The University of the South

The Enemy (2 of 5)

I had always strived to become number one.

It was the only way I could impress my parents, specifically my dad.

Go on, tell me I have daddy issues or something like that.

I just didn't want him to see me fail.

He had raised me to become the best and there was only one thing stopping me from that.

Ursula Owens.

I was currently leading with the Valedictorian streak, but she had beat me last year and I didn't want a repeat of that.

My dad had been disappointed in me, that there were no spots in the family for someone in second place.

He was devastated.

The thing was, I didn't even hate Ursula Owens. She was good competition.

In fact, I had even liked her at some point.

I had just moved from Australia in middle school and I thought it would be easy bagging first place when it came to studies.

There was no thrill.

And suddenly she came along.

Thick unruly brown hair, a resting bitch face and most of all, her brilliant mind.

She had vowed to beat me at everything and I remember how cute she looked when she got all competitive.

Too bad she hated me whenever I beat her.

I wasn't saying she was a sore loser, she hated me because I had picked on her in middle school as well.

I had to use some sort of manipulation to help me win. She had teased me to, so ever since middle school we had been enemies, rivals, whatever you want to call it.

I had buried that crush on her years ago.

I was just focused on making my father proud of me.

. . .

"Just give it up, Bowers. I know your dad will be pissed and all, but you have got to relax at some point." My friend, Oz tells me as we go to gym class.

We had fencing this week and I couldn't wait to fight.

I mean I was the captain of the fencing team, so I could say I was pretty okay.

"I can't just stop studying for the exam, Oz. What good will that do me? Besides, I'm not going to give that to Owens. It'll be too easy for her." I tell him with a smirk.

Oz rolls his eyes and scoffs.

"You know, sometimes I think you care more about defeating Ursula than actually making your dad proud. You kinda have a thing for her huh?" Oz asks and I chuckle at him.

Years ago I'd agree with him. Now, it was all a silly joke he'd bring up from time to time.

I suddenly spot her unruly hair walk infront of us into the gym.

She glares up at me and I smirk down at her.

Was she aware that she wasn't scary at all when she was angry?

"You. Me. Fencing class. I'm sure I'll beat your ass this time." She tells me with conviction and I smile down at her.

Adorable, she was making me laugh.