Rivals

Chapter Three: All Part of the Plan

"Sometimes the things I do astound me,
Mostly whenever you're around me"
- "Like Someone in Love", Bruno Major

The challenge was on, and I couldn't wait to get started. I had spent the entire night conjuring up many different ideas in my head - perhaps I could set them up for a date, or make some sort of accident happen and Noah could play the hero. Or maybe even plan a double date of sorts. Or even find an opportunity during the upcoming carnival...! The possibilities were endless, and I scribbled them down in my English journal.

Yes, said precious "English journal" was really just a book of all my stupid love ideas and sketches of Chris. I couldn't stop myself from daydreaming in Mr. Hamilton's boring classes. So imagine how embarrassed I was when I found out that Noah had seen them.

I was looking forward to getting started right away the next day at school.

But, first things first.

Gym class.

It was dodgeball again, and that could only mean one thing.

"Noah!" I looked over and grinned at him devilishly. I didn't even need to say anything. He simply nodded in acknowledgment and flashed me his Variation No. 4 smile. "Ready to be second-place again?"

"You prepare yourself for that."

Gym class or Maths class or whatever, we jumped at every opportunity we could find to challenge each other. It was in our competitive nature (mostly mine, but I know Noah agrees to all the challenges because he's the same as me).

And everyone was only too used to it.

Unlike us, the other students were just dragging their feet to class.

"Whose team should we join?"

"Noah's definitely gonna win again."

"I don't really care about winning. I just want to get this over and done with."

"I'm going with Lexi. She's cute when she goes all out."

"Definitely Noah for me. He's so hot!"

I chuckled under my breath while warming myself up. Be it dodgeball or school projects, the students were always breaking out into these discussions - very audible discussions. And it was usually always about the same things.  

I spotted my best friend Debbie arriving to class, where she plonked herself down at one corner, sulking. I hastily walked over and sat down beside her.

"Deb, you okay?"

"No," she muttered miserably, then turned to look at me with swollen eyes. She'd been crying all day and all night yesterday, I figured. Which explains why she hadn't answered my calls and texts all day yesterday. "Lexi, I think Louis is for real this time. He blocked me across all his socials yesterday. I don't even know what I did wrong."

Debbie and Louis were the typical on-again, off-again couple. It's been this way since they met and got together in middle school. It wasn't their first time breaking up, and I was pretty sure they'd be back together in no time. But I didn't approve of their toxic relationship and have been desperate to match her up with someone else, to no avail. Debbie was pretty popular among boys - her sweet demure looks and good-girl image seemed to tick the boxes for many men. Yet, for years she only ever had eyes for Louis. Unfortunately they often had many personality clashes and terrible arguments because of their own insecurities and lifestyle differences. Louis was a decent guy - he was studious, a cute diligent nerd - the complete opposite of the bad boy type - which was why I knew matchmaking her with Noah would be a great challenge.