Rivals // AFI

Prologue

Just before I start, there are swear words in a lot of places in the chapters so please be warned. Hehehe enjoy!
-----

The numbing sound of the buzzer and the awfully loud cheers made my stomach fall ten feet below the earth's surface. The only thing was: the cheering did not come from my side of the room. I blinked once...twice...it's true. My teammates and I were wide-eyed, gaping humans who could easily be mistaken as fish gasping for air. Well, the air part was only for Andrew, the man who's curled up on the floor, rocking back and forth as if he experienced the most devastating thing in the universe. Honestly, it was.

For five whole years, Springfield's Public school had earned the first place spot in every competition for the Mathletes around the world. Now? We were...second. Zoe and Fi were looking at the metallic trophy, tilting their heads thirty-five degrees clockwise as they poked the material.

"This isn't gold." Zoe stated.

"It's a...shiny gray...I feel like a part of me has darkened." Fi said, her prominent blinking not changing the fact that the trophy was...I can't even say it.

We all looked up when a tall figure, who honestly made us snap out of our trance, walked up toward's Springfield's side (of self pity and shame).

"Nice game!" He said, his thick Australian accent coating my ears in an angelic voice. I've never been anywhere outside of town, and well, his accent intrigued me. His dimpled face appeared when he smiled towards me, catching me off guard as I realized I had reciprocated the action! Who am I? Where was the Halley who never smiled at strangers? What's next? Accepting a ride from a stranger in a white van promising free wifi and pizza?

He extended his hand, waiting for anyone to accept his friendly gesture. Fi and I stepped forward before Andrew jumped from his hazed position, his short brown hair spewing everywhere. He reminded me of Einstein.

Just...weirder.

"No! You will not mock us on our loss! Rockwell has won ONCE! ONCE! THIS DEFEAT WON'T INJURE OUR SOLDIERS." He yelled, showering the poor boy in saliva.

I drew small circles around my ear and pointed towards Andrew, the boy (let's call him Australia for now) smiling over in my direction. My smile quickly disappeared. Wrong move, Australia. Wrong move.

Andrew had these stages where he'd go crazy...and this was one of them. When he caught Australia looking at me, he slowly—and might I add, creepily—looked over at me. His eyes had formed such hate, it would have appeared as if I killed his entire family and ripped his signed Physics book in half. With what I've done, it would have been treason if it weren't for the adults and witnesses still here. But his eyes...they glared fire, dagger, stones, anything that could kill me with really.

"Halley?"

"Yup, that's my name." I said, a sheepish smile gracing my lips.

Andrew's glare intensifies, "Were you just fraternizing with the enemy?"

My eyes widened in mock shock, "I was? Oh please forgive me your highness." I said, taking an exaggerated bow.

"Smart ass."

"Thank you, I am brilliant."

Australia laughed, waving a farewell to all of us. I could sense a bit of uneasiness from Australia's part, either from my badass self, or from Andrew, or the fact that Fi was practically drooling a puddle just at the sight of Australia.

As Springfield began to collect and pack up their things, preparing themselves for the bus ride of shame, I couldn't help but feel that Rockwell was playing a ruthless game.

But then again, Australia was the new member...that was until my brain remembered him. I remembered his face from somewhere, and even though his accent was thick, I remembered: this was his second year in the states.

"Hey Fi?" I asked.

"Huh?" She said, removing her earphones from her ears.

"Isn't the Australian from the public school? The one your brother goes to?"

She looked up at the air, her eyes glazing in interest, "Yeah. My brother told me that their school had a math prodigy on their football team and I guess Rockwell found out. Ashton was invited — as I heard from Cass — to Rockwell's team. But then again, Cass isn't really close to anyone outside of swimming. Except for his tutor, but over all, Ashton's math teacher got annoyed with him for knowing almost every topic perfectly so he recommended him to a senior class. Rockwell overheard and let's just say, his skill got him a scholarship and blah, blah, blah, our first loss."

"FIRST ONLY!"  I jumped from Andrew's shrieking as I glanced at Fi. We both frowned.

"I guess we just need to know our rivals better now, don't we?" Andrew smirked.

I groaned, "Shït."

Fi looked at me, arching one of her perfect eyebrows, "What?"

"He's comparing this to war. He's using the whole rivals thing too seriously."

"And that's bad because..."

I shrugged, "One side always ends up losing."

"Then let's hope it's not us."

I sighed, nodding along.

This is an amazing start to the school year — NOT!

----
Okay, so I know I suck at writing and the prologue is ew, but trust me! I have a plan for this story!!! Thanks for reading!

Hugs and Bugs

—Max :)