Page 5 of Reckless Dare

“That’s Ved and Rana right behind him.”

The girls took out a few more names.

“God, they all look so hot! I can’t wait to see them at the campus and race again!”

Ava wondered what kind of races the girl was talking about. But amidst the squeals and cries of excitement, she looked closely at the guy riding by the window. The rest of the bikers were waving back and blowing kisses at the excited girls. But the guy next to her was simply riding.

Even while he was seated on the bike, it was obvious the guy was quite tall and broad. His long jean-covered legs showed off his lean muscles. She couldn’t see his face as all the bikers wore helmets and aviator glasses. But something about the guy, especially the reckless yet easy manner in which he was riding the bike, made her want to know how he looked.

Suddenly, as though sensing her curious gaze, the guy turned. Maybe it was her imagination, but she felt his intense gaze falling on her. First, her breath caught in her throat, and then her cheeks heated because he kept looking towards her window while she stared back at him.

The loud excited squeals continued as the girls called out the guys’ names. Ava was yanked out of the staring when a group of girls slid in between her seat and waved at the guys from her window.

Ava sat with her back plastered to the seat while the girls shouted names and waved. The rest of the bikers blew a few more kisses before racing ahead of the bus. The quiet biker watched her window for a few more moments before he joined the other bikes. Once again he was at the front leading the group.

Ava’s heart thudded as the bikes sped on recklessly and disappeared from the view.

Abhi. The student council president.

For a moment, her curiosity made her want to look him up on Simha University website.

But she decided against it.

I’m here to fulfill my dream. Not check out hot, reckless guys.

With that self-pep talk, she pushed away the strange encounter with the student president and focused once again on living her dream.

CHAPTER 3

“That’s it? That’s your entire luggage?” the woman at the front desk asked.

“You are joking, right?” the girl standing next to Ava joined.

Ava looked at the two shocked faces in front of her. She was at the student housing to enroll in allocated accommodation. After the buses dropped the students, they all dispersed to their allocated housing. Since Ava was new, she had to find out where her housing was being allocated.

“No, I’m not joking. This is my luggage.”

Ava just had one suitcase. Most of the students who collected their luggage had at least four or even six oversized bags. Ava didn’t have much to pack since college uniforms and accessories would be provided by the university. The only things she had to bring along were casual clothes to wear over the weekends and her night clothes.

A few pairs of jeans and a dozen t-shirts along with half a dozen night clothes didn’t occupy much space. Most of her suitcase was filled with her favorite books and photo frames of her family.

“Wow!” the girl next to her said. “You seem quite unique. One suitcase is what most girls in the university use to pack their makeup in!”

Ava wasn’t certain whether or not the girl was complimenting or making fun of her.

“I’m Nitya Shashidar,” the girl introduced herself. She had thick, black-rimmed glasses that suited her round, delicate face. “I’m your roommate. I was told you’d be arriving this morning.”

Ava smiled. “I’m Ava. Thank you for coming to receive me.”

The girl nodded. “Pooja is our other roommate. She already left the apartment. She wants to ensure she catches the attention of one of the Simhas at the commencement event.”

Ava once again wondered what students meant by Simhas. Before she could ask, Nitya turned. “Let’s get going. The Dean’s welcome speech will begin in an hour. It’s in the main hall, which is a good twenty-minute walk. Late comers are always frowned upon.”

Ava nodded and hurried behind Nitya. They took an elevator to the second floor.

“I heard you are a second year medical student,” Nitya stated.

“Yes. And you?”

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