Sense of Rivalry (Part 1)

Prince's POV:

The school is already over and all of my classmates have already gone home except for me and Sophia. We just finished cleaning the classroom since we are both assigned on the Class Duty today as President and Vice President.

"Hey Prince, I'm gonna go ahead. My friends are waiting for me at the school gate. They are already texting me about how long they are waiting and how much they want to go home." Sophia said while carrying her bag and ready to go.

"I see. Then, see you tomorrow!" I waved my hands while Sophia is walking towards the sliding door.

It's already been 3 years since we've started to become friends. I didn't expect that we will become close friends despite our bad impressions on each other the first time we met. After all, I used to be an obnoxious and cheeky brat.

[FLASHBACK]

(3 years ago)

It's hard to think that I'm already entering the Junior High level... But I know that I won't experience any difficulties since I am smart and have always been the top student in my schools ever since I'm in Kindergarten. No one can beat me when it comes to studying. I am sure that my schoolmates in High School will also worship me like my former schoolmates did. I'm so excited to have my valedictorian speech on graduation.

"Hahaha!" I was laughing very arrogantly inside my head and was confident that I will be the top student again this year. But never did I expect that something unexpected will actually happen.

"WHAT?!!!" I shouted very loud that the students around me was looking at me with puzzling faces.

You must be wondering why I am acting like this... Actually, I am currently looking at the bulletin board where the list of students' classes are listed down. It also has the list of top rankers, naturally. And guess what, I'm not in the first, nor second and definitely not third but in FOURTH PLACE?! WHAT THE HECK?!

I looked at the names of the three students that beat me in rank positions. And of course, I memorized their names especially the Top One. Sophia Bailey, it says.

"Please head over to the school gymnasium for the entrance ceremony... I repeat, please head over to the school gymnasium for the entrance ceremony. Thank you." An announcement was heard from the speakers.

Let's think about how to deal with them later. For now, I need to go to the school assembly for the entrance ceremony.

After I arrived at the gymnasium, I looked for a vacant seat in front. I want to see the girls who made the almighty me be on the Rank 4 badly.

Fortunately, there's still one vacant seat in the second row so I chose that seat to sit on.

After just a short while, another announcement was made.

"Our entrance ceremony will begin shortly. Please refrain from talking and chatting with each other."

After the announcement, I saw three girls entering the stage. Two of them seated on the side while the other girl went to the podium and held on to the microphone.

"Good morning, my fellow schoolmates! I am honored to be here in front of you today to deliver some inspiring messages. It is a great pleasure for me to be chosen as the first speaker today in the presence of the Board of Directors, teachers, directors, and students. First of all, I would like to thank all of you for gathering here in spite of your busy schedules. I would also like to congratulate all of the new students for working so hard just to be accepted here in Glistening High. This day marks the new chapter that we've reached and we will have this opportunity to show to our families and friends that we've fulfilled new achievements that are yet to be increased. As the new Student Council President this year, I, Sophia Bailey, would like to welcome you warmly and give you an important message. We may encounter few things that will concern or confuse us at first, but I'd like to say that Student Council is ready to help and support you. Let's work together to make the next 4 years more fun and meaningful. Thank You!"

The gymnasium was filled with big applauses after she said her speech. I'm not surprised if she has an amazing speech since she beat me in the first place. But it's nothing compared to the speech that I'm going to have if it was me.

The other two girls talked one by one afterwards and it's just like the first speech. Just some simple congratulatory and encouraging speech, nothing special.

We've gone to the classroom and of course, the three of them are my classmates here in '7-1'. There's still some time before the first subject so I'll interrogate her first and challenge her to the top position. As if I'd let a feeble girl like her have the position of number 1 snatched away from me. I won't comply to it easily.

"Hey, you!" I pointed my fingers at her.

She's looking left and right repeatedly and looking who I am talking to.

"You! Sophia Bailey! Don't look side by side because it's definitely you I want to talk to! No one else!" I shouted egotistically.

"Um... Me?"

"Yes, you! Are there any person here whose name is the same as you, Sophia Bailey?!"

"Umm... No? You're right, I'm sorry."

Urgh!! Why is she apologizing for that petty reason. I want her to apologize to me because she stole the top position away from me, not because she's making such a stupid mistake.

"So, how can I help you, Mr...?"

"Prince! I am the almighty Prince Owen! Remember that honorable name!"

"O~k... So, Mr. Prince Owen, what can I do for you?"

"I'll just let you know that I didn't give my full effort during the entrance exam. Next time, I won't go easy on you so don't be too conceited."

"I see... Then, good luck!" She said while smiling sweetly.

Why does talking to her unnerve me so much? She may be smart academically but she's also a knucklehead.

"Urgh! You just wait!" I turned away from her after declaring a battle between us. I went to my seat on the back row beside the window. I didn't looked at the name of my seatmate because I was busy looking at the landscape view outside the window.

(A few minutes later)

Yes... This is just perfect... Are you playing games with me, destiny? You really put this dumb girl beside me?!!!! Are you SERIOUS?! Ugh!!! This is making me crazy!

"Hello, Mr. Prince Owen! It's so nice to have you as my seatmate. You look like a friendly person so I feel at ease being with you here on the back row." She greeted me.

She's really stupid, isn't she? Me? Do I look like a friendly person? Really? I don't know if she's being honest or she's just being sarcastic.

"I'm reminding you! Don't ever hold me back, ok? Don't meddle in my affairs!"

"I understand! So do you want to be friends with me?"

"HELL NO!"

"Why?"

"BECAUSE. I. SAID. SO!"

Days have passed but she's still not giving up on the idea of being my friend. How can I be friends with my rival? Tell me!

She continued to bother me with so many questions every day... Literally!

"Do you want to eat together?"

"No!"

"Prince, do you want to pair up with me?"

"No!"

"Hey, do you want to do our homework together?"

"No, no, no! Never!"

"Hey, do you want-"

"NO!"

She's too oblivious! I'm already making it obvious that I don't want to have something to do with her yet she's still being ignorant about it.