LOVE ME MORE

The first day of senior year at Ravenscroft Academy began exactly the way Kai Bennett expected—too early, too loud, and already irritating. The grand halls buzzed with students reuniting after summer break, their laughter echoing against polished marble floors. Lockers slammed shut. Shoes clicked against the tiles. Everywhere Kai looked, there were designer bags, expensive watches, and effortless confidence—the kind money seemed to buy. He adjusted the strap of his worn backpack and kept his head down as he moved through the crowd. Three years here, and he still felt like he didn’t belong. “Bennett!” Kai looked up just in time for Maya Carter to nearly crash into him. She grinned, her curly dark hair bouncing as she fell into step beside him. “Tell me you did the summer reading assignment.” Kai snorted. “Of course I did.” “Good. Because I definitely didn’t.” “That sounds like a you problem.” Maya clutched her chest dramatically. “And here I thought friendship meant support.” Kai smirked despite himself. If there was one person who made Ravenscroft bearable, it was Maya. Loud, shameless, and impossible to intimidate, she had attached herself to him in freshman year and refused to let go. As they turned the corner toward homeroom, Maya’s expression shifted into something mischievous. “Oh, by the way,” she said. “Guess who’s back from his European summer tour?” Kai didn’t need to ask. His jaw tightened. Across the hall, surrounded by his usual circle of admirers, stood Adrian Vale. He looked exactly as Kai remembered—perfectly composed, dark hair neatly styled, his uniform somehow sharper than everyone else’s. His silver-gray eyes scanned the hallway with detached indifference, as if he were above everything around him. Then his gaze landed on Kai. And that infuriating smirk appeared. Kai’s stomach twisted with instant irritation. “Still allergic to humility, I see,” Kai muttered. Maya leaned closer. “You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d think there was unresolved s****l tension there.” Kai nearly choked. “What?” She laughed. “Relax. I’m kidding.” He wasn’t laughing. Before he could respond, Adrian began walking toward them. Of course he was. Each step was calm and deliberate, like he had all the time in the world. His friends peeled away behind him, leaving him alone as he stopped directly in front of Kai. “Bennett,” Adrian said smoothly. “Vale.” A tense silence stretched between them. Adrian’s eyes flicked over Kai’s uniform, lingering for just a second too long. “Still managing to look unprepared on the first day.” Kai’s irritation flared. “Still managing to be insufferable after all these years.” Maya glanced between them like she was watching live entertainment. Adrian’s lips curved slightly. “I’d say it’s good to see you, but I’d rather not lie.” Kai stepped closer, close enough to catch the faint scent of cedarwood cologne. “Funny,” he said coldly. “I was about to say the same.” The tension between them crackled. Then the warning bell rang. Adrian straightened. “Try not to embarrass yourself this year, Bennett.” Kai crossed his arms. “Try not to choke on your ego.” Adrian gave one final smirk before walking away. Maya exhaled dramatically. “And that was this morning’s episode of Enemies Who Secretly Want to Kiss.” Kai groaned. “Please stop.” She only laughed harder. --- By lunch, Kai had almost convinced himself the day couldn’t get worse. Then a message arrived over the school intercom. “Kai Bennett and Adrian Vale, report to Principal Whitmore’s office immediately.” The cafeteria erupted into murmurs. Kai froze. Across the room, Adrian looked equally confused. “This can’t be good,” Maya whispered. Kai already knew that. The walk to the principal’s office was painfully silent. Adrian walked beside him, hands tucked into his pockets, his expression unreadable. When they entered, Principal Whitmore motioned for them to sit. She folded her hands neatly on her desk. “You two have been selected to represent Ravenscroft Academy in this year’s National Academic Championship.” Kai blinked. Beside him, Adrian went still. “Congratulations,” she said. “You’ll be competing as partners.” Silence. Then— “No.” Kai and Adrian spoke at the exact same time. Principal Whitmore sighed, clearly expecting this reaction. “This is not optional.” “There has to be someone else,” Kai said sharply. “There isn’t.” Adrian’s jaw tightened. “With all due respect, this arrangement is impractical.” “It is necessary,” she replied. “You are our two strongest students. Together, you are our best chance at winning.” Kai stood abruptly. “We can’t work together.” “You will,” she said firmly. “Or both of you will lose your senior academic privileges and university endorsements.” Kai’s breath caught. For him, those endorsements meant scholarship opportunities. A future. Escape. But for Kai it meant a free ticket to becoming a successful hockey player without further obstructions,atleast he will be able to prove to his father that he can do whatever he wants even without his(father) money. This was a rare opportunity to pursue his dream, without assistance from his overbearing father, Slowly, he sat back down. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Adrian’s expression darken. Whatever his reason was, he clearly couldn’t afford to refuse either. Principal Whitmore smiled tightly. “Your first preparation session begins today after school in the east library.” Kai wanted to argue. But he couldn’t. As they left the office, Adrian stopped in the hallway. “Well,” he said coolly, “this should be unbearable.” Kai glared at him. “Stay out of my way, and maybe we’ll survive.” Adrian stepped closer, his voice dropping low enough that only Kai could hear. “That might be difficult when we’ll be spending so much time together.” Kai’s pulse skipped. He hated that it did. Adrian’s eyes held his for a beat too long before he stepped back. “Try not to disappoint me, Bennett.” Then he turned and walked away. Kai stood frozen in the empty hallway, heart pounding for reasons he refused to examine. This was a disaster. And somehow, deep down, he had the unsettling feeling that this partnership was about to change everything.