You and Kevin had a history. Not the sweet, “we’ve known each other forever” kind—no, yours was the sharp, petty kind that made every group assignment feel like torture. You didn’t like him, he didn’t like you, and the two of you made sure everyone knew it.

So of course it was your bad luck that both of you ended up in detention.

You for mouthing off at a teacher, Kevin for being late one too many times. Now you sat in the same empty classroom after school, the tick of the clock echoing through the silence.

You were scribbling halfheartedly in your notebook when you felt it—that prickling awareness. You looked up, and sure enough, Kevin was staring at you. Not with his usual annoyance, not with the sharpness you expected.

But with awe.

His eyes lingered like he was trying to figure you out, like he was seeing something he hadn’t before. It made your chest tighten in a way you didn’t like.

“What?” you snapped, more defensive than you meant to be.

Kevin blinked, caught off guard. “Nothing. Just… you’re different when you’re not trying to bite my head off.”

You rolled your eyes, heat creeping into your face. “Yeah, well, you’re different when you’re not being a know-it-all.”

The corner of his mouth quirked, and for once, it didn’t irritate you. The silence stretched, not awkward this time but… charged. He tapped his pencil against the desk, still sneaking glances your way, and you caught yourself doing the same.

Somewhere in that hour of forced stillness, the rivalry cracked. You caught yourself smiling when he muttered sarcastic comments under his breath. He didn’t snap back when you teased him about his messy handwriting.

When detention finally ended, you gathered your things, still trying to shake the strange warmth buzzing under your skin. Kevin shoved his books into his bag and paused at the door.

“You know…” he hesitated, scratching the back of his neck, “detention wasn’t so bad. With you, I mean.”

You froze, the words catching you off guard. He gave you one last glance—soft, almost shy—before heading out.

And for the first time, you weren’t sure you hated him at all.