challenge

Tyson and Nancy stood side by side in the classroom, their faces calm amidst the storm swirling around them.

Emily, however, was fuming, her cheeks flushed with anger. She had just witnessed the unthinkable—her so-called best friends walking hand in hand to school.

"I must be dreaming," Emily said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because there's no way my best friends just walked into school holding hands. Care to explain?"

Tyson raised his hand as if to speak. "Well, it's not like—"

"Don't you dare start with your pathetic excuses!" Emily snapped, her finger pointed so sharply it could've cut glass. "Don't talk to me. Ever."

"Emily, please hear us out," Nancy interjected, attempting to calm her friend. "We can explain."

"Oh, I can't wait to hear this explanation!" Emily threw her hands up as she addressed the class. "My dear best friends are secretly dating, and guess what? No one thought to tell me!"

The class fell into a stunned silence. Soon, whispers emerged, followed by dramatic gasps. The girls appeared as if their hearts had shattered into a million pieces, while the boys clenched their fists like warriors preparing for battle.

"Wait, Nancy's dating Tyson?" one girl whispered, clutching her notebook like a lifeline.

"This is a betrayal of epic proportions," muttered another girl, narrowing her eyes at Nancy.

"What?!" a boy in the back gasped, dramatically clutching his chest. "The goddess of our class... with him?"

A loud thud interrupted the murmurs as another boy fainted, collapsing into his friends' arms. "My queen… my angel… gone."

Tyson groaned, "Oh great. Now we have a live soap opera unfolding."

Nancy bit her lip, trying to suppress a laugh. "This is getting out of control."

"Oh, don't mind the extras," Emily said, rolling her eyes. She slammed her hands on the desk in front of them. "Talk to me. Nancy, yesterday you mentioned you had plans with your mother. Your mother. Were you lying?"

"Uh… I—" Nancy scratched the back of her neck awkwardly, averting Emily's fiery gaze.

Tyson chuckled, but his laughter held a note of frustration. "Look, Emily, quit making such a big deal out of this."

Emily turned to Tyson, narrowing her eyes. "Big deal? BIG DEAL?! Do you know how many boys I've frightened away from Nancy? And you swoop in? You're welcome, by the way."

"Hey! I'm right here!" Tyson protested.

"Unfortunately," Emily stated flatly, folding her arms as she directed her anger at him. "And you! When did you manage to find time to hang out with her? Aren't you supposed to be training?"

Tyson attempted to laugh it off, but Emily's fierce glare made him gulp. Nancy quickly intervened. "He's on suspension."

Emily froze, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Suspension? Since when? And why? How am I only just hearing about this?"

Tyson and Nancy exchanged uneasy glances.

"It's... a long story," Nancy remarked.

Emily sank into a nearby chair, clasping her chest dramatically. "I am officially hurt,"

As Tyson began to speak in defense, one of the boys in the back stood up and slammed his palm on the desk. "Tyson, you fiend! You've messed with the wrong crowd this time. I challenge you to a duel!"

Nancy blinked. "A duel?"

"Yes! A race in gym class! I will defeat him for my goddess!" The boy pointed at Tyson with the flair of a knight challenging a dragon.

Tyson groaned even louder this time, "Fine, whatever. If you want a race, you've got one. Just don't complain about it later."

Still healing from heartbreak, the girls laughed at the boy's ridiculous challenge. Meanwhile, the boys gathered around him, patting his back as if he were their last hope for revenge. "Do it, bro! For the team!"

Nancy leaned closer to Tyson and whispered, "Do you have to be so smug?"

"Smug?" Tyson smirked. "It's not my fault they're delusional."

Before Nancy could respond, the classroom door slid open, and a collective gasp echoed through the room.

Alex stood there with his bag casually slung over his shoulder and a confident smirk on his face.

The girls instantly erupted into excited whispers, some even letting out squeals.

"It's him! Alex is here!"

"He's so cool," one girl whispered dreamily, pressing her hands against her chest.

"I think I'm going to pass out," another muttered, her knees shaking.

Tyson clenched his jaw, a familiar wave of irritation washing over him as Alex sauntered in, completely unfazed by the chaos his presence had caused.

The boys were equally amazed, though their reactions were more restrained. Alex, Tyson's older brother and the General's son, seldom attended school even though he was enrolled with Tyson. His unexpected appearance created a buzz, instantly changing the energy in the room.

"Alex, marry me!" a girl suddenly exclaimed, quickly covering her mouth and blushing deeply.

"You wish," muttered another girl, shooting daggers at her with her eyes.

Nancy shot Tyson a sympathetic glance, while Emily's demeanor instantly changed. Her eyes sparkled as she released an ear-piercing squeal.

"Oh my God, it's Alex!" she exclaimed, prompting half the classroom to look her way.

Tyson blinked at her in disbelief. Just moments earlier, she had been furious, nearly ready to bite his head off. And now? She was beaming like she had just spotted a celebrity.

The classroom erupted in chaos as Alex stepped in, his usual confident demeanor attracting everyone's attention. A group of students quickly swarmed around him like bees around honey.

"Alex, it's been so long! You finally made it!"

"We really missed you, man!"

"Do you remember me? You borrowed my pencil last year!"

"I created a banner for your birthday last month!"

Alex hardly noticed the chaos surrounding him, giving a quick nod now and then as he surveyed the room. His keen eyes darted to the back where Tyson stood, appearing completely unimpressed.

With the faintest smirk, Alex navigated through the crowd, effortlessly cool as ever, and headed for an empty seat at the front. He dropped into the chair with an air of nonchalance, ignoring the chaos he left behind.

Inching closer to join the crowd, Emily felt a tug on her sleeve.

"Stay here," Tyson said, pulling her back before she could make a fool of herself. "Whose side are you on, anyway?"

Emily adjusted her glasses, feeling suddenly flustered. "Of course, I'm on your side!"

She exclaimed, smoothing her hair and standing up straighter as if Alex's attention had granted her some divine honor.

Tyson rolled his eyes.

"Seriously?" he murmured. "A minute ago, she scolded me, and now she's gushing over him."

Nancy suppressed a laugh while patting Tyson on the shoulder. "Well, Alex certainly knows how to connect with people."

Tyson gave her a look. "Yeah, a way that makes my life ten times harder."

Meanwhile, Alex leaned back in his seat, glancing over his shoulder to offer Tyson a lazy grin. It was the kind of grin that communicated, I know I'm the favorite, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Tyson groaned to himself. This was going to be a long day.

---

Tyson cracked his neck while adjusting his white T-shirt and blue shorts, the official gym attire.

The sun blazed down on the track as he made his way to the starting line, the gaze of the entire class tracking his every move. The race was just about to start, and the atmosphere was electric.

The boys stood off to the side, their eyes narrowed with determination, while the girls lined the track, cheering and waving in support of Tyson.

He stood confidently behind the line, his muscles tensed and ready, with two other guys beside him who were just as eager to claim victory.

The girls cheered, with some shouting his name, showering Tyson with smiles and looks that made him feel briefly invincible. The air was tense, yet Tyson maintained his focus straight ahead, ready for an effortless race for someone like him.

Among the group of girls stood Nancy, her gaze flickering between the excited faces as she noticed the attention he was receiving.

The girls were practically swooning, their voices rising as they shouted his name. Some even commented on his muscular build, with a few jokingly saying it would be awesome to touch his muscles.

Nancy's fingers tightened around the edge of her water bottle, and her expression briefly clouded with something she wasn't sure she wanted to acknowledge—jealousy.

She always knew Tyson was popular, but watching the girls fawn over him like this stirred a strange mix of emotions she wasn't quite ready for.

Her eyes darted to Tyson, who remained unaware of the drama unfolding. His attention was entirely on the race, with his determination evident as he positioned himself at the starting line.

Despite trying to rally behind the other racers, the boys knew deep down that the outcome was predetermined. No one in their class had ever beaten Tyson in any sport—whether it was the 100-meter dash, basketball, or any other competition. Tyson had always been at the top, effortlessly dominating every event that came his way. His reputation as the undefeated champion was firmly etched in the minds of everyone who had ever seen him in action.

The teacher was about to blow the whistle to start the race when it suddenly slipped from his lips. A hushed silence fell over the crowd. Tyson, who had nearly closed his eyes in preparation for the race, snapped them open in confusion, scanning the crowd to see what had caused the sudden shift in atmosphere energy.

And then, he saw him.

Alex stood beside him on the racetrack, focusing on the lane ahead. What caught everyone off guard—Tyson included—was that Alex wasn't wearing the usual gym uniform. Instead, he was half-naked, his toned muscles moving with each motion. His perfect physique appeared almost unreal, drawing the gazes of every girl in the crowd.

The girls, mouths agape, could hardly tear their eyes away from him, their admiration palpable in the air.

"What on earth are you doing?" Tyson asked,

Alex smirked, "I heard you were undefeated... Let me show you what real competition looks like."

Tyson exhaled sharply, briefly distracted by the crowd's reactions. His eyes scanned the sea of faces, pausing when they landed on Nancy.

She hid behind her water bottle, her face only partially visible, but Tyson could tell she was peeking at Alex through the gaps.

A knowing smirk tugged at Tyson's lips. He straightened up, eyeing Nancy for a brief moment. Then, with a swift motion, he tore off his white T-shirt and tossed it aside, causing an immediate stir among the girls.

This time, Tyson's gaze was fixed on Nancy. Her cheeks flushed pink when she saw him, her expression a blend of surprise.

"Let's see, who needs more practice" Tyson went to the previous pose. Alex in return smirked.