rivals
1092 Words
Claire's POV
"Wait. Seems like someone is trying to open the door from outside."
"Who do you think it is?"
"I don't know. Probably the maid. It can't be my parents — they never return home this early."
He stood by the door still trying to unlock it with his face scan but nothing was working.
I kept checking the time. If my mom called and saw Ethan in the background she was going to kill me.
I tried pushing the door handle. It didn't budge.
Then I spotted a manual keyhole.
"Ethan, what about the key?"
"I don't know. I always use my face to unlock it. I never needed the key."
"So we're trapped?"
I sat on the floor and ran my hands through my hair.
Should I turn off my phone? I already knew the answer to that was no. My mom could drop everything and come looking for me. If I ended the call mid ring that was even worse.
I just needed to get out of this house before she called back.
I stood up and kept pushing the handle. Ethan was going through his phone claiming he was looking for a bypass in the security system.
Then the door swung open from outside and I fell flat on the floor.
Someone had opened it.
That someone was his mom.
I scrambled up and dusted my skirt.
"Good afternoon ma'am. I'll be taking my leave."
She smiled at Ethan. "Oh you brought a friend home. I wasn't aware."
I waved at them both and started running before either of them could say anything else.
I could hear a few words behind me as I went her asking if we were dating, him shaking his head no. I wasn't interested in the rest. I ran with my bag dragging me back the whole way.
I made it to the park just as my phone started ringing.
Mom.
"Hi mum. I was just about to take the bus home."
"Claire it has been more than thirty minutes. Where exactly did you go and what took you that long?"
"I went to tutor a kid at the state library. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. I knew you wouldn't agree so I just went."
"You're not forgiven. But get home safely and call me back so we can discuss your punishment."
"Okay ma. Thank you ma."
I ended the call and took a cab home.
When I got to the corridor Zach was standing there.
My heart jumped.
Maybe my mom had sent him to get the truth out of me. I wasn't going to contradict anything I had already said.
But the moment he saw me his eyes lit up and he pulled me straight into a hug.
I broke away confused.
"Hello. You literally just saw me an hour ago. Why are you hugging me like we haven't seen each other in months?"
He smiled. "Nothing. I just missed you. Our conversation at the park was rushed."
"Yeah I'm sorry about that. I'm here now."
I opened the door and he let himself in.
I was never worried about Zach. His dad and my dad had been best friends before my dad passed and Zach and I just continued what they started. I was completely myself around him boring and geeky and unbothered and he never once made it weird.
He was popular. Had money. Was also a hockey player. But he was never the kind of person who made you feel small for not being those things.
He was the best friend anyone could ask for. Even with our worlds being completely opposite he never let that matter.
He settled onto the couch and started spilling every detail of the hockey program he had spent three months at.
That program was actually the root of everything between him and Ethan. They had both fought hard for that one spot. Zach got it. Ethan didn't. And it had never been the same between them since.
Which meant it had never been the same for me either. I hadn't chosen a side out loud but loving Zach meant carrying his battles quietly whether I wanted to or not.
"The program was so fun but you weren't there."
I laughed. "Come on. I know you had fun. Don't try to make me feel better. Spill it."
He heaved a sigh and smiled. "Thank God you're cool with it. The program was so fun I almost forgot you existed."
"Seriously Zach? You didn't miss your bestie?"
"You know I'm joking. But seriously I met people there. Most of them are college students. And guess which college?"
"A college with huge opportunities for hockey?"
"Not just any one. The best. I just need to pass my SAT and my future is set."
"Wow. Congratulations. You earned it."
He smiled and turned on the television. I went to my room and unloaded my bag.
"Oh Claire read me some of the poems you wrote while I was gone."
I bowed my head.
The request landed somewhere it shouldn't have. Those poems were gone. Every single one of them.
"Sarah tore up my book while you were away."
Silence.
"Are you serious right now?"
"You know I wouldn't joke about my book."
He squeezed his fingers. "And you didn't call me? I would have come back immediately."
"No Zach. It's not your battle. I appreciate the concern but it's not your battle."
He nodded slowly and turned back to the show. I could tell he was still sitting with it.
My mom called back. She saw I was home and that Zach was there too. She dropped the case without another word.
A few minutes later, just as I was about to start dinner, Zach said he had things to attend to and headed out. I waved him off and closed the door.
My phone vibrated.
An alert.
$30.
I stared at the screen. Ethan had sent $30. We had agreed on $20. He had added an extra $10 without saying anything.
I called him.
"Thank you Ethan. I appreciate it."
"For that little change? No problem. If I ace my exams more things will come your way."
I smiled and ended the call.
I stood there for a moment.
Happy and afraid at the same time.
Zach and Ethan were mortal enemies. That spot. That program. That rivalry that never really ended.
If Zach ever found out I was helping Ethan in any way, for any reason .
The friendship was gone.
- Writer
