Minho hates Kavya, Kavya hates him more they both compete over everything and now they are stuck together for the whole year. Yet something starts drawing Minho closer and pushing Kavya away.
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After being handed a detention on my first day, I'm seething. The first day of Year 12 was supposed to be a fresh start, but instead, I'm stuck with the world's most insufferable form tutor and an even worse seating arrangement. The fact that I'm stuck next to Minho for the foreseeable future only adds to my frustration. My mood lifts slightly when I remember that I have biology next.
At least there's one subject I genuinely enjoy.
As we head to the lab, I'm walking with Newt and Tessa. Newt is yammering on about how cool Thomas is, which makes me smile. The fact that Newt is already so invested in someone he met fifteen minutes ago is kind of endearing. I hope they become good friends; Newt seems to care too much about what people think to be faking it. We reach the science building just as Tessa turns to me, her brow furrowed.
"Kavya, where's your bow?" she asks, eyes narrowing with suspicion.The irritation that had just started to fade flares up again. "Minho," I mutter darkly, saying nothing more. Tessa doesn't press, which I'm grateful for. She knows exactly what that name entails.
We enter the lab, and I quickly scan the seating chart. My heart sinks to the floor when I realize that I've been assigned a seat next to none other than Minho Lee. Again. I swear the universe has it out for me. I feel a wave of stress wash over me, but I try to focus on the bright side—Tessa is seated directly behind me. At least I'll have someone sane within earshot.
Minho slides into the seat beside me with that irritatingly confident smirk on his face. "Stalking me, are we? How obsessed can you get?" he says in that infuriatingly smug tone.
I don't even bother to look up from my textbook. "Don't flatter yourself, Lee," I shoot back, trying to suppress the urge to throttle him.
Before Minho can retort, our biology teacher, Mr. Hargrave, enters the room, beaming with enthusiasm. "Good morning, class! Are we ready for another year of biology?" His cheerful tone contrasts sharply with the collective groan that follows. Despite the dead response, I can feel the excitement bubbling up inside me. I'm more than ready.
Mr. Hargrave begins the lesson by throwing out a question, and my hand shoots up instinctively. I'm about to answer when I see Minho's hand dart up as well. My eyes narrow, and our little rivalry ignites once more. This pattern continues for nearly the entire lesson—a relentless back-and-forth as we both vie for the top spot. The rest of the class watches in thinly veiled annoyance, clearly tired of our constant competition. But I can't help it. I need to win.
By the end of the lesson, I'm feeling pretty triumphant. I've managed to answer more questions than Minho, and the scowl on his face tells me he's not too pleased about it. Pride swells within me, though it's short-lived as we both race toward the door. Somehow, Minho beats me out of the classroom, a smug grin plastered across his face. I scowl—I'm convinced he got a head start.
On the way to out detention, I meet up with Newt and Tessa by the lockers, and we make our way down to our form room. Just as we walk past "The Glade", one of the popular boys called Jeff saunters over to us. I immediately put my guard up, suspicious of his intentions.
