You Were My Favourite Rival
tied....1
The classroom door slid open.their homeroom teacher walked in carrying a stack of answer sheets.
Miya (homeroom teacher)
I've finished grading your monthly exams.
Half the class groaned.the other half immediately looked towards the last row.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*reading a book near The window*
Nova Ashford (MC)
*solving a Rubik's cube without even looking up*
Everyone already knew who the two would be.
Miya (homeroom teacher)
*smiled*first place...*paused on purpose* Ethan Carter
Miya (homeroom teacher)
With 498...*take another pause to make suspense*...and tied for first place... Nova Ashford with 498
students
They tied again?
students
For the fifth time!!
Miya (homeroom teacher)
*Sighed* I was hoping one of you would make my job easier.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*finally closed his book* You'll have to wait another month, ma'am
Nova Ashford (MC)
*Looked up from his cube* Or until someone learns to solve the last two questions.
A few students immediately looked at ethan
Ethan Carter (ML)
*smiled faintly* I did
Nova Ashford (MC)
*raised an eyebrow* Oh?
Ethan Carter (ML)
I just didn't expect the examiner to award sympathy Marks.
The class room went silent
Nova Ashford (MC)
*Slowly stood up * You think i got sympathy Marks?
Ethan Carter (ML)
*shrugged*I was trying to be polite.
students
He's dead *whispered to another student*
Nova Ashford (MC)
*walked over stopping beside Ethan's desk* Congratulations
Ethan Carter (ML)
*looked up*For what?
Nova Ashford (MC)
you almost beat me.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*stared at him for a second before laughing softly* You're getting confident.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*smiled*No...i just enjoy watching you convince yourself that second place is temporary
The classroom was dead quIet now.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*stood up* So that's your strategy?
Nova Ashford (MC)
What is?
Ethan Carter (ML)
Talk more
Nova Ashford (MC)
*frowned* What do you mean?
Ethan Carter (ML)
You weren't this noisy when your grades were lower.
students
*brust out laughing*
Nova Ashford (MC)
Tch... careful...your ego is starting to affect your eyesight.
Nova Ashford (MC)
You still can't see who's ahead.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*took one step closer, making eye contact with nova*
Neither of them break eye contact
Ethan Carter (ML)
Tell me something.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*folded his arms*I'm listening.
Ethan Carter (ML)
When you see my name beside yours every month...... doesn't it bother you?
Nova Ashford (MC)
*answered without hesitation*No...
Nova Ashford (MC)
It bother me...that your name is never underneath mine.
for the first time ethan smile widened.it wasn't anger nor irritation...it was excitement.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*frowned*Good?
Ethan Carter (ML)
I thought I was the only one treating this seriously.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*let out a quiet laugh*You've misunderstood.
Nova Ashford (MC)
I'm not competing with everyone*looked Ethan straight in the eyes*I'm competing with you.
The room fell completely silent.
students
Did he just declare war?
Ethan Carter (ML)
*extended his hand*Then make a deal.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*glanced at it*What kind of deal?
Ethan Carter (ML)
The day one of us loses....the winner gets to choose any punishment.
Gasps echoed around the classroom
Nova Ashford (MC)
*looked at Ethan's hand...then shook it*Don't regret saying that.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*grip tightened*I was about to tell the same thing.
Neither noticed it. Their handshake looked less like an agreement ...and more like the beginning of a battle from that day on...
The entire school stopped calling them the top two students. They started calling them.....
NATURAL ENEMIES
Quiz...2
The first day after the monthly exams should have been peaceful.
Instead ......
Pop quiz ...the entire classroom froze...
students
You're joking right? *groaned*
Miya (homeroom teacher)
*smiled*I rarely joked*picked up a piece of chalk and wrote a long physics problem across the board* No calculators,No discussion...the first person to solve it correctly get five bonus points.
students
Five bonus points ?
Miya (homeroom teacher)
*Looked around* Anyone?
students
*stared at the board as if it were written in another language*
Ethan Carter (ML)
*stood up from his chair*
Nova Ashford (MC)
*At the exact same moment stood up too*
Nova Ashford (MC)
Seriously *sighed*
Ethan Carter (ML)
*shrugged*I was about to ask you the same thing
Miya (homeroom teacher)
*pinched the bridge of her nose* Not again...
students
*excited*It's starting!!
students
Ten bucks on ethan!
students
No way,Nova's taking this!
Miya (homeroom teacher)
*pointed towards the board*one at a time.
Neither moved...both waited for other.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*smiled first*Go ahead...
Nova Ashford (MC)
I don't want people saying I bullied you.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*slipped one hand into his pocket* How considerate.But I'd rather solve the question before you embarrass yourself.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*laughed*You've gotten better...At talking.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*tilted his head*I had to... it's difficult getting your attention otherwise.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*smile faded just a fraction*So that's why you're always one step behind.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*Chuckled*You really believe you're ahead?
Nova Ashford (MC)
*grab the chalk first*Watch carefully *wrote the first line of the solution ,confidently*
The classroom watched in silence, halfway through ...A quiet voice interrupted.
Ethan Carter (ML)
Wrong...
Nova Ashford (MC)
*stopped writing, turned towards ethan*
Ethan Carter (ML)
*hadn't even moved from his spot*
Nova Ashford (MC)
*frowned*Excuse me?
Ethan Carter (ML)
You made a sign error.
Nova Ashford (MC)
I didn't.
Ethan Carter (ML)
You did.
The classroom instantly became silent
Nova Ashford (MC)
*looked back at the equation,his confidence didn't waver*Prove it.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*walked to the board without asking for permission,took the chalk from Nova's hand and crossed out one symbol*You treated the force as positive.It should be negative.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*stared at the board then a slow grin spread across his face*So you noticed.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*folded his arms* I left that mistake on purpose.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*looked at him*You expect me to believe that?
Nova Ashford (MC)
I wanted to see how long it'd take you.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*laughed*That's the worst excuse you've ever made.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*leaned closer*Yet you still fell for it.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*before he could answer*
Nova Ashford (MC)
*continued solving the equation from where Ethan had stopped*
Ethan Carter (ML)
*immediately picked up another piece of chalk*No...*erased Nova's final step*
Nova Ashford (MC)
The answer is right.
Ethan Carter (ML)
The method isn't.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*took the chalk back*only someone who's losing argue about method.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*erased it again*Only someone who's wrong says that.
Their both continued erased and rewrite the answer
Within seconds...the blackboard had become a battlefield.the rest of the class had completely forgotten there was a quiz.they were watching a duel.
students
*one student whispered*...Are they even breathing?
students
*Another shook his head*they're enjoying this.
Miya (homeroom teacher)
*sighed so deeply it echoed through the room*You Two.
Miya (homeroom teacher)
Mr.Carter.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*No response*
Miya (homeroom teacher)
Mr.Ashford.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*did't response either*
Both were too busy trying to outthink the other.
Miya (homeroom teacher)
*snatched both pieces of chalk* Enough.
The classroom felt silent
Miya (homeroom teacher)
*looked at the board then at Ethan and nova*You're both correct
students
*Groaned* Again?!!
Miya (homeroom teacher)
*couldn't help smiling*You each found a different method.But they lead to the same answer.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*looked at Ethan *I almost had you.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*met his gaze without blinking*No...you almost convinced yourself.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*smirked*We'll settle it Tommorow.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*picked up his notebook*Tommorow?
Nova Ashford (MC)
*raised an eyebrow*You need more time?
Ethan Carter (ML)
*slung his bag over one shoulder*I don't. *walked past Nova,his voice clam* I just don't want you running out of excuses in one day.
The classroom erupted into laughter
Nova Ashford (MC)
*watched ethan leave,A slow smile tugged at his lips*One day... I'll wipe that smug look off your face.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*Ahead of him, without turning around,he smiled to himself*I'd like to see you try.
Neither of them realized it yet...they had stopped competiting for grades.they had started competing for each other.
contract....3
The story had spread through the entire school
someone
Ethan and Nova covered the whole blackboard arguing over one physics problem.
someone
They nearly gave Mrs Thompson a headache
someone
I heard they solved it with two completely different methods.
someone
They're monsters......
The cafeteria buzzed with conversation
Ethan Carter (ML)
*sat alone near the window, reading while absentmindedly eating his lunch in peace...At least for thirty seconds*
A tray landed across from him with a loud clack
Nova Ashford (MC)
*without asking, without hesitation he sat down*
Ethan Carter (ML)
*didn't even look up *You know ...
Nova Ashford (MC)
*unwrapped his sandwich*
Ethan Carter (ML)
there are other empty tables.
Nova Ashford (MC)
There are...So?
Ethan Carter (ML)
So why are you here?
Nova Ashford (MC)
*took a bite before answering*I got bored.
Ethan Carter (ML)
Bored enough to bother me?
Nova Ashford (MC)
I thought I'd do some charity work.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*finally looked up*Charity?
Nova Ashford (MC)
*nodded seriously*I heard second place gets lonely.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*closed his book,A faint smile appeared on his lips* I was wondering
Nova Ashford (MC)
*Raised an eyebrow* Wondering what?
Ethan Carter (ML)
How someone with your confidence manages to tie every single time.
A few nearby students immediately fell silent One whispered...
someone
They're starting.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*rested his chin on one hand* I've been going easy on you
Ethan Carter (ML)
*scoffed* Is that what you tell yourself every month?
Nova Ashford (MC)
It's what I tell my parents.
Ethan Carter (ML)
So they don't feel bad.
students
*burst into laughter*
Nova Ashford (MC)
Tch... you're lucky.
Nova Ashford (MC)
That teacher give partial marks.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*leaned back in his chair* I was about to say the same.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*narrowed his eyes*You copy my insult now?
Ethan Carter (ML)
No...I improved them.
Neither spoke, Neither looked away.the cafeteria slowly became quieter,even students from other grades began watching.
someone
Why is everyone starting?
someone
Shh...this is the better than any drama club
Nova Ashford (MC)
*smiled*let's end this.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*tilted his head* I'm listening.
Nova Ashford (MC)
No more ties.
Nova Ashford (MC)
The next monthly exam *reached into his bag and placed a folder paper on the table* It was the school's ranking sheet.*circled their names*
Nova Ashford (MC)
If I score higher...You buy me lunch for a month.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*glanced at the paper* And if I win?
Nova Ashford (MC)
I'll do the same *said without hesitation*
Ethan Carter (ML)
*looked up* That's it?
Nova Ashford (MC)
*frowned* what?
Ethan Carter (ML)
I expected something more interesting.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*his competitive grin slowly returned* Oh?
Nova Ashford (MC)
You have something in mind?
Ethan Carter (ML)
*picked up a pen.beneath their names,he wrote one sentence.the loser grants the winner one request*
Nova Ashford (MC)
*smiled disappear*
Around them...the cafeteria fell completely silent.
someone
He is insane*muttered*
Nova Ashford (MC)
*read the sentence twice then looked at Ethan straight in the eyes *Any requests?
Ethan Carter (ML)
Within reason.
Nova Ashford (MC)
You won't back out?
Ethan Carter (ML)
I've never backed out?
Nova Ashford (MC)
Laughed quietly*You know...I've been waiting for you to say something like this.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*he took the pen without hesitation signed his same*
Ethan Carter (ML)
*looked at the signature then calmly signed beneath it*
They tore the paper in half.Each kept one copy.their classmates stared in disbelief.
students
Did...did they just sign a contract?
students
No...*one girl sighed dramatically* they declared war.
Nova Ashford (MC)
*stood, picking up his tray* Enjoy your lunch.You'll be paying for mine soon.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*opened his book again , without looking up,he replied* Don't spend the money yet...you still have to earn it
Nova Ashford (MC)
*walked away but before leaving the cafeteria...He glanced back*
Ethan Carter (ML)
*hadn't looked up once*
Nova Ashford (MC)
*smiled to himself*You're the first person who's even made me want to win this badly.
Ethan Carter (ML)
*Across the room ,he turned a page without realising it,A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips* This is going to be fun.
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