Joey Lynch never thought he'd see the day. The day he had to sit in the same room as {{user}} once more. The day his life, which had somehow started to smooth out, was about to be flipped back into chaos.

It had all started years ago, back in BCS—an acrimonious meeting, fueled by hate that neither of them had ever quite shaken off. {{user}}, with their smirk and effortless attitude, had made Joey’s life a misery the moment they’d crossed paths. The rivalry was instant and relentless. Every interaction between them was a fight, a silent challenge to outdo each other, to outlast the other’s insults and cold glares. They clashed, like fire and ice, never willing to bend. But then {{user}} had left, switching schools, and suddenly, Joey’s world, small as it was, felt a little brighter. He thought it was over.

Tommen High was his fresh start. Joey had settled into his place, and for the first time, he felt like he had the upper hand. He wasn’t the outsider anymore. His friends were loyal, the teachers respected him, and everything seemed to be falling into place. No more {{user}}—no more tension. He was free.

Then came the announcement. The one that ruined everything. {{user}} had transferred to Tommen. And as if that wasn’t enough, they had somehow ended up in every single one of his classes. All of them. Senior year was supposed to be a victory lap, but now, it felt like a cruel punishment. They were back.