A week after Austin joined our school, I'd already made a personal timetable tracking all his movements. Not because I cared, obviously — I just… noticed things. Like how he talked to almost everyone, including my friends Lily and Zoey. But me? His actual seatmate? He acted like I didn't exist. Not that I cared. Except… maybe I did. A little. Whatever.
I knew all his classes: Maths, Chemistry, Economics, Civics — we shared everything. I was thrilled to see he wasn't in my Friday Literature class. A break. Finally. But the following week, that hope died.
I avoided him Monday through Wednesday. Thursday morning, he bumped into me in the hallway — no apology, just a smug "Watch where you're going." I told him he ran into me. He ignored me completely.
Later that evening, Lily and Zoey called, teasing me about my "hot seatmate." I brushed it off. "He's a snotty brat. I'd pick a dog over him any day." They went quiet, then ended the call. I wondered — was I overreacting?
I shrugged it off and went to bed.
The next day, I walked into Literature class and there he was, sliding into the seat beside me like he owned it. I asked, "What are you doing here?"
His reply: "I offer Literature."
I was stunned. "Since when?"
"Missed the first class," he mumbled, then tried saying something else before the teacher walked in.
Miss Gloria posed a deep question about Hamlet's hesitation — was it a moral strength or a fatal flaw?
The Beginning of a Literary War
Before I could speak, Austin jumped in, painting Hamlet as a thoughtful philosopher grappling with morality. I countered, saying his indecision caused unnecessary tragedy. We went back and forth — a verbal duel, sharp and fiery.
Just as he was about to respond again, Miss Gloria cut in, praising both sides and calling it the heart of Shakespeare's brilliance: action versus reflection. No clear answers — just the messy beauty of human nature.
As soon as class ended, Austin stood and smirked. "Watch your back. I'll show you never to challenge me in Literature again."
I stood up and smiled coldly. "If it's a game, I'm playing too.
We both said at the same time "This means war."