His Beautiful Rival

1.THE FIRST DAY

I trudged through the crowded hallway of Westwood High, feeling like everything was already falling apart. First day of junior year, and it’s already a mess. My eyes landed on the noticeboard, and there it was—Seraphina Maverick’s name, circled in bright red ink, right at the top of the list of last year’s top students.

I clenched my jaw, stuffing my hands deeper into my pockets. Seraphina. Of course, she’s number one again. She always makes it look so damn easy, whether it’s grades or sports. We’ve been friends since middle school, but lately... lately I just couldn’t shake the jealousy. It was eating at me, pulling me further away from her.

“Yo, Blaze!” Lucas’s voice broke through my thoughts. I felt a slap on my back. “You good, man?”

I shrugged, trying to hide my frustration. “Yeah, just... not the best start to the year, you know?”

Lucas gave me a knowing nod. “I feel you, but hey, forget about it! Senior club football trials are coming up, and Coach is looking for new talent. This could be our year, man!”

That caught my attention. Football was my thing—the one place where I could let loose. "Yeah, I heard about it. I’m definitely going for it."

Lucas grinned, throwing an arm around my shoulder. “That’s what I’m talking about! Just picture it—us, tearing up the field, making goals like nobody’s business!”

I managed a smirk, shaking off the gloom a little. Football could be my escape, my chance to prove myself. Maybe, just maybe, if I could make the senior team, I’d stop feeling so overshadowed by Seraphina.

We started heading to our next class, and I couldn’t help but glance across the courtyard. Seraphina was there, of course, surrounded by a group of students, already deep into some intense conversation. I rolled my eyes. Probably discussing the next academic competition she’s about to dominate.

“Blaze, you listening?” Lucas’s voice snapped me back. He was grinning at me. “Come on, you ready to kill it on the field this year?”

“Yeah,” I said, forcing myself to focus. “This year, I’m going to make it count.”

The bell rang, sending everyone scrambling toward their classes. Lucas and I shared a quick bro hug before splitting up. But just as I turned, I saw Seraphina walking toward me, head down.

“Nex,” I called, using the nickname we’d had since middle school. She looked up, her soft smile reaching her eyes. It only made my blood boil.

“Hey, Blaze. How are you?” Her voice was gentle, but all I could hear was the sound of her always being better than me.

Before I knew what I was doing, I slammed my hands against the lockers on either side of her, trapping her. Her eyes widened in shock, her breath catching.

“What—what are you doing?” she stammered, avoiding my gaze.

“You know how much I hate you?” I growled, leaning closer. “Wait, no—I never told you, did I? I hate you, Seraphina.”

Her eyes welled up with tears, but I didn’t care. She needed to know. She needed to know how much I hate her. And it's not like she doesn't hate me too.

“You steal my smile, my life. Just by existing.” I smirked as I saw the tears roll down her cheeks. “Your tears... they actually make me feel good.”

“Blaze, these tears aren't for me, but for you. Even this year you are at the bottom of the list. Tch. Such a sad life. Poor Blaze."

Rage filled my vision as I glared at her, but I stepped back, straightening up as she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. I stared at it, unable to believe she still carried one.

“You still carry that thing?” I asked, surprised.

“Y-you know I like handkerchiefs,” she muttered.

“I know,” I whispered. And suddenly, my anger faltered. Just for a moment.

Before I could process it, Hazel—one of the queen bees of the school—stormed over. “You b***h!” she screamed, raising her hand to hit Seraphina.

But Seraphina caught her wrist effortlessly, twisting it behind her back. My jaw dropped. I’d never seen Seraphina like this—fierce, unbothered.

“Blaze is mine!” Hazel cried, struggling in Seraphina’s grip.

“Take him. I don’t care,” Seraphina said with a bored tone. “But I don’t see your name on him. Did you pay for him or something? Blaze, is this your new side hustle?”

I blinked in surprise as Hazel’s wrist turned red. Before I could react, Mr. John, our math teacher, appeared out of nowhere.

“Detention! All three of you, after school!” he barked.

Seraphina let go of Hazel’s arm, and Hazel stumbled back, clutching her wrist and whining.

“I didn’t expect this from you, Seraphina,” Mr. John muttered.

I watched Seraphina stomp off to class, biting her lip. I glared at Hazel, then turned to Mr. John, making a face.

“You care what Seraphina does?” I said under my breath, smirking at the teacher.

“Move it,” he snapped, clearly annoyed.

I sighed and followed Seraphina into the classroom, plopping down in my seat at the back. Whispers buzzed around the room—everyone talking about the drama that had just unfolded. I knew this would be the talk of the school for weeks. And the way Seraphina's emotions flipped like 360 was something I admired. She was always like cold to other people, but tends to melt aty one side. Tch, poor Seraphina.

Great. Just what I needed.

I shoved my earbuds in and cranked up the volume, trying to drown out the world. This year was off to one hell of a start.