chapter 1 The new rival

Liam Reyes has always been the best top grades, star athlete, and the pride of Saint Crest Academy. Everything in his world is organized and predictable… until Ethan Cruz transfers in.

Ethan is everything Liam isn’t loud, confident, and effortlessly talented. From the moment they meet, they clash over everything who’s smarter, faster, better. But between the teasing, the late-night projects, and the quiet walks home, something starts to shift.

What began as rivalry slowly turns into something neither of them can name a bond that’s confusing, warm, and maybe even dangerous.

Because sometimes, the person you thought you hated becomes the one you can’t stop thinking about.

The morning sun shone brightly over Saint Crest Academy, painting the hallways gold. Students hurried to their classes, laughing, chatting but none of that mattered to Liam Reyes, the school’s top student and basketball team captain. For him, mornings were for winning in grades, in games, in everything.

But today, something was off.

As he walked into class, the room buzzed with excitement.

“Have you heard? There’s a new transfer student,” whispered one of his classmates.

“Yeah! They say he came from a prestigious school in Manila super smart too.”

Liam just smirked. “Another wannabe trying to steal my spotlight. Great.”

Then, the classroom door opened.

A tall boy with messy dark hair and sharp brown eyes stepped in. His uniform was neat, but his expression screamed confidence almost too much.

“Hi, I’m Ethan Cruz,” the new student said with a slight grin. “Nice to meet you all.”

The teacher nodded. “Ethan, you can take the seat beside Liam.”

Liam stiffened. Of course. Right next to me.

Ethan sat down, his scent a mix of citrus and something faintly sweet brushing past Liam.

He gave him a quick side glance and said, “So, you’re the famous Liam Reyes everyone keeps talking about?”

Liam raised a brow. “And you’re the new guy trying to take my title, I guess?”

Ethan smirked. “Guess we’ll see about that.”

From that moment, the tension between them was obvious.

In class, they competed for every answer.

On the basketball court, they challenged each other with every move.

Even during group projects, they argued over who had the better idea.

But behind every glare was something unspoken curiosity.

Liam hated to admit it, but he found himself noticing Ethan the way his eyes sparkled when he smiled, the way his voice softened when he wasn’t being cocky.

And one afternoon, after yet another heated game, Ethan looked at him, sweat glistening on his face, and said softly,

“You know, you’re not as bad as I thought.”

Liam blinked. “What’s that supposed to mean? ethan”

Ethan just smiled. “Maybe I’ll tell you when we’re not enemies.”

Liam’s heart skipped just once before he turned away.

But for the first time, he wasn’t sure if he really wanted to keep fighting him.

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