Hero
The end of the year is always sad because your friends are moving or they are going to a different and you won't see them everyday.Since its an eighth grade graduation, it means you'll be going to go high school next year.Today's focus is on formal. Formal is like a prom for eight graders.The graduation ceremony just ended and students are getting congratulated by their parents.A girl dressed in a white dress with pink and brown flowers on it walks over to her friends sulking."My parent's said that I can't go to formal," Riddhima said as she sits down next to them."What?Why?" one of her friend's stood up and exclaims."Nikki, you know my parent's don't like me to go these kinds of places and we're going to family dinner tonight," Riddhima said with a frown.Most of her dad's side lives here in the same state as them and since all of them live really close to each other, they invite each other for dinners.Which gets on Riddhima's nerves because her family doesn't get along.Like whose family does get along with each other?"I wish you could go," Anjali said, hugging Riddhima."Me too," Riddhima said as she hugs Anjali back. "What if we convince your parents along with some other students," Muskaan suggested."Muskaan, seriously," Riddhima said, pulling away from Anjali."Seeing how many students are going to formal can show the importance of a formal," Muskaan said.Riddhima rolls her eyes at her friend's logic."Muski, they won't say yes, trust me," Riddhima says.Muskaan puts her hands on Riddhima's shoulders. "Trust me," Muskaan's says."Ugh fine!But what are you going to do," Riddhima asks.Muskaan winks at Riddhima and walks away leaving Riddhima, Nikki, and Anjali confused."After this, I think my parent's won't let me go anywhere," Riddhima said.Riddhima turns around to face her friends and sees them looking at her with sad faces."Well, I guess I'll see you guys later," Riddhima said."Yeah," Nikki says and hugs Riddhima."I'll miss you," Nikki said, hugging Riddhima and Anjali joins in too."I'll miss you guys too and we can always call and text," Riddhima said, pulling back."I guess we'll see you tonight if Muskaan's plan works," Anjali said, laughing and Riddhima and Nikki join in too.
Riddhima sits next to her annoying cousin who can't shut up and keeps on talking. They were the same age so that's why Riddhima hangs out with her.Her other cousin who she's more close to, moved so Riddhima can't really hang out with her but they do talk on Facebook and Skype with each other.Suddenly, the garage door bursts open which is located near the kitchen and near the living room and a group of boys and girls walk in.Riddhima's eyes go wide as she recognizes all of them.Muskaan emerges from all of them with a huge smile and looking at Riddhima.All of them were dressed nicely in formals ready to go to school for the formal.Riddhima sees her family looking at them with equally shocked expression as hers."Hey Riddhima," said a guy and Riddhima closes her eyes.It was a guy saying hi to her which is kind of embarrassing, especially in front of your parent's. "Uncle, we are here to take Riddhima to formal," Muskaan says.Riddhima's dad looks at Riddhima then at Muskaan."All of you?" Shashank asks."Yeah, Riddhima is friends with all of us," Nikki says, siding with Muskaan."But we told Riddhima she can't go," Shashank said."And why not?" said a guy dressed in black dress pants with a gray coat and white shirt along with blue and gray striped tie."And you are?" asks Shashank."Armaan Mallik," he introduced himself.Riddhima's heart started beating faster.Riddhima had always had a crush on him and still does.The first time she saw him was in third grade.Armaan Mallik was helping her to convince her parent's to let Riddhima go to formal."Formal is the last thing for middle school then you are back to school with no fun," Armaan said.Shashank looks at him for a while then at everyone else standing behind him.Shashank looks at his wife, Padma and sees her nod."Okay, then Riddhima you can go," Shashank said.Riddhima was in more shock.Just one sentence from Armaan convinced her father to let her to go formal.Anjali grabs Riddhima's arm and pulls her. "Wait... wait!" Riddhima yells and everyone stops and looks at her."I don't have a dress," Riddhima said, telling them her new problem."Have no fear when Muskaan is here," Muskaan says the famous line and drags Riddhima upstairs while everyone goes outside to wait.
Riddhima walks out with Muskaan and sees everyone look at her.Riddhima gives them a nervous smile as she walks over to them."Riddhima, you look so pretty!" complimented one of the girls that came along."Thank you," Riddhima replies with a smile.Riddhima talks and takes pictures but she could feel familiar blue eyes looking at her.Riddhima turns to the direction of the eyes and sees Armaan looking at her.Riddhima was kind of matching him because of her gray and white dress. Armaan gives her wink and Riddhima was shocked, again.Armaan sees Riddhima's shocked face and chuckles and turns back to his friends."I saw that," Nikki said from behind Riddhima.Riddhima quickly turns towards Nikki and sees Nikki looking at her with a teasing smile with one of her eyebrows up.Riddhima blushes and looks down."Lets go everyone!" yells a guy and all of them get in the cars that had one parent in to take the kids to the formal.
All kids check in and walk in the gym where the formal is being held.It was a masquerade but no one wanted to wear a mask.There's a huge mask on the wall with lights on the bleachers.One side had snacks and drinks and the other side had tables and chairs set up with a candle in the middle for people to sit down.The music is blasting and teenagers are dancing with their friends boyfriends/ girlfriends.A slow song comes on which is 'Hero' by Enrique Iglesias and all of them find their partners. Riddhima was left as she didn't know who to dance with and no guy came up to her and asked her.Riddhima was looking around when she looks straight ahead and sees Armaan walking in her direction with a hand in his pocket.Riddhima straightens up and her heartbeat raises again.He holds his hand out to Riddhima with a side smile."Can I have this dance?" Armaan asks.Riddhima looks in Armaan's eyes and takes his hand.Armaan puts his hands on Riddhima's waist as Riddhima puts her hands around Armaan's neck.Armaan and Riddhima sway slowly to the song.Riddhima looks up in Armaan's eyes and finds him looking down at her.When Riddhima lifted her head up she noticed Armaan's face too close to hers that they could feel each others hot breaths.Riddhima could feel her cheeks burn so she looks down not wanting Armaan to see her blushing.But he had already seen her and smirks.Riddhima looks over Armaan's shoulder and sees Nikki looking at with a smile as she danced with a guy named Abhi.Riddhima smiles and looks down.Riddhima listens to the lyrics of the song and Armaan is her hero.Because of him she got to come to the formal and her mind is always occupied in his thoughts.Riddhima had always thought of Armaan being her hero.They've talked a few times but not much.They didn't even know what relation they held.It wasn't classified as friends because they didn't even have each others phone numbers.They were friends on Facebook but that was only when Riddhima added him.Riddhima looks up at Armaan and Armaan looks down at Riddhima.Both of them smile at each other as they sway to the song and look in each others eyes.The song ends and everyone pull away from their partners and clap.
"Yo Armaan!" said Armaan's friend, Rahul."Yeah," Armaan said, turning to Rahul. "You and Riddhima a couple?" Rahul asks and Armaan shakes his head."No, I just asked her for a dance," Armaan replies."But it looked like you two were lost in each other," Abhi said and Armaan rolls his eyes."I barely know her," Armaan said. "So, come on you two look great together," Atul said.All three of them look at Atul surprised."What?You guys know I'm the soft one here and love to see everyone happy," Atul said, defending himself and all three of them agree with Atul.Atul is the soft and easy to get emotional one."Dude, ask her to be your girlfriend," Rahul urged Armaan to ask her."Yeah and I've heard from Nikki that she's got a crush on you," Abhi said and Armaan looks at Abhi."Really?" Armaan said with a serious expression."I'm dead serious man," Abhi said."Fine, I'll go ask," Armaan said, making his way over to Riddhima.Armaan wasn't nervous because he had girlfriends in the past but they were just flings.They never really went far then just hugs.They are in middle school so hugging is an exception except for some guys and girls who have already lost their virginity."Hey Riddhima," Armaan said and Riddhima looks at Armaan."Hi," Riddhima said, shyly.Her friends were standing right beside and she is talking to Armaan at the same time is kind of making her conscious.She talks but she is shy around a lot of people."Can I talk to you alone?" Armaan asks."Sure," Riddhima said a little confused and follows Armaan. Riddhima turns and looks at her friends who give her a shrug in return.Armaan takes her to a corner of the gym where there weren't many people around."I want to ask you something," Armaan said and Riddhima nods, telling him to continue. "Do you want to be my girlfriend?" Armaan asks, not nervous but confident. Riddhima stops breathing for a second and looks at Armaan shocked."Riddhima..." Armaan says.Riddhima comes out of her shock and looks at Armaan."Yeah," Riddhima replies in soft tone and shy smile.Armaan smiles and hugs Riddhima. Riddhima hugs Armaan back too as she rests her head on Armaan's shoulder. Nothing special happened.It was simple and straight to the point which made it a beautiful moment."Actually, my friends had forced me to ask you to be my girlfriend but I kind of wanted to ask too.Looking at you being beautiful, smart, and sweet, I lost my heart.Having these traits in a girl is the perfect girl," Armaan said, looking at Riddhima.Riddhima blushes and looks down.Armaan smiles and wraps his arm around Riddhima's waist."By the way Nikki told Abhi who told me that you have a crush on me," Armaan said.Riddhima looks at Armaan with horror. Armaan chuckles and kisses her cheek.Armaan and Riddhima walk back towards the dancing crowd which their friends had joined in while they were gone.Armaan and Riddhima started dancing too but Muskaan pulls Riddhima away from Armaan. "What did he ask?" Muskaan asks."He asked me to be his girlfriend," Riddhima says with a shy smile."And you said yes, right?" Nikki asks."Of course!" Riddhima said and Anjali hugs her."I'm so happy for you two." "Thanks," Riddhima replies, hugging Anjali back."Nikki, did you tell Abhi that I have a crush on Armaan?" Riddhima asks."What?...no way," Nikki stutters."Really?Because Armaan said that you told Abhi who told Armaan who told me that you told Abhi that I have a crush on Armaan and told Armaan," Riddhima said.Nikki looks at Riddhima confused for a second then runs away.Soon, the dance was coming to an end and everyone started saying goodbye to each other.Pictures were being taken with their boyfriend/girlfriends and friends.Armaan and Riddhima wrap their arms around each others waist from the side as Muskaan takes a picture of them."Dude, see you in high school," Rahul said, giving Armaan a hug."You got it man but aren't we going for dinner right now," Armaan said, doing his handshake with Rahul then with Abhi and Atul and his other friends. "Yeah we are but I'm in the moment," Rahul said and Armaan laughs.Riddhima said goodbye to her friends even though they are meeting for dinner too.All of them are going on triple date to a restaurant nearby.Riddhima walks over to Armaan."Hey," Armaan said and Riddhima smiles up at him."Hi," Riddhima said."So, we'll see each other over summer?" Armaan asks and Riddhima nods."Definitely," Riddhima answers."Come on lets go," Armaan said, holding Riddhima's hand.
"I can't believe this year is over," Muskaan says."I know.It felt like yesterday was the first day of school," Anjali agrees with Muskaan."Hey we still have summer to look forward too and I bet we'll see each other," Abhi says, trying to make everyone feel better."True," Nikki said."Let's go take pictures," Anjali says, excitedly while the boys groan."That's all you girls do is take pictures," Atul said. "Please Atul for me," Anjali says in a sweet voice and gives Atul the puppy eyes. Atul tries his best to not fall for her face but fails."Fine," Atul said."Atul!" Rahul exclaims."Rahul," Muskaan says in an order manner."Yes baby," Rahul immediately replies."Lets go take pictures," Muskaan said."Of course baby," Rahul replies and follows Muskaan out like a lost puppy along with Atul and Anjali."I guess we're going to," Nikki said, standing up and referring to Abhi and herself. "We are?" Abhi said, confused.Nikki holds Abhi's tie and pulls him up."Yes we are," Nikki says and drags Abhi out of the restaurant.Armaan scoots closer to Riddhima once all of them were out of sight.Riddhima's was becoming nervous and because she was so nervous that she started shivering slightly.Armaan noticed her shiver at times and smiles."Hey, I'm not going to bite that you are becoming so nervous," Armaan leans forward and whispers in her ear.Riddhima closes her eyes when she feels Armaan's breath on her ear.Riddhima looks at Armaan and sees him giving her teasing smile.Riddhima smiles and turns her head away completely embarrassed.Riddhima gets up and walks out and Armaan follows her out. Riddhima takes her camera out and shows it to Armaan.Armaan knew she wants to pictures and nods.Both of them sit on the side of fountain and put their heads together as Riddhima Armaan takes a picture of them since he is taller.The next they stand on where they were sitting and Riddhima wraps her arms around Armaan's waist while Armaan puts his arm around her waist as the other one held the camera.Riddhima leans her head on Armaan's cheek as he leans his head down on Riddhima's head then takes the picture.Later, all of them took group pictures and they saw other kids from their school and took pictures.
Riddhima sits with her back against Armaan's chest as he strokes her arm.Armaan leans his head down and buries his face in her neck and Riddhima closes her eyes. "I'm going to miss you," Riddhima whispers and Armaan smiles and Riddhima could feel it."Why are you smiling?" Riddhima whines as she sits up and turns to look at him.Armaan looks at Riddhima with smile still on his face."Why are you going to miss?I thought we are going to meet each other over the summer," Armaan said."I know but we aren't going to meet with each other everyday and I'm going to my cousins wedding over the summer too," Riddhima said with a pout. Armaan chuckles at her cute expression and puts a strand of Riddhima's hair behind her ear."You find this funny?" Riddhima asks, a little hurt."No baby no," Armaan said quickly.He didn't want Riddhima to get mad at him on the day they just got to be a couple.Riddhima felt her heart flutter when he called her 'baby.' "I'll miss you too," Armaan said, kissing her cheek.Riddhima smiles and looks down as Armaan kisses her cheek.Armaan pulls back and looks in Riddhima's eyes when she lifts her eyes up to glance at him.Riddhima was going to look back down but couldn't get herself to do so.Armaan leans down slowly and looks at Riddhima's lips.Riddhima stayed still and her eyes went on Armaan's lips.Armaan leans more down and kisses Riddhima lips.Riddhima closes her eyes as does Armaan and her hand goes to the nape of his neck and his chest as he puts his hand on her petite back and the other one on Riddhima's thigh.If Armaan hadn't come and convince her dad to let her go to formal then she would never be with Armaan.Armaan's her hero for helping her.Armaan and Riddhima pull back and lean their foreheads together."I love you," both of them whisper and smile at each other.Armaan hugs Riddhima then gets up as it was getting late and that their parents will be here in a few to pick them up.Armaan and Riddhima walk hand in hand back to their friends.
Okay, it didn't turn out the way that I wanted it to and I think it turned out cheesy too but I gave it a shot.Hope you all enjoyed!Comment so I can write more OneShots on AR.