HATING YOU WAS EASIER

If there was one person at Westbridge Academy I could never stand, it was Ethan Blake. Unfortunately, Ethan Blake seemed determined to make sure I never forgot it. He was standing at the front of the classroom when I walked in that Monday morning, casually leaning against Mr. Anderson's desk as though the entire school belonged to him. His tie was slightly crooked, his dark hair looked as though he'd run his fingers through it one too many times, and that irritating half-smile was already on his face. The smile that always appeared whenever he knew I was about to lose my temper. “Carter,” he said. I stopped beside my desk. “Blake.” “You're late.” I glanced at the clock. “I'm two minutes early.” “Still late compared to me.” “You've been standing there for ten minutes doing absolutely nothing.” He shrugged. “And I've enjoyed every second of it.” I rolled my eyes and sat down. This was how every Monday started. A fight. A disagreement. An argument over something so insignificant that neither of us would remember what started it by lunchtime. Ethan and I had been rivals since our first year at Westbridge. At first, it had been harmless. We competed over grades, debate competitions, sports events, student council positions—anything that offered a chance to prove who was better. Then our parents got involved. My father and Ethan's father had been business rivals for years. Their companies competed for the same contracts, the same investors, and sometimes even the same clients. According to my father, the Blake family couldn't be trusted. According to Ethan's father, the Carters were arrogant opportunists. Naturally, Ethan and I inherited the hatred. Or at least, that's what I thought. “Since you're both here,” Mr. Anderson said, walking into the classroom, “I have an announcement.” Everyone became quiet. He placed a folder on his desk. “The annual Westbridge Future Leaders Competition is beginning next month.” A murmur went through the classroom. It was the biggest academic competition in the school. The winning team received a scholarship, a trophy, and the opportunity to attend a prestigious summer leadership program. I'd been preparing for it for months. Mr. Anderson smiled. “This year, you'll be competing in pairs.” I immediately sat straighter. He began reading names. “Daniel and Sophie.” A few students cheered. “Marcus and Olivia.” Then he reached the final pair. “Lena Carter and Ethan Blake.” Silence. I stared at him. “What?” Ethan actually laughed. “You heard him.” I raised my hand. Mr. Anderson sighed. “Yes, Lena?” “Could you please check the list again?” “I checked it twice.” “Maybe check a third time.” Ethan leaned back in his chair. “Scared?” I turned toward him. “Of you?” His smile widened. “You sound nervous.” “I'd rather compete alone.” “So would I.” Mr. Anderson looked between us. “Which is precisely why I've paired you together.” My mouth fell open. “Why?” “Because you're both talented.” “That doesn't mean we work well together.” “I know.” He smiled. “That's the point.” The class laughed. I didn't. After the bell rang, I packed my books quickly. Ethan caught up with me in the hallway. “Looks like we're partners.” “Temporary partners.” “Still partners.” “Don't get excited.” “I wasn't.” “You look excited.” “You look angry.” “I am angry.” He smiled. “I know.” I hated that smile. I hated the way he always seemed completely calm while I was ready to explode. Most of all, I hated that lately, I'd begun noticing things about him I hadn't noticed before. Like the way he laughed when he was genuinely amused. Or how his expression softened whenever someone mentioned his younger sister. Or the fact that he always helped teachers carry books even though he pretended not to care about anything. I didn't like noticing those things. So I ignored them. “I'll meet you in the library after school,” he said. “I'll be there.” “Don't be late.” I turned around. “You're impossible.” “And you're predictable.” I walked away before he could see me smile. By four o'clock, I was sitting in the library with three textbooks open in front of me. Ethan was late. Of course. I checked my phone. Four fifteen. Four twenty. Four thirty. At four thirty-five, he finally appeared. “You're late.” “I know.” “You said you'd be here at four.” “I got held up.” “Doing what?” He dropped his backpack onto the chair. “Helping someone.” “With what?” He looked at me. “Why are you interrogating me?” “Because we're supposed to be working.” “We will.” “You're impossible.” “You've said that already.” I sighed. “Let's just start.” We worked for almost an hour without arguing. That was unusual. Very unusual. Then a girl approached our table. “Ethan?” He looked up. “Hey, Chloe.” She smiled. “I've been looking everywhere for you.” I immediately looked back at my notebook. I didn't care. Obviously. Not even slightly. Chloe pulled a chair beside him. “I need help with the math assignment.” “Sure.” She leaned closer. I pressed my pen harder against the paper. Why was she sitting so close? It wasn't my business. Ethan could sit with whoever he wanted. I didn't care. Then Chloe laughed at something he said. I looked up. They were smiling at each other. Something uncomfortable twisted inside my chest. I immediately looked down. Ridiculous. I didn't like Ethan. I couldn't stand him. So why did I suddenly want Chloe to leave? “Lena?” I looked up. Ethan was watching me. “What?” “You've been staring at the same page for five minutes.” “I have not.” “You have.” Chloe glanced between us. “Oh.” “What?” I asked. She smiled. “Nothing.” Then she stood. “I'll see you later, Ethan.” “Yeah.” She walked away. I pretended to continue writing. Ethan leaned closer. “Are you jealous?” My pen stopped. I slowly looked at him. “Excuse me?” “You've been glaring at Chloe.” “I wasn't glaring.” “You were.” “I don't care who you talk to.” “Then why are you angry?” “I'm not angry.” He smiled. “You're terrible at lying.” “And you're terrible at being quiet.” He laughed. I tried not to smile. I failed. For a moment, we simply looked at each other. The teasing disappeared. Something unfamiliar settled between us. Then he looked away. “So,” he said quietly, “we should probably finish the project.” “Yeah.” We returned to our work. Neither of us mentioned what had just happened. But something had changed. I could feel it. And I didn't like it. Because Ethan Blake was my enemy. He was supposed to stay that way. The next morning, everything changed. I arrived at school to find students gathered around the notice board. “What happened?” I asked my best friend, Mia. She looked at me. “You haven't heard?” “Heard what?” She handed me her phone. A news article was open. The headline made my stomach drop. CARTER AND BLAKE FAMILIES PREPARE FOR MAJOR BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP. I read it twice. Then again. “No.” Mia frowned. “What?” “My father would never do this.” Apparently, I was wrong. Because ten minutes later, my father called. “Lena, we need to talk.” “About the partnership?” “Yes.” “Is it true?” “Yes.” I closed my eyes. “And what does that have to do with me?” There was a pause. “The Blake family has proposed a joint youth leadership initiative.” I frowned. “What does that mean?” “You and Ethan will be representing both families.” I almost dropped my phone. “You've got to be kidding.” “I wish I were.” “And Ethan knows?” “He does.” I ended the call. My phone immediately buzzed again. A message from Ethan. Looks like you're stuck with me. I typed back. I'd rather fail. His reply came instantly. You'd miss me. I stared at the screen. Then another message appeared. See you after school, partner. I hated him. I really did. At least, that's what I kept telling myself. Because if I admitted anything else, everything would become complicated. And I wasn't ready for complicated. Not yet.