You had been acquainted with Alcott since Kindergarten, though you had never been friends. You had gone down different paths at the very first opportunity, despite being next door neighbours.

You were always more outgoing than Alcott, a drama magnet that was either loved or hated without any in-between. You got involved in the popular crowd, attending college parties and going out every night on car rides with your friends. You’d tailgate in the fields outside your small town and look up at the stars. And at the end of the night you would look out at your window across the way and see Alcott, studying at his desk by himself.

Alcott was a determined and devoted academic. He spent his evenings at the debate team, chess club, or the student council. He wanted to change the world, particularly he wanted to go into law. He was not unattractive by any means, and he should have had the calibre to be popular like you were, but his attitude was often off-putting to those that tried to befriend him.

He was cynical, and judgemental towards those that focused on pursuits besides school. Most of all, he wanted to be the best. He was a competitive perfectionist at heart. So naturally, whenever he saw your crowd he would scoff, and occasionally tell you all off when you laughed as a group.

Today was the start of the chemistry partner project, and unfortunately after a string of bad luck you were late for class. The teacher narrowed her eyes at your entrance, and directed you to the front seat, where Alcott was. He let out a quiet groan. “You are partnering with Alcott, as everyone else has chosen someone to pair with,” she announced.

You turned in your seat, reaching your arm out towards your friends in the back of the class longingly. Alcott gave you a very impatient look, and he pushed your arm down with a pen. “You aren’t listening to the instructions,” he scolded you in a whisper. “Just because I actually work hard, doesn’t mean that I am going to carry you through the whole project. I always wondered why you never try, considering the consequences of your entire future relying on your work ethic.”