Chapter 4: The Competition Begins
1208 Words
Emma Carter had three priorities for senior year.
Graduate.
Keep her scholarship.
Stay away from Ryan Kingsley.
Unfortunately for her, life had other plans.
Namely, ruining the third one.
As soon as Emma walked into Advanced Technology class, she knew something was up.
Ryan was already sitting at their table, feet propped up on an empty chair, a basketball lazily spinning on one finger.
And somehow, despite the fact that they were in an academic classroom, he looked completely at home.
Emma dropped her bag on the table.
Ryan looked up.
"Good morning, partner."
Emma sat down.
"Don't call me that."
Ryan grinned.
"What should I call you?"
"Nothing."
"Ouch."
Emma opened her notebook.
"I'm serious."
Ryan leaned closer.
"You're still mad about the project."
She gave him a look.
"Do you really think one day is enough time to forgive three years of torment?"
His grin widened.
"At least you're counting."
Emma rolled her eyes.
Why was he always like this?
Why was every conversation with Ryan like this?
A few minutes later, their teacher walked in.
"Good morning, class."
The room quieted.
"As you all know, the Innovation Challenge starts today."
Excited murmurs rippled through the room.
The Innovation Challenge was no joke.
It was a prestigious competition with scholarships, recommendations, internships, and more for the winners.
For Emma, it could be the difference between a normal future and an extraordinary one.
The teacher continued.
"Each team will be designing an original innovation meant to solve a real-world problem."
Emma immediately started taking notes.
Ryan immediately started doodling basketballs.
Emma sighed.
This was going to be a disaster.
After instructions, the teacher passed out planning packets for the competition to each team.
Emma eagerly opened the packet.
Ryan didn't open it.
He was too busy watching her.
"What?"
Ryan smirked.
“You get excited over school supplies.”I get excited over things that matter."
Ryan placed a hand dramatically over his heart.
"That hurt."
"It was supposed to."
"You're mean."
Emma stared at him.
"You've spent years bullying me."
"And yet somehow you're the scary one."
She almost laughed.
Almost.
An hour later, they were still arguing.
"Our project should focus on educational technology," Emma said.
Ryan shook his head.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because everyone will do that."
Emma crossed her arms.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Ryan leaned back.
"Sports technology."
Emma groaned.
"Of course."
"What?"
"Everything in your life is basketball."
"Basketball is important."
"So is education."
Ryan pointed at her.
"See? That's why we're partners."
"That's exactly why we shouldn't be."
Their arguing continued until Emma stood up to get a notebook.
At the exact moment she did, another student pushed a chair back.
Emma's foot flew up and hit the chair.
Everything happened in slow motion.
She stumbled, her balance off, and let out a surprised gasp.
Then suddenly, strong arms caught her around the waist.
The whole room fell silent.
Emma froze.
Ryan froze.
For a long moment, neither moved.
His hand was on her back, her hands gripping his shirt.
They were so close, she could feel his heartbeat.
Or maybe that was hers.
Ryan looked down at her.
Emma looked up at him.
And suddenly, the whole world disappeared.
No classroom.
No project.
No Ryan's mean comments.
Just Ryan.
His eyes.
His smile softening into something... dangerous.
Something real.
Neither noticed the whole class staring.
Neither noticed several students taking out their phones.
Neither noticed Noah standing in the doorway.
Watching.
Ryan slowly pulled her up.
"You okay?"
His voice sounded different.
Quieter.
Emma swallowed.
"Yes."
Neither moved right away.
They just stood there, frozen.
Then finally, "Emma."
Noah's voice cut through the tension.
Emma blinked.
Reality crashed back down around her.
She quickly stepped away from Ryan.
Noah walked over, holding a folder.
"I found the research article you were looking for."
Emma smiled.
"Thank you."
Ryan's expression darkened.
Noah handed the folder to Emma.
“I can help you after school if you want.”
Emma brightened.
"Really?"
"Of course."
Ryan immediately scoffed.
"She already has help."
Both Emma and Noah turned to him.
Emma frowned.
"I do?"
Ryan casually leaned back in his chair.
“Does your project partner remember?”
Emma stared at him.
Noah stared at him.
The tension between the two was palpable.
Uncomfortable.
Dangerous.
Neither looked away.
Emma suddenly felt like she was caught between two warring storms.
The rest of the day was awkward.
Every time Noah talked to Emma, Ryan somehow appeared.
Every time Ryan made Emma laugh, Noah looked annoyed.
By lunch, half the school had already caught on.
By the end of the day, rumors had begun.
After school, Emma stayed back to work on the competition.
Ryan, surprisingly, stayed back as well.
For once, they worked in peace.
Well...
Almost.
"You wrote that wrong."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
Ryan walked up next to her.
"Look."
Emma turned to him.
Their shoulders brushed.
Heat flooded her face.
Ryan leaned over her laptop.
His arm accidently pinned her between the desk and his body.
Neither moved right away.
The room suddenly felt too hot.
Too cramped.
Too dangerous.
Emma quickly looked away.
Ryan did the same.
Neither said anything about it.
A sudden vibration broke the tension.
Emma's phone lit up.
A text from Noah Bennett
Still studying tonight?
I found more research sources.
A small smile graced Emma's lips.
Ryan noticed immediately.
His jaw tightened.
"Who is it?"
Emma glanced up.
"Why do you care?"
Ryan shrugged.
"I don't."
The lie was obvious.
Emma looked back at her phone.
Thanks, Noah. I'd love the help.
Ryan saw the reply.
And for reasons he didn't want to explain, his mood suddenly soured.
An hour later, Ryan finally left.
Emma stayed back to organize her competition files.
She wanted to get home before the weekend.
Opening her project folder, she frowned.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Several documents had been opened.
Modified.
Accessed.
Files she hadn't touched all day.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
Someone had been in her account.
Someone had been looking through her stuff.
A chill ran down her spine.
Who had done it?
And why?
That night, Emma sat at her desk, replaying the events in her head.
The more she thought about it, the less sense it made.
First her project was destroyed.
Now someone was looking through her files.
It had to be a coincidence.
It had to be.
Her phone suddenly buzzed.
Unknown Number.
Emma frowned, then opened the message.
Her blood ran cold.
Quit the competition before you lose more than your project.
Her heart stopped.
Another message appeared right after.
This is your final warning.
Emma stared at the screen, horror dawning on her.
Because she knew, without a doubt, that this wasn't a prank.
Someone wanted her out of the competition.
And they were willing to do whatever it took.
Across town, Ryan Kingsley sat on his bed, staring at his own phone.
A notification from a social media site had just popped up.
Anonymous.
No profile picture.
No name.
Just one message.
Stay away from Emma Carter.
Ryan's expression darkened.
Because suddenly, he realized something.
Whoever was messing with Emma… It was now his problem.
- Writer
