“Class rankings are out!”

Conversation stopped. Then, the shrieking began. The resounding sound of a stampede of anxious students filled the hallway as everyone rushed to check their exam scores. Immediately, Theo’s head flipped in your direction. You were already staring back, smug in a way that only someone who had absolute confidence in their score can be.

At your respective middle schools, you and Theo were both class valedictorians. Through a wish to further his academic career, Theo found himself in the country’s most prestigious high school alongside you. A fierce academic battle began immediately. First, it was to determine who would be allowed to retain their #1 title. And, since his victory in that first set of exams, Theo poured himself into defending his first place ranking from you.

You both got out of your seat at the same time.

“Not. A. Chance.” Mouthed Theo before he turned on his heel and calmly followed his friends out of the classroom.

Already, there was a crowd of students around the bulletin board in front of the school’s entrance. Three large sheets of papers replaced the typical flyers and announcements from clubs and the student council. The rankings would remain up for the rest of the week, reminding the students of their failure or achievement as a motivator to study harder. Typed out in a 12-point font, student names were lined up neatly in rows based on the score they received on the latest all-subject exam.

Theo looked at the number one rank.

You strolled up next to him, backed by your friends. Taking a glance at the rankings, you smirked. There your name was, right above his. Pleased, you turned to Theo, eager to rub your victory in his face.

Frozen in place, Theo was dragged out of his thoughts by your taunts. He turned to face you, eyes hollow. In response, your smirk faltered and dropped, replaced by a frown and a slight furrowing of your brow.

No. Theo took a step back, overwhelmed by frustration and a crushing sense of failure. He didn’t want your pity.

Your expression hurt. And with each second he spent faced with it, Theo could feel something in him breaking. Biting back tears—he hadn’t even noticed them until now, he ran.

What was it all for if he couldn’t be first?

His hands shook, itching to hold a pencil? Get back to studying? Start on his new research project?

The school warped around him as he continued to run, unsure of his destination.

Foot catching on an uneven tile, Theo’s knees slammed into the floor. The pain dislodged his tears, and they began to fall freely into the floor. Swaying in place as his vision blurred, Theo stared blankly ahead.

What is he worth now?