The Boy I Couldn't Stand

I used to believe that some people were meant to stay strangers. People you could pass in the hallway without looking at them. People whose names would eventually become nothing more than a memory after graduation. Unfortunately, Adrian Vale was not one of those people. I had known him since my first year of college, and from the moment we met, we never got along. He was arrogant. Annoying. Competitive. And far too confident for someone who enjoyed making other people's lives difficult. Especially mine. If I got the highest score on a quiz, Adrian would somehow get one point higher. If I volunteered to lead a presentation, he would raise his hand and challenge me for the position. If I arrived early enough to get my favorite seat, I would find him sitting there with that irritating smile on his face. It was almost as if annoying me was his favorite hobby. And I hated him for it. At least, that's what I told myself. That morning, I walked into our classroom expecting nothing unusual. It was just another Monday, and I was already thinking about the assignments I needed to finish before the end of the week. Our professor entered a few minutes later, carrying a folder filled with papers. “Before we start today's lesson, I have an announcement.” Everyone immediately became quiet. “We're going to begin your final project for this semester. This will be a major part of your grade, so choose your work carefully.” I sat up straighter. A project was nothing I couldn't handle. Then our professor began reading the list of partners. I wasn't worried. Not until I heard my name. “Mia Carter.” I raised my hand. “Your partner will be…” Our professor paused for a moment. I had a strange feeling in my stomach. “Adrian Vale.” My heart sank. The classroom became unusually quiet. Then someone behind me whispered, “Good luck.” I slowly turned toward Adrian. He was already looking at me. And, of course, he was smiling. That stupid, confident smile. He stood from his seat and walked toward me, carrying his notebook in one hand. “Well,” he said as he pulled out the chair beside mine. “Looks like we're stuck together." I stared at him. “Don't get too comfortable.” He chuckled. “Still hate me?” “More than ever.” His smile widened. “Good.” I frowned. “Why is that good?” He leaned slightly closer. “Because I was starting to think you didn't care about me anymore.” For a second, I didn't know what to say. I hated that he could still make me maybe this project would change something between us. Because Adrian Vale was the last person I wanted to get close to. He was my rival. My biggest annoyance. The person I couldn't stand. At least, that's what I believed. I just didn't know then that this boy—the one I had spent years trying to beat—would eventually become the person I would be most afraid to lose. Sometimes, love doesn't begin with a smile. Sometimes, it begins with an argument. And sometimes, the person you hate the most… becomes the person you never expected to love.