Unconditional love. Affection without limitations. That is what we all look for, that is what we all want. I did not believe in it for a long time, I thought it only existed between the hard covers of a book. That is when he, a Knight nonetheless, wrecked my cafe and our love story began. A modern version of Beauty and the Beast, although, I am not sure who is the beauty and who is the beast.

❝There is nothing to be sorry about, Dylans. It's not your fault. You didn't do anything.❞ I crave academic validation. But so does he... It is clear Dakota Reid and Nyla Dylans were close. Outside of school grounds, they were what most would call close friends. Always fooling around and putting up with each other's remarks. All until Nyla moved away from Presley in the sixth grade. She finally got out of Dakota's hair and he could breath a sigh of relief. He didn't realize how fast almost seven years can truly go by until Nyla moves back to the city she was born and raised in. Dakota was always number one... but not for long. Nyla wants Valedictorian just as much as Dakota does. Now the two are tied. Test time is coming up? Good, now who will get the higher grade? Partner projects? No worries, they will never choose each other. They know working together is impossible. There are no words to describe them other than academic rivals. Being next-door neighbors only made their competition stronger. Will Dakota be able to follow in his father's footsteps fast enough or will Nyla beat him to the number one spot? The end of the first semester is approaching faster than one could speak. Which star student will be labeled Valedictorian? Only the two-digit number most would call GPA will let them find out. Oh rivalry. This should be fun. ✰dual point of view ✰can be read as a stand-alone #1 in rivals 11/12/2021