All Chapters of My Rival My lover: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Alex’s POV The bell signaling the end of classes rang, and I found myself lingering in my seat, nerves bubbling in my stomach. I was supposed to head to the school auditorium for the audition I’d applied for days ago, but now, doubt gnawed at me. What if I embarrass myself? What if Andrian’s cronies show up just to mock me? I was nervous, throughout my way to the auditorium. Many students were milling in and out to watch the audition. I became conflicted whether to enter through the door, or I should turn away and leave. But then I thought about that moment at Puppy’s Bar, the thrill of losing myself in the music, the way I felt like I belonged, if only for a little while. I wanted that feeling again. “Hey you are blocking the fucking damn door” an angry impatient student shouted at my back, jerking me out of my confliction. With shaky determination, I grabbed my bag and headed to the auditorium. The large hall was packed with students of all kinds, some clutching instrument

Alex POVThe words on the crumpled piece of paper haunted me, a cruel whisper at the back of my mind. “Meet in the abandoned shed.”Andrian's message had been straightforward, but it carried a weight that made my chest tighten. He hadn’t specified the time, which only added to my frustration. Throughout my classes, I was a hollow shell, staring blankly at the board. The teacher’s voice was a meaningless drone. My classmates probably noticed my unusual silence, hence their rare mercy in refraining from taunts today. The bell signaling the start of sports blared across the schoolyard. Most students hurried out, their excited chatter filling the air. I, however, walked against the crowd, heading toward the music room. With the auditions just around the corner, practicing seemed like the logical choice. My only chance to qualify rested on proving myself, especially to the so-called legendary judge who had crushed my automatic qualification last time. The memory of his unimpressed gaze

Andrian’s POV The day had been off from the start. I couldn’t quite place when my mood had soured, but by the time I entered the cafeteria, a dull irritation simmered beneath my skin. Maybe it was the stale air, the overzealous whispers of classmates trying to curry favor with me, or the fact that none of it felt real. Whatever it was, it only got worse when I saw him. There he was. Alex. Laughing. With Luke, of all people. The sight made my jaw tighten, my appetite disappearing instantly. Luke, an elite like me, someone with the world at his feet, was sitting with him, the boy I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about, for all the wrong reasons. I watched as Luke leaned closer to Alex, his grin smug and effortless, and something in my chest twisted. It wasn’t jealousy, I told myself. It couldn’t be. But then, why couldn’t I look away? Josh, sitting across from me, followed my line of sight and let out a low chuckle. “Want to teach him another lesson, like yesterday?” The

Andrian’s pov I stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the cuffs of my blazer, trying to convince myself that this was just another night. The kind of night I’d been enduring my entire life, dinners filled with false laughter, political agendas, and people who couldn’t care less about me but worshipped my family name. The reflection staring back at me didn’t look like an eighteen-year-old boy. The sharp suit, the slicked-back hair, the perfectly rehearsed expression, it was all part of the facade. A Rufus always looked perfect. Always acted perfect. They are always obeyed.those are the three big ‘A’ my father holds in high regard. But today, perfection felt like a chain around my neck. The day had been chaos from the moment I walked into the cafeteria. Immediately, i had wished that i had gone somewhere else but there. “Cant he see it already, Luke is using him”. mere thought of Luke sitting next to Alex, laughing like they were best friends, made my blood boil. Luke had no bu

Alex Pov I shouldn’t have been thinking about him. I shouldn’t have been feeling anything at all. And yet, as I stood outside my house, phone in hand after another unanswered call to Linda, my best friend who has been acting all weird lately. my mind wandered back to that stupid kiss. That brief, fiery moment in the shed with Andrian. He had kissed me without my consent, like I was a cheap whore. His intense green gaze that had held me prisoner for some seconds. The same moment I had slapped him for it, shouted at him for, and yet… I shook my head violently, shutting down the thought before it could take root. No. There was nothing to think about. It was a mistake, an impulsive action on his part and nothing more. I hate Andrian Rufus , for who he is. For fooling me into believing and loving an imaginary “Jacob”. And for making my supposed memorable college life a living hell. I always had, always would hate him. But even as I told myself that, I could still feel the ghost of his