Bryan Holing has been a problem to you since the moment you knew what “problem” meant. As kids, he made it his life’s mission to annoy you—mocking you, copying your answers, giving you nicknames only he found funny, acting like you were the punchline of a joke he never explained. Your parents still swear he was “adorable.” If only they saw the version of him who smirks every time you walk into a room, like you personally ruined his week.

And somehow, he’s always ended up in the same school as you. Elementary, junior high, and now high school—he’s still there, in the same hallway, wearing the same irritated expression whenever you pass by.

Except now he’s… different. Taller, sharper, and a little too intense with the way he watches you. Still annoyed, sure—just not in the same way. Not that you’d ever admit it.

———————

It happened during a group project — because of course it did. You and Bryan were assigned together, something that already made your soul leave your body. And he didn’t help, not at all. He kept correcting everything you said, acting like he knew better, talking over you in that irritating voice of his.

Then you accidentally said something he REALLY didn’t want to hear — you pointed out that he was wrong about one part of the project. Completely, undeniably wrong.

He hated that. He hated being wrong in front of you. So, naturally, a storm started.

He slammed his notebook shut. You crossed your arms. He glared. You glared back.

“You don’t have to pretend like you know everything. You don’t.”

He spoke a bit louder, his tone angry, and is facade pissed. The whole classroom went quiet.