Soon students began collecting. Aashi could hear the chattering but didn't bother looking up from her notebooks, she wrote the date neatly in the top right corner. She checked the schedule and took out the text book. This weekend, Aashi and her Dad had gone to buy the text books, she had brought for Rishabh as well. He hadn't tagged along, he chose to spend some time with his friends from school playing Video games. He was very chill about all this as he knew Aashi had his back.

Aashi turned her head to look at Rishabh, he is making faces at his textbook. She smiled shaking her head. He looked at Aashi and pouted sadly. Aashi smiled at him and then turned around. She then opened her textbook, leaning forward she smelted the book and her smile widened. She loves the smell of new books be it textbooks or novels. She just loves books.

'Hey.' Aashi turned her head when she heard a girl's voice. A young girl with braces smiled at her.

'Hey.' Aashi replied politely.

'I am Suchitra.' The girl stuck out her palm

'Aashi.' They shook hands. Aashi watched her take out her books and frowned as she realized something.

'Suchitra Garg? Rank 1?' Aashi asked amused. Suchitra is taken aback. She isn't used people looking the way Aashi is looking at her. Looking at Aashi, Suchitra gave a small nod.

'I am Aashi Verma, Rank 3.' Aashi gushed happily. Suchitra's frown turned into a smile realizing she is sitting with someone who shares the same interests and brains like her.

'Friends.' Aashi forwarded her palm. Suchitra smiled widely and shook hands with her.

'Friends, also competitors.' Suchitra added with a smirk.

Aashi nodded. 'It will be amazing competing with you.' She said. The two girls then began chatting like teens fangirling over a silly celebrity. Speaking with her, Aashi understood why Suchitra got Rank 1, she is a genius. Also, she realized she will have a lot to learn from her.

They stopped only when the Professor entered the classroom. Everyone stopped speaking and momentarily there is silence as they all rose in respect for the Professor. But as soon as Professor asked everyone to sit, they all began chattering again.

'Silence!'

******************************************

Today was the first day so it was mostly introductory lectures, after lunch, they all were supposed to be taken on the tour of the campus. Aashi wasn't interested, she thought it was lame, they could explore the place on their own. Rishabh, on the other hand, was excited. They met up for lunch.

'Rishabh, meet Suchitra. She is Rank 1.' Aashi introduced her best friend to her new-found friend.

'Hey.' Rishabh tried to sound excited. Suchitra smiled blushing little, they shook hands.

'Come, Aashi.' Before Aashi could react, he held her hand and dragged her towards the Canteen. Aashi felt bad that they ignored Suchitra but everything happened so quickly that she didn't have time to react. As Rishabh took her, she turned her head and mouthed a sorry. Suchitra smiled warmly.

'That was rude.' Aashi said.

'Who cares ya?' Rishabh answered passing her a sandwich. He rolled his eyes as Aashi lectured him about how great and kind and intelligent Suchitra is and how much they will get to learn from her.

'Aashi, it is rude to talk while eating.' Rishabh interrupted her. Aashi didn't listen, she went on until Rishabh broke a morsel of her club sandwich and stuffed it into her mouth. She glared at him and he chuckled leaning back in his chair.

****************************************

Rishabh and Aashi, among their classmates, stood in a long queue. Aashi felt very childish and annoyed.

'Aashi.' Aashi and Rishabh turned to look at Suchitra who stood beside them, and with her is another girl with jet black shoulder-length hair and round glasses.

'Aashi meet Kajal Rai, Rank 2.'

Rishabh smacked his forehead as Aashi beamed at them.

'Aashi Verma, Rank 3.' She forwarded her hand, Kajal shook hands with her. Rishabh looked annoyed and felt ignored as the three girls began talking. They quietened only when a Professor asked everyone to be silent. Rishabh is relieved as the girls walked to stand few students ahead of them.

'Congrats, on getting new friends.' Rishabh whispered sarcastically. Aashi smiled, she could smell jealousy. Nevertheless, she didn't bother correcting him. Before they walked, Aashi turned her head and looked at Rishabh, she knows very well, that no matter how many new friends she gets, her old friend Rishabh Khurana will be her best friend, forever.

***********************************

'What a crappy day.' Rishabh said stopping his bike at the traffic signal. Aashi nodded.

'For the first time, I agree with you.' She said

'Really?' Rishabh tilted his head and looked at her. Aashi saw him raise his eyebrow from behind the tinted glasses of his helmet.

Aashi doesn't reply, she held his head and made him look front, she pointed at the green signal. Rishabh shook his head and started his bike, Aashi smiled.

The first day of college was interesting, Aashi entered her home with a smile. Her parents were very happy when she narrated about her day. Even though the day was slightly boring today, the best part was that Aashi made friends with two amazing girls. She knew she will bond well with the two. The only problem was that her best friend got little insecure but she knows him too well, he will come around.

Later that night when Aashi went to bed, she couldn't stop smiling. She felt excited for the next day, finally, her course will start. And this time she is determined to be no.1.