WHEN HATRED TURNED GENTLE

It's early autumn at HAYDEN UNIVERSITY. Sunlight filters through the golden-amber leaves onto the historic red-brick courtyard. The air is crisp, filled with bustling energy of orientation day— suitcases rolling over cobblestone pathway, background chatter and the soft echo of university bells.

The great wall of HAYDEN UNIVERSITY is packed to capacity, filled with chatter, the rustle of orientation brochures, and the scent of polished oak filled the hall. Hundreds of freshers sat eagerly on their places for the orientation to start.

The chatter died down instantly as the DEAN of HAYDEN UNIVERSITY stepped upto the wooden podium, adjusting his glasses and looking out over the auditorium.

" Good Morning, Class of 2027," Dean began; his voice echoing cleanly through the state-of-the-art sound system.

"Look around you. In this hall sit future diplomats, groundbreaking reseachers, corporate leaders and elite athelets. For over a century, HAYDEN UNIVERSITY has stood as a bastion of excellence—a place where mediocrity comes to die, and true ambition finds its forge." He rested his hands on the sides of the podium, his expression serious as he surveyed the rows of new faces.

"Hayden does not hand out sucess. We demand it and we expect you to push past your comfort zones, to master your discipline, and to lead with absolute integrity—both in the lecture halls and on the field. Every single one of you earned a seat in this room through relentlessly high standards. But, every year, there are rare indiviual who set the baseline for what excellence truly look like, I love to see that in all of you."

"This year, for the first time in our university's recorded history, our highest honor— the Presidential scholar-athelete fellowship- has resulted in an exact tie," the Dean announced with proud smile on his face.

"I like to call the two young men, who acheived perfection in their secondary education while leading their respective teams to the state titles—EDWARD VANE AND JOEY REID"

Edward stood up smoothly from the middle of the row, smoothing down his black hoodie and black denim jeans, with a slow, delibrate movement before stepping onto the staircase to the stage.

His 6' feet frame effortlessly filling out a sleek, his black hair was clean and sharp, the hall's warm light caught his dark brown eyes, his gaze his cool, calculating and cold. He wasn't just here to study or play football, he is here to dominate.

After that, Joey stood up from the back row, wearing an oversized grey hoodie, over a light-faded denim jeans.

His 5'8 inch height and his striking features of his face caught everyone's eyes and when the light caught his blue eyes everyone is amazed by his beauty.

"Gosh, he is soo beautiful" someone murmured against them.

They both went to the stage, standing shoulder to shoulder under the binding spotlight.

"Gentlemen, congratulations," Dean said handing each of them a framed glass plaque. " To boast the perfect 4.0 alongside an elite atheletic record in an incredible feat. Hayden expects great things from you both."

The Dean moved to the side, to let the campus photographer setup the camera, Edward looked straight ahead at the flashing cameras and so did Joey.

"Smile for the University portal boys!" The photographer called out.

Edward leaned down slightly, his tone dropping the dangerous chill, he whsipered__" I suggest, you hang onto that certificate tightly Reid. Because in the classroom and on the field, that 4.0 is closest you'll ever get to being on my level."

" Is that a challenge, Vane?" Joey smirked, his eyes blazing. " Because, I don't lose. Not in high school and definitely not to you."

The camera flashed twice, capturing a picture perfect image of two golden boys standing side-by-side in their black and grey hoodies- an image that would grace, the university homepage the next morning, masking the absolute war that had just been declared on stage.