The restaurant bustled around them, waiters weaving between tables, carrying trays of steaming dishes as soft music played in the background. But at their small table in the corner, the world seemed to shrink to just Tessa and Alex, the tension between them palpable yet oddly charged.
Tessa glanced around the restaurant, wondering how she ended up here—on a blind date with Alex Barren. She had spent years resenting his cocky attitude, his constant one-upping, and the way he seemed to glide through life like it was all one big competition. Yet here they were, sitting in awkward silence after an unexpectedly pleasant conversation about pasta and student council. It was surreal.
The food arrived soon after, a welcome distraction. Tessa immediately dug into her lasagna, determined to keep herself focused on anything but the man sitting across from her. Alex, to her surprise, seemed just as eager to avoid further conversation, focusing on his meal in silence.
But the silence couldn’t last forever.
“So…” Alex’s voice broke through the quiet, and Tessa glanced up to find him looking at her with an odd expression. “Do you still run in the mornings at the track?”
Tessa blinked, caught off guard by the question. She hadn’t expected Alex to remember that detail about her. “Uh, yeah. Every morning, before school. Why?”
Alex shrugged, taking a sip of his water. “I’ve seen you there. You’re fast.”
She narrowed her eyes, suspicion creeping in. Was that supposed to be a compliment? Or was this just another round of him trying to outdo her? She couldn’t tell anymore.
“Thanks,” she said cautiously. “You’re not bad yourself.”
He smiled slightly. “I’m alright.”
That smile—small as it was—sent a flicker of something unfamiliar through her. She quickly pushed it away. This is Alex, she reminded herself. The guy who lives to beat you at everything. Don’t get distracted.
Still, something in his expression had changed. He wasn’t his usual cocky self, and for the first time, Tessa felt like maybe there was more to Alex Barren than she’d thought.
“So, what’s your deal?” she asked suddenly, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Alex raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “My deal?”
“You know what I mean. You’re always… competitive. And yeah, I get it, we’re both driven. But sometimes it feels like you’re pushing yourself for something more than just being the best.” Tessa leaned forward slightly, her curiosity getting the better of her. “What are you really after, Alex?”
For a moment, Alex didn’t answer. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes flickering with something deeper, something guarded. “You’re not wrong,” he said finally. “I guess… I have a lot to live up to. My dad was a big deal—he was a successful lawyer, everyone respected him. When he died, it kind of left this hole. I’ve been trying to fill it ever since.”
Tessa hadn’t expected that. She remembered hearing about Alex’s dad, about the heart attack that had taken him so suddenly when Alex was just thirteen. It had been a tragedy, but she had never really thought about how it must have affected him.
“I’m sorry,” Tessa said quietly. “I didn’t know.”
Alex shrugged, though his expression remained serious. “It’s fine. It was a long time ago. But yeah… I guess that’s part of why I push so hard. I feel like I have to live up to what he would have wanted for me.”
Tessa was silent for a moment, absorbing his words. She had always thought of Alex as just another spoiled, arrogant guy who loved being the best at everything. But hearing this—understanding that he carried the weight of his father’s legacy—it changed something for her. It made him… human.
“I didn’t know that about you,” Tessa admitted, her voice softening.
Alex smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Most people don’t. It’s not exactly something I advertise.”
Tessa’s heart twinged. She understood now why he seemed so driven, why he pushed himself to win every race, to ace every test. It wasn’t just about beating her or anyone else. It was about proving something to himself.
“I get it,” she said, surprising herself with how much she meant it. “You’ve got a lot to live up to. But you don’t have to carry all that alone, you know?”
Alex’s hazel eyes met hers, and for a moment, there was something vulnerable in his gaze. “Maybe,” he said quietly.
The intensity of the moment made Tessa’s breath hitch. She looked away, needing to break the tension before it overwhelmed her. “I guess we’re both pretty hard on ourselves, huh?”
Alex chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Yeah, I guess we are.”
They fell into a more comfortable silence after that, the weight of their conversation lingering but not heavy. For the first time in years, Tessa felt like she was seeing the real Alex—not the cocky competitor she’d spent years battling, but the person behind the rivalry. And it was… unsettling.
The waiter returned to clear their plates, and Tessa glanced at her watch, surprised at how quickly the time had passed. Dinner had flown by, and she realized that despite her initial reluctance, she hadn’t hated being here with Alex. In fact, she had enjoyed it more than she cared to admit.
“So,” Alex said, leaning forward slightly, his usual smirk returning to his lips. “What do you think? Ready to admit that this wasn’t the worst idea Abby and Tyler ever had?”
Tessa rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. “Don’t get cocky. It wasn’t terrible, but it’s going to take more than one dinner to win me over.”
Alex grinned, a spark of mischief in his eyes. “Challenge accepted.”
Before Tessa could respond, her phone buzzed again. She glanced down and saw a message from Abby. Abby: How’s it going? Are you two still alive?
Tessa smiled, shaking her head as she typed a quick reply. Tessa: We’re fine. But you and Tyler are so dead for this.
Alex raised an eyebrow, clearly curious about the message. “Abby checking in?”
“Yeah,” Tessa said, slipping her phone back into her purse. “She’s probably waiting outside with Tyler, ready to gloat.”
“Let’s not give them the satisfaction,” Alex suggested, standing up and pulling out his wallet.
Tessa stood as well, reaching for her own wallet. “I can pay for myself.”
Alex held up his hand. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this.”
She frowned, feeling a twinge of frustration. “I don’t need you to—”
“I know you don’t,” Alex interrupted, his expression softening. “But just this once, let me.”
Tessa hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. “Fine. Just this once.”
Alex grinned and paid the bill, and together, they walked out of the restaurant. Sure enough, as soon as they stepped outside, Abby and Tyler were waiting nearby, huge grins plastered on their faces.
“Well?” Abby asked eagerly, practically bouncing on her heels. “How did it go?”
Tessa shot her best friend a glare. “Don’t you dare act like you’re off the hook. You and Tyler owe me big for this.”
Abby’s grin didn’t falter. “I’ll take that as a good sign.”
Tyler slapped Alex on the back, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Not bad, huh? I told you it wouldn’t be so bad.”
Alex shook his head, though his smile was still in place. “Don’t get too cocky, man. We’ll see how things go.”
The group stood there for a moment, exchanging teasing comments and playful banter. But despite the lightheartedness, Tessa couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted tonight.
For better or worse, things between her and Alex were changing.
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Beneath the Rivalry
Romantik(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...
