CH.01( THE SEAT WAR )

Amina (narration):

The classroom was loud until he walked in.

Kieran.

Perfect posture. Perfect jawline. Perfectly annoying.

And of course—he headed straight for my seat.

He stops in front of me, eyes cold.

Kieran:

“…You’re in my seat.”

Amina:

“Last time I checked, the chairs don’t have your name tattooed on them.”

Kieran:

“They might as well. Everyone knows I sit here.”

Amina:

“Well, today you don’t.”

I cross my arms. His eyebrow twitches—he hates being challenged.

Good.

He leans slightly closer. Way too close.

Kieran (low):

“Move.”

Amina:

“No.”

Silence. Everyone in class turns.

He smirks, slow and dangerous.

Kieran:

“Fine. Don’t move.”

(leans over my desk)

“But don’t cry when you lose the debate today.”

Amina:

“Oh, sweetheart… I don’t lose.”

(smiles sweetly)

“And especially not to you.”

His jaw clenches.

Amina (narration):

The professor enters—thank God—interrupting our stare-war.

We sit. And unfortunately… he sits right beside me.

Of course he does.

Professor Hale:

“Today’s topic: Should campus competitions be mandatory?

Kieran and Amina—you’re up first.”

I freeze.

He smirks without even turning his head.

Amina:

“You planned this.”

Kieran:

“I don’t need to plan to beat you.”

Amina:

“Keep dreaming.”

We walk to the front of the class, standing side by side.

Too close.

His shoulder brushes mine—accidentally?

I don’t know.

I just know my heart jumps.

Annoying.

Professor Hale:

“Amina, you may begin.”

I inhale, raise my chin, and speak clearly.

Amina:

“Competitions motivate students, encourage teamwork, and build confidence.

They should absolutely be mandatory.”

A few nods.

Kieran watches me like he’s calculating every breath.

His turn.

Kieran:

“Mandatory competition does not create confidence.

It creates stress, resentment, and burnout.”

He talks smoothly, voice calm, controlled, annoyingly perfect.

Amina (interrupting):

“You’re assuming all students are weak.”

Kieran:

“And you’re assuming all students are like you—loud and reckless.”

Amina:

“At least I’m not boring.”

Laughter erupts.

His eyes darken.

He steps closer.

Kieran (soft but sharp):

“I’d rather be boring than delusional.”

The class gasps.

Amina (narration):

Okay.

That one actually hurt.

Just a tiny bit.

But I won’t let him see that.

I smile sweetly.

Amina:

“At least I don’t cry when someone beats me.”

Kieran:

“I don’t cry.”

Amina:

“You did last semester.”

Kieran:

“That was ONE time—”

The class explodes with laughter.

His ears turn red.

Victory.

Professor Hale:

“Enough!

Both of you made your points. The class will vote.”

We return to our seats.

He sits stiffly, jaw tight.

Kieran:

“You’re impossible.”

Amina:

“Thank you.”

Kieran:

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

Amina:

“I took it as one.”

He looks at me for a long moment…

Then, unexpectedly, he chuckles.

A real, soft, genuine laugh.

…Why is that attractive?

No.

Nope.

Erase that thought.

Professor Hale:

“The class voted.

Winner: Amina.”

Silence.

He turns slowly toward me.

Kieran:

“I hope you enjoyed this victory.”

(leans in close)

“Because it’s the last one you’re getting.”

Amina:

“We’ll see, golden boy.”

His eyes flick to my lips, just for half a second.

He swallows.

And just like that—

The rivalry officially begins.

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