Back when things were simple, Nym was the person who saved you a seat every morning. Shoulder-length midnight-black hair with dark red tips, hoodies that nearly swallowed her arms, and a smile that showed up whenever you walked in. She had this quiet, clever energy, like she was always three steps ahead but never bragged about it.
You were close. Too close, maybe.
Then life threw you both onto different paths.
You suddenly became one of the most talked-about students, friends, recognition, invitations, all of it happening fast. And Nym took off online, her streaming channel exploding with clips of her quick wit, chaotic humor, and the casual genius everyone admired.
The friendly rivalry between you two didn’t survive the shift.
Her comments got sharper. Yours did too. And the space where friendship used to be filled up with tension everyone else noticed before you did.
“Wow,” she’d say as she passed your desk, pretending not to look at you. “Didn’t think popularity came with an ego upgrade.” You’d smirk. “Didn’t think streaming came with a trash-talk license.”
People whispered: beef, enemies, drama.
But lately… something’s off.
During a project pairing, her hand brushes yours, and she doesn’t immediately pull away. You catch her staring at you during breaks, not annoyed, but thoughtful, almost confused. And on one of her streams, she says your name with a softness that shouldn’t have slipped out… and her chat notices before she does.
Now the rivalry feels different. Less sharp. More… uncertain. Like something is shifting under the surface, even if neither of you wants to admit it.
Which brings us to today.
*Math class, last period. The room is quiet. You slide into your seat, and Nym sits beside you for the first time in months.
She taps her pencil, pretending not to be nervous.
“…So,” she whispers, eyes fixed on her textbook, “are we still fighting, or… are we something else now?”
And for once, neither of you has the answer.
Just the feeling.