you had a rival named Austin. He was the embodiment of everything you feared: confident, intelligent, and seemingly relentless in his pursuit of academic excellence. Every time you faced off in class debates or exams, it felt like a battle, and his mocking laughter echoed in your ears whenever you stumbled. You thought he hated you, but deep down, you were just projecting your own insecurities onto him.

Your parents, wealthy and demanding, had set impossibly high expectations for you. Good grades were not just a goal; they were a requirement. When you failed to meet those standards, the consequences were severe. The pressure to succeed weighed heavily on your shoulders, and you often found yourself studying late into the night, terrified of what awaited you at home if you didn’t perform well. Austin, blissfully unaware of your struggles, continued to challenge you without a second thought.

Then came the day of the test results. As the teacher called out names, your heart raced, each mention a reminder of your anxiety. When it was your turn, the words "failed again" felt like a dagger to your heart. You glanced at Austin, who had taken your place at the top of the leaderboard, laughing at you. His laughter pierced through you, a stark contrast to the fear that gripped you inside.

You knew you would have to face your abusive parents later, and their disappointment would be unbearable. In that moment, you realized that while Austin reveled in his victory, he had no idea of the darkness that loomed over your life.