The round table was crowded with actors, some faces they had only ever seen on the big screen, others completely new, but none of that mattered.
It was the first script reading. Yet the moment their eyes locked across the table, it felt less like a rehearsal and more like the start of another war.
Maybe it wasn't just luck that those two both got these roles. Maybe it was because the story itself was built on rivalry, and no one knew how to play rivals better than the two of them.
They had fought over everything for as long as they could remember.
In kindergarten, it had been crayons, pencils, even the last free seat.
In middle school, it was test scores, every exam a battlefield.
By high school, the competition had only escalated... sports trophies, drama club leads, popularity contests, gangs, friends, even who drew more attention from girls.
Ironically, neither of them had ever dated a single one, but that didn't stop them from fighting about it.
Their families had been friends for years, yet that had never mattered. Put them in the same room, and a fight was guaranteed.
College should have been different. They had different dreams, different career paths. But the rivalry dragged them both to the same place again: Nova National Arts College.
The most prestigious arts college in the country. A place where actors, singers, dancers- future celebrities were made. A place where production companies came hunting for fresh stars.
And somehow, in their relentless competition, the two of them had climbed to the very top of the acting classes.
Now, they weren't just classmates. They had been chosen. Chosen to audition for a massive project under the most powerful production company in the industry.
The competition at Nova was brutal. Everyone there was good. Perfect, even.
But regardless of that, the two of them won.
Together.
"We're excited to have new faces for main leads," one of the casting directors announced after walking in. He hadn't even sat down yet. "In this case, I'm certain you already know there will be three main leads. Zayn Greyson as the ML, Lia Marie as the FL, and lastly, Finn Phoenix as the… well, let's just say, ML rivalry."
A smirk instantly played on Zayn's lips as his eyes pierced into Finn's across the table, as if silently declaring, I am above you after all. Finn only rolled his eyes and looked away.
The director's gaze swept over the group before continuing. "Serious business begins now. Everyone will learn exactly what is expected of their roles. We expect maximum cooperation. No quarrels. No unnecessary fights. We do not expect any.. let me put it simply, indiscipline. That includes forbidden interactions like relationships among co-actors. If something like that happens, we will not hesitate to replace you. Everyone knows Starlight Production Company is a heaven every actor dreams of. Don't let silly mistakes snatch away an opportunity like this. Your journey to becoming the most famous celebrities in the world like you dreamt about begins here. Welcome, everyone."
After that speech, the reading began.
But the more Finn studied the script, the heavier his chest felt. Scene after scene pushed Zayn and Mia closer together, and though he couldn't explain why, it made him deeply uncomfortable.
In the story, Zayn and Finn were business rivals, constantly clashing over power and success. But at its core, the rivalry wasn't just about money or status, it was about her. The female lead.
Finn's character had her first. But he mistreated her. He lost her. And then, piece by piece, she slipped into Zayn's arms instead.
By the end of the reading, after notes, schedules, and arrangements were settled, the cast began to disperse. Some mingled in the room, while others headed out.
Somehow, Zayn, Mia, and Finn ended up together.
Mia was even more stunning up close, the kind of beauty that made conversations bend unconsciously toward her.
But while they spoke, neither Zayn nor Finn truly cared about what they were saying. Both of them only wanted one thing- to win more of her attention than the other.
But Finn knew exactly why he was doing that. He was only chasing her gaze because Zayn already seemed too interested in her.
Their energy was only supposed to be directed at each other. But Zayn seemed distracted, actually enthusiastic about the project. He looked eager to play out those close scenes with Mia.
"You know…" Mia's voice cut into the silence, her tone casual but thoughtful. "The more I read the story, the more I couldn't help thinking… those two male characters, I mean the two of you, had something deeper than just business rivalry. The author almost made it seem like they had… maybe feelings for each other? Feelings they didn't admit, or didn't even realize were there. Because, tell me why.. no matter how much they fought, somehow they couldn't stand being apart. It was like fate kept dragging them back into the same places, over and over again."
Her words dropped like sparks into dry kindling.
Zayn and Finn both let out awkward laughter, the sound too forced. Mia laughed along with them, shaking her head.
"Aren't you overthinking a little?" Zayn teased, grinning. "Or maybe you're what people call a BL fangirl."
"No, I'm serious. I just like to dig into things deeper," Mia said quickly as they walked toward the exit.
Suddenly, Finn turned to Mia, "Not that I agree with you about the whole love-whatever thing," he said voice casual but edged with something heavier, "but since you're looking at it that way… who do you think would be, you know, above the other in that case?" He struggled to phrase it, the weight under his words obvious.
"You mean top and bottom?" Mia laughed, covering her mouth. "Oh gosh… in the story? Ugh, that's hard to say."
Zayn's eyes narrowed, immediately picking up on Finn's angle. "Just to be clear," he said shamelessly, "you don't actually think that if that were the case, you'd top me, do you?"
"Is that a question?" Finn shot back. "If it is, then it must be rhetorical. Isn't the answer obvious?"
Zayn chuckled darkly. "In all the fantasies you've built in your head, that must be the craziest one. I'd rather die a virgin than let you top me."
"Same," Finn fired back without hesitation, his tone laced with certainty.
Mia burst out laughing, nearly doubled over. "By any chance… do you two actually know each other?"
"No," they both answered at the same time.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked between them. "Anyway, since that's not the storyline, how about we just drop it? You're starting to make it sound real."
They both nodded as they walked out, but their eyes never left each other's, the unspoken challenge burning hotter than any script could capture.