Rivals in Love

Angelo was under the belief that no one would dare run for headboy of the university when he was running. After all, he was more popular, smarter, and more liked. Why wouldn’t he win?

But when he walked onto campus the day after putting up his posters, he saw new ones right beside his, absolutely purposely placed right next to his own.

He narrowed his eyes and walked up to the nearest one, ripping it off the wall and staring down at it with a deep frown. Who the hell was Ajax09 and why was he running for headboy as well?

“Oh, shit,” said one of Angelo’s friends, Olivia, from beside him. “You have competition. He’s kinda cute, to be honest. What’s his name…?”

Olivia attempted to lean in for a better look, but Angelo scoffed and crumpled the poster into his fist, tossing it into a trash can to keep her from seeing it. That wouldn’t do much though. This guy’s posters were everywhere.

“I need to find this twink and crush him,” Angelo stated darkly, eyes narrowed.

“What?” Olivia asked, frowning.

Angelo plastered on a fake smile. “Nothing! Hey—you’re a master social media stalker. Find his socials?”

Olivia perked up, none the wiser to Angelo’s real intentions. “‘Kay!” she chirped, whipping her phone out and heading straight to work, chewing on a piece of pink bubble gum.

It only took her a couple seconds to find Ajax09’s Instagram, where she was already looking at his story, her eyes lighting up. “Ooh, he’s in the library right now,” she commented. “Woah. He’s a total nerd, just like you.”

Well, looks like they were headed to the library, then.

---

mood: annoyed 
thoughts: This guy is ruining my chances of winning already. Fuck! 
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 0%

Angelo's eyes widened and his jaw nearly dropped as he saw Brian sitting at one of the tables, surrounded by textbooks and notes. "Well, well, well," Angelo said, a devious smirk on his face as he strutted over to Brian's table. "Looks like the little nerd is hard at work. And here I thought you'd be too busy posting pictures of yourself on social media to actually study." Angelo plopped down in the empty chair across from Brian, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. "So, what's your deal? You think you can just waltz in here and steal my spotlight? I don't think so, twinkle toes." Brian looked up from his books, his eyes narrowing as he took in Angelo's appearance. "I'm not trying to steal anything from you, Angelo. I'm just running for headboy because I want to make a difference on campus." Angelo scoffed. "Make a difference? Please. You're just a nobody trying to get people to vote for you so you can feel special for a day. I, on the other hand, am a shoo-in for the position. Everyone loves me, and they all know I deserve to be headboy."

---

mood: arrogant
thoughts: This little nerd doesn't stand a chance against me. I'm going to crush him.
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 0%

Angelo rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oh please, spare me the details. I'm sure whatever boring ideas you have can wait until after you lose the election. Face it, twinkle toes, you're just a wannabe trying to be me. And no one is ever going to fall for that act." He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "But by all means, enlighten me on these brilliant policies of yours. I'm sure it'll be a real page-turner." Angelo's tone was dripping with sarcasm, but there was still a hint of curiosity in his eyes. He wanted to know what Brian was really thinking, even if he'd never admit it.

---

mood: bored
thoughts: This is going to be a cakewalk. I've got this in the bag.
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 0%

Angelo's eyes widened slightly at the mention of LGBTQ+ support, but he quickly masked his surprise with another smirk. "Oh, how noble of you," he sneered. "I'm sure the handful of people on campus who actually give a shit about that will be thrilled to hear about your little plan." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, mocking tone. "But let's be real, twinkle toes. You're not going to win this election. And even if by some miracle you did, do you really think the university would listen to a nobody like you when it comes to making real changes?" Angelo's eyes raked over Brian's body, taking in every detail. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, knowing that Brian was just as gay as he was. But he quickly pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the game at hand. "You're just a distraction, Brian. A pretty face that people will forget about as soon as the election is over. So why don't you just save us both the trouble and drop out now?"

---

mood: irritated
thoughts: Why does he have to be so... perfect? It's not fair.
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 0%

Angelo's eyes narrowed dangerously at Brian's words. "Fake charm?" he hissed, his voice low and threatening. "You have no idea what I'm capable of, twinkle toes. I've spent years honing my charm, perfecting my act. And it's worked wonders for me." He leaned in closer, his breath hot against Brian's ear. "You think you can just waltz in here and steal my thunder? You're in for a rude awakening, little nerd." Angelo pulled back, his eyes locked on Brian's. There was a challenge in his gaze, a dare to see who would break first. He knew he had Brian pegged, but he was curious to see how the little nerd would react to his advances. "So, what do you say, Brian? Ready to see who really has the upper hand here?"

---

mood: challenging
thoughts: Let's see how he handles a little pressure. I bet he'll crack under the weight.
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 0%

Angelo's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Brian's bold response. He hadn't expected the little nerd to have any backbone, but there he was, staring him down with a fierce determination in his eyes. "Well, well, well," Angelo drawled, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Looks like the kitten has claws. I'm impressed, twinkle toes. I didn't think you had it in you." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, seductive purr. "But let's be real, Brian. You're just a pawn in this game. A pretty little distraction that I can use to my advantage. And trust me, by the time I'm done with you, you'll be begging me for more." Angelo's hand reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against Brian's cheek. He watched intently for any sign of a reaction, his heart pounding in his chest. "So, what do you say, little nerd? Ready to play with the big boys?"

---

mood: flirtatious
thoughts: He's so close to breaking. Just a little more pressure and he'll crack.
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 0%

Angelo's hand froze on Brian's cheek, his eyes widening in shock. No one had ever called him out like that before, and he wasn't sure how to handle it. A part of him wanted to backpedal, to retreat back into the safety of his usual cocky demeanor. But another part of him, a part he had kept locked away for far too long, was thrilled by the challenge Brian presented. "You're a bold little thing, aren't you?" Angelo murmured, his voice low and husky. "I like that. It's... refreshing." He leaned in closer, his lips barely brushing against Brian's ear. "But you're wrong, twinkle toes. I'm more confident than you could ever imagine. And I always get what I want." Angelo pulled back, his eyes locked on Brian's. There was a fire in his gaze now, a hunger that he had never felt before. He wanted Brian, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen. "So, what do you say, Brian? Ready to take a walk on the wild side with me?"

---

mood: desperate
thoughts: I can't let him see how much he affects me. I have to keep up my act.
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 0%

Angelo's jaw clenched at Brian's words, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and frustration. He had never been called out like this before, and it was infuriating. But there was also a part of him, a part he had kept buried deep inside, that was thrilled by the challenge Brian presented. "You think you can see through me?" Angelo growled, his hand gripping the edge of the table so tightly his knuckles turned white. "You have no idea what I'm capable of, Brian. I've been playing this game since before you were even born." He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper. "And you're right, I'm not as slick as you think. But that's because I don't need to be. I know exactly what I want, and I'm going to do whatever it takes to get it." Angelo's eyes locked onto Brian's, his gaze intense and unyielding. "And what I want, Brian, is you. So why don't you stop playing hard to get and give in to the inevitable?"

---

mood: possessive
thoughts: He's mine, whether he realizes it or not. I just have to break him.
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 0%

Angelo's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and desire at Brian's defiant response. He hadn't expected the little nerd to have this much fire in him, and it both thrilled and frustrated him. "Oh, but you are a prize, Brian," Angelo purred, his voice low and seductive. "And I always get what I want. It's just a matter of time before you're begging me for more." He reached out, his fingers trailing lightly down Brian's arm. "You can pretend all you want, but I can see the way you look at me. The way your body responds to my touch. You want me just as much as I want you, twinkle toes. And deep down, you know that you can't resist me." Angelo leaned in closer, his lips barely brushing against Brian's ear. "So why don't you stop fighting it and give in to the pleasure? I promise I'll make it worth your while."

---

mood: lustful
thoughts: He's so close to breaking. Just a little more pressure and he'll be mine.
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 0%

Angelo's eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and desire at Brian's continued defiance. He had never met someone like Brian before, someone who seemed immune to his charms. It both infuriated and intrigued him. "Oh, Brian," Angelo sighed, shaking his head. "You're so naive. You think you can resist me? You think you can win this game? But I'm telling you right now, you don't stand a chance." He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against Brian's ear. "I've been doing this for years, Brian. I know exactly what I want, and it's you. And trust me, by the time I'm done with you, you'll be begging me for more." Angelo pulled back, his eyes locked on Brian's. There was a fire in his gaze now, a hunger that he had never felt before. He wanted Brian, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen. "So, what do you say, twinkle toes? Ready to surrender to the inevitable?"

---

mood: desperate
thoughts: He's so close to breaking. I just need to find the right button to push.
Love Level: 0%
Hate Level: 0%