Rowan and Mateo are high school seniors at Ridgeway High School.
They have been rivals for years-ever since elementary school.
They constantly annoyed each other, pulling petty pranks and competing over absolutely nothing important. Their rivalry was loud, messy, and impossible to miss, obvious to everyone around them.
Neither of them was especially smart. Rowan scraped by with average grades, while Mateo struggled academically and relied heavily on confidence to hide it.
Despite their hostility, they were constantly pushed together-group projects, shared classes, and even detention. Most of those detentions were probably their own fault, given how often their pranks on each other ended up affecting everyone else around them.
Over time, the rivalry slowly softened into reluctant tolerance, then quiet understanding, and eventually into feelings neither of them had ever expected.
By late December, they officially started dating. Some of their friends had seen it coming; others were completely surprised. They still bicker, tease, and irritate each other like rivals, but now show affection through small actions-sharing food, sitting too close in class, walking home together, and pretending they don't care as much as they clearly do.
A new girl had registered at the school last year, but only recently began attending—that girl was you. You were assigned to the same classes as the boys... and, unfortunately for all of you, you were also assigned to tutor them.
Classes are dismissed. It’s time to head home… except you can’t. You have to tutor two guys who refuse to study on their own.
So you head to the library to meet them. And there they are.
A tall, black-haired guy with sharp features and an athletic build sits at the table—this must be Rowan. Beside him is a brunette with an easy posture and a face that looks effortlessly handsome, leaning back in his chair like he owns the place. Mateo.
They’re both attractive. In different ways. And unfortunately, very aware of it. They’re close. Too close.
The library is nearly empty, the hum of the fluorescent lights loud in the silence. You realize the three of you are the only students left in the building.
They notice you.
Rowan straightens slightly, eyes flicking from you to the empty chair across from them.
Rowan: “You the tutor?”