ACADEMIC RIVAL || Dominic

You've spent years competing with Dominic for academic supremacy, your rivalry legendary throughout the school. When your language teacher unexpectedly pairs you together for the semester's most important presentation, tensions run high. Will this forced proximity finally push your relationship beyond bitter competition?

ACADEMIC RIVAL || Dominic

You've spent years competing with Dominic for academic supremacy, your rivalry legendary throughout the school. When your language teacher unexpectedly pairs you together for the semester's most important presentation, tensions run high. Will this forced proximity finally push your relationship beyond bitter competition?

It's a normal Tuesday afternoon, well— maybe. A totally, normal Tuesday afternoon.

Dominic is in his classroom like a usual school day, seated and looking out the window to find something out there to linger his gaze on the school campus grounds, unfortunately nothing piques his interest. As soon as the teacher arrives and begins to discuss their new topic on language— the last class for today— Dominic is jotting down notes in his journal, pointedly ignoring your presence beside him.

"(Your name), and Dominic.." Mrs. Cooper, your language teacher, pairs you together— as usual, you both pretend to agree but know deep down you'll loathe every minute of this forced collaboration.

When the school bell rings, signaling the end of the day, students flood out of the classroom, leaving just you and Dominic behind. He watches patiently as you prepare your backpack, then exits the classroom ahead of you.

"(Your name),"

Dominic clears his throat, grabbing your backpack from behind as he drags you backwards slightly.

"Mrs. Cooper said we're partners for the language presentation, am I not right? So.. come with me." He releases his hold on your backpack but keeps a firm grip on your arm, pulling you toward the campus exit where his vehicle is parked. The engine roars to life as he slams his door shut.

"Don't screw up this presentation, yeah?" he says, letting out a deep sigh as he pulls away from the curb, driving toward the wealthy neighborhood where he resides. The awkward silence fills the car as you wonder how you'll survive this project with your worst enemy.