ACT - 1 THE BIRTH OF WAR.

Chapter 1 - The name above mine

Benjamin POV

I watch as the people surround the notice board. People rushing towards the notice board. I.. I'm not like them..I walk leisurely as the students run. They already form a half restless circle checking their names and marks. Some start cursing themselves.. Some laugh and Some are relieved with the marks they get and Some are disappointed.

My eyes went straight to the top.. This time my name is not in the first place.. it's the second. I was second in my class again.. This is not the first time..His name is above mine again - Alexander Miller. I watch in silence.. my surroundings blur. I check the list again, top to bottom, left and right searching for any mistake. A mistake that doesn't exist.. it's the same...

Rank One

Rank Two

For others it doesn't matter... but me,, it matters... Marks are my pride. A two or three mark difference is also a big issue for me. Others would've called it a tie.. But for me.…Who sees marks as their own pride…. it's no no. It's not the first time… Him being above me…

"Damn" someone muttered behind me "Guess the crown changed heads again".

I listen but don't talk… It doesn't matter to me…. I stepped back before anyone could look at my face… my fists tightened around my bag straps. As I turn around I see him… My study rival. Alexander. He stood away from the board.Not surrounded by people. Not celebrating… He was just observing… As if he already knows the results. And this is something he is already sure about.

Our eyes meet.

It was just for a brief second. No hatred passed between us…. Just a sharp look…a look of recognition.

So it's you

I had seen him before. Of course everyone has. He is Mr Popular. A guy who is good at studies and also sports…. He is a basketball captain. A dream guy for every girl. Body like a Greek god.which also adds to his face card and his height. Which is actually quite opposite to me… Who is shorter than him… And a lean body… And nerdy glasses to see the world.

He looked away first' which actually annoyed me even more.

"You know the second is still the best rank" One of my friends Ethan says.

"Yeah… There's still next time" Adam says supporting Ethan.

I nodded. Because This is an expected reaction. I look back once again to make sure… To make sure he is gone.

All throughout the day… His name followed me….people talking about him… Comparing me to him. By evening I sat at my desk… Open books on my desk with my notes aligned, but my mind was elsewhere, Memorizing my day… Memorizing His name….

I didn't hate him. Not yet. Because hate needs intimacy.

I close my eyes that night watching the full moon. Thinking about how his name is above mine… And how my name is beneath his. Tomorrow we would see each other again in the hallways. We would pretend this meant nothing,( maybe for him ) We would exist in parallel - for the same goal

But somewhere deep within my heart beat a little faster - not with fear but with anticipation.

TO BE CONTINUED.

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