It doesn't have to end

Chapter 3

Christian’s POV

Time is ticking, and my final year of high school is almost over — which means the basketball finale against our rival school is getting closer. Even though basketball is my priority, I never slack when it comes to my studies. I make sure my dad knows I’m always on top of everything so he doesn’t have to worry about me.

I ace all my tests, I’m the most popular guy in school, I do well in basketball, and I even earned the role of team captain. I keep my grades up, keep my image clean, and still make time for myself. At least when I’m around my dad. I plan father-and-son dates, go to parties, get enough sleep, eat healthy, and take care of myself. Anything to make sure he doesn’t stress about me pushing too hard.

Basketball practice ended a while ago, I freshened up, and now I’m heading to the library. I step inside, and of course, the first person I see is the last person I wanted to run into.

Odessa.

My rival.
She’s sitting alone, buried in her books like the world depends on it.

Before she transferred to this school, I didn’t care much about my grades. As long as I didn’t lose more than five marks, I was perfectly fine. But then she came along. From day one she was getting praised, earning perfect grades, and turning every teacher into her biggest fan. That’s when I started caring — and when our rivalry began.

Since then, we’ve basically been in a silent war.

I’ve never had a real conversation with her or her little friend group, but she fascinates me. Every time I beat her on a test, her reaction is priceless. The eye roll. The attitude. The way she refuses to accept defeat. It’s honestly entertaining.

She looks up from her book, and the moment our eyes meet, she rolls her eyes dramatically. So naturally, I do the obvious thing.

I sit right next to her. Clearly she was inviting me.

“What do you want?” she asks, her voice already annoyed.

“Can’t I spend time with my dear classmate?” I ask, watching her facial expressions closely.

“Get to the point. I’m clearly busy,” she snaps, running low on patience.

“Alright, fine. I want to make a deal,” I say.

She raises an eyebrow.

“On this exam — specifically chemistry — whoever scores lower has to do whatever the winner says for two weeks straight. No complaints.”

“Hmm… interesting,” is all she says at first.

“After those two weeks, we never have to speak again, right? Like, it’s not mandatory?” she asks.

“Is that all you care about?” I ask dramatically, pressing a hand to my chest like she broke my heart.

“I’m in,” she says.

“Bet.” I stretch out my hand to seal the deal with a handshake, and she immediately swats it away.

This is going to be fun. Very fun.