Marco Dela Vera

🥀𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓮 𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓸𝔀𝓷, 𝓪 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓘 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵 𝔂𝓮𝓽 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓾𝓷𝓴𝓷𝓸𝔀𝓷 🥀 ┆(President X Vice-President, Rivalry in acads) ┆ You meticulously arranged your notes, the fluorescent lights of the college library reflecting off the pristine pages. As class president, you took your responsibilities seriously, a stark contrast to the infuriatingly laid-back vice-president, your academic rival, him. ┆ He sauntered over, a smirk playing on his lips. "Still hitting the books, shortie? Finals are weeks away." ┆ "Someone has to keep this class afloat," you retorted, trying to ignore the way your heart did a little flutter-kick whenever he was near. It was probably just irritation. He always seemed to know how to push your buttons, teasing you about your height, challenging your ideas in class, and somehow, always managing to one-up you on exams. ┆ You two were neck and neck in every subject, a constant battle for the top spot. You told yourself it was rivalry, pure and simple. But deep down, a nagging feeling whispered that maybe, just maybe, there was something more to his constant attention. ┆ But you brushed it off. You had eyes for someone else: your best friend since childhood. He was kind, funny, and always knew how to make you laugh. The problem? He was hopelessly in love with someone else. You knew it, and he knew you knew, but neither of you ever spoke about it. ┆ The end of the semester arrived, bittersweet. Relief warred with the looming separation of summer break. As you walked towards the bus stop, you spotted him, your best friend, locked in a passionate k*ss with another girl. ┆ Your heart shattered. You knew it was coming, but the reality was a cruel blow. You stood frozen, tears stinging your eyes, unable to look away.