“Omg, are you team Theo or team Jin?”

The girls giggled excitedly to each other while fanning themselves as they sat in the auditorium

“Theo totally look so fine today, have you seen his Instagram post ? He’s so hot!”

“And Jin? Hello? Can we talk about how Jin looked while representing the school last month in that quiz competition?”

“Anyways, have you heard, Jin and Theo are competing this time as well for the 1st title”

“Who doesn’t know that? They’ve been competing for years now”

A girl from the bench squeals, “There they are!!”

Every eyes in the audience fell on both Jin and Theo as they walked in, As expected they both didn’t even bother looking at one another.

The teacher and other judges sighed sensing the tension among them, it was reasonable cause the last time Jin and Theo shared a stage together they got into a messy fight, grabbing each other’s collar and shoving until some of the students dragged both of them away.

Both of them were seated opposite to each other on the stage, but however it didn’t stop them from glaring at each other and the worst part was neither of them refused to back off.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

The Principal of Whitmore Academy, Paul Carter, (a 53 years old man with strict rules and a dedicated teacher who is known for his well disciplinary practices and skills in the entire school) stepped up on the stage to give his opening speech.

“Okay students, welcome to the annual debate competition of Whitmore’s Academy, as we all know the last year’s debate didn’t end so smoothly since….uh, some disappointing conflicts” the principal says glancing at both Jin and Theo with a look that says “behave”

Theo rolls his eyes when the principal brought up what happened last year in this exact same place. Jin clenched his fist trying and failing to stay calm and collected.

Principal Paul continued with his opening speech and all the students and teachers listened attentively in the auditorium but…

Jin and Theo were busy glaring at one another, not paying even half of their attention to the speech.

“Tsk, those two look like they’d actually kill each other” a girl from the seating row whispered to her friends

“Seriously. I just don’t get it, they used to be pretty close in high school”

“Right. Rumors says something bad happened between them, no one knows what”

“Who do y’all think will win this time?”

“Does it matter? Pray they don’t start a fight again this time too”

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Principal Paul finally finished with his speech and looks towards Jin, “Okay, now without delaying another second, let’s welcome to the stage, the brilliant student of Whitmore Academy and the winner of all the recent debate competition, the debate king, Jin Ashworth!”

[Debate topic: Vulnerability in Leadership]

The crowds, all the 120 peoples erupted into cheers and applause as Jin stood up and head towards the podium

He was neatly dressed, in complete school’s Uniform, the neatly ironed pants and blazer with the school’s logo and calm posture.

He lean to speak into the mic,

“First of all, good morning to all the respected judges, Mr Chairman, Principal Paul and all the peoples present here today, I’m Jin Ashworth, and I’d be speaking by first for the government”

The crowds clapped, and the Chairman and the judges looked impressed by Jin’s confident tone,

Jin took a deep breathe before starting,

“Mr Chairman. We affirm: vulnerability is a weakness in leadership.

Define terms quickly. Vulnerability means public emotional exposure without a plan. Leadership means making calls under pressure. Weakness is anything that costs clarity”

The judges nodded, everyone in the auditorium was stunned by how Jin can be a totally different person once he goes up on the stage, his body language, way of expressing was on another level.

Jin continued,

“One: Command needs certainty. Gene Kranz didn’t tell Mission Control he was scared. He said, ‘Let’s work the problem.’ Fear in private, direction in public. Doubt freezes teams.

Two: Exposure invites attack. Admitting cracks tells rivals where to hit. In here, in politics, in markets — you don’t lead by bleeding first.”

Another short pause, then

“We’re not saying leaders don’t feel. We’re saying the bridge isn’t the place to do it. Government is proud to propose.”

He gave a slight bow to the judges and went back to his chair and sat down.

He sits. Pen parallel to his notebook. Doesn’t glance at Theo.

The crowd burst into another applause and cheers, the judges seemed truly impressed and delighted with his point and facts, the judges talk among each other, and nodded as they talked.

Principal Paul patted Jin on his back once and gave him a thumbs up before going over to the mic again,

“Wow, Just Wow, That was so impressive Jin, I mean we didn’t expect anything less from you ofcourse, now let us welcome our other student, who is as talented and brilliant as well, who have achieved great academic achievements and also the star of Whitmore’s study council team! It’s none other than..Theo Hayes!”

“Whooo!!! Go! Theo!!!”

“Give it your best!!”

“I LOVE YOU THEO!!”

As Theo got up from his seat everyone cheered..well everyone except Jin, he looked away completely and simply looked back down on his notebook.

Deepdown Jin cursed his luck,

Why does he have to be my opponent ?

Of all the peoples, him.

Reluctantly Jin looked up from his notebook but paused when he saw Theo looking at him from the stage, like directly looking at him

Then…Theo smirks

...End of Chapter 1\~...

Jin frozes for a second before looking away, But Theo didn’t look bothered at all. He leans onto the mic and looked at the judges. He skipped his intro and just came to the topic.

“Mr Chairman, I’ll respond to Government. Or I would, if they’d said anything new.

Jin gave you Kranz. Again. That’s his only move. It’s like he read one leadership book in freshman year and laminated it. Let me finish the story for him, since he never does.

Kranz said he was scared. To his team. After. Because crews don’t follow statues. They follow people who don’t lie to them. But Jin wouldn’t know that. He thinks leadership is a checklist. Color-coded. Like his notes. Like his tie. Like his whole personality.”

Room shifts. That’s not on the motion anymore. Everyone started invested on Theo’s point of view.

“First: Trust through reality. You can’t follow someone who’s performing 24/7. If your captain won’t say ‘I don’t know’ when the hull’s cracking, you’ll drown before he admits. Jin’s version gets you soldiers who salute. Mine gets you soldiers who stay.

Second: Correction speed. Leaders who can’t be wrong can’t be right for long. If you build your whole case on never bleeding, you’ll bleed out defending a bad call”.

Theo stops for a moment and lock eyes with Jin with a mocking look,

“And Jin — quick question for you. When was the last time you admitted you were wrong about anything? To anyone? Or does that go in the private notebook too, under ‘things that compromise stability’?”

The crowd gasps, and there was pin drop silence.

Jin’s hand stops on his pen. He doesn’t look up. The room goes quiet.

Theo went back to his chair and sits.

Still watching Jin. Grinning, but it’s sharp now.

“Opposition is proud to oppose. And Jin, your tie is fine. You checked it twice during my speech. We all saw.”

Jin’s head snaps up. Actually looks at Theo for the first time, like actually looks.

“We will address the motion, not the speakers.” one of the judge said.

Too late. The whole room felt it. Jin’s knuckles are white on his pen. Theo leans back, like he just wanted to see if he could get a reaction.

Mr. Chairman cleared his throat once and said,“ Cross-examination. Government may question Opposition for 3 minutes.”

Jin stands. No notes. No pen. Walks to the center. Doesn’t look at the chair. Looks at Theo.

“You talked a lot about crews. About trust. About lying.” Beat. “Let’s talk about water.”

Room goes still. What’s that? What was happening? No one says it.

“Motion’s about leadership, Jin.” Theo says, warning

“Leadership is knowing when to jump in.” Steps closer. “And when to stay dry on the dock. Isn’t that right, Theo?” Jin doesn’t look away from Theo.

Chairman shifts. “Mr. Ashworth confine yourself to—”

Jin shakes his head, “No. He made it personal. So let’s be personal.” He looks at Theo, not the chair. “You said leaders admit when they don’t know. So tell us. Did you know I couldn’t swim that night?”

Theo’s jaw locks, “That’s enough”

“You said crews follow people who don’t lie. So why did you lie?” Jin asked

“Jin—”

“Answer the question, Opposition Leader. Or is ‘I don’t know’ only for other people’s mistakes?”

The Chairman snaps,

“Both speakers will return to the motion or I will suspend this round.”

Jin doesn’t sit. Doesn’t look away from Theo.

Theo stood up, “Why don’t you ask yourself that?”

”What does that mean?”

“It means that-“

Principal Paul stood up, “Enough!”

Theo and Jin stopped and looked at their principal, the judges and the chairman himself was disappointed with what happened.

“Both of you will face consequences for this again” Principal Paul says and dismisses them with his hand. Theo sighed and walked down from the stage, not even bothered.

But Jin…he gulped hard, things weren’t supposed to turn out like this..how did he get distracted again by him? When did things get this messy?

----------------

That afternoon, Jin returned home after his messed up day, he stood infront of his house’s door and paused midway opening the door. Because he knew what’s waiting for him inside..With a quick breathe he reached for the doorknob but it opened from inside.

It was John, the Ashworth’s family’s butler, “Jin, you’re back..your father is waiting-”

“I know”, Jin gulped hard before he walked inside the living room.

He stopped infront of his father, Richard Ashworth, a man in his late 50s, nothing’s soft about Richard, hair neatly combed, straight nose — high cheekbones, a strong jawline. The kind of bone structure that looks “respectable” in court photos and “unforgiving” at the dinner table.

Richard watched as his son came in quietly and he watched him with no warmth in his eyes.

Jin’s late mother, Georgi Ashworth died of a heart disease when Jin was only 6, he was really close with his mother, they’d go picnics together, plan their vacation, and Georgi would always bake Chocolate Chip cookies for Jin on weekends while his dad was away on business trips and meetings. His mom was the only friend he had growing up because according to Richard, “The Ashworths don’t befriend everyone.”

But after his mother passed away, Jin’s inner child was gone too, he lost the only parent who cared for him, his only friend and his…mother.

Richard didn’t let Jin cry because only weaklings cry, little 6 yr old Jin would hide and cry in her mother’s room every time when his dad was away and if Richard finds him crying, he’d beat Jin up. That was his childhood growing up.

...----------------...

“You messed up again” Richard said, his voice dangerously low.

“Dad..I..”

“It’s Mr Ashworth to you!”

Jin shuddered by the harsh tone and his hands shake uncontrollably.

“R-Right…Mr Ashworth, I’m sorry..I didn’t mean to humiliate myself in front of everyone” Jin said controlling his voice from breaking.

Richard looks down at his son, and grabs his collar

“Humiliate “myself”? Do you have any idea what my friends and business partners would think if they found out you, my fucking own son was caught bickering with some lowlife student?!”

Jin didn’t say anything, just listened like always.

“You should’ve just died with your mother, what did you bring to the Ashworth family other than shame and disgrace?” Richard continued.

He let go for his son, “Make a mistake once again and I swear to god I’ll fucking drown you to death”

Jin shivered but nodded, “I’ll try harder for the next school competition”

“You better” Richard said before he gave his son a last look and walked past him, going out of the room before closing the door shut when a loud “Bang”.

The moment Jin heard the sound of the door closed, he sat down on the couch...facepalming and breathing.

End of Chapter 2\~

...----------------...

The door to Theo’s apartment opened and he walked inside, The house wasn’t small, but not too big either, perfect for him and his mom, He took out his shoes and walked inside tired,frustrated and…feeling something else.

“Theo, is that you?” A woman in her late 60s walked out from the inside and immediately cheered up seeing Theo, and gave him a hug.

“Sorry I’m late Abuela”,Theo says hugging her back.

Theo’s Abuela, smiled and then pinched her grandson’s arm but not enough to make him actually hurt.

“Where were you Mijo, I was worried sick you know, gosh, I was 5 seconds away from calling 911”

“You’re being dramatic now” Theo sighs

“Dramatic? It’s 5 already, your class ends at 3!”

Abuela says, looking genuinely worried.

After Theo had a bad car accident years ago, she had been overly protective of her son, must be because she’s a wonderful woman and a mom to Theo after his parents death. She owns a few Spanish restaurants in the city and is a successful chef herself.

Theo nodded, “I was busy somewhere..promise I won’t scare you like this again”

“Like where? That arcade again?”

Abuela asks knowing her grandson too well

“Abuelaa..”

He pulled his grandma into another hug again, Abuela rolled her eyes but let him hug her. Actually relieved.

“How did your debate go?” she enthusiastically asked.

Theo reminded quiet for a few seconds..

Abuela immediately sensed something went wrong so she just changed the topic,

“Okay, enough about school…now go wash up, I’ll get your dinner ready, I made Tamales ” she patted his back

Theo nodded and headed upstairs to his room, He placed his bagpack on his study table and let him fall on his bed looking up at the ceiling.

Theo’s Abuela was indeed right, he was at the

arcade near school again. That was the only place where he hung out..alone, almost everyday if counted. He wouldn’t play any games or anything, he’d just come alone, sit at a corner and read his books or simply just sit for about an hour and sometimes longer.

That was the secret hideout spot for him and Jin when they were friends, that place held memories that he couldn’t forget even if he wants to, that was the place where Jin would babble nonstop about his love for English poems and his pet cat which his father hates, they would spend hours discussing everything under the sun and that was also the place where Theo saw Jin cry for the first time because of his dad.

Theo shakes his head once, what was he doing thinking about old times again, it’s not like it’s coming back again but he can’t help himself

Then he remembered something from the debate competition this morning, there was some purple bruises under Jin’s arm like he’s been hit and the injury was fresh..also the small scar on the side of his neck, it was easily visible due to his pale skin but…the question was how did he got those?

Theo sat straight,

Was he being abused?

Or maybe it’s just a misunderstanding?

Back in the days when they were friends,

Jin really did got hurt a lot, but he won’t tell the reasons. One time he wore long sleeve in school when the temperature was literally hot as hell.

Theo and the rest of their friends asked,

“I’m sensitive to direct sunlight and I’m sick” was Jin’s reply to all the questions.

Another time, he showed up to school with bruised arms, “I fell off the stairs” he shrugged and laughed it off.

Everyone bought it..except Theo, he sensed something was off but didn’t ask since Jin didn’t want to tell, Theo decided not to push him further back then.

...***...

“I’m going nuts” Theo mumbled to himself, trying to get rid of those thoughts but memories of that night hit him once again.

The night that changed everything for the both of them. The day when Jin looked at Theo like he didn’t recognise him, like he was a stranger to him.

Theo closed his eyes slowly..

...[5 years ago]...

[October 16, 2021]

At the school’s annual party, At a beach near the host’s home

Theo wasn’t a fan of fancy parties and loud noise but he was invited to the party, at first he refused to go but some of his friends dragged him there, After about an hour later Theo got bored and was ready to leave when some guys slammed the door open and looked pale pointing outside, “Jin-He…He fell down in the water”

In a flash moment, Theo ran out of there at

instant and found some of the other students calling Jin’s name and turning the torch on in search of him.

”Its been 4 minutes already..” a guy said, his voice shaky.

Some guys were drunk after the drinking session and teased Jin playfully, and ask him to swim with them but Jin refused and the guys, awfully drunked..pushed Jin in the water hoping he’ll be fine…but….1..2…3…4…5…6…7….

There was no signs of Jin coming up on the surface. The guys got panicked and ran away from there. The other students went to in to call for help.

Theo however without wasting a second jumped straight into the water, he swam in and found Jin drowning, Theo immediately yanked him up and another student, Oliver came for help. Jin coughed and trembled.

“We’ve called 911, they’ll be here any minute”.Oliver said after they reached the shore. Theo was half listening, his entire attention was on Jin, and how afraid and terrified he might be right now since he was holding Theo’s hand so tightly..afraid he’ll drown again once he let go of him.

Theo slowly pulled his hand away and looked at Oliver, “Take him back inside”

“Where are you going?” Oliver asked.

“I’ve work to deal with” Theo reply standing up,

“At least wait until he become conscious-”

“It’s important, take care of him” Theo grabbed his bag pack on his way with one last look at Jin.

“And Oliver,” Theo turned back, “If he asks, you saved him”

Oliver looked confused, “No, you’re the one-”

“It’s for the best, you’ll tell him you saved him, not me..”

Oliver didn’t say anything for some seconds,

“That’ll make things worse for you two”

Theo breathed out, “ Maybe but if he finds out I saved him, he’d rather drown instead”

Oliver didn’t have anything to say to that. Maybe because that was true..

What happened next?

The nurses and their other friends came in and saw Oliver with Jin, they all thought Oliver was the one who saved Jin from drowning, Oliver was seen as a hero, everyone was too busy spreading news that Oliver was a savior and, he played along.

Jin woke up after some hours and his friends told him how Oliver jumped in and saved his life.

“And Theo? Where’s he?” Jin asked

The students looked at each other, “He left early, Oliver said he has things to take care of”

“He didn’t ask about me?” Jin asked quietly

The students looked at each other again and remained quiet.

Jin froze..he just walked away..like that, he clearly knew that Jin was afraid of water, still he chose to leave..Theo clearly knew he was drowning but chose to leave. Although they had an argument and avoided each other, how could he just left him to die when he clearly knew that Jin was traumatised by water..It was the day everything changed between them.

Jin found out Theo moved abroad the next day at school, Oliver was awarded citizenship award by the school while Jin was happy for him…deep down he wished the person who saved him was Theo instead.

But little did he know..the person who saved him that night was none other than Theo himself.

After 5 years, he started going to Whitmore Academy, his dream academy and things were going fine, until he finds out that..there was also someone studying there at Whitmore..Theo, he had been studying at Whitmore for the couple of years after he quit his previous school after the incident 5 years ago..Theo too didn’t expect to see Jin again.

After years life played a game again with those two, and ever since day 1..their competition starts…

...End of Chapter-3\~...

...Hope y’all enjoyed💗 ...