I'm in Love with My Enemy : A MaColet's Journey

03

The library was quiet, the soft hum of the air conditioning the only sound as Colet made her way to the far corner. The after-school crowd had thinned out, leaving only a handful of students scattered among the tables. Colet glanced at her watch—she was early, but she preferred it that way. It gave her time to collect her thoughts before Maloi arrived.

She set her bag down on the table and pulled out her notebook, flipping to a blank page. As she started scribbling ideas for their debate strategy, her mind kept drifting back to the awkward reality of their situation. Colet had spent years competing against Maloi, always trying to one-up her. Now, she had to figure out how to work with her—and not just work, but succeed. The stakes were too high to let their rivalry get in the way.

*Focus, Colet,* she told herself, tapping her pen against the paper. This was just another challenge, and she thrived on challenges. If she could get through this, she'd prove once and for all that she could handle anything.

The sound of approaching footsteps broke her concentration. She looked up to see Maloi strolling toward her, a slight smile on her lips. Colet's heart skipped a beat—though she quickly pushed the feeling aside. She couldn't afford to get distracted by whatever was going on between them. Not now.

"You're early," Maloi said as she sat down across from Colet, setting her own notebook on the table.

"I like to be prepared," Colet replied, trying to keep her tone neutral.

"Good. We'll need all the preparation we can get." Maloi opened her notebook and glanced at Colet. "So, where do we start?"

Colet took a deep breath, mentally shifting gears. "We need to come up with a strong angle for our debate. The topic is environmental policy, so we'll need to cover both the scientific and economic aspects."

Maloi nodded, already jotting down notes. "I've been reading up on the latest studies. If we focus on the economic benefits of sustainable energy, we can make a strong case."

Colet couldn't help but be impressed by Maloi's readiness. For a brief moment, she let herself imagine what it would be like if they weren't always at odds—if they could actually work together without the constant tension. But just as quickly, she reminded herself that this was temporary. Once the competition was over, things would go back to normal.

"Good idea," Colet said, leaning forward to study Maloi's notes. "We can tie that in with the long-term impact on job creation and the economy. If we can back it up with solid data, we'll have a strong argument."

As they worked, the awkwardness between them began to fade. They were both too focused on the task at hand to dwell on their personal issues. For the first time, Colet saw a side of Maloi that she hadn't noticed before—a side that was passionate, determined, and incredibly sharp. It was almost unsettling to realize that the person she had spent so much time resenting was actually...impressive.

"Hey, Colet," Maloi said suddenly, breaking the silence. "Why do you care so much about winning?"

Colet looked up, caught off guard by the question. Maloi's expression was serious, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Why do you?" Colet countered, deflecting.

Maloi shrugged. "Because it's what I'm good at. But that's not an answer, is it?"

Colet hesitated, unsure how to respond. No one had ever asked her that before—not in a way that made her stop and think. She had always assumed that winning was just part of who she was, part of what she needed to do to prove herself. But why?

"Maybe it's because I don't like feeling powerless," Colet said finally, her voice quieter than she intended. "Winning makes me feel like I'm in control."

Maloi studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I get that. I think we both have something to prove, in our own way."

For a brief moment, Colet felt a strange sense of connection with Maloi—like they were finally seeing each other as something more than just rivals. But just as quickly, she pushed the thought aside. They were here to work, not to bond.

"Let's focus on the debate," Colet said, her tone firm as she tried to regain control of the conversation. "We still have a lot to cover."

Maloi didn't press the issue. Instead, she nodded and went back to her notes. But the atmosphere between them had shifted, even if only slightly. There was still tension, but now there was also something else—a quiet understanding that neither of them had expected.

As the hours passed and the sun dipped below the horizon, Colet and Maloi continued to work side by side, their rivalry temporarily set aside. For the first time, they were on the same team, and despite everything, Colet couldn't help but wonder if maybe—just maybe—they were better together than they ever were apart.

But that was a dangerous thought, one that Colet wasn't ready to explore just yet.