The morning sun poured through the classroom windows as Mr. Valdez entered with a clipboard in hand. His formal tone alone was enough to quiet the usual morning chatter.
"Settle down, everyone," he said, adjusting his glasses. "The results for the First Semester Academic Rankings are finally out."
A wave of murmurs filled the room. Faye looked up from her notes, composed but curious. Jason leaned back with his usual easy grin, spinning his pen like this was just another ordinary day.
But everyone knew—it wasn't.
At Northvale Academy of Excellence, the midyear rankings weren't just about pride. They determined scholarship recommendations, leadership slots, and university endorsements for the graduating batch.
"Finally," Clint whispered. "Been waiting to see if Lopez dethroned Blake."
"Or maybe Blake's still number one," Mira teased, glancing at Jason. "He's the school's poster boy, after all."
Jason smirked faintly, not rising to the bait. Faye, on the other hand, didn't even blink. But her grip on her pen tightened ever so slightly.
Mr. Valdez scanned the list, the suspense thick in the air. "Before we begin, congratulations to everyone for finishing the first semester strong. Now, let's recognize our Top 10 Academic Achievers for Grade 12."
He began reading.
"Tenth: Karen Lim."
Applause.
"Ninth: Miguel Tan."
More cheers.
Eighth… seventh… sixth… the names rolled on.
"third: Clint Sebastian"
Finally—
"Second place…" Mr. Valdez paused, glancing at the list again, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Actually, this time, we have a tie."
The class straightened.
"Tied for first place: Jason Blake and Samantha Faye Lopez."
The room exploded into noise.
"I knew it!"
"No way, a tie?"
"Enemies-to-valedictorian, part two!"
Jason chuckled, tapping his desk with his pen. "Guess that's one way to keep things interesting."
Faye kept her composure, though the corners of her lips tightened in focus. A tie. That's not enough.
Mr. Valdez raised his hand for quiet. "Both students have displayed exceptional academic performance this semester. However, keep in mind—this is just the midyear evaluation. The second semester will determine the final standing."
Whispers rippled across the room again.
"So it's still anyone's game?"
"Yep—and they're both terrifyingly good."
Mr. Valdez continued, his voice taking on a new weight. "Additionally, I'm proud to announce that the school has been included in the Cambridge Scholars Program, which grants a 'full international scholarship'—tuition, housing, and allowance—to one graduating student with the highest cumulative average by year's end."
The air changed.
"Cambridge?!"
"Full scholarship?"
"That's… huge."
Even Jason sat up straighter now. Faye's expression didn't change, but her heartbeat echoed in her ears.
"Let's all keep striving," Mr. Valdez concluded, smiling faintly. "For some, this scholarship might be life-changing. For others, a dream fulfilled." His gaze flicked meaningfully between Jason and Faye. "And for all of you—an opportunity worth fighting for."
---
Jason's POV
The room blurred into a wave of applause and chatter, but Jason's mind drifted elsewhere.
He could almost hear his mom's voice again from one late night at home—quiet, tired, but proud.
"Jason, I don't need you to be number one," she'd said, counting coins beside the small kitchen lamp. "Just stay kind and do your best."
He had smiled then, pretending it didn't sting.
But do your best meant something different now.
Rent notices on the fridge, unpaid electricity bills stacked beside textbooks. His mom's overworked hands.
A full scholarship wasn't just prestige. It was a way out.
Jason exhaled quietly. 'Alright, Lopez,' he thought. 'You want that top spot? So do I.'
---
Back in the present, Clint nudged him with a grin. "Tied, huh? You're not gonna let that slide, are you?"
Jason smiled faintly, though there was something sharper behind it now. "Guess it's time to see what I can really do."
Across the room, Faye flipped her notebook closed, gaze steady. "Then I hope you're ready to work harder, Blake."
Jason leaned forward slightly, grin still in place but voice softer. "Always."
Their classmates burst into playful cheers again—half amusement, half awe.
But beneath the laughter and teasing, something had shifted.
The rivalry wasn't just about pride anymore.
It was about *purpose.*
---
Mr. Valdez* watched from the front of the room, hiding a knowing smile. There was something electric about the two of them—two prodigies balancing on opposite ends of the same goal.
"Brilliant," he murmured under his breath. "But dangerous."