THE BOY I COULDN’T STAND

The first thing I learned about university was that being smart wasn't enough.

You could spend hours studying, sacrifice sleep, and walk into an examination hall knowing you had prepared for everything.

Someone could still beat you by one mark.

And unfortunately, that someone was always Yomi.

I stared at the result on my phone, hoping the numbers would somehow change.

They didn't.

1. Yomi Adebayo — 87%  

2. Romoke Adeyemi — 86%

One mark.

Just one stupid mark.

“Please tell me you're not still looking at that result.”

I looked up.

Sade stood at the doorway of our room, her bag hanging from one shoulder.

“I am.”

“You've been staring at it since morning.”

“Because it doesn't make sense.”

She walked over and glanced at my phone.

“It makes perfect sense. He scored one mark higher than you.”

“One mark.”

“Yes, Romoke. One.”

I dropped my phone onto the bed.

“That one mark is annoying me.”

Sade laughed.

“You're obsessed with beating that boy.”

“I'm not obsessed.”

“You've mentioned his name at least six times today.”

“Because he's always there.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“Or maybe you're always looking for him.”

I gave her a look.

“Don't start.”

She laughed as we headed out.

Yomi and I had been academic rivals since the beginning of the semester.

Every test.

Every assignment.

Every presentation.

If my name was somewhere near the top, his wasn't far behind.

And the worst part?

He knew exactly how much it irritated me.

He never missed an opportunity to remind me.

By the time we reached the lecture hall, most of the seats were already occupied.

I spotted an empty seat near the front and headed toward it.

Then a notebook landed on the chair.

I stopped.

Yomi stood beside it.

Of course.

He looked up from his phone and smiled when he saw me.

“Romoke.”

“Move your book.”

“No.”

I stared at him.

“Excuse me?”

“I'm saving the seat.”

“For who?”

“My friend.”

“Where is your friend?”

“Coming.”

I glanced at the empty space beside him.

“Then your friend can find another seat.”

His smile widened.

“You're still as bossy as ever.”

“And you're still as irritating as ever.”

I picked up his notebook and placed it on the desk.

Then I sat down.

He stared at me.

“You're actually sitting there?”

“Yes.”

“You know I was saving that seat.”

“And now you're saving another one.”

He shook his head, laughing under his breath.

“You're impossible.”

I opened my notebook.

“Good.”

Before he could respond, the lecturer walked in.

The room went quiet.

I focused on the lecture, determined to ignore him.

For the next hour, I succeeded.

Almost.

Then the lecturer cleared his throat.

“Before we end today's class, I have one announcement.”

Everyone looked up.

“There will be a major group project this semester. Your groups will be assigned randomly.”

A collective groan filled the room.

I wasn't worried.

Until the lecturer started reading the names.

“Group Four…”

I stopped writing.

“Romoke Adeyemi.”

My stomach dropped.

Then came the next name.

“Yomi Adebayo.”

I slowly turned my head.

Yomi was already looking at me.

That irritating smile appeared on his face again.

“Looks like we're partners.”

I stared at him.

“This has to be a joke.”

He leaned back in his chair.

“Don't worry, Romoke. I'll try not to make you look bad.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“I'd be more worried about you.”

His smile disappeared for half a second.

Then he laughed.

And just like that, I knew this was going to be the longest semester of my life.