Next day, Lily entered, her heart was pounding. She was thinking whether she beat Alex or not. As her steps kept getting further, her heart kept pounding faster.
She stood in front of Mrs. Wilson's class, her eyes caught attention to the crowd that was looking at the list of grades of students.
The paper taped on the wall, letters crisp and black :
RANK 1 (TIE) : Lily Porter
RANK 1 (TIE) : Alexander Carter
A stunned silence spread through crowd.
Lily blinked. "A tie?"
Before she could fully process it, that too familiar voice slide through the air behind her.
"Looks like you couldn't beat me at all, princess" Alex drawled.
Lily spun around, chin high. " Don't call me that and looks like you can't beat me too."
His smile was all sharp edges. "Guess we'll have to settle this properly."
"Bring it." She shot back, refusing to look away.
The hush around them felt like the eye of a storm. Everyone was watching, waiting for the next blow to land.
Mrs. Wilson stepped out of the classroom just then, hand folded. "Congratulations to our tied top scores. I'll be pairing you together for the upcoming major project."
Lily's stomach dropped. "paired with him?"
Alex's grin grew impossibly wide. "oh, this is going to be fun."
Lily gives him a glare. "shut up."
Alex's smirk grew even wider.
Mrs. Wilson's voice was annoyingly cheerful.
"I expect excellent work from you two, giving you tied for the first place."
Lily's stomach sank. "Work with him? For weeks?"
Alex on other hand, looking positively thrilled. "looks like you're stuck with me princess."
"Don't call me that!" she snapped while crossing her arms.
"Fine" he drawled, leaning closer "Partner."
Lily was about to shot back when bell buzzed. She took a deep breath trying to calm her anger, digging into her skin.
"When do you want to start?" she asked bluntly.
"After school today, My place." Alex replied, far too casually.
Lily scrawled. His place? The thought of stepping into his miserable place made her throat go dry but she refused to show her weakness.
"Fine" she shot back. "As long as you actually work."
"Oh, I always work," he smirked "Just on my terms."
"Tsk." Lily said while walking away.
Meanwhile Alex was watching her walking away with emotionless face.