Coach Carter was not known for changing his mind.
Or smiling.
Or blinking more than once per minute.
Which is why it was... weird when he started hovering behind Jaanvi during practices.
Not in a creepy way.
Just in a... squinting, head-tilted, muttering-under-his-breath kind of way.
"Did he just say 'clean crossfire flow'?" Aryan whispered from the back row.
"I think he did," Ron whispered back.
"Should we... clap?"
"No. No sudden movements. You'll scare him."
But Jaanvi noticed. Of course she did.
She noticed the way Coach paused longer when she presented, the way he started nodding slowly, the way he didn't interrupt her with the usual sarcastic: "Interesting. Do you plan on backing that up, or was it just for decoration?"
Instead, he said things like:
"That's a solid framework, Vaidya."
"Excellent work on that pivot."
"That's the cleanest rebuttal I've heard in months."
And Jaanvi almost cried.
Because finally — finally — someone in authority saw what she knew all along: she was good at this. She wasn't just Aditya's shadow. She earned her place.
Of course, the moment things started going well—
Chaos reentered the chat.
It started with a petition.
Signed by half the school.
(Okay, it was ten people. But still.)
Delivered to Coach Carter on bright green paper with sparkly purple ink.
Title:
"Put Jaanvi & Aditya as partners for the whole year. For Educational Purposes."
Subtext:
"Please, we are starving for drama."
Coach Carter read it. Then looked up.
Then read it again.
And for the first time ever, he smiled.
It was terrifying.
The next day at practice, he announced:
"New decision. Vaidya and Singh will be permanent partners this season."
Aditya froze. "What?"
Jaanvi choked. "Come again?"
Their friend group screamed in silent joy.
"And," Coach continued, absolutely unfazed by the rising chaos, "you'll also be debating against each other next week. Solo round."
The room exploded.
Ron dropped his pen. "Sir, that is psychological warfare."
Kiara clapped. "I'm seated. I'm popcorn-ready."
Saachi whispered, "They're going to kill each other."
Siya whispered back, "Or make out on stage. Honestly, could go either way."
Jaanvi raised her hand, still flustered. "Wait, sir, how can we be partners and also opponents—?"
"Balance," he replied simply. "Learn it."
Aditya leaned toward her. "Well, partner, looks like we're stuck together."
She narrowed her eyes. "You better not slack off."
"Me? Never."
"Good. Because if you tank our team score, I will literally hide your inhaler before your next match."
"Oh, we're threatening now?"
"Always have been."
Their bickering got louder. Coach Carter rubbed his temples.
Meera took out her phone. "This is better than reality TV."
Rey nodded. "Forget Netflix."
Ron pulled out a notepad. "I'm taking bets."
Later That Day, in the Hallway:
"I still can't believe this," Jaanvi groaned, arms crossed as she walked beside Aditya. "Who does that? Partners and rivals? Is this a debate or a romantic thriller?"
He bumped her shoulder gently. "It's us. You expected normal?"
"I expected a break."
"You should've known better."
She glared at him. "I will out-argue you into another dimension."
He smirked. "Then bring it, partner."
And even with the sarcasm, even with the looming chaos ahead...
They both kind of loved it.
Because nothing is more dangerous
than two rivals
who understand each other perfectly
—especially when they're on the same side.
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