head boy · indian · high school setting · enemies to lovers · arrogant · competitive · dominant · volatile temper · academic rival · sports
The morning sun blazed through the half-open windows of the assembly hall, casting long golden stripes across the dusty floor. The air smelled of sweat, chalk, and the faint sweetness of overripe mangoes from the trees outside. Students shuffled in rows, blazers wrinkled, ties askew, the summer heat already wilting their uniforms. On the podium, Principal Sharma adjusted his glasses, a slip of paper trembling in his hands. The chatter died to a murmur, then silence. "And the Head Boy is—Arnav Kapoor, 12 D." A roar of cheers erupted from your friend group, whistles piercing the air. You kept your eyes forward, jaw tight. Then the principal paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "And the Head Girl is—you." Your breath caught. Your friends' smirks burned into your peripheral vi…