The Competition

Yelena

They have a huge mansion. I step out and take a good look at the property as Viktor parks his sports car. "Let's go inside," Natalia smiles. The interior is beautiful, elegant. Warm. Warmer than my home. I take off my shoes and just stand by the porch, feeling shy. "Don't just stand there, we won't bite," I hear Viktor say as he comes out of the garage. After getting to know my rival's home, I couldn't believe how normal his life was. Seeing his room cluttered with textbooks and science magazines as we walked past his bedroom to Natalia's didn't humanize him in my eyes; it only added to my irritation. How could someone so ordinary be such a brat? Back at school, I wished I could find something about him that wasn't annoying, and when the teacher announced a surprise lab project that required partners, I desperately hoped I wouldn't be paired with him. But of course, luck wasn't on my side. Suddenly it hit me. Right now, I should've been studying geography then Food and Technology.
"Are we skipping the two last topics or?"
"Oh no, it's been canceled, that's why," Carson says, picking something up from Natalia's room. "I want to watch a movie, let's get changed, you can pick anything out of my closet," she points in that direction. We go down to the dining room and take the right corner to the huge living area. But I haven't seen their parents since I arrived. Maybe they're at work? I wonder, feeling suspicious.

-❦-❦-❦-

It's getting late: Natalia fell asleep on Carson's shoulder during the third movie and Viktor was nowhere to be seen. "Carson, I'm getting ready to leave, see you tomorrow," I whisper as he nods goodbye. It's so dark in this house I can't see a thing, I go upstairs, walking carefully down the dark hallway to get ready as I open Natalia's room. Or so I thought. It was Viktor's room. I turn to leave when I hear a voice. "Need something red?" I turn to find Viktor walking out of the shower. My eyes roam over his toned body as my gaze falls on the obvious V-line that leads to his...
I let out a long sigh, feeling my chest begin to ache, the moment he walks toward me. It's still possible... "Do you like what you see?" he smirks. Nevermind, he caught me checking. I tell him no, though my eyes are fixed on his body. "Eyes up here, Malyshka." Again that nickname. "What are you doing?" 

"Right now you feel it too, don't you?" He steps forward, closing the distance between us. His breath is hot and erratic. My heart pounds as I hesitate, torn between the urge to push him away and the desire to pull him closer. His hand reaches out, trembling slightly, and brushes a stray hair from my face. The touch is gentle, almost hesitant, a stark contrast to the ferocity unlike our previous encounters. Our faces are only inches apart now, the space between us charged with unspoken words and suppressed emotions. I search his eyes for an answer to the question I dare not ask. He leans in, the movement slow, deliberate, giving me every chance to pull away. And so I do. I can't make out with someone on my first day, and worse, with my new friend's brother. I can let this happen. Pushing him away, I sprint in the opposite direction to Natalia's room, slamming the door behind me. I quickly change and head out to the porch, where I put on my shoes and leave. Outside, Mr. Shuji is waiting for me as I get into the car. 

This cannot be happening.