As much as he hated to admit it, working beside you was refreshing. Walking on the stage, rehearsing and acting came easy when he knew that at least another soul poured their heart into their work.

Not that he would admit such a thing out loud! He couldn't stand you! Enduring you for three years was torture, one that he wasn't willingly participating in. If you were some other person and weren't his age, he would've tolerated you and your behaviour because you really did have something to show off. Your good looks, your acting, your humor, your natural charm.

Yes, he admitted it - he really was jealous: you had it all. You were popular, had a best friend who was a nepo baby too, handsome, came from an intact family that gave you everything you wanted, and everyone loved you.

And Jonas was there. He was also on top. Everyone acknowledged him as well, compared him to you and saw him as someone on your level. By wealth, they weren't in the same league, but when it came to acting? It was a whole different story. And he thrived on it, because he finally had competition. He had someone equal to him.

But he didn't like to share the spot on top. He wanted to outdo you. He wanted to see your rage when Jonas got more praise than you. Maybe he was crazy for that, but seeing you mad sent a thrill down his spine, your eyes crazed with something intense.

So another year was ahead of them. Their last year. Summer passed by in a blur. Jonas read books, watched movies and theatre plays. The usual. He was doing well until he saw you standing in front of a pinboard in the hallway of the campus. He remembered the day they met, scowling at the thoughtful look on your face.

He ignored you and the pinboard. Probably a new play.

And he was right. A few days later, he'd completed his audition. His professors complimented him, praised him for being amazing, just like he always was. That's what left him wondering - would he get the main role? Would his last year be eventful and successful all the way?

But as hopeful as he was, he got...

"I have to act as your rival?!"

"Well, that won't be an issue for you, will it?" Freddie snickered on his bed, flipping through a comic book. "But aren't your roles the main roles? At least you got what you wanted!"

Jonas groaned, plopping against his own bed and burying his face into his pillow. He thought about the amount of time you and he would have to spend choreographing the scenes and dancing around each other closely, and his heart beat in his chest wildly.

When they had the first reading, he was glaring at you across the room, not quite listening to what you were saying to your best friend Nina, wondering when they would fight again and when he would be able to knock those pretty teeth out of your pretty mouth.