THE VALEDICTORIAN WARS

The first thing I saw when I walked through the doors of Westbridge Academy was his face. Of course. Ethan Cole stood beside the trophy case, one hand tucked into his pocket and the other holding a stack of books. His dark hair was slightly messy, like he had spent exactly zero minutes worrying about it. And somehow, he still looked annoyingly perfect. Our eyes met. His mouth curved into that infuriating little smile. “Morning, Hart.” I tightened my grip on my backpack. “Don't call me that.” “Why?” He glanced at the clock above the entrance. “It's the first day of senior year. I thought we could start fresh.” “With you?” He laughed. I walked past him. “Nice to see you too, Daisy.” I hated that he knew exactly how to irritate me. I had hated Ethan Cole since freshman year. Four years ago, we had both been competing for the highest grade in our history class. I had beaten him by one point. He'd beaten me on the next test. I beat him after that. And somehow, that tiny competition had turned into four years of academic warfare. Every exam. Every debate. Every award. Every ranking. There was always Ethan. And this year, there was something even more important. Valedictorian. I stopped at my locker and pulled out my schedule. Senior year. My final year. I had spent years working toward this moment, and I wasn't going to let anyone take it from me. Especially him. “Still staring at your schedule?” I closed my locker. Ethan was leaning against the one beside mine. “How long have you been standing there?” “Long enough.” “Do you have nothing better to do?” “Apparently not.” I rolled my eyes and walked toward the classroom. He followed. “You know,” he said, “I've been thinking.” “That sounds dangerous.” “About the valedictorian race.” I stopped. He stopped too. Students moved around us, laughing and talking as the first bell approached. “What about it?” I asked. His expression became unusually serious. “I think this year is going to be different.” I raised an eyebrow. “Different how?” He smiled. “I'm going to win.” My stomach tightened. Not because I was afraid. Because I knew Ethan. When he said something like that, he meant it. I stepped closer. “Then you better prepare yourself for second place.” His smile widened. “Wouldn't have it any other way.” The bell rang. We walked into class without another word. I took my usual seat near the window. Ethan sat two rows behind me. Mrs. Bennett entered carrying a thick folder and placed it on her desk. “Good morning, seniors.” The room quieted. “I hope you're all ready for an unforgettable year.” A few students groaned. Mrs. Bennett smiled. “There will be several major academic projects this year. Your grades will matter more than ever.” My attention sharpened. Then she added: “And one of those projects will determine something very important.” Everyone looked up. “What?” someone asked. Mrs. Bennett opened the folder. She looked directly at me. Then at Ethan. “The school has decided to introduce a new academic leadership program.” Ethan leaned forward. I felt my heartbeat quicken. Mrs. Bennett smiled. “And I've already chosen the two students who will lead it.” She paused. “Daisy Hart and Ethan Cole.” The classroom erupted. I slowly turned toward Ethan. He was already looking at me. And for the first time that morning, he wasn't smiling. This was going to be war.