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Chapter 3
By Wednesday, Aria had learned two things.
First, working with Noah Carter was exhausting.
Second, he was annoyingly good at everything.
She sat across from him in the library, watching as he highlighted passages in their chosen novel.
"You highlight too much," she complained.
Noah didn't look up. "You complain too much."
"I don't."
"You've complained about my highlighting, my handwriting, my choice of coffee, and the fact that I arrived before you today."
"I didn't complain about your coffee."
"You said it smelled terrible."
"That's an observation."
Noah finally looked at her and smiled.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Aria rolled her eyes and returned to her notes.
She hated how easy it had become to talk to him.
A week ago, they could barely stand being in the same room.
Now they were spending hours together.
And strangely enough, it wasn't as terrible as she'd expected.
"Aria."
She looked up.
Noah was watching her.
"What?"
"You've been staring at the same page for five minutes."
"I was thinking."
"About?"
"Nothing."
He smiled knowingly.
"Sure."
Before Aria could answer, someone approached their table.
"Hey, Aria."
She looked up and immediately smiled.
"Ethan."
Noah's expression changed slightly.
Ethan placed a book on the table.
"I heard you're doing the literature project."
"Yeah."
"I was wondering if you needed help."
Aria's heart fluttered.
"No, we're okay. But thanks."
Ethan nodded.
"Okay. If you need anything, let me know."
He smiled at her before leaving.
Aria watched him walk away.
Noah closed his book.
"You're staring again."
She looked at him.
"Am not."
"You definitely are."
"He offered to help."
"With what?"
"The project."
Noah shrugged.
"Maybe he wanted an excuse to talk to you."
Aria's heart jumped.
"You think so?"
She immediately regretted asking.
Noah stared at her for a moment.
"I don't know."
"Then don't say things like that."
"Why?"
"Because..."
She stopped.
Because she liked Ethan.
That was the truth.
She had liked him for years.
And she wasn't about to let Noah Carter confuse her.
"Forget it," she said.
Noah nodded.
"Fine."
For the first time, his teasing disappeared.
---
The next day, the school announced an academic competition.
The winner would receive a scholarship and represent the school at the regional finals.
Aria's eyes lit up when she saw the announcement.
This was exactly what she needed.
Noah stood beside her, reading the poster.
"You're entering."
It wasn't a question.
"Obviously."
He smiled.
"So am I."
Aria looked at him.
"Then prepare to lose."
"You said that last year."
"And I was right."
"You came second."
"Second place is still better than losing."
Noah laughed.
"You really are competitive."
"Only when you're involved."
The words escaped before she could stop them.
Noah's smile faded slightly.
He looked at her.
"Only when I'm involved?"
Aria suddenly felt nervous.
"I mean..."
She searched for an explanation.
"You annoy me."
He smiled again.
"Good save."
She pushed his shoulder.
"Shut up."
---
The competition began the following week.
The auditorium was packed with students.
Aria sat at one end of the stage while Noah sat opposite her.
They were the final two contestants.
Question after question was asked.
They answered almost everything correctly.
The score remained tied.
Finally, the host picked up the final question.
"Last question. Whoever answers correctly wins."
The auditorium became silent.
Aria's hands tightened around the edge of her chair.
The question appeared on the screen.
She knew the answer.
So did Noah.
They both reached for their buzzers.
Noah was faster.
He gave his answer.
The host smiled.
"Correct."
The audience erupted.
Aria forced herself to smile.
She had lost.
Again.
After the competition, she walked backstage, trying not to let her disappointment show.
Noah followed.
"Aria."
She kept walking.
"Leave me alone."
"You did well."
"I lost."
"By one question."
"Still lost."
He stepped in front of her.
"Look at me."
She reluctantly did.
"You were incredible."
His voice was different.
No teasing.
No arrogance.
Just sincerity.
Aria didn't know what to say.
"Thanks."
Noah smiled.
"And for the record, I only won because you hesitated."
She frowned.
"Are you trying to make me feel better?"
"Maybe."
"You're terrible at it."
He laughed.
Aria couldn't help smiling.
Then she realized something.
For the first time, she wasn't looking at Noah as her enemy.
She was simply looking at him.
And that frightened her more than losing the competition ever could.
Because somewhere between the arguments, the library meetings, and the endless teasing...
Noah Carter was becoming someone she actually wanted to understand.