During my senior year, when I was at my most arrogant, I got reported for dating. The punishment? Read a self-criticism essay in front of the entire school. The next speaker was the valedictorian—the number one student in our grade. Having just stepped down from the podium, I turned around and walked right back up under the gaze of hundreds of students. I looked down at the person who reported me, smiled, and introduced myself: "Hello, everyone. I'm Maya Sterling, the number one student." 1 "First place will probably be Maya again this month, right?" "Maybe it'll be Chloe. She was only five points behind last time." "Chloe's been number two forever. I bet it stays that way." "Shh! Keep it down." It was the last study hall of the day, and whispers filled the classroom. Monthly exam results were coming out in two days, and everyone was placing their bets. I sat at my desk, working through a practice test. Hearing the gossip, I glanced up at Chloe, who sat diagonally in front of me. The knuckles of her hand gripping her pen were white; she had obviously heard them too. The dismissal bell rang, and the room emptied like a flock of startled birds. I didn't rush. I stayed seated, solving problems. Half an hour later, even the cleaning crew was leaving. My phone buzzed with a message from Liam, my childhood friend and neighbor. He sent a location pin, asking to meet up. I finally packed my bag. As I stood up, Chloe turned around. We didn't get along, so our exchange was nothing but blank stares. Just as I reached the door, she spoke. "Maya, you know there's only one guaranteed admission spot for early entry, right?" I turned back. She looked me dead in the eye. "I won't lose to you forever." 2 I arrived at the meeting spot. Liam was leaning lazily against a tree, kicking at the fallen leaves. When he saw me, he straightened up immediately, his eyes crinkling into a smile as I approached. I wasn't dense. I knew what was coming. Under the oak tree, Liam looked down into my eyes and confessed: "Maya, I like you." His varsity jacket puffed in the breeze, his dark hair brushing against his forehead. The sunset cast a warm glow on his face, lighting a spark in his eyes. Before I could respond, a harsh voice cut through the air. The Dean of Students, Mr. Henderson, marched toward us, his keys jingling ominously. "Seniors! Instead of studying, you're out here dating?" "Both of you, call your parents. Now." 3 In the faculty office, Liam and I stood side by side. I denied everything. "Mr. Henderson, I wasn't dating." Liam backed me up. "Sir, really, we weren't." Henderson pointed a finger at us, eyes bulging. "Then what were you doing behind the gym after school? Standing that close? If I hadn't shown up, were you going to kiss?" "Another student reported you two for inappropriate conduct. Don't try to lie your way out of it." Liam’s expression turned cold. "Who said that?" Henderson didn't name names. He just stamped us as guilty. Not wanting to involve my guardians, I bowed my head and apologized, hoping for leniency. In the end, Henderson ordered us both to write a 3,000-word essay on our "misconduct." We had to read it in front of the entire school during Monday morning assembly. As a warning to others. Walking out of the office, Liam whispered my name. "Maya, I'm sorry." "It's my fault. I told someone I was going to confess to you. I didn't think they'd use it against us." His voice hardened. "I'll find out who snitched and make them pay." "No need," I said, stopping in the hallway. "I know who it was." My gaze landed on a figure by the flowerbed on the first floor. The girl wore an oversized uniform jacket buttoned all the way up. Thick black-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. A bright, out-of-place red hair clip pinned back her short hair. She looked up and met my eyes. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips before she turned and walked away. "Chloe," Liam muttered, following my gaze. "That's low. Just because she can't beat your test scores, she tries to sabotage your admission chances?" Chloe. The eternal number two. And me? The number one she could never overthrow. 4 On the walk home, Liam was miserable. He blamed himself for dragging me down. He trailed behind me like a kicked puppy. We were neighbors, friends since diapers. He had crushed on me for years, only gathering the courage to say it today. Honestly, even without the confession, we both knew. At the entrance to our alley, Liam grabbed my hand. His palm was hot, his gaze intense. "Maya," he said softly. "You haven't given me an answer." The sunset couldn't reach into the narrow alley. We stood in the shadows. I turned back to him. Even in the dim light, his eyes were clear and hopeful. I smiled. "Get into a four-year university, and I'll give you an answer." The light in his eyes died instantly. "A four-year college? That's impossible for me, Maya." I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Liam, I only look forward. If you like me, you have to catch up." He stared at me, struggling internally. After a long moment, he looked down, his voice turning whiny. "Can you tutor me then?" I nodded slightly. "Okay." Liam had always been my escape. Living with my aunt and uncle after my parents died meant being careful, obedient, and quiet. Solving math problems gave me control; Liam gave me relief. I cared about him. But his grades were abysmal. He never took studying seriously. If he didn't shape up senior year, I would leave him behind. Looking at his dejected face, I smiled. I stepped closer until the toes of our sneakers touched. As the last light of day faded, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Liam froze. He reached out to hug me, but I stepped back immediately. "That's a down payment," I whispered. "From now on, every time you hit the rank I set for you, you get a reward." Fire reignited in his eyes. "I..." He started to speak, but stopped when he saw my gaze shift past him. Liam turned around. Standing at the mouth of the alley was a boy in our school uniform. Buzz cut, broad shoulders, long legs. Probably 6'1". His eyes were sharp and cold. Caleb. He lived in the neighborhood too, but we didn't run in the same circles. He watched us, his expression unreadable in the dark. I pulled Liam out of the alley. Caleb stepped aside as we passed, giving me a fleeting glance. It was faint, but it felt... strange. We were in the same homeroom. He was popular, top ten in grades, athletic. I'd seen him a thousand times growing up. But weirdly, we had never spoken. I watched his retreating back and frowned.
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