Him OR Her

1. The Rivalry Begins

Riya

The first time I met Jeet Yadav, I knew I hated him. He was everything I despised—arrogant, smug, and always one step ahead. It didn't help that he was also the top student in our computer science class, the one everyone looked up to, including the professors. And there I was, stuck in second place, no matter how hard I worked, no matter how many hours I spent coding late into the night. It was always Jeet who ended up with the highest grade, the best project, the most praise.

Physically, Jeet was annoyingly perfect too. Tall, with a lean build that somehow looked good in the most boring outfits. His dark hair was always a mess, like he didn't care enough to comb it, yet it somehow added to his charm. And then there were his eyes–sharp, calculating, always assessing everyone around him. I hated those eyes. I hated how they made me feel like he could see right through me.

But the worst part? He never seemed to acknowledge me. It was like I didn't even exist in his world. Whenever we were paired up for group work, he'd barely look at me, much less engage in any meaningful conversation. It drove me insane. How could someone be so dismissive? So... cold?

And yet, as much as I loathed him, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I'd find myself watching him from across the classroom, analyzing his every move, trying to figure out what made him so damn perfect. It wasn't admiration—I told myself that much. It was pure, unadulterated hatred. But deep down, I knew there was something more to it. Something I didn't want to admit.

Jeet

Riya Dash was a thorn in my side from day one. She was always there, always trying to outdo me, always coming up just short. I knew it frustrated her to no end, and I'll admit, I found it amusing. Watching her get so worked up over grades, projects, and who got the highest score—it was entertaining in a way. But there was something about her that got under my skin.

She wasn't like the other students. While most of them were content to coast through the semester, Riya was different. She was driven, ambitious, and damn good at what she did. It was clear she put in the work, spent hours studying, coding, and preparing for every assignment. But no matter how hard she tried, she could never beat me. And that's what kept me ahead—knowing she was right behind me, pushing herself to the limit.

Physically, Riya was... well, she was something. Average height, but there was nothing average about her presence. Her long, black hair was always tied back in a tight ponytail, no nonsense, just like her. Her skin was a warm, dusky shade, and her eyes—those dark, intense eyes–always seemed to be burning with some inner fire. She had this air of determination about her, like she'd bulldoze through anyone who got in her way. I respected that, even if it was annoying as hell.

But what really got to me was how she never gave up. No matter how many times I came out on top, she'd always come back, ready for the next challenge. And every time she did, it made me work that much harder. It was like she was my personal motivator, even if she didn't realize it. But there was something else, something beneath the surface that I couldn't quite figure out. Something that kept me coming back for more, even though I knew I shouldn't care.

Scene: A Clash in the Lab

It was during one of our many late nights in the computer lab that things finally came to a head. We were both working on our final projects, the tension between us palpable. The room was silent, save for the sound of typing and the occasional hum of the machines.

I was deep into my code when I heard her let out an exasperated sigh. I didn't need to look up to know she was frustrated-again. "What's the matter, Dash?" I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Can't figure it out?"

"Shut up, Yadav," she snapped, not even bothering to look at me. "I don't need your commentary."

I couldn't help but smirk. "You sure? You seem to be struggling."

She turned to face me, her eyes blazing. "You think you're so much better than everyone else, don't you? Just because you're the top student, you think you can look down on everyone else?"

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "I don't think I'm better. I just know I am."

Her fists clenched, and for a moment, I thought she might actually hit me. But instead, she took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing. "One day, Yadav, I'm going to beat you. And when I do, I want to see that smug smile wiped off your face."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Good luck with that, Dash. You'll need it."

She glared at me for a moment longer before turning back to her screen, her fingers flying over the keyboard with renewed vigor. I watched her for a moment, feeling that familiar mix of frustration and something else-something darker—before turning back to my own work.

As much as I hated to admit it, I knew I'd never get tired of this—of her. There was something about Riya Dash that kept pulling me back, no matter how much I tried to resist. And deep down, I knew this wasn't going to end well. For either of us.