His Beautiful Rival

4.CLOSE-NESS

I paced back and forth in front of Seraphina’s house, my frustration boiling over. Why am I even here? The Dean’s suggestion that I should be tutored by my academic rival felt absurd, yet here I was, ready to knock on her door. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. This is ridiculous.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally rang the doorbell, the chime echoing in the stillness of the neighborhood. When the door creaked open, I found Seraphina standing there, surprise etched across her face. She looked more put together than I’d ever seen her, and for a moment, I forgot what I was supposed to say.

“Blaze?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”

I cleared my throat, steeling myself for the conversation. “I need to talk to you. Can I come in?”

She stepped aside, and I entered, feeling the cool air of her house wash over me. The silence was almost oppressive, a stark contrast to the buzzing chaos of my mind. We settled in the living room, and I tried to focus on her as she motioned for me to sit.

“What’s this about?” she asked, her curiosity evident.

I took a deep breath, my thoughts racing. “I heard from the Dean that you agreed to tutor me.”

She nodded slowly, and I could sense the hesitation in her response. “Yes, I did. The Dean thought it would be beneficial for both of us.”

“But why?” I asked, unable to keep the disbelief from my voice. “You know we don’t exactly get along. Why would you agree to help me?”

She sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Because I believe in the value of education, Blaze. And despite our differences, I think you have a lot of potential. You just need some guidance.”

Her words hit harder than I expected, and I frowned, frustration bubbling up. “But you’re my rival. Why would you want to help me succeed?”

Seraphina’s expression softened, surprising me. “Being rivals doesn’t mean I want to see you fail. Competition is meant to push us to be better, not to tear each other down. Besides, tutoring you will also help me reinforce my own knowledge.”

I stared at her, taken aback by her genuine sincerity. She wasn’t just a rival; she was someone who cared about more than just winning. It made my anger simmer down but also ignited something else inside me. “I don’t know if I can do this,” I admitted, my voice quieter now. “I’m not used to asking for help.”

She offered a reassuring smile. “That’s what I’m here for. We’ll take it one step at a time. You’ll see—this could be a good thing for both of us.”

I hesitated before asking, “So, can I start now?” I knew that question would catch her off guard, but instead of irritation, she nodded. My heart raced as I stomped my way back home to collect my books. This is going to be interesting.

When I returned, I had a different strategy in mind. If I was going to endure this tutoring arrangement, I might as well have some fun with it. I noticed how Seraphina valued her personal space, and I planned to use that to my advantage.

“Come in, Blaze. We can study in the dining room,” she said, leading me through the hallway.

We settled at the table, and she spread out her notes and textbooks. “We’ll start with Economics. Do you have any specific questions?”

I leaned forward, invading her space deliberately. “Not yet. But I will,” I said, locking my eyes onto hers, daring her to say something.

Seraphina stiffened slightly but held her composure. “Alright. Let’s begin with some basic concepts.”

As she explained the first theory, I leaned in closer, my arm brushing against hers. I could see the flicker of discomfort in her eyes, but I was determined to push her limits. I was enjoying watching her bare shoulders tense as I moved even closer under the guise of looking at her notes.

“Blaze, you don’t need to be so close. You can see the notes just fine from there,” she said, her voice steady but edged with irritation.

“Am I making you uncomfortable?” I asked, my tone teasing.

Seraphina met my gaze, her expression firm. “Yes, you are. And it’s not conducive to learning. Please respect my space.”

I smirked, leaning back slightly but still close enough to annoy her. “Alright, alright. No need to get all uptight.”

As we continued, I didn’t let up on my subtle attempts to invade her personal space. Every time she adjusted her position to create more distance, I found a way to close the gap again. It felt like a game, a way to assert control over the situation, even as I sensed her frustration mounting.

Halfway through the session, Seraphina paused, clearly exasperated. “Blaze, this isn’t going to work if you keep trying to distract me. Are you here to learn or to play games?”

I leaned back, crossing my arms. “Maybe a bit of both. Why are you so uptight about personal space, anyway?”

Taking a deep breath, she narrowed her eyes. “Everyone has boundaries, Blaze. It’s about respect. If you can’t respect that, then this tutoring arrangement won’t work.”

I stared at her, realizing that my attempts to unsettle her were failing, and I was only damaging whatever fragile understanding we were building. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Fine. I’ll back off.”

Her expression softened, and I could sense a shift. “Thank you. Now, let’s focus. I want to help you, but you have to meet me halfway.”

I nodded, genuinely trying to rein in my usual behavior. I hadn’t expected Seraphina to stand her ground so firmly, and I couldn’t help but respect her for it. For the rest of the session, I kept my distance and focused on the material. Despite the rocky start, I began to see the value in her tutoring.

As I left her house that day, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our dynamic was shifting. It wasn’t just about rivalry anymore; there was something deeper forming between us. I was intrigued by her strength, and that thought lingered as I walked home, leaving me wondering if this tutoring arrangement would be more beneficial than I’d initially thought.

When I got back, I paced around my room, replaying everything in my mind. The banter, the tension—it had all felt oddly refreshing. Yet as I thought more about Seraphina, old memories began to resurface, bringing a familiar bitterness with them. I remembered a particularly harsh conversation with my father years ago, where I had felt small and judged.

Why can’t you be more like Seraphina? He had slammed my report card on the table, his disappointment cutting deeper than any insult. She excels in everything she does. She’s disciplined, focused, and driven. You could learn a lot from her.

The memory made my blood boil. I had clenched my fists, feeling the anger bubble over. I’m not Seraphina! I don’t want to be like her. Why can’t you see that?

His response had only stung more. It’s not about being like her, Blaze. It’s about applying yourself, about realizing your potential. You’re capable of so much more, but you waste your time and talent.

Those words had cut deep, and from that moment on, I had seen Seraphina as the embodiment of everything I resented. The standard against which I was unfairly measured, a constant reminder of my inadequacies.

I leaned against my wall, staring out the window at the night sky. I had to break free from that perception, to redefine what this rivalry meant. Seraphina was more than just a competitor; she was a person with her own struggles and strengths. Maybe this tutoring arrangement was the start of something different—something that could change everything.

With that thought echoing in my mind, I lay back on my bed, my heart racing with uncertainty and anticipation, drifting off to sleep with a small smile playing on my lips.