RIVALS

Two Can Play That Game

"You!"

I storm through the hallway, pushing past all of the chanting 6 foot idiots surrounding Rafael.

Once my eyes narrow in on him, all I can see is red. But with the situation at hand I do the sensible thing and start pushing people out of my way.

"Hey!"

"Not today, Peter! Get out of my way."

One of his buffoons stands in front of Rafael, practically blocking me from getting to him. I fold my arms across my chest, meeting his energy and get close. I may be half his size, but with the rage running through me I give no fucks.

I'm prepared to whoop some ass today.

I can feel Ericka place a trembling finger on my right shoulder, silently pleading for me to not do this today, but I don't listen.

"Haha!" I recognize that self-absorbed laughter anywhere.

Rafael appears beside Peter, yanking him back gently. There he is. It's the same doofus, but he looks more presentable today - clean uniform, free from random stains and the lingering body odor, no unbuttoned collar and uneven tie, and most importantly no bed head. Oh he's good.

He stands there, propping his arm up on Peter's shoulder, getting ready to spew his garbage.

"Good morning, my Violetta."

My blood boils.

"I take it you saw the news last night-"

"You stole that idea to take those kids to Disneyland from me! Admit it!"

"Whoa!" He looks around to make sure there are no witnesses and moves his arms up and down as if to silence me.

"What the hell are you on about?"

"Notebook!" I put my hand behind me, demanding the spiral notebook from Ericka; the one she used to write down all my ideas for the contest yesterday.

I read it word-for-word:

"Give poor, parentless children a once in a lifetime opportunity
- Cedar Point, ❌
- Zap Zone, ❌
- Bounce zone, ❌
- DISNEY!!

(Set date / transportation)"

He snatches it from my hands to read for himself.

"No. No this is fake. How do I know that you didn't just write this up today?"

I whip a piece of printed paper from behind me (thanks to Ericka).

"Because I faxed it. Look at the date."

His eyes study the paper, skimming over every inch, every word to find a single flaw. There is none.

"I have no reason to lie. Admit it! You stole my opening number for the school year from me and now -"

"Do you know anything about this? Mateo?!"

Rafael turns around. I can't see who he's speaking to until a boy comes from hiding behind Peter.

He looks just like Rafael, just lighter skinned with a youthful, round face. And a fade.

I am confused by their interaction. The boy just stands there, eyes wandering everywhere but they manage not to meet Rafael's.

"Say something or no X-Box for a month."

"Ugh! Fine! It was me!"

"I knew it!" Ericka shouts and we all go to face her.

"I know you're going to be made at me, but I left my locker for two seconds. I come back and this little bastard was running away!"

At this point everyone starts to disperse for the beginning of class, leaving us in the hall to handle our mess.

"What on earth would possess you to do something like that? I asked to you to get intel so that we could come up with something better, not break into her locker and steal shit!"

The boy throws his arms up in defeat and yells back, revealing a mouth full of braces.

"Well what did you expect me to do?! You weren't specific!"

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Stop it! I don't care about any of that, okay. I just want justice."

I straighten my jacket trying to resume some semblance of calm after getting worked up.

"You stole the idea from me. You need to admit it and give ME full credit for all of it."

"Mmm-mmm!"

"-And Ericka, too."

They both give each other a look. A look that meant no good. They whisper to each other for a moment before Rafael comes back to us.

"Look, Vi. What's been done's been done."

"That doesn't mean a thing."

"Just take the L. I saw your little list there's plenty other things you two girls can do so move along."

The little boy tries to shoo Ericka and I away.

"This is big people talk little boy. So why don't you mind yours and butt out!" I speak through clenched teeth.

"He's right. What's done is done."

"But you can still make this right. I don't know you as much the people you claim to be friends with, but I never pegged you for a cheat."

I stare into Rafael's dark brown eyes, hoping for some sort of reaction. For him to come to his senses, but his face is blank. He has no reaction, just shakes his head. He couldn't give less of a damn. I don't know why I'm surprised.

"Fine. If this is the game you want to play, then fine."

"Somehow I thought you were better than this, but I was obviously wrong."

I turn around, grabbing Ericka by her arm.

"Two can play that game, Rafael."