By the next day, the library encounter was already old news — but Faye and Jason had bigger things to focus on. To the rest of the campus, something else was buzzing.
"Have you heard?" a student whispered as Faye passed with her notebook.
"They're saying Lopez and Blake are tied for the top position and scholarship."
Faye's steps faltered for just a second. She kept walking, chin high, but the words lingered.
From the opposite end of the hallway, Jason approached — casual confidence in every step, that familiar grin playing on his lips.
"Fireworks?" he said, overhearing the murmurs. "Please. I already look good in the graduation spotlight."
Their eyes met briefly. The corridor noise seemed to dim. For a fleeting heartbeat, the tension from the library — that quiet, unspoken something — flickered again. Then Jason's grin returned, playful and public.
"Well, Lopez," he said loud enough for the crowd, "guess it's official. You're chasing me for the top spot."
"Chasing?" she echoed coolly. "If anything, you should be looking over your shoulder."
"Ooohs" rippled through the onlookers. Before Jason could retort, a teacher's voice broke the tension.
"Lopez. Blake. Principal's office. Now."
---
It hadn't been an overnight rise for Faye.
After transferring in Grade 11, she'd quietly joined the Science Club — drawn to its challenges and order. Months of late nights, precise reports, and consistent leadership had earned her the role of club representative. A natural balance to Jason Blake — the Student Council President, charismatic and unshakably confident.
The principal's office gleamed with morning light.
"You two are our top students," the principal began warmly, "which is why I'm entrusting you with something important."
Jason tilted his head. "Important?"
Faye straightened. "What is it, ma'am?"
"The upcoming Education Week Fair. The Student Council and the Science Club will collaborate to organize it. And since you lead those groups…"
Jason's grin widened. "Oh, this'll be interesting."
Faye's jaw tightened. "It'll be orderly — if you don't derail it with your… style."
"My style?" Jason replied. "You mean the one that actually makes people want to show up?"
"Excitement isn't efficiency," she shot back.
"Efficiency isn't fun," he countered, smirking.
The principal chuckled. "Exactly why you'll balance each other. Council President Blake, Science Club Rep Lopez — you'll co-lead."
Both voices overlapped. "What?!"
---
The first planning meeting buzzed with energy.
Posters, spreadsheets, and half-finished coffee cups cluttered the room. Jason moved between tables, his leadership effortless, guiding the Student Council members with warmth and humor. Faye, across the room, reviewed the logistics with sharp precision, ensuring every schedule aligned, every cost justified.
At first, their methods clashed — Jason improvising, Faye correcting — but slowly, something shifted. Their rhythm began to sync.
When Faye stayed late organizing the booth assignments, Jason noticed. He lingered after everyone else had left, pretending to double-check printouts.
"You're still here?" he asked lightly.
"I'd rather fix errors now than panic later," she replied, eyes never leaving her laptop.
Jason leaned against the table. "You skipped lunch again."
"I'm not hungry."
"Liar," he said, tossing a neatly wrapped sandwich her way. "You can thank Clint. He bought extras."
She caught it reflexively. "You made this?
"
Jason shrugged, smiling. "You get scary when you're starving. Consider it a public service."
Despite herself, Faye's lips curved just slightly. She unwrapped the sandwich quietly. "You're ridiculous."
"Efficiently ridiculous," he corrected.
They ate in comfortable silence — the sound of the wall clock the only witness to their truce. For once, neither of them needed to compete.
Mira peeked through the doorway, whispering to Clint, "They're actually getting along."
Clint smirked. "That's not peace. That's the calm before the academic storm."
Inside, Jason was quietly watching Faye type again. Her focus fascinated him — sharp yet fragile, like glass under sunlight. He wanted to say something, to ask if she ever took a break, but the words didn't come.
Faye caught him looking and raised an eyebrow. "What?"
He smiled softly. "Nothing. Just... wondering if you ever rest."
She hesitated, then said, "I'll rest when I've earned it."
Jason didn't argue. Instead, he said quietly, "Then I hope you know when that time comes."
---
By the end of the week, the Education Fair blueprint was complete. Two leadership styles — once conflicting — had molded something remarkable.
As they packed up for the night, Faye gathered her notes. "Good work today, Blake."
Jason blinked. "Was that… a compliment?"
"Don't push it," she replied, though the smallest smile betrayed her.
He laughed under his breath, watching her leave. "You're really something, Lopez."
Outside, the halls were quiet. The soft echo of their steps lingered. And though neither said it aloud, both understood something had changed — subtly, inevitably.