The Competition Begins
963 Words
“Look who crawled back.”
Bianca’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard.
Aisha had expected this. The moment she and Caroline stepped into the school hallway, the whispers followed. Now, standing before their lockers, they were surrounded.
Caroline stiffened beside her. Aisha could feel her friend’s hand trembling, clutching her own sleeve.
Bianca leaned against Adrian’s locker, a smirk playing on her lips. "I thought you ran away for good. Too bad I was already planning your farewell party."
The girls around her giggled. Adrian was there too, standing slightly apart, hands in his pockets, watching.
Aisha took a slow breath. Not today.
"Why are you so obsessed with me?" she asked, tilting her head. "First, it was my clothes, then my shoes, and now you’re keeping track of my attendance?"
A few students snickered.
Bianca’s smirk twitched. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Aisha said, stepping forward. "It’s honestly flattering how much time you spend thinking about me."
More laughter rippled through the crowd. Even Adrian’s lips twitched slightly, though he quickly wiped the expression away.
"Keep talking," Bianca said coldly. "It won’t change the fact that you’re still nothing."
Aisha should’ve let it go. She should’ve walked away.
But then Bianca’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“Even your own mother left you.”
The words hit like a slap.
Aisha’s chest tightened. The air in the hallway felt thinner.
For a second, just a second, she was seven years old again standing at the doorway, watching her mother walk out, suitcases in hand.
“You’re better off without me for now, sweetheart I will come back for you,''
She had believed it then. But hearing Bianca throw it at her now?
No.
Aisha clenched her fists. Not today. Not anymore.
She stepped forward. Bianca’s smug expression faltered.
"At least she had the courage to leave," Aisha said, her voice cutting through the silence. "Unlike you, who still needs Adrian to fight your battles."
Gasps erupted in the hallway. Bianca’s face flushed red. Even Adrian looked caught off guard.
Bianca lunged forward, but before she could get too close, a new voice cut in.
"She’s right, you know."
Silence.
Everyone turned.
Amelia.
Dressed in her designer skirt and expensive boots, she looked completely out of place among the tension but the calm way she adjusted her bag said otherwise.
Bianca whipped around. "What did you just say?"
Amelia smiled sweetly. "I said, she’s right. You talk about Aisha more than you talk about your own boyfriend. It’s getting embarrassing."
Aisha’s eyes narrowed. What was Amelia playing at?
Bianca turned to Adrian, expecting him to say something.
But Adrian didn’t move.
His eyes were locked onto Aisha, unreadable.
Aisha swallowed. Was he… impressed?
Bianca’s nostrils flared. The tension in the hallway was suffocating now, but Aisha refused to look away first.
Caroline shifted beside her, still gripping her sleeve. Amelia, on the other hand, looked amused.like she was enjoying watching Bianca squirm.
"You" Bianca’s voice wavered for the first time, but she quickly recovered, flipping her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Adrian, are you seriously going to stand there and let them talk to me like this?"
All eyes turned to him.
Aisha didn’t expect him to defend her. Adrian wasn’t a hero. He had spent years laughing along with Bianca and her clique.
But he didn’t do what Bianca wanted, either.
He simply shrugged. "You started it."
A hush fell over the crowd. Even Aisha blinked in surprise.
Bianca’s face twisted in disbelief. "Are you kidding me?"
Adrian exhaled like he was already bored of the conversation. "Let it go, Bianca."
That was it. No insults. No backing her up. Just a dismissal.
Bianca's lips parted, but whatever she wanted to say died on her tongue. She glanced between Adrian and Aisha, eyes dark with something close to fury. Then, with a sharp turn, she stormed off, her followers scrambling after her.
The hallway was still thick with tension, but Aisha noticed the whispers shift. People weren’t just watching anymore. They were noticing.
Noticing that Adrian hadn’t humiliated her.
Noticing that Bianca had lost.
Noticing that Aisha wasn’t the same girl who had left.
Amelia smiled like she had been entertained enough for one morning. She adjusted the strap of her bag and turned to Aisha. "Not bad," she said, before walking off without another word.
Aisha frowned. What was that supposed to mean?
But before she could dwell on it, she realized Adrian was still there, watching her.
"You’re different," he said, his voice quiet enough that only she could hear.
Aisha met his gaze. His blue eyes weren’t cold like before. There was something else something she didn’t want to name.
"So are you," she replied, and then, without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked away.
She didn’t look back.
But she could feel his eyes on her the entire time.
The Competition Announcement
By lunchtime, the entire school was buzzing.
Aisha sat with Caroline, still processing what had happened.
"I don’t get it," Caroline muttered. "Why would Amelia defend you? I thought she was Bianca’s friend."
Aisha poked at her food. "Maybe she’s tired of following orders."
Before Caroline could respond, the school’s speakers crackled to life.
"Attention, students! This year’s annual competition is officially open!"
The cafeteria erupted.
"Participants will have a chance to showcase their talent,sports, academics, or creativity. The winner receives a full-paid summer internship and scholarship!"
Aisha’s heart skipped a beat.
Caroline grabbed her arm. "Aisha, you HAVE to enter!"
Across the room, Bianca rolled her eyes. "Oh please. As if she stands a chance."
Aisha met Bianca’s gaze. Head high. Shoulders straight.
"Watch me."
For the first time in his life, Adrian didn’t want her to lose.
- Writer
