Chapter 7
995 Words
The final weeks of the semester arrived faster than Sophia expected.
Everywhere she looked, students were buried in books, preparing for their exams and final presentations. The once lively campus became filled with nervous faces and endless discussions about grades.
Sophia sat in the library with several books open in front of her.
She looked at the pages for a few seconds before letting out a tired sigh.
"I think my brain is about to stop working."
Lily, who was sitting across from her, looked up from her laptop.
"You've been studying for three hours."
"Exactly. My brain deserves a break."
"You said the same thing one hour ago."
"And I was right."
Lily laughed.
"You always find a way to convince yourself."
Sophia closed her book and stretched her arms.
"Let's get something to drink."
"You're giving up?"
"No. I'm taking care of myself."
"Of course."
They packed their things and left the library.
As they walked through the hallway, Sophia noticed a group of students gathered near the notice board.
"What happened?"
Lily looked over.
"Probably exam schedules."
Sophia walked closer to check.
Among the papers was a list of students who had been selected for an upcoming business competition between universities.
Her eyes moved down the list.
Then stopped.
Her name was there.
Sophia Clark.
She blinked.
"I got selected?"
Lily looked at the paper.
"Of course you did."
Sophia smiled slightly.
The competition was a big opportunity for business students. It allowed selected students to present ideas, solve business challenges, and compete against other talented students.
She was excited.
Until she saw another name below hers.
Ethan Lockwood.
Her smile disappeared.
"You have got to be kidding me."
Lily looked at the list and laughed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're going to work with him again."
Sophia sighed.
"Apparently."
"You two have a strange fate."
"Don't say that."
Lily smiled.
"You know it's true."
Sophia ignored her and walked away.
She didn't believe in fate.
Especially not when it involved Ethan Lockwood.
---
The next day, the selected students gathered in a conference room.
Sophia arrived early.
She preferred being prepared rather than rushing at the last minute.
She placed her documents on the table and waited.
A few minutes later, Ethan walked in.
As usual, he looked completely calm.
No stress.
No nervousness.
Nothing.
Sophia glanced at him.
"Do you ever worry about anything?"
Ethan looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because everyone else looks like they're about to faint, and you look like you're attending a normal meeting."
"It's just a competition."
"Easy for you to say."
Ethan sat down.
"You worry too much."
Sophia frowned.
"And you don't worry enough."
For a moment, they stared at each other.
Then they both looked away.
Some things never changed.
Their conversations always ended the same way.
One of them made a comment.
The other responded.
And somehow, they found themselves arguing.
---
The competition preparation lasted for several weeks.
Unlike their previous project, this time they weren't working alone.
They had a team.
However, because Sophia and Ethan had the strongest academic records, they were chosen as the team leaders.
Neither of them was happy about it.
"I still don't understand why we have to lead together," Sophia complained.
Ethan looked at the documents in his hand.
"Because we're the best options."
"You could have said that in a less arrogant way."
"It wasn't arrogance. It was a fact."
Sophia stared at him.
"See? That's exactly what I'm talking about."
"What?"
"You don't know how to sound normal."
Ethan looked confused.
"I sound normal."
"No, you don't."
For some reason, the argument made one of their teammates laugh.
They quickly became quiet when both Sophia and Ethan looked at them.
"Sorry," the student said.
Sophia shook her head and returned to her work.
Despite their constant disagreements, their team slowly started improving.
Sophia was good at understanding people's ideas and bringing everyone together.
Ethan was excellent at analyzing problems and finding solutions.
They were completely different.
But somehow...
They balanced each other.
Neither of them wanted to admit it.
---
On the day of the competition, the university hall was filled with students and professors.
Sophia stood backstage reviewing their presentation one last time.
Ethan stood beside her.
"You've checked that page five times."
Sophia looked at him.
"And?"
"You already know everything is correct."
"Maybe I like checking."
"You overthink."
"You underestimate."
Ethan looked at her.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then he said,
"Good luck."
Sophia was slightly surprised.
She hadn't expected that.
She quickly recovered.
"Thanks."
A few minutes later, they walked onto the stage.
Together.
The presentation went smoothly.
They answered questions confidently and handled difficult situations without problems.
When they finished, the audience applauded.
Their professor smiled proudly.
"You both worked well together."
Sophia and Ethan looked at each other.
Then immediately looked away.
"Don't get the wrong idea," Sophia whispered.
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"I wasn't thinking anything."
"Good."
"Good."
---
Later that evening, the winners were announced.
Westbridge University took first place.
The team celebrated excitedly.
Sophia smiled as everyone congratulated them.
She looked across the room and saw Ethan standing alone.
Just like always.
People admired him.
But very few approached him.
For a brief moment, she wondered if he was lonely.
Then she shook the thought away.
Why did she care?
Ethan noticed her looking and raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Sophia looked away.
"Nothing."
He studied her for a second before turning away.
Neither of them understood why they kept noticing each other.
Neither of them wanted to admit that they had started seeing something beyond the rumors.
But one thing remained the same.
They still annoyed each other.
They still disagreed.
They still believed the other person was impossible.
And that was exactly why neither of them expected what would happen after graduation.
Because the day they thought would bring freedom...
Would become the day their lives changed forever.
To be continued…
- Writer
