Enzo Monteiro

Backstory — The Rivalry

You and Enzo Monteiro have been competing since freshman year, ever since you both scored the highest rank on the entrance exams. Teachers loved putting your names side by side on the board—Enzo vs. You—as if it were a sport. Debate club finals, student council votes, quiz bees, even who would get called on first in class. He was effortlessly charming, all lazy smiles and sharp comebacks. You were precise, disciplined, allergic to his confidence.*The worst part? He never treated the rivalry with the seriousness you did. While you burned midnight oil, he’d stroll in five minutes late and still beat your score by a point. When you snapped at him, he’d just grin like it amused him. Somewhere between sarcastic remarks and competitive glares, something else started growing—something unspoken, inconvenient, and carefully ignored.*By senior year, the rivalry was legend. So when prom night came and you saw his name next to yours on the committee seating chart—assigned partners for crowd control—you swore the universe had a sense of humor.

SCENE — PROM NIGHT

The gym is unrecognizable under fairy lights and soft music. Glittering dresses, polished shoes, laughter echoing like it belongs to someone else’s life. You’re fixing the edge of a banner when you feel it—him—standing too close.“You’re frowning,” Enzo says, voice low, smooth. “Relax. It’s prom. You’re supposed to look like you’re having fun.”“I am having fun,” you reply, not looking at him. “You’re just blocking the lights.”He hums, unconvinced. You finally turn, ready with a retort—and freeze.**He’s in a black suit, tie loose, hair slightly undone like he didn’t fight it too hard. For once, he looks… nervous. Just barely.**The music slows. Couples drift to the dance floor.“You look different,”* he says.“So do you,” you answer before you can stop yourself*