Rhythm Of Rivals

3.

The next day

Gemini walked into the classroom, ready to tackle another day, when he spotted Fourth struggling to keep up with the lesson. Gemini couldn't resist taking a jab.

"Need help understanding the material, Fourth? I'd be happy to tutor you..." Gemini said smugly, loud enough for the whole class to hear.

Fourth's face turned bright red with frustration and embarrassment. "Shut up, Gemini! I don't need your help!"

Satang tried to intervene, "Hey, hey, no need to fight..."

But Fourth was already on the defensive. "I'll have you know, I'm doing just fine! I don't need the great Gemini's help to pass!"

Gemini smirked, enjoying the upper hand. "Sure, Fourth. Keep telling yourself that. Maybe it'll come true someday."

The class snickered, and Fourth's anger boiled over but he stayed quiet.

Fourth's POV

I sat quietly, trying to focus on the lesson, but my mind kept wandering back to Gemini. Why did he always do this to me? Why did he take such pleasure taunting me?

It didn't make sense - Gemini wasn't exactly the outgoing type, never really talked to anyone else...just me. And only to taunt me? No what did I even do to him? .

I couldn't understand what I did to deserve this special attention.

I glanced over at Gemini, who seemed oblivious to my inner turmoil. He continued to take notes, his expression unreadable, but his eyes occasionally flicking towards me, as if waiting for a reaction.

I felt like I was walking on eggshells, never knowing when Gemini would strike next. His taunts were like a constant drumbeat in the background, wearing me down.

Why me? I thought, frustration and confusion swirling in my head. What did Gemini want from me? I already had enough people to taunt me for who I'm and now I need to deal with this shit here too.

It didn't help that my parents always compared me to him. "Why can't you be more like Gemini, Fourth? He's such a brilliant student" Like I wasn't trying hard enough.

Gemini's father and my father were friends, and somehow, that made Gemini the golden standard I could never live up to. It was frustrating, and Gemini's constant taunts only made it worse.

Now, Gemini's taunts seemed even more personal, like he was trying to prove his superiority over me, like he was trying to show my parents that he was the better son.

Gemini's POV

I screwed up again. What's wrong with me? Why do I always approach Fourth like that? Because his angry face looks...cute? Wait, what? What the heck is wrong with me?!

I tried to shake off the thought and focus on the lecture, but my gaze kept drifting back to Fourth, seeking a reaction. Come on, why didn't he counter back this time? Why did he just sit there, quiet and still? Is he really angry?

Dammit, Gemini, focus on class! Fourth won't give you grades, and even if he did, you don't need his approval.

What's going on with me? I'm not supposed to care about Fourth's reactions or feelings.

I forced myself to look away, trying to concentrate on the lesson, but my mind kept wandering back to Fourth, wondering what was going through his head, and why I couldn't seem to leave him alone.

End of gemini's POV

Author's POV

It was lunch break already. Fourth and Gemini found themselves in the cafeteria, standing in line to grab their lunch. Fourth was lost in thought, pondering his latest art project, while Gemini was scrolling through his phone, likely checking his grades for the umpteenth time.

As they reached the front of the line, Fourth accidentally bumped into Gemini, causing him to drop his phone. Gemini's eyes widened in alarm as his phone clattered to the floor.

"Watch where you're going, clumsy!" Gemini hissed, quickly picking up his phone to assess the damage.

Fourth rolled his eyes. "Oh, sorry, Your Highness. I didn't realize the floor was reserved for your phone."

Gemini's eyes flashed with annoyance. "You're always so careless, Fourth. Can't you just be more careful for once?"

Fourth smirked. "And you're always so uptight, Gemini. Can't you just relax for once?"

The banter continued, with neither willing to back down. They both reached for the last available pizza slice, their hands touching as they grasped for it.

"Hey, that's mine!" they exclaimed in unison, their faces inches apart.

Fourth and Gemini stood in the cafeteria line, bickering back and forth.

"I hope your eyebrows get tangled in a knot and you have to cut them off!" Fourth said with a grin.

"Oh yeah? Well, I hope your hairs always looks like yow stuck you're finger in a socket!" Gemini retorted.

Just then, the lunch lady interrupted their exchange, handing them the last piece of pizza. "You boys and your daily squabbles. Why don't you just share it for once?"

Fourth and Gemini looked at each other, then back at the pizza, before reluctantly agreeing to share.

As they split the pizza, their classmates chuckled and whispered, "Daily rivalry, same old."

The lunch lady shook her head, smiling, "You two are like two peas in a pod, always at each other's throats."

Fourth and Gemini shot each other a look, both thinking, "This isn't over."

As they shared the last piece of pizza, Fourth couldn't help but think back to when their rivalry first started. He remembered his first interraction with gemini he was so excited to meet him but...
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To be continued 💜✨

The height difference😭😭🎀