Mia Torres shut her locker with a decisive snap, her eyes narrowing toward the other end of the hallway. There he was again — Liam Edwards, the boy who seemed to breathe competition. Top grades, sharp wit, and that infuriating smirk that always made her want to prove herself twice as hard.
"This year, valedictorian is mine," Mia muttered under her breath. Her name had been at the top for the past two years, but Liam was a relentless challenger. Every test, every project, every debate they were always neck and neck.
Today's English class was the battleground. Mr. Jacobs announced a surprise oral exam. As tensions bubbled, Mia caught Liam whispering, "Ready to lose?"
She shot back, "In your dreams."
The classroom air crackled with unspoken rivalry as their eyes locked—two forces destined to collide.