scholars & swords | short story
"𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘁, 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱."
Seraphina Ramírez has spent the last four years fighting for the top spot. Perfect grades, a flawless reputation, and an ironclad determination to be the best-nothing and no one will stand in her way.
Except for Augustine Hart.
Smug, insufferable, and just as brilliant as she is, Augustine has been her greatest competition since freshman year. No matter how hard she pushes, he pushes right back, matching her step for step, refusing to let her win. Their rivalry is the only thing that's ever felt certain.
But senior year has other plans.
Forced into unwanted proximity, late-night study sessions, and tension-filled arguments, Seraphina starts to realize that Augustine isn't just her competition-he's a challenge she can't quite figure out. And maybe, just maybe, she doesn't want to.
"𝗜'𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝗜 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲."
Augustine has spent years playing this game with Seraphina, never letting her get the last word, never letting her win too easily. But the more time they spend together, the more he wonders if this thing between them-this constant push and pull-isn't about winning at all.
Because if Seraphina Ramirez is his biggest challenge, then falling for her might be his biggest mistake.
So what happens when the rivalry that defined them starts to unravel? When the lines blur and the rules no longer apply?
What happens when the only thing more dangerous than losing... is wanting to?
