Tessa Virgo stood in the bustling hallway of Starfern High, arms crossed over her chest as she stared at the oversized bulletin board. The list of track times hung prominently, and there it was again, Alex Barren's name at the top. He’d beaten her. Again.
Tessa’s fingers curled around the strap of her backpack, her competitive spirit flaring up. She had pushed herself hard at practice yesterday, certain she could finally edge him out. But no, Alex always seemed to be one step ahead. It wasn’t just track. He was at the top of their class in academics too. It was like he lived for the sole purpose of one-upping her.
“Need a minute to process the loss?” came a voice from beside her.
Tessa didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. She recognized the smug tone anywhere. Alex Barren leaned casually against the lockers, arms crossed, that trademark grin plastered on his face.
Tessa turned slowly, narrowing her eyes at him. “I wasn’t aware we were still in middle school, Barren. Maybe you should find someone else to compete with.”
“Why would I do that when I’ve got you?” Alex retorted, his hazel eyes sparkling with a teasing glint.
Tessa sighed dramatically. “Clearly, I’m the only one who challenges you. Without me, you’d be bored out of your mind.”
“That’s what makes this fun, Virgo,” Alex replied smoothly, his gaze lingering on her for a second longer than she expected. "Think of how boring life would be without our little rivalry."
She could hear the amusement in his voice, but she wasn’t in the mood for his games. Not today.
“You keep telling yourself that, Barren. Just remember every streak ends eventually.” She flashed him a confident smile, even though her pulse raced with frustration. Alex’s streak had lasted far too long for her liking, and her competitive spirit wasn’t about to let it continue unchecked.
Alex’s smirk deepened, and he straightened up, towering over her with his 6'5 frame. “Care to make a wager then?”
Tessa raised an eyebrow. “What kind of wager?”
“First one to ace the next biology test gets to choose the punishment for the loser. Loser has to, I don’t know... clean the other’s locker for a week?”
Tessa’s lips twitched, barely suppressing a smile. “You think you can win in bio, too? Keep dreaming, Barren.”
“We’ll see.” He shot her a wink before turning and strolling down the hallway. His confidence irritated her, but it was hard to deny that it also fueled her competitive fire.
She hated that he could get under her skin so easily, but it was almost impossible to avoid him. Their lockers were just two down from each other, and every time she turned around, there he was—charming, athletic, and maddeningly perfect in everything he did. She watched as he joined a group of his friends, laughing as they made their way to class.
Tessa turned back to the board, her mind already spinning with ways to beat him—not just in track but academically. If she could ace that biology test, she’d finally have something to hold over him. And the thought of making him clean her locker? That was just too sweet of a victory to pass up.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the familiar sound of footsteps behind her. Abby Jackson, her best friend since they were five, came bounding over, her long, dark hair swaying with each step.
“Tessa, you will not believe what I just heard,” Abby said breathlessly, grabbing Tessa’s arm and pulling her away from the board.
“Not now, Abby,” Tessa groaned, already anticipating some ridiculous rumor. “I’ve got more important things to worry about.”
“Oh, come on,” Abby protested, her eyes wide with excitement. “This is good. You’re going to want to hear this.”
Tessa sighed but gave in. “Fine, what is it?”
“People are talking about you and Alex,” Abby began, lowering her voice as if sharing a deep secret. “Apparently, some people think you two would make a cute couple.”
Tessa’s eyes widened, then she laughed—a full, hearty laugh that echoed through the hallway. “A couple? Me and Alex? Please. Where are people getting these ridiculous ideas?”
“I’m serious,” Abby continued, her tone more insistent now. “There’s this whole theory going around that your constant bickering is, like, sexual tension or something. People think you’re secretly into each other.”
Tessa felt her cheeks flush, but she quickly shook her head. “That’s insane. We’ve hated each other since middle school. There’s no way in the world Alex and I could ever... you know... like each other.”
Abby smirked. “Is that why you’re blushing?”
“I’m not blushing!” Tessa shot back, though she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. “It’s just... it’s ridiculous. Alex Barren is the most infuriating, arrogant, self-absorbed guy I know.”
Abby shrugged, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Yeah, but he’s also tall, athletic, and annoyingly good-looking.”
Tessa groaned. “Please stop.”
“Hey, I’m just saying what everyone else is thinking,” Abby said with a grin. “Besides, you have to admit... he’s not that bad. When he’s not busy being your rival, that is.”
“Yeah, well, that’s never going to change,” Tessa muttered. “He lives to compete with me.”
Abby opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the sound of the bell rang, signaling the start of first period. “We’ll finish this conversation later,” she said with a wink. “But seriously, Tessa, you should consider it. Maybe there’s more to Alex Barren than just the rivalry.”
Tessa rolled her eyes as Abby disappeared down the hallway, but Abby’s words lingered in her mind longer than she liked to admit. Could there really be something beneath all the rivalry? Something she hadn’t allowed herself to see?
As she made her way to class, Tessa found her thoughts drifting back to Alex, despite her best efforts to push them away. She couldn’t deny that their dynamic had changed over the years. What had once been a simple middle-school rivalry had morphed into something more... complex. There was still competition, sure, but there was also a certain tension between them that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
No. Stop. She shook her head. It wasn’t possible. Alex Barren was her rival, her competition. That was it.
And yet, as she slid into her seat in biology class, she couldn’t help but glance over at the empty desk beside her—Alex’s usual spot. For a moment, she wondered what it would be like if things were different between them. If the rivalry wasn’t the only thing that defined their relationship.
But then, the door opened, and Alex strode into the classroom with his usual air of confidence, nodding at his friends as he took his seat next to her. He shot her a quick glance, his lips quirking up in that infuriating smirk she knew so well.
“Ready for that bio test, Virgo?” he asked, his tone light but competitive.
Tessa straightened in her seat, her resolve hardening. Whatever strange thoughts had been swirling in her head earlier, they didn’t matter. Alex Barren was her rival, and she wasn’t going to let him win.
“Bring it on, Barren,” she said, her voice steady, her competitive fire burning brighter than ever.
As the teacher began the lesson, Tessa focused on one thing: beating Alex. Because that was all this was, right?
---
Hello Readers 💕
This is my first book so I hope you enjoy reading it. 💓
~Tess 💋
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Beneath the Rivalry
Romance(New chapters every Sunday) "Beneath the Rivalry" is a teen romance book centered around Tessa Virgo and Alex Barren, two high school seniors who have been fierce academic and athletic rivals for years. Both driven, competitive, and successful in th...
