out a glass. "It's just sparkling cider. Non-alcoholic. Figured you might want something."
"Oh. Thanks." I took the glass, our fingers brushing for just a second. The contact sent an unexpected jolt through me.
"You look beautiful," he said quietly, just for me. "Really beautiful."
I didn't know how to respond to that either. So I just took a sip of the cider, hoping he couldn't see how flustered I was.
~
She looked nervous. Overwhelmed. Like she was waiting for something to go wrong.
I wanted to make her feel comfortable. Wanted to see that small smile from earlier again.
"So, you made that dress yourself?" I asked, moving to stand next to her as the others continued chatting. "That's impressive."
"It's not that big of a deal," she said, deflecting like I'd noticed she always did with compliments.
"Yes, it is. I've seen the fashion design studios on campus. That level of work takes skill."
She glanced at me, something uncertain in her eyes. "You've been to the fashion studios?"
"I may have... walked past them. Once or twice."
"Why?"
Because I was looking for you. Because I couldn't stop thinking about you. Because something about you makes me want to know everything.
"Curious," I said instead. "The building's interesting. Lots of glass."
She almost smiled. Almost. "You're a terrible liar."
"Yeah, I've been told that."
The music shifted to something slower, and I saw my opportunity.
"Do you want to get some air? The balcony has a great view."
She hesitated, and I could see the war happening behind her eyes—the desire to say yes fighting against the instinct to protect herself.
"Just for a minute," I added. "It's quieter out there. Easier to breathe."
That seemed to decide it. She nodded.
I led her through the sliding glass doors to the balcony, leaving the noise and chaos behind.
~
The balcony was stunning.
The city stretched out below us, lights twinkling like stars. The ocean was visible in the distance, dark and vast. The night air was cool against my skin, a relief after the warmth of the crowded living room.
"Better?" Aadyant asked, leaning against the railing next to me.
"Yeah. It's beautiful out here."
"It is." But he wasn't looking at the view. He was looking at me.
I should've felt uncomfortable. Should've made an excuse and gone back inside.
But standing here with him, the city lights below and the quiet between us, I felt... safe. Which was insane, because I barely knew him.
"Thank you," I said quietly. "For inviting me. I know I'm not exactly the life of the party."
"Neither am I, usually." He smiled. "Aadya's the social one. I just pretend."
"You seem pretty comfortable in there."
"Years of practice. Royal training and all that."
Right. Because he was an actual prince. I kept forgetting that.
"Must be exhausting," I said. "Always having to be 'on.'"
"It is." He looked at me again, something vulnerable in his expression. "That's why I like moments like this. When I can just... be."
"Is that what you're doing right now? Just being?"
"Yeah." He turned fully toward me. "Is that okay?"
My heart was racing. This was dangerous territory. Getting close to people never ended well for me.
But something about the way he was looking at me—genuine, interested, not demanding anything—made me want to try.
"Yeah," I said softly. "It's okay."
We stood there in comfortable silence, the sounds of the party muffled behind the glass doors, the city alive below us.
And for the first time in three years, I felt like maybe—just maybe—I wasn't completely alone.
~
Inside, Aadya watched through the glass doors with a satisfied smile.
"They're definitely into each other," she announced to the group.
"Called it," Vihaan said, grinning. "Twenty bucks says they're dating by the end of the month."
"I'll take that bet," Ritika countered. "Kashvi seems like she needs time. I'm saying two months minimum."
"You're all terrible," Shivansh said, but he was smiling too. "Leave them alone."
"Never," Aadya declared. "This is the most interesting thing that's happened all week. Besides, Aadyant needs someone like her. Someone real."
"And Kashvi needs someone who'll be patient with her," Aashika added thoughtfully. "Someone who won't push too hard."
They all turned to look at the balcony, where Aadyant and Kashvi were still talking, their body language gradually relaxing.
"Yeah," Aadya said softly. "I think they might be good for each other."
Outside, under the stars and city lights, Aadyant and Kashvi continued their conversation—tentative, careful, but hopeful.
Neither of them knowing that this moment on the balcony would be the beginning of something neither of them expected.
Something that would change everything.
~
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