Sparks & Spite

Chapter 2: War

The next morning, Amara Daniels arrived at Westbridge Academy running on barely four hours of sleep.

She hadn't meant to stay awake so late.

But after the rankings had been posted, sleep had become impossible.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the numbers again.

1. Ethan Cole.

2. Amara Daniels.

Second place.

Again.

As she walked through the school gates, she tightened her grip on her backpack straps and forced herself to focus on the day ahead.

"Amara!"

She sighed.

Lily Carter hurried toward her, coffee in hand and curiosity written all over her face.

"You look exhausted."

"Good morning to you too."

"I'm serious."

Amara shrugged.

"I'm fine."

Lily raised an eyebrow.

"That's your biggest lie yet."

Amara looked away.

Lily immediately understood.

The rankings.

Her expression softened.

"Your parents?"

Amara didn't answer.

She didn't have to.

Lily's jaw tightened.

"One day, I'm going to have a conversation with them."

"Please don't."

"I'm just saying."

"Lily."

"Fine."

They continued toward class.

After a few moments, Lily nudged her shoulder.

"On the bright side, Ethan looked miserable yesterday."

Amara frowned.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Nothing."

Lily grinned.

"Just thought you'd like to know."

"I wouldn't."

"You totally would."

Amara rolled her eyes.

Somehow, talking to Lily always made things feel a little lighter.

On the other side of campus, Ethan Cole was having a far less peaceful morning.

Mostly because Noah Brooks wouldn't stop talking.

"You know what I think?"

"I don't."

"I think you're obsessed."

Ethan groaned.

"Noah."

"With Amara."

"There it is."

Noah grinned.

"You didn't even let me finish."

"You weren't going to say anything useful."

"True."

Ethan shook his head.

Noah had been his best friend long enough to be completely immune to threats.

Unfortunately.

"You know," Noah continued, "most people celebrate being first."

"I did."

"No, you didn't."

Ethan paused.

Because Noah was right.

When the rankings had gone up, the first thing Ethan had done wasn't celebrate.

He'd looked for Amara.

And that was a problem he wasn't ready to think about.

Thankfully, the bell saved him from Noah's questions.

First period English began with the return of essays.

The entire class immediately became interested.

Especially because everyone knew who the top two students were.

Mrs. Bennett handed back papers one by one.

Finally, she reached the names everyone was waiting for.

"Amara Daniels."

Amara checked her score.

96%.

Not bad.

But not perfect.

Then—

"Ethan Cole."

He glanced down.

97%.

The classroom erupted.

"Again?"

"No way."

"One percent?"

Mrs. Bennett sighed.

"You all need hobbies."

Laughter filled the room.

Amara looked away from her paper.

Across the room, Ethan was already looking at her.

Their eyes met.

Neither looked away.

Then Mrs. Bennett cleared her throat loudly.

The class laughed even harder.

Both immediately returned their attention to their desks.

By lunch, the rankings were somehow still the most discussed topic in school.

Amara sat with Lily near the window.

For the first few minutes, everything was peaceful.

Then a familiar voice appeared.

"Mind if I sit here?"

"No."

Ethan pulled out a chair anyway.

Amara glared.

He smiled.

Across from him, Noah sat down and looked delighted.

Lily looked equally entertained.

"Why are you both smiling?" Amara asked.

"Nothing," Lily replied.

"Absolutely nothing," Noah added.

Which meant it was definitely something.

The conversation moved on to upcoming exams and university applications.

For once, nobody mentioned rankings.

It was nice.

Normal.

Amara almost forgot her frustration.

Almost.

Then Ethan casually corrected a Physics formula she'd quoted.

And suddenly they were arguing again.

By the time lunch ended, both were convinced the other was impossible.

The final lesson of the day was Physics.

Unfortunately.

Mr. Harper was one of the most respected teachers in the school.

He was also one of the most feared.

The moment he entered the classroom, every conversation died.

Without exception.

After reviewing several equations, he placed his marker down.

The entire class straightened.

That usually meant an announcement.

"You will be completing a semester project."

Groans filled the room.

Mr. Harper ignored them.

"The project will account for thirty percent of your final grade."

The groans got louder.

Thirty percent was serious.

Even Amara felt nervous.

"You will complete the project in pairs."

Students immediately began whispering.

Some looked excited.

Others looked terrified.

Amara exchanged a hopeful glance with Lily.

Across the room, Ethan looked toward Noah.

Perfect.

Or so they thought.

Mr. Harper lifted a sheet of paper.

"I have already selected the pairs."

The classroom went silent.

Uh-oh.

Names were announced one after another.

Then—

"Amara Daniels."

Amara looked up.

"Ethan Cole."

The room exploded.

Students laughed.

Several people cheered.

Someone nearly fell out of their chair.

Mr. Harper waited for the chaos to settle.

It didn't.

Finally, he raised his voice.

"Quiet."

The room obeyed instantly.

Amara raised her hand.

"Sir, can I change partners?"

"No."

Ethan raised his hand.

"Sir—"

"No."

The class burst into laughter.

Mr. Harper folded his arms.

"You are my two highest-performing students."

Neither looked pleased.

"I expect excellent work."

The bell rang.

Saving them from further embarrassment.

Unfortunately, it didn't save them from each other.

Students flooded into the hallway.

Almost everyone seemed to have an opinion about the new partnership.

Most found it hilarious.

Amara found it exhausting.

She was collecting books from her locker when a familiar shadow appeared beside her.

"Cole."

"Daniels."

Silence.

Awkward silence.

Then Ethan cleared his throat.

"We should probably meet and discuss the project."

Amara resisted the urge to groan.

He was right.

That somehow made it worse.

"Fine."

"The library?"

"Fine."

"Tomorrow. Four o'clock."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You're very confident."

"I'm organized."

"That's not the same thing."

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

For a second, Amara almost smiled back.

Almost.

Then she remembered who he was.

Her rival.

The person standing between her and first place.

The person she'd spent years trying to beat.

"I'll be there," she said.

"Good."

With that, Ethan turned and walked away.

Amara watched him go.

Then immediately looked away.

Because tomorrow she'd be spending an entire afternoon working with Ethan Cole.

And for some reason, that thought made her far more nervous than the project itself.