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Fariha never believed in fate, but looking back, she wonders if destiny had been playing tricks on her all along.

It all started in eighth grade, when a boy named Yunis transferred to her school. The whispers followed him—brilliant in science, a rising star. But Fariha wasn’t impressed. She had seen him before, every morning, waiting for his school bus in the same neighborhood. He was just another student… or so she thought.

Until everything started changing.

Her once unshakable friendship with Jiya began to crack, leaving her wondering if she ever truly knew her best friend. A new English teacher arrived—Mr. Rashid—who seemed to despise her for no reason, targeting her with punishments that made her question her own worth. Her rank, once secure, began to slip, and Jiya, once her greatest supporter, now stood on the other side.

And then there was Yunis. Always near, yet always distant. Silent, but observant. A boy who defied punishments and walked out of class without a second thought. A boy who, for reasons she couldn't understand, seemed to be at the center of everything.

With friendships fading, rivalries growing, and secrets lurking beneath the surface, Fariha finds herself tangled in a web of almosts—almost friends, almost rivals, almost something more.

But in a world where nothing is as it seems, will she uncover the truth before she loses herself completely?

The Almosts

Fariha walked back into the classroom with a new mindset. She had spent too much time feeling cornered, but not anymore. If they wanted to play games, she'd play too—only smarter.

As she slid into her seat, Jiya barely looked up. The distance between them was no longer just emotional; it was a solid wall, built brick by brick over the past few weeks.

Fariha didn't need an explanation anymore. Jiya had made her choice.

She leaned back, watching as the English teacher strolled in. He carried himself with that same smug authority, as if he owned the classroom.

When he started the lesson, Fariha noticed something—he was enjoying this. The way he ignored her when she raised her hand, how he subtly praised Jiya and Yunis while acting as if she didn't exist.

Fine. If he wanted to push her down, she'd make it impossible for him.

The teacher walked around, glancing at their books as they worked on an assignment. When he reached Fariha, he didn't even stop, just muttered, "Let's see if you actually understood the lesson," and walked past.

Yunis, who had been watching, leaned over slightly. "You gonna let him do that?"

By the time the next English test arrived, Fariha was ready. She had spent hours preparing—not just studying, but making sure that no matter what the teacher threw at her, she'd come out on top.

The test was harder than usual, clearly designed to trip her up.

When the teacher handed back the results a few days later, he wore a neutral expression. But Fariha caught it—the slight twitch of his jaw when he saw her score.

She held his gaze, daring him to challenge it.

He cleared his throat. "Seems like you did well this time." His tone was dismissive, but she saw through it.

Jiya looked at the paper, then at Fariha. There was something unreadable in her expression—surprise? Guilt?

When Yunis got his paper back, he raised an eyebrow. "Tch. One wrong."

He leaned over and whispered, "I should've cheated off you."

Fariha smirked. "Too bad you're not smart enough to keep up."

Yunis chuckled. "You're playing dirty now."

"Not dirty," she corrected. "Smart."

As Fariha walked toward the courtyard, she felt a shift. People weren't whispering about her anymore. They were watching, waiting.

She wasn't the girl who had fallen anymore.

She was the girl who had fought back.

Jiya walked past, hesitating slightly before speaking. "You—" She stopped.

Jiya's mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but then she shook her head. "Nothing."

Fariha didn't press. If Jiya had something to say, she'd say it.

For now, Fariha had bigger things to focus on.

She turned, spotting Yunis leaning against a tree, watching her with that amused expression.

"Interesting, isn't it?" he said as she approached.

"How people change when you stop caring."

Fariha folded her arms. "I'm not here to play mind games."

Yunis grinned. "Oh, but you're winning them."

She didn't answer, but she knew he was right.

And for the first time in weeks, she felt like she had control again.

Chapter 9 – Playing Smart