THE VALEDICTORIAN WARS

CHAPTER TWO - NUMBER ONE

The classroom was still buzzing when Mrs. Bennett raised her hand.

“Enough.”

The noise faded, but the whispers didn't disappear completely.

I could hear someone behind me say, “They actually paired Daisy and Ethan?”

Another voice answered, “That's going to be a disaster.”

They weren't wrong.

Mrs. Bennett walked to the board and wrote three words in large letters:

ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

“This program,” she explained, “will run throughout your senior year. You will organize academic events, represent Westbridge Academy at competitions, and work on a research project that will be presented at graduation.”

I stared at the board.

A whole year.

With Ethan.

“Mrs. Bennett,” I said.

She looked at me.

“Why us?”

A few students laughed.

Ethan leaned back in his chair. “I'm curious too.”

Mrs. Bennett smiled.

“Because you're the two highest-ranking students in your year.”

My stomach dropped.

I knew I was near the top, but hearing it said aloud made everything suddenly feel more serious.

“The student with the highest overall academic standing at the end of the year will be named valedictorian.”

There it was.

The word I'd been waiting to hear.

Valedictorian.

Ethan sat up straighter.

I looked over my shoulder.

He was already looking at me.

Neither of us smiled.

“Your current standings,” Mrs. Bennett continued, “are almost identical.”

Almost.

That one word was enough to make my heart pound.

She picked up another sheet.

“Daisy Hart currently holds the highest cumulative average.”

A few people applauded.

I allowed myself a tiny smile.

Then Mrs. Bennett continued.

“By 0.03 points.”

My smile vanished.

Ethan's eyebrows lifted.

“That's impressive,” he said.

I turned around.

“Don't sound so surprised.”

“I wasn't.”

“You sounded surprised.”

“I was actually impressed.”

I narrowed my eyes.

He smiled.

There it was again.

That stupid smile.

Mrs. Bennett cleared her throat.

“If either of you lets your rivalry interfere with this program, you will both lose your leadership positions.”

I immediately looked at Ethan.

He looked back.

“We'll behave,” he said.

I scoffed.

Mrs. Bennett gave us a warning look.

“I'm serious.”

“So am I,” Ethan replied.

The bell rang before I could respond.

Everyone began gathering their things.

I shoved my notebook into my bag.

“Daisy.”

I turned.

Ethan stood beside my desk.

“What?”

He lowered his voice.

“Congratulations.”

“For what?”

He glanced toward the board.

“Being number one.”

I crossed my arms.

“Thank you.”

“Enjoy it.”

I frowned.

“What does that mean?”

He smiled again.

“It means I'm coming for you.”

Then he walked away.

I watched him leave, annoyed at how confident he looked.

I was about to follow my friends out when my phone buzzed.

Unknown Number.

I almost ignored it.

Then another message appeared.

You should be careful who you trust at Westbridge.

I stared at the screen.

My fingers went cold.

Before I could reply, another message came through.

Especially Ethan.

I looked toward the doorway.

Ethan was gone.

For the first time in four years, I wasn't thinking about beating him.

I was wondering what someone else knew about him.

And why they wanted me to know.