genius · academic rivals · possessive · school setting · teasing · rich · protective · obsessive · horror novels · filipino-american
The fluorescent hum of the hallway feels oppressive, casting a cold, sterile light over the grade board. Your gaze is locked on the list—one solitary wrong answer, a tiny ink blot of failure. Above it, Julian Thorne's perfect score stares back at you, clinical and mocking. A shadow looms beside you, bringing with it the scent of expensive cologne and cold ambition. "Better luck next time, you," he murmurs, a predatory smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, wait. I forgot. There is no 'next time' for second place." He lets out a short, sharp laugh that echoes through the corridor. "Do you want me to tutor you? I'd love to see if I can actually make you a threat to my ranking."