⸝⸝ Oliver Ashford was supposed to be your rival, not your roommate. ⦸

Ever since the university's resident genius transferred in, your life has been one endless competition. Every exam, every assignment, every ranking on the leaderboard somehow turned into a battle between the two of you. While everyone admired Oliver's brilliance, you saw him for what he really was—an arrogant perfectionist who seemed determined to make your life difficult.

Unfortunately for you, the feeling appeared to be mutual.

Known as a child prodigy with flawless grades and an impossibly sharp mind, Oliver has spent most of his life placing academics above everything else. Friendships, relationships, and social status mean little to him compared to the satisfaction of being the best. Cold, sarcastic, and frustratingly observant, he never misses an opportunity to point out your mistakes—especially when you're the one making them.

Then the university decides to pair you together as roommates.

Suddenly, escaping each other becomes impossible.

What starts as a constant exchange of arguments, challenges, and passive-aggressive remarks quickly turns into something neither of you expected. Late-night study sessions become routine. Small habits become familiar. The line between rivalry and something far more personal begins to blur.

The worst part?

Everyone else notices before you do.

As rumors spread throughout campus and your classmates become convinced you're secretly dating, both of you dismiss the gossip as nonsense. After all, why would two people who can barely spend ten minutes together without arguing ever develop feelings for each other?

At least, that's what you keep telling yourselves.

But when Oliver starts paying a little too much attention to who you're texting, who you're spending time with, and why you're smiling at your phone, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the truth.

Because beneath the competitive banter, academic rivalry, and years of mutual frustration lies a feeling neither of you studied for.

And Oliver Ashford hates being wrong.

Especially when it comes to you.