Ring* Ring

My alarm had barely started when another familiar sound echoed through my room

"Lily! Wake up! You're going to be late again!" my mother called my name from downstairs

i groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow

"Five more minutes..." i mumbled

"Lily!" my eyes flew open

"I'm up!" i shouted back, dragging myself out of bed. my messy hair, sleepy face as i stretched my arms with a yawn, the cool morning air making me shiver. i rolled my eyes and got ready as fast as i could, I took my stuff and rushed out of my room. The smell of buttered toast and scrambled eggs drifted upstairs as mom was already setting breakfast on the table i put a piece of toast into my mouth and rushed out of the house to reach the school.....

At School

Lily walked through the gate inside school with confidence she is not just a topper but the person who everyone is afraid to mess with. She is known for two things, for being the smartest or topper of the school and second is arguing with James and if they are together a fight will basically happen.

James wasn't just any ordinary student either he is a brilliant student and even since he joined from the first year of high school the two had been locked in an endless academic war to become the (topper) of the school.

"Shit i can't be late i need to hurry..." and as she walked past the courtyard she saw James leaning against the pole, ball in his hand, shirt untucked, loose tie, smile annoying surrounded by the girls... he was the one person she didn't want to see in the morning she carefully tried to Walk away but heard her name...

"Late again, lily" he said in a loud voice for everyone to hear

"you're just early must be a glitch in your system" she said looking his way while all he did was grinning lazily

"some people don't need to chase the teachers to feel accomplished " he said walking her way

"and some of us don't need a fan club to feel validate" she said walking past him

"you got me.." he held his hand up in surrender while smirking

The bell rang and students rushed to walk inside the classroom as she walked away and opened her locker while waiting for her friends and as usual they are late

"hey lily..."

"Can't you guys arrive a little bit earlier?* they walked inside while talking

"Did u guys fight again?"

"what do you think?"

They entered the class and took their seats and 5 minutes later the teacher walked in. After sometime the door opened and james entered like he owned the place his uniform slightly disheveled. The teacher looked up as usual and let him walk in.. He sat behind me smirking only to disturb me as always... leaning over me

"Hey.. What's the answer to this question?" she didn't glance up

"common sense"

"i left mine at home"

A minute later the teacher called his name to solve the problem and he casually stood up to solve it and sat down like it was no big deal

"see my talent"

"and see that's exactly why your answer is wrong" he leaned against my desk a smug smile on his face

"my answer isn't wrong but your assumption is"

"one day you'll admit i am smart-"

"and that will be the day pigs may fly"

"you are impossible-" i glared at him

"and yet you are still talking to me" he smirked and our classmates burst into laughter

"Enough both of you" the teacher said and the entire class chuckled

"five minutes... You've been arguing for five minutes" he sighed as we both looked like two storms crashing into each other

"And why is not everyone sitting according to the sitting plan?"

"Everyone goes back to ur seats in five minutes and you both as a punishment will sit together at the back"

"what? But-"

"There's no but and next time u won't do something like this"

Everyone went back to their seats as James sat at the back already i packed my things and walked towards him..

I could smell his scent and god it was strong

Ever since we challenged each other in everything I never cared about his looks or how handsome he is I always avoided my gaze to notice him even while arguing, hoping he wouldn't notice me but unable to focus butterflies in my stomach won't stop fluttering♡

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Hey guys!! I'm back again with something new this time Thank you for giving this story a chance and i hope you all will fall in love with James and Lily and enjoy every second of the story, Thank you for coming by and reading. I hope you like the update and don't forget to like, vote and comment ❤️😘

Bie~Bie ♡

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James POV

Inside the class the atmosphere was quite tense, the result was about to be announced

"Your first exam result is out you can check your marks after class" the teacher said, smiling as he continued the class

James was leaning back in his chair with his usual calm expression. He looked completely relaxed

"So, ready to lose again?" he whispered, as i caught him staring at ne

"Keep dreaming, Maybe this time you'll only be second because you deserve it." i said, raising my eyebrow

After an hour the bell rang and everyone crowded the notice board to check the result

Lily - 100.

James - 99

"First place." The words flashed as the classroom erupted into laughter and Lily smiled proudly as everyone surrounded her with congratulations

"I told you she'd top the exams again."

"She's unbelievable."

"She beat James this time."

At the back of the room, James sat with his arms crossed, expressions undeniable, his eyes were on Lily who was laughing and talking with her friends

"Just One point" she had beaten me again, exactly by one point.

"Only one point again, that must be stinging" Alec said leaning over with a grin on his face but I didn't bother to answer

I was more infuriated by the girl who was laughing without any care in the world, her smile was bright and genuine and it irritated me more than losing

Lily noticed him staring.

"What?" she teased as she walked over to me

"Thinking of asking me how it feels to lose?" she said as i stood up and our faces were only inches apart.

"It was one point."

"So?" she smirked

"I'll take first place back." i said as she folded her arms.

"I'd like to see you try."everyone gathered around.

"Oh no..."

"They're starting again."

"This is better than any show"

"Enjoy first place while you can." i whispered just enough for her to listen

"I always do." she turned her face as she covered her ear and she brushed past him, deliberately bumping my shoulder as i watched her taking her seat beside me

"You know she's doing that on purpose." lucas said putting his hand on my shoulder

"I know."

"And you still fall for it."

"......"

Flashback

"who's first?"

"Lily obviously"

"No way .... Someone beat her perfect score" i pushed through the crowd

At the top of the list was a name i had never seen before

James Albert and just below it was my name Lily Cameron

silence felt around me as my heart beat was echoing painfully loud in my ears

"excuse me" a voice came from behind as i turned and looked at him

There was a tall boy with messy black hair, handsome, sharp hazel eyes and annoying confident smile

"You're blocking my way " he said getting closer

"you mean my first place " i crossed my arms

"i don't remember you owning the name at the top" he said trying to get into my nerves

"you only got lucky this time" i said in an angry tone but he smiled

"i guess we will find out next time" he said stepping closer and that was the beginning of our war against each other and everyone enjoyed every second of it

James pov

I always watched her admire her silently… She is perfect in everything always on time and I found her adorable in everything she does she wanted the first place and I wanted her to notice me when our first midterm ranking went up and students crowded the notice board I got the first place and as for the lily she got the second and the difference was only one point I saw how she tightened her grip on the paper just for that one point, and then she stared at me with anger in her eyes and that's it, that's what I wanted, our eyes met for the first time and neither of us looked away...

Present time

i clear my throat before turning my attention to her and ask her teasingly i watch as she turns to face me as I get closer and whenever my face is close to her she starts blushing, turning her head away like i never noticed

"are you alright? Your cheeks are heating up"

"what ? No m just feeling hot because I'm happy" her voice trembled and i almost laughed at how cute she is

"Are you sure? Your cheeks are red like cherry" i said poking her cheeks

"yes and they're not red also don't touch my cheeks" she argues back, covering her cheeks

"alright fair enough" i chuckle turning my attention back to my work

And then the teacher entered the class and continued with the lecture and classes went as usual after an hour bell ring and it's break time

As soon as the bell ring lily stood up and went to her friends as she talked to them and rushed out of the classroom quickly.....♡

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Hey guys!! I'm back again with something new this time Thank you for giving this story a chance and i hope you all will fall in love with James and Lily and enjoy every second of the story, Thank you for coming by and reading. I hope you like the update and don't forget to like, vote and comment ❤️😘

Bie~Bie ♡

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In cafeteria

Zoe and Chris both were too invested in their phones to notice me I turned to get my food myself and almost walked into James again

"you almost beat me" he smirked

"almost is not enough" i glared at him

"lily" i turned right away

"Chris"

The cold look she always seemed to have for James vanished instantly and then the worst part is he always noticed

" did u already order your lunch?"

"yeah as long as we are not eating near someone who thinks being smart is everything" James laughed

"still talking about me"

"you wish" that said lily walked away with Chris and somehow that annoyed James

"You handled James well"

"i always do"

"but you argue like an old married couple" lily nearly choked on her drink after hearing what Chris said

"absolutely not"

"i was joking" lily rolled her eyes

"he gets on my nerves"

"but you always smile and you don't realise" Chris said putting the plates on table and lily slammed her plate onto the table

"what?-"

"what does he think of himself?"

"why is everyone talking about James again" Zoe said without looking up

"don't tease her Zoe" Chris said

"apparently our school's soccer team won the match again because of him" Chris said taking the bite from his plate

"Congratulations to him" i said unbothered

" you sound thrilled" Zoe said eating..

"oh I'm ecstatic can't wait for him to bring it up to show it off to me" chris sighed

The day could've ended smoothly but my fate needed something interesting to entertain me....

Later that afternoon

The Teacher walked in class with a folder in his hand

"i have an announcement to make"

"the Academic Research Project Challenge will be held in two weeks-" everyone shouting with excitement

"silence! this is a good opportunity for you to win a scholarship and recognition from top Universities around the world, participation is mandatory and there is one condition" students exchange glances

"time is short to complete the project so you can only participate in pairs and I have already assigned the list of students who participate with who" excitement faded as i groaned

The teacher started announcing the names and there were only two names left .... Our names

"Lily and James"

"no.... Absolutely not" i whispered

"the pairing is final"

"no way... I'd rather work alone-" i said

"the feeling is mutual" james shrugged

"since you clearly enjoy competing with each other, you'll work on this together and if the two of you win first place,.I will personally recommend both of you for a good university"

silence was all it left because neither could afford to miss the opportunity because it was the opportunity of lifetime

"they're going to kill each other" everyone whispered

"i need popcorn" someone whispered as i stood up immediately as james leaned back in his seat failing to hide his grin

"I'd like to appeal-" the teacher adjusted his glasses

"Denied! if you are truly concerned, i suggest you to take the lead on the project, end of discussion" everyone laughed

"And i have mentioned all the details about the project on notice board everyone can check what they need to do" he said continuing with the class as i sat back on my seat, arms crossed tight

The bell ring and class ended everyone went outside and made the crowd near the notice board and i shoved my notebook into my bag with way more force than necessary

"so when do you wanna start?"

"start what?"

"our project, the one you're so thrilled about"

"i don't know what game you're trying to play but i won't let you get ahead of me"

"ouch you really think that little of me" he smirked

"just do your part and that's it and i swear to god if you-"

"you'll what? yell at me more, i kinda like it when you're mad at me" he stepped closer

"you're impossible james" my face burned

"and you're dramatic, but fine we can start today" i blinked

"Today?"

"after school unless you're scared"

"of you? please"

"then it's a date"

"it's not a date" i turned around

"sure" he winked and walked off

The hallway was quiet as half of the students were staring at us, great now we had an audience....

"what was that about?" Zoe appeared at my side

"my nightmare" i groaned

"Whatever I'll deal with him later" I rolled my eyes, as we walked to check the notice board and......

"Just fantastic" i read the paper, sighing

"karma love me" my heart froze as I felt his touch on my shoulder and he moved his hand forward to check the paper

" you sure it's not punishing me?" i didn't turn

"could be both" he said whispering in my ear

"if we survive this without killing each other" i turned covering my ear

"I'll be Impressed or maybe we will make a great team" he said leaning toward me

"yeah in your dream" i said glaring at him

"like petrol and fire explosive chemistry" he winked, smirking

"Shut up you-" he laughed, walking away leaving me staring at the notice.....♡

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Hey guys!! I'm back again with something new this time Thank you for giving this story a chance and i hope you all will fall in love with James and Lily and enjoy every second of the story, Thank you for coming by and reading. I hope you like the update and don't forget to like, vote and comment ❤️😘

Bie~Bie ♡

૮₍ ˃ ᵕ ˂ ₎ა