Chapter Text
Ever since they met 5 years ago, when they were just freshmen at Coven of Chaos University, it was clear that they were meant for each other. Whether it meant romantically, platonically, or rivalry, Agatha Harkness and Rio Vidal were destined to cross paths.
Now that they were graduating high school, everyone knew about their names, some even feared them for they had established a reputation in the school. Agatha Harkness is an academic weapon who challenges anyone who comes her way. Studies always come first along with her responsibilities as the student government president. Rio Vidal however, was quite something else. Also an academic weapon but prioritizes basketball over academics for she is the captain of the school’s varsity team.
The two have been constantly trying to cut each other’s throats inside the classroom. Call them academic rivals if you dare. They compare each other’s scores on tests, trying to see who got the higher mark, participate always in class and almost turn everything into a debate, and always fight for the number one spot in the class rankings.
At first, their batchmates found the never-ending bickering annoying. But now, they were waiting for one of them to break, to admit that they were really attracted to each other. Some were placing bets on who would fold first (Their bet is on Rio).
“You’re late,” Agatha hissed at her best friend Wanda who arrived at class 5 minutes late. Wanda rolled her eyes at her while taking a seat beside Agatha. “It was traffic plus Ms. Calderu is always late so I didn’t really rush.”
“Whatever,” Agatha shrugged and diverted her attention to the textbook in front of her. She returned to what she was reading about. Once she caught her breath, Wanda looked at what her best friend was doing.
“Do we have a test today?” Wanda asked her and Agatha replied with a “No” by shaking her head, not leaving the textbook. “Then why are you studying?” Wanda asked again.
“I’m not. I’m just reading.”
“You’re unbelievable. You actually read our history textbook for fun?”
“You don’t?”
Wanda laughed at her remark. “You, Agatha Harkness, are a different breed. No wonder you’re top of the class. You study for fun.” Agatha was about to say something back but the last member of their trio suddenly sat beside Wanda, coming in late as well.
“Hey you two, what did I miss?” Billy asked them, still catching his breath. “Our dear friend here is reading the textbook for fun. For fun, Billy. She’s annoyingly a nerd,” Wanda said, causing Billy to laugh.
“Aren’t you used to Agatha doing that? She cancels our trips because she’s studying.”
“Yeah, but this year seems different. She’s been studying nonstop and the first semester is barely even over!”
“It’s senior year, Wands. She’s clearly aiming for class valedictorian. I’m pretty sure she’s working extra hard this year because she doesn’t want Rio to take that spot since last year-“
“I’m still here, you know?” Agatha grumbled, finally closing the textbook and looking at her best friends. “And I told you, don’t mention that name in front of me.”
Billy snorted at her request. “Agatha, seriously, when will your feud end? This academic rival thing you have with her is getting a little old. When will you finally realize that you just want to bang each other?”
With that said, Wanda smacked his head, “You idiot, keep your thoughts yourself.”
“It’s fine, Wanda. I’m used to people gossiping about that. And we’re not academic rivals. We’re just two people who want to succeed academically. We’re competitive,” Agatha explained.
“Sounds like academic rivals,” Billy taunted but stopped when Agatha was glaring at him. They were about to talk more when someone walked into the classroom with a loud shut of the door causing everyone to shut up and look at who it was.
It was Rio Vidal who was wearing sunglasses and holding a cup of coffee making her look like she was hungover. Not that that was concerning, this was her usual look. She showed a peace sign to apologize for her entrance which gave the people in the room a signal to continue what they were doing.
Rio surveyed the room for an empty seat and also for her best friend Natasha when her eyes landed on Agatha who was already staring at her. She smirked and raised her cup of coffee as a way of saying “good morning”. Agatha rolled her eyes, looking away which made Rio chuckle.
She then saw Natasha waving her hand at the back of the room and went to place her bag on the extra seat in front of them, removed her sunglasses, and sat beside her. “Late as ever, Rio,” Natasha commented, “And a dramatic entrance too.”
“They’re used to it,” Rio said nonchalantly, averting her gaze to Agatha once more. Natasha followed her eyes and then laughed softly. “You could just ask her out, you know? Instead of fighting all the time. It’s annoying now,” she suggested.
“Why would I do that? I hate her Nat. She’s the most infuriating woman I have ever met. Why would I ask her out?” Rio asked her with an accusing tone. “You always look at her longingly, Rio. I’m starting to think you just challenge her to get closer to her.”
Rio let out a disgusted scoff. “Never say those words again.” Natasha was about to tease her more when their literature teacher, Ms. Calderu, arrived and greeted the class. The class greeted their teacher back and settled down for the lesson.
“Alright people, for today, we will be discussing a classic literary trope that I’m aware you all know of. “Love blossoming from hate” . Before anything else, what are your thoughts about this?” Ms. Calderu asked the class.
Beside Agatha, Billy quietly laughed, “Sounds like someone I know.” Agatha ignored him and decided to start speaking before anyone got the chance. “I think it’s possible, Ms. Calderu. It’s a psychological phenomenon. Several studies reveal that intense emotions, such as hate, can turn into something different. A different emotion, perhaps, and in this case, it’ll turn to love.”
Ms. Calderu nodded her head, satisfied with her answer. “Interesting point, Ms. Harkness. Anyone else?” The class was quiet for a while, not wanting to disagree with Agatha. Debating with Agatha Harkness was basically a death wish. She does not play at all and always wins her arguments. Everyone feared her skills. Well, everyone but her.
“You read too many romance novels, Harkness. It’s been a known fact that hate just stays and grows. It’s a twisted emotion that can overcome someone’s senses. I think it’s unlikely that a switch from hate to love could happen,” Rio spoke which made Agatha give her a look of annoyance.
Their classmates audibly gasped at Rio’s answer. They were ready to experience another Vidal-Harkness brawl inside the classroom. “I believe love is such a powerful emotion that it can overcome the feeling of hatred. It can soften the hardest, blackest heart out there and heal deep wounds,” Agatha retorted.
Rio smirked at her. She was going to have fun with this. “Isn’t that a bit unrealistic? Love is fragile, it could make the toughest of people vulnerable. On the other hand, hate is enduring and unbeatable.”
“Love can also be endurable and unbeatable, Vidal. It’s a force to be reckoned with,” Agatha answered, glaring at her, warning her to back off. And like all those times before, Rio didn’t listen.
“I disagree with your statement. Hate is much more powerful than love.”
“Oh really? Love is the most powerful emotion of all. It can provide forgiveness, it can move mountains, it could literally conquer anything as long as you have enough of it.”
“You’re a bit dramatic. I think you’re romanticizing love too much. Love makes you make impulsive and irrational decisions that will eventually lead you to heartbreak.”
“And hate leads you to violence, destruction, and also heartbreak. Weigh the stakes, Vidal. Which one for you is worse?”
Some of their classmates grinned when Rio stopped for a second. Agatha won this argument. “Fair point, Harkness. I still believe hate is dangerous, though,” she said, smiling in defeat.
Normally, Agatha would tease her, on why she gave up so easily. But before should could stop herself, she decided to push her rival’s buttons. “I think you’re scared that you might actually like me, Vidal.”
Rio raised an eyebrow at her reply. “So you’ll eventually love me then?” she replied with a smirk. She was expecting Agatha to tell her to shut up or tell her she was being gross but she wasn’t expecting her answer.
“We’ll see. You might be an exception to that rule,” Agatha said, matching her smirk.
“Exception? I’m flattered that you find me interesting enough.”
“Don’t be absurd, Vidal. You’re not interesting enough for me. You’re way too irresponsible and damaged.”
Rio pretended to be offended with an exaggerated fake gasp. “Trust me, Harkness, I’m quite interesting. I’m everything you could ever ask for. I think you’re quite a know-it-all. In simple terms, you’re annoying”
“Thank you. The feeling is mutual.”
“Oh wow. Let me get this straight. You believe that hate can turn into love and then admit you’re a know-it-all? This morning is suddenly so fun.”
“Right ‘cause it’s a fine way to spend my morning in this class, arguing with you,” Agatha said sarcastically. Rio was ready to make a witty remark but was stopped by Ms. Calderu speaking again.
“It seems like the debate has gone somewhere else. Thank you Ms. Harkness and Ms. Vidal for those valuable insights. Let’s go back to our discussion, shall we? We can start by exploring different classic literatures and studies to further understand the topic,” Ms. Calderu interrupted their exchange.
Agatha took a deep breath and stole a glance of Rio who was grinning at her wickedly. She sighed and turned her attention to her teacher’s class. It was always fun bickering with Rio. Especially when she wins.
Hours passed when the school bell finally rang, indicating that it was already lunchtime. Ms. Calderu gave them an assignment before saying goodbye. As Agatha was arranging her stuff, she saw Rio and Natasha leaving the room. Rio being Rio, she winked at Agatha right before she disappeared out of their sight.
“Did you see that? She winked at you, Ags. Oh my god, this is like reading fanfiction,” Billy squealed. “You outdid yourself today. You actually flirted with her. Is this Agatha Harkness slowly giving in to temptation?” Wanda added.
“Okay, you two need to stop with this fantasy of me and Vidal getting together. It’s never going to happen, alright? Now let’s go, I’m starving,” she told them. Knowing Agatha, they didn’t say anything else. That didn’t stop them from showing a knowing smile. Agatha just walked out of the room first, being so done with their theories and all that.
It’s not like she really hates Rio. She tolerates her behavior and finds herself admiring her intelligence and competitiveness. She just doesn’t like her.
She fished her phone out of her pocket to check some unread emails and looked at her calendar for upcoming school events. Agatha started to walk slowly as she was reading each email carefully, Wanda and Billy eventually catching up to her.
While she was reading the emails and while Wanda and Billy were discussing a topic she didn’t care about, walking a few steps ahead of her, she received a text notification. She stopped in her tracks then clicked on the notification.
From: Vidal
Nice debate, mi amor. You did well. See you tonight? :)
Agatha smiled at the text and shook her head in disbelief. She can’t believe this girl sometimes. She quickly replied to the text before catching up to her best friends.
To: Vidal
Shut up. You were annoying. Thanks for letting me win though. And yes, I shall be seeing you tonight, my love. xoxo.
So yeah, Agatha Harkness did not like Rio Vidal. She loved her. And that was a hard secret to keep.