"To all the readers who love this kind of love—
where 'I hate you' really means 'I'm falling for you.'
And to the enemies who've ever said, 'I hate you' while secretly kicking their feet under the table.
You're not fooling anyone."
The best friends oath
The hospital smelled like antiseptic and fresh beginnings. Two exhausted mothers lay in adjacent beds, their newborns swaddled in pastel blankets—one pink, one blue.
"This is it," one mother said, beaming as she turned to her best friend. "Our families, finally tied together."
The other mother laughed softly, glancing at her baby boy. "Can you imagine? Best friends raising best friends. And maybe, one day, even more?"
The women locked pinkies, the silent oath stronger than words.
From their bassinets, the girl yawned. The boy, as if sensing his lifelong fate, immediately started wailing.
They didn't know it then, but this was the last moment of peace their children would ever share.
This wasn't friendship.
It was war.
Their rivalry wasn't born—it was inevitable.
Age 3 – The Toy War
The first battle happened over a stuffed elephant. She saw it first. He grabbed it anyway. Their mothers, sipping tea in the living room, cooed over how adorable it was that their babies were "so attached" to the same toy. Neither of them corrected the misunderstanding. They were too busy yanking the elephant's ears in opposite directions.
(The ears never survived.)
Age 6 – The Birthday Disaster
His birthday party was dinosaur-themed. Her birthday party was the following weekend. It was going to be princess-themed—until she found out he was having dinosaurs.
So, obviously, she made hers a bigger, better dinosaur party.
"Girls don't even like dinosaurs," he sneered.
"Oh yeah?" She climbed onto the table, snatched his T-Rex cake topper, and bit its head off in front of everyone.
Age 10 – The Great Betrayal
At school, they were placed on the same relay team. Forced to work together. But in the final stretch, instead of passing the baton to him, she threw it at him.
"I tripped," she claimed.
"She aimed," he argued.
Their mothers made them apologize. They did. Through gritted teeth.
Age 13 – The Forbidden Secret
She found out he had a crush on someone. He found out she had a crush on someone else. Neither of them was particularly interested in dating—until they realized how much power blackmail held.
"I tell, you suffer."
"I tell, you die."
A mutually assured destruction pact was formed that day.
Age 15 – The Fireworks Incident
It was technically an accident. She technically didn't know the school science project would explode that much. And he technically shouldn't have dared her to do it.
But still, their parents had to pick them up from school together, and that was probably the worst punishment of all.
Age 17 – Present Day
They weren't kids anymore. But that didn't mean they had grown out of their rivalry.
She rolled her eyes every time he walked into a room. He smirked every time she lost an argument. She swore she hatedhim. He was absolutely sure he hated her more.
But their mothers? Oh, they still believed in the best friends forever fantasy,
Neither of them knew it yet.
But their war was about to take an unexpected turn.
Chapter 1 Lara
The day I was born, my life was ruined.
Dramatic? Maybe. But if you were me, you'd get it.
My mom and her best friend had babies on the same day, in the same hospital, in rooms right next to each other. Instead of being normal about it, they took one look at me and Jack and decided our fate.
"A perfect love story waiting to happen."
Except there was one problem.
Jack and I? We hated each other.
Our first meeting? Screaming.
Toddler years? Biting.
Elementary school? War.
Middle school? Worse.
Now, at seventeen, it's still the same.
Except now, Jack is taller. His insults are sharper. And his ability to get under my skin is unmatched.
"You're in my seat."
I don't even look up from my phone. "It's a chair, Jack. Not your property."
Jack drops his tray onto the table, expression flat. "I've always sat there."
"Maybe if you were faster, you still would be," I say, scrolling through my phone.
I hear the chair scrape back, and suddenly, he's next to me. I turn my head just enough to glare at him.
"What," I deadpan.
Jack smirks. "Nothing. Just sitting exactly where I always do."
"You're sitting next to me just to be annoying."
He shrugs. "And?"
I exhale through my nose, already regretting every life choice that led to this moment.
Across the table, our moms exchange that look—the they're so in love look. The just wait till they realize look.
I swear, I feel my soul leave my body.
Jack leans in slightly, dropping his voice just for me. "They're planning our wedding again, aren't they?"
I glance at our moms. They're whispering. Smiling. Plotting.
I groan, covering my face. "I hate this."
Jack snorts. "You love this."
"I'd rather die."
"Tragic," he says, unbothered. "Guess I'll have to tell them to keep planning."
I look at him, eyes narrowing. "You wouldn't."
Jack tilts his head, like he's considering it. "I dunno. A destination wedding could be nice."
"Jack."
"Somewhere tropical. Or maybe a castle? You strike me as a castle type."
"JACK."
He smirks. "Oh, I'm definitely telling them."
I kick him under the table. Hard.
Jack winces, but his smirk doesn't drop. "See? You're already fighting for my attention."
I stare at him. He stares back.
I hate him.
I hate him.
The worst part about Jack Carter?
He's good at everything.
Academics? Top grades.
Sports? MVP.
Charm? Teachers love him. Girls love him. I hate him.
And somehow, he still has time to ruin my life.
Take today, for example.
Chemistry Class – 9:30 AM
"You're my partner."
I stare at Mr. Dawson, waiting for him to say just kidding.
He doesn't.
I turn my head—slowly—to Jack, who's already smirking like he just won the lottery.
"No," I say. "Absolutely not."
Mr. Dawson sighs. "Lara, we're pairing up alphabetically."
I whip around. "So change the system, sir."
Jack leans on the table, voice low. "Oh no, Lara. We're partners. We should make the most of it."
I glare at him. "You will blow up the lab, and I refuse to die next to you."
Jack tilts his head, grinning. "So dramatic."
Mr. Dawson claps his hands. "Start the experiment, you two."
I swear, this is my villain origin story.
Cafeteria – 12:15 PM
Jack walks in, eyes scanning the room like some kind of prince.
Disgusting.
He heads toward our usual table—except my bag is already on the chair he always sits in.
He stops. Looks at the chair. Looks at me.
I take a bite of my sandwich, chewing slowly. Your move, Carter.
Jack exhales through his nose. Then, without breaking eye contact, he picks up my bag, walks over to the janitor's closet, and shoves it inside.
I choke on my sandwich.
"You PSYCHOPATH," I sputter. "Give it back!"
Jack shrugs. "You took my seat."
"SO YOU TOOK MY BAG?!"
"Actions have consequences."
I stare at him, rage bubbling in my chest. "You have consequences."
Jack smirks. "I'd love to see them."
Oh.
Oh, it is war.
Student Council Elections – 3:45 PM
"Ladies and gentlemen," Principal Owens says, "we'll now hear from your candidates for student body president—Lara Kingsley and Jack Carter!"
I smile, stepping up to the podium. I've prepared a perfect speech. Flawless. Inspirational.
I glance at Jack, who looks unbothered.
Smug. Confident. Like he already knows something I don't.
Oh, I hate him.
I clear my throat. "Students of Maplewood High, if you elect me, I promise—"
The intercom cuts me off.
Then, over the speakers, Jack's voice plays.
"Lara Kingsley is the WORST partner in chemistry class—"
The crowd erupts into laughter. My jaw drops.
I whip around. Jack's grinning.
I knew it. He recorded me.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU."
Jack bows slightly. "Then I guess I won't be voting for you."
Chapter 2 Jack
The best part about Lara Kingsley?
She's predictable.
She walks into a room and immediately starts looking for ways to make my life difficult. If she can't find one, she creates one. It's almost admirable.
Almost.
But the real fun? Watching her lose.
Take today, for example.
Chemistry Class – 9:30 AM
Lara's face when Mr. Dawson said we were partners? Priceless.
I lean back in my chair, stretching out like I own the place. "Oh no, Lara. We're partners. We should make the most of it."
Her eye twitches. Fantastic.
"You will blow up the lab," she says, "and I refuse to die next to you."
I smile. "So dramatic."
What she doesn't know is—I'm actually good at chemistry. But it's more fun to let her think I'll burn the school down.
For now.
Cafeteria – 12:15 PM
The second I walk in, I see it.
My chair. Taken.
By her bag.
I stop. Lara meets my eyes and takes the slowest bite of her sandwich. Like she just won something.
Cute.
I walk over, pick up her bag, and shove it in the janitor's closet.
The moment I close the door, I hear a choked gasp.
"You PSYCHOPATH!"
I turn, facing Lara's absolute fury. "Give it back!"
I shrug. "You took my seat."
"SO YOU TOOK MY BAG?!"
"Actions have consequences."
She stares at me, eyes burning. "You," she says, voice deadly, "have consequences."
I smirk. "I'd love to see them."
Oh, this is fun.
Student Council Elections – 3:45 PM
I could have played fair.
But where's the fun in that?
When Lara steps up to the podium, all prim and polished, I already know what's coming—some inspiring, heartwarming speech about how she'll "change the school."
Boring.
So, naturally, I rigged the intercom.
"Lara Kingsley is the WORST partner in chemistry class—"
The auditorium erupts. Lara's mouth drops open.
She turns, eyes blazing.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU."
I bow slightly. "Then I guess I won't be voting for you."
The best part?
She'll spend all night plotting revenge.
And I can't wait.
History Class – 10:00 AM
Mr. Callahan claps his hands together. "Surprise pop quiz!"
Lara visibly perks up. Of course she's ready. I'm not.
But here's the thing—I'm great at improvising.
When Callahan turns around, I casually swap our papers.
Lara looks down at the blank sheet in front of her. Then at me.
"Jack."
I don't look up. "Hmm?"
"Give. It. Back."
I lean back in my chair, stretching like I have all the time in the world. "I would, but you know me. I'm just so bad at history."
Her jaw clenches.
"Fine," she says sweetly. "You can keep my paper."
I blink. Suspicious. "…Really?"
She smiles.
Then, loudly: "Mr. Callahan? Jack stole my test!"
The entire class turns.
I grin. "Lara, you wound me."
"GO TO HELL."
"After you."
Gym Class – 1:30 PM
Coach decides today's sport is dodgeball.
Lara and I are on opposite teams. She cackles.
"You're dead, Jack."
I smirk. "I'll give you one shot, Kingsley."
The second Coach blows the whistle, she lunges.
The ball whizzes past my face.
Then another. And another.
"Jumpy?" I tease.
Her glare could set a forest on fire.
Then—THWACK.
I barely dodge the next one. But she doesn't stop. She's actually trying to kill me.
I can't help it. I laugh.
And that just makes her angrier.
Detention – 4:00 PM
We're both here. Obviously.
Lara's arms are crossed, leg bouncing aggressively. "This is your fault."
I lean back in my chair, satisfied. "You're the one with anger issues."
She throws her pen at my head.
I dodge, grinning.
We're absolutely ruining each other's lives.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Lara walks into the cafeteria, tray in hand. Her usual spot? Taken.
By me.
I sit back, completely at ease. "Hey, Kingsley. Didn't see your name on the seat."
Her eyes narrow. "Move."
I take a bite of my apple. "Nah, I think I'll stay."
She tilts her head, smiles sweetly, then—
Picks up my tray and dumps my entire lunch onto my lap.
The cafeteria erupts.
"Oops," she says. "Didn't see your name on the food."
I wipe mashed potatoes off my jeans, nodding slowly. "You wanna play, Kingsley?"
"I always play, Carter."
The war continues.
Neither of us planned on going to homecoming. But then? Coach decided the perfect punishment
for our latest detention was forcing us to plan it.
Which means decorations.Seating charts. Coordinating. Together.
Absolute hell.
"I'm thinking gold and black," I say, flipping through color swatches.
Lara doesn't look up.
"And I'm thinking I hate you."
I smirk. "You love me."
Her grip on the marker tightens.
We spend the next hour arguing over everything. Table placements? A fight. The song list? A bigger
fight.
Until finally, I snap.
"You know what?
Fine. We'll do it your way."
She pauses.
"Wait. What?"
I lean in, grinning.
"blue and white it is. Wouldn't want you crying over color swatches."
She blinks. Suspicious.
"You're agreeing… just like that?"
I shrug. "Sure. I love it when you win."
Lara's eyes narrow. "You suck."
"I know."
"Enjoying the story? Add it to your library & let me know what you think in the comments!"