Rivals & Heartbeats (on hold)

Lila Martinez has always been second.

Not bad second. Just... second.
Second place. Second name on the results list. Always under Ethan Jones.

The guy who doesn't even look stressed, finishes exams early, wins every time like it's nothing.
And Lila hates that. She works hard. She tries. She actually tries.

So when she finally beats him, it should feel amazing... right?
Except it doesn't.

Because Ethan isn't mad.
He just looks at her like... he already knew.

And before she can even enjoy it, a teacher pairs them up for the interschool math competition-the worst thing ever.
Now they have to study together, spend hours together, pretend they don't annoy each other.

And somehow...
they start noticing things.

Like how Ethan isn't as effortless as he pretends.
Or how Lila gets that look when she's about to give up... but doesn't.

They're supposed to hate each other.
But late nights, stupid arguments, and quiet moments are changing that.

Lila doesn't know what's worse-losing to Ethan... or not wanting to.
*********************************
"You're impossible."

She didn't mean to say it out loud.

Ethan stopped. "Yeah?" he said, low. "And you're easy?"

"That's not what I-"

"Then what?"

He stepped closer. She didn't move.

"I mean... you act like nothing matters. Like I-don't matter," she whispered.

"You think you don't matter?" he said quietly.

Her stomach flipped. "Ethan-"

"No," he said, softer. "Say it again."

His hand went up beside her face. Not touching, but... too close.

"Then you're wrong," he said.

Her breath hitched. He leaned in... just enough.
Then stopped.

Right there.

Her heart was pounding. And she hated that it didn't hurt more.