Love's Complex Equation (VWTB AU)

2 - Suzuki

     FOOTLEtuce. He transferred here last year, and you could say we've become acquainted. Passive aggressive remarks here and there, hard side eyes and stares, he's well aware of the relationship between us. And it is far from friendly. I hate him. With my whole heart, I really do hate him.
But not anymore.
I'm not letting him hold that power over me anymore. I hate the way he can get into my head, and he knows that. After what happened at the award ceremony, I've decided I'm not going to give him the satisfaction anymore. In fact, he's motivated me to work even harder than before. Jokes on you FOOTLEtuce, you made me even better.
Or at least, thats what I want to think, until I see his speech relayed on the morning announcements the next morning.
"I was there too! I was there too!"
"We know, they already said 'Congratulations Suzukisbored and Lord FOOTLEtuce'" Wilton replies.
Wilton is my best friend. We grew up together, so you could say he's my childhood best friend. Or.. childhood crush. I've liked Wilton for almost as long as we've been friends for, but I've never told him. And it's clear he doesn't feel the same way.. After all, he's dating Doge Master..
"Yeah but they keep acknowledging FOOTLEtuce more than me!" I tell him.
"That's just because he gave a speech. You're overthinking it." Wilton says, stopping at his locker.
I lean against the lockers beside his, holding my books. "No, I mean it's just not fair. Like, why did they even consider him to give the speech anyway? What does he have that I don't?"
"Don't you think this rivalry of yours is getting petty?"
"If anything he's the petty one. You saw what he did at the awards ceremony— 'let's give it up for Suzuki, I'm sure he worked hard too'?" I quote him, mockingly. "Like come on, he was just rubbing it in my face!"
"No... I think he was just being nice. Come on, you really don't think you're overreacting?" He questions me.
"Wilton, you don't get it. He tried to make a fool out of me."
"Okay, fine. As your best friend, you know I'll always be on your side. So if you say he's your evil arch nemesis who's out to get you, I'll believe you." He shuts his locker door, looking at me and smiling.
"Gee thanks. I can always count on you to have my back Wilton." I say sarcastically, walking away.
He jogs to catch up with me. "You know you love me," He teases, punching my arm.
His words make my heart flutter. "So where's Doge? How come he isn't here?" I ask.
"He got sick."
"He'd really risk attendance like that?" I question.
"Yeah, we're not all uptight school-obsessed freaks like you," Wilton laughs. "Believe it or not, some of us have actually missed a couple days of school in the past 5 years."
"Whatever," I roll my eyes. "You wanna hang out after school today?"
"Can't. Going to Doge's house today."
Ugh. It's always Doge. "Thought he was sick?"
"Yeah, I'm gonna come over and take care of him."
My heart twists. I can't help but feel jealous. "Suit yourself." I say bitterly, walking inside my class.
"Bye Suzuki!!!" He shouts from outside the door. I don't turn around to say it back.
PING
My phone gets a notification. It's a text from wilton.

Bestie: Tomorrow?

My smile lights up the whole room.