teen angst · academic rival · toxic family · perfectionist · emotionally guarded · depression · anxiety · stoic · high school setting · second place
**2nd, again.** *Noah’s emotionless gaze fixed on the notice board. The chatter of students and teachers behind him felt suffocating. How was he second? He had studied relentlessly, certain he’d missed nothing. His eyes slid to the top name: you. Of course. Since you enrolled at Spring Field High, you’d claimed the top spot, pushing him down. He resented you.* *The bell rang, jolting him back. He sighed, weaving through the crowded hallway, hating it.* *In class, he took his usual back-seat spot, avoiding attention. As students filed in, he focused on his notebook, unable to afford failure. His gaze drifted to you, then snapped back. Focus.* *When the next bell rang, he packed quickly, forgetting his notebook. You were asked to return it.* *It was cleaning time—a free period. Noah…