Before we knew

Against me

DANI POV

I stood in disbelief as l heard who my partner for Mr Grant project was. I couldn’t what I had just heard , I had to see for myself.

I ran to the administration office to check for myself and there it was printed boldly. I was partnered with my worst enemy, my academic rival , Ethan Blake. The universe was really against me.

As I stood there looking at the board hoping that my eyes were deceiving me I felt a presence beside me and behold it was Ethan looking at the board with a smirk.

He turned to me, “try not to slow me down” he said still maintaining that dumb smile on his face.

“Funny how you would think so since I have been dragging you along academically for two years now”, I said and walked away

****

In the class

Mr Grant passed the project sheet round the class.

“This project counts for thirty percent of your grade so I expect all of you to take it seriously” he said as he distributed the project sheet.

Mr Grant dropped a sheet on the desk l and Ethan now share because of the project, can this day get anymore worse.

“I expect something very impressive from both of you since you two are among our best students in the school” Mr Grant said

We both nodded putting on our best fake smiles

As soon as Mr Grant walked away without warning Ethan snatched the sheet from me and started scanning it.

“Ever heard of the word asking” I snapped

“Just try to avoid unnecessary delay” he mumbled still scanning the sheet.

“We should divide the work , I will handle the research and arrangement and you can… i guess you can manage the visuals” Ethan suggested plainly.

“And who made you the leader of the project after all am smarter than you” i said

He shrugged, leaning back in the chair like he owns it “I don’t want you messing up this project,it is our most important project after all”.

“You are unbelievable” i said choking on my rage.

“The entire class could hear us arguing, I swear I heard someone saying that we were goo to kill each other one day. And honestly? They are not wrong.

Ethan leaned closer invading my space “ look Rivera , this project doesn’t have to be painful just do as I say so you won’t slow me down and everything will go smoothly”.

“Slow you down” I stood up so quickly my chair screeched earning me a warning look from Mr Grant.

“You wish after all you have been trying to catch up to me all your life second place” i said

Ethan looked at me with that familiar expression that says I hate this girl.

“We shall see who the real second place is , see you in the library after school” Ethan said carrying his backpack over his shoulder and left the class.

I stared after him feeling the familiar feeling of irritation. This four weeks project is good to be the longest four weeks of my life.

****

The library

I walked into the library replaying the partner announcement like a tragic movie in my head . And of course, since nothing was going my way today , Ethan was there before me seating at a table near the window like he owns the entire building.

He glanced up as I approached him, “wow you are only five minutes late, am impressed” he said.

“I’m not late , you are early” I muttered dropping my bag in the floor a little harder than necessary.

Ethan cleared his throat “okay let talk strategy”

“I have one, you let me do the project myself and you just show up for the presentation” I suggested

“Please, you can’t even tie your shoelace properly” he says d staring at my shoe.

“Excuse me? I can tie my shoe lace just fine” I said voice sharp, irritation visible on my face.

“Quiet” the librarian sharp voice said behind us. We both jumped like guilty tobbler. The librarian glared at us before walking away , it was terrifying.

I finally grabbed the sheet “fine,we should split everything straight;research, visual, arrangement and writing. Fifty-fifty”.

“Are you sure you can keep up with me?” Ethan said.

“The question should be , if you can keep up with me”.I challenged.

Ethan leaned closer, irritation flickering in her eyes yet his voice lowered in a way that made my pulse betray me . “Try me”.

For a moment neither of us looked away. The room felt tense, electric like something was shifting between us.

Then Ethan smirked and moved away. “Great, we should get started” he said.

It took me some moment to compose myself “ yes I gu…ess so” I said

Ethan laughed, “ you look funnier when you’re panicking”.

“I’m not panicking” i said.

“Yeah sure” he said sarcastically.

I lifted the project sheet, “can we focus before t actually commit a crime”.

“Sure” Ethan laughed.

I hated the fact that I didn’t hate the sound as much as I should.