POV: Kevin
It wasn't the applause that stung.
It was the silence that followed it.
The looks. The shock. The uncomfortable glances when people realized he wasn't standing on stage. That the flawless, consistent, undefeatable Kevin Langston had just been... outdone.
By Zion.
Zion.
He replayed the moment in his head on loop. The dull, casual way Zion walked up to that podium — like he didn't even want it. Like it was just another thing to shrug off.
And that speech?
"I want to thank God.
And my parents.
That's all."
That wasn't humility.
That was mockery.
Kevin's fingers curled into fists.
Study Hall – Later That Day
He stared blankly at a set of chemistry notes. The words blurred.
"Kevin?"
It was Isla.
He hadn't noticed her sit next to him.
"You've been really quiet today," she said gently.
He forced a tight smile. "Just thinking."
"You did great too, you know. Second place is still—"
"I don't need pity, Isla."
She flinched.
"I—I didn't mean it like that—"
He stood up before she could finish, grabbing his things and walking out.
Boys' Dorm – Evening
Kevin sat at his desk, the award from last term sitting crooked on the shelf above him.
It used to mean something.
Now it looked like a lie.
Zion never cared about the spotlight. That was Kevin's world. His image. His territory. Zion was supposed to be the shadow — smart, yes, athletic, yes, but detached. Distant. Predictable.
And now?
Now Zion was everywhere.
— Topping the class.
— Dominating the court.
— Getting praised in staff lounges.
— Getting noticed by Mabelle.
Especially by Mabelle.
Flashback – Two Weeks Ago
Kevin remembered the balcony. The way Zion leaned against the railing beside her. The way Mabelle tilted her body toward him. Their voices low. Their chemistry loud.
She never smiled at me like that.
Not even when he tried. Not even when he deserved it.
And now Zion was doing the bare minimum and she looked like she was his already.
He threw a pen across the room.
It hit the wall and snapped in two.
His breath came in tight, controlled exhales.
Late Night – Notes App
He started a list.
HOW TO OUTDO ZION
Beat him in finals. No shortcuts.
Get captain position in soccer.
Join a new club. Something flashy.
Start owning conversations.
Get ahead in student council.
Reclaim Mabelle's attention.
But none of it felt like enough.
None of it felt vicious enough.
Message from Unknown Number (again)
"Still watching her love someone else?"
Kevin stared at the screen.
No name. No ID. Same number.
He typed:
"What do you want?"
No reply.
But it felt like a mirror.
A part of himself talking back.
The Next Morning
He walked into school with a smile carved on his face. Polished. Perfect. Untouchable.
But underneath?
He wasn't planning to share the crown anymore.
If Zion wanted a war?
Kevin would burn the board.