Monday morning at King's Heart College was as lively as ever.
Students trooped into the school compound in a rush, while others gathered in corners, laughing and discussing random things.
The atmosphere buzzed with life.
After all, King's Heart College was no ordinary school.
A prestigious institution recognized as one of the best around Lagos.
A school of status.
A school of pride.
A school where reputation mattered.
Back to the present—
A sleek Range Rover pulled into the compound.
The door opened.
Henry stepped out.
As always, his arrival drew attention.
He began heading toward his friend's direction—
But a voice stopped him.
"Hi, Henry."
He turned.
Sophie.
She walked toward him with a bright smile.
"Hi," Henry responded.
"Welcome back to school."
"Thanks. You too."
Sophie smiled.
"The holiday was so long and boring…"
She paused, her eyes fixed on him.
"I really missed you."
Henry gave a faint smile.
Then—
"Okay, I have to go."
He made to leave.
But Sophie quickly stepped forward—
Blocking his way.
Her brows lifted.
"I thought I was going to hear missed you too…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Or probably just give me a hug."
Henry looked at her.
His expression turned cold again.
"Look, Sophie…"
"I have no time for that now."
A pause.
"We'll see later."
"Bye."
And without waiting—
He walked past her.
Left her standing there.
Alone.
As Sophie stared at his retreating figure…
The smile on her face slowly faded.
After Henry left, Sophie remained standing where he had left her.
Her expression darkened.
She watched his figure disappear farther into the crowd of students, his back turned to her as though their conversation had meant nothing.
Not once did he look back.
A flicker of anger rose in her chest.
"Why can't this guy understand my feelings?" she muttered under her breath.
There was frustration in her voice.
And hurt.
For a moment, she continued staring at the path Henry had taken, as though hoping he would suddenly stop and turn around.
But he didn't.
Sophie released a slow sigh.
Then, swallowing her irritation, she turned—
And headed back to class.
Meanwhile—
Henry had already reached his friends.
Nelson and Daniel were waiting.
"My Gs, how far?" Henry said as he approached.
Nelson grinned.
"We are cool."
Daniel smirked.
"Guy, what's up now? We saw you actually talking to Sophie."
He leaned closer, teasing.
"Is it that you have started developing feelings also?"
Henry reacted immediately.
"God forbid."
He almost looked offended.
"Of all the girls in this school… Sophie?"
He shook his head.
"I beg, don't even think and reach that side."
Nelson laughed.
"See, guy, Sophie is actually cute. So what is your problem?"
"Do you know how many guys are trying to get her attention?"
Daniel nodded quickly.
"I swear."
"See me, I was dying for her that year…"
"She no even reason my matter."
Then he pointed at Henry.
"But see you…"
"She's all over you."
"You're lucky."
Henry shrugged carelessly.
"Well, I don't like her, so it's not my fault."
Then he adjusted his bag.
"Please guys, let's head to class."
"Okay," Nelson replied.
But Daniel suddenly grinned.
That mischievous grin again.
He looked at Nelson.
Then said—
"Sophie plus Henry…"
A dramatic pause.
"Equals to… Henphie."
Nelson burst into laughter.
"Yeah!"
"That's perfect!"
Henry stopped walking immediately.
"Stop it!"
His voice rose.
"I don't like it."
"It's not funny."
Daniel lifted both hands.
"Oh yeah, sorry."
Then, grinning, he playfully slapped Henry on the head.
"Fine boy."
Even Nelson laughed again.
Henry shook his head in annoyance—
And the three of them headed to class together.
The classroom buzzed with the usual post-holiday energy inside King's Heart College.
Students had just resumed after a long break, and today marked the official return to academic life.
Before the holiday began, they had written a major test—one of the most important assessments of the term.
Now that school had resumed, the scripts had finally been distributed back to the students.
Henry sat at his desk calmly, his bag resting beside him.
Lisa walked over and placed a test script on his table.
"Oh, thanks," Henry said, glancing at it.
"You're welcome," Lisa replied with a small smile.
She hesitated for a moment, then added,
"Huh… you're actually the highest. Congrats."
And with that, she walked away.
Daniel leaned over immediately, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"Wow, guy…"
"You're actually the highest though."
He stared at the score again.
"99 out of 100."
Henry smiled with quiet pride.
"I've got a good brain."
Nelson chuckled from the side.
"Wahala for who no sabi book."
The three of them continued gisting lightly, enjoying the moment—
Until a shadow suddenly fell over their table.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
They looked up.
It was Kelvin.
He stood there with a tense, irritated expression, his eyes locked directly on Henry.
Kelvin and Henry were classmates—but never friends.
They were rivals.
From academics to recognition, they constantly competed.
Both were brilliant.
Both refused to lose.
But Kelvin's hatred for Henry went beyond competition.
Henry's popularity irritated him.
The way students admired Henry.
The way girls always surrounded him.
It all built into quiet resentment over time.
And now, standing in front of him…
Kelvin spoke sharply.
"How did you get 99%… and I got 97%?"
His tone was controlled, but clearly angry.
Henry looked up slowly.
"So that's why you left your seat just to ask me that useless question?"
He leaned back slightly.
"Even a blind person would know I'm smarter than you."
Kelvin's expression darkened immediately.
"How dare you speak to me like that?"
His voice rose.
"I'm very sure you cheated."
"That score is impossible."
"You will be caught soon."
Henry let out a short breath, clearly annoyed.
"Oh God…"
"Stop talking rubbish."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"Just go back to your seat."
A heavy silence followed.
The tension between them filled the classroom like a storm waiting to break.
The classroom noise had barely begun to settle when Kelvin's patience finally snapped again.
He hadn't moved from his spot yet.
His eyes were still locked on Henry.
Kelvin let out a cold breath, his voice sharp and laced with bitterness.
"You know what?" he said slowly. "I don't even blame you."
A pause.
"I blame those foolish girls flocking around you like you're something special."
His lips curled slightly in disdain.
"They don't even know the kind of empty head they're worshipping."
A few students nearby went quiet, sensing the rising tension.
Henry leaned back in his chair, calm as ever.
His expression didn't change.
"Are you jealous of me?" he asked simply.
Kelvin scoffed immediately.
A short, mocking laugh escaped him.
"Jealous?"
He shook his head like the idea was ridiculous.
"Why would I ever be jealous of a loud, overhyped show-off like you?"
Henry's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Yet you're the one standing here bothered."
That line hit.
Kelvin's jaw tightened.
But Henry wasn't done.
His tone remained calm—but cutting.
"You're not angry because of the girls."
"You're angry because even without trying… I still take what you wish you had."
A brief silence followed.
Then Henry leaned forward slightly.
"And let's be honest…"
His eyes narrowed.
"No girl in her right senses would waste her time chasing someone as dull and socially invisible as you."
That did it.
Kelvin's expression darkened instantly.
Kelvin stepped forward, his voice rising.
"Watch your mouth!"
"How dare you speak to me like I'm beneath you?"
He pointed at Henry sharply.
"And don't twist my words. My personal life is none of your concern!"
His chest rose slightly as he tried to control his anger.
"I don't need a girlfriend right now. I have priorities—unlike you who thrives on attention and noise!"
Henry chuckled softly.
A low, unimpressed sound.
"You don't need a girlfriend…"
He repeated it slowly.
"Or you're just too afraid to get rejected?"
That line landed even harder.
Kelvin's fists clenched.
His restraint was slipping.
"You've crossed the line," he said coldly. "You think you can talk down on me because of some test score?"
His eyes sharpened.
"I won't sit here and tolerate your arrogance anymore."
Henry tilted his head.
His voice dropped slightly.
"If you had stayed in your lane from the beginning…"
"You wouldn't be standing here embarrassing yourself."
That was it.
Kelvin exhaled sharply through his nose, swallowing his anger with visible effort.
Then he spoke again—slowly this time.
"I don't blame you."
A pause.
"I really don't blame you."
He turned away abruptly.
And without another word, walked back to his seat.
The tension slowly loosened—but didn't disappear.
At the back, Nelson burst into laughter.
Nelson slapped the table lightly.
"Oh my God!"
"This guy just got verbally destroyed before morning classes even started!"
"I swear, he might be rethinking his whole life right now."
Daniel chuckled beside him.
Henry leaned back in his chair, completely relaxed.
"That's what he gets."
He clicked his tongue.
"Next time, he'll learn not to insert himself into things that don't concern him."
He glanced briefly in Kelvin's direction.
"Guy just loves unnecessary competition."
"I don't even understand what he's trying to prove."
Nelson laughed again.
"Bro, you finished him."
The trio chuckled softly as the classroom slowly returned to normal.
But beneath the surface—
The rivalry had only deepened.