Emily
Throughout my entire life, she was always there. We grew up going to the same church and the same schools. Now we go to the same college and we even have the same major. Heck, I bet when we graduate, we'll end up at the same job! That's how intertwined our lives have been.
It sounds like I'm describing my best friend, doesn't it? Unfortunately... I am not. McKayla is more like... my arch-rival. That's right, she's
my
rival, but I'm not hers.
There's hardly any comparison. She's so hot compared to me. Her long brown hair is naturally wavy. Her green eyes look so fierce, you would think they were contacts, but of course they're real. And don't get me started on her breasts. She has such a tight little body, you would think those things were implants. But of course, they're naturally perfect, just like the rest of her.
McKayla has always known she is better than me. Though we often had people who were in both of our friendship circles, she never found a reason to be nice to me. As the more popular girl, she always found ways of making sure I was put in my place.
I could have looked past it all because I was never used to being the center of attention, but there was one moment that really set us apart. When I was in ninth grade, my boyfriend, Brian, left me for her. Without even trying, she stole the one thing in my life that made me feel attractive.
They're not even together anymore, but it doesn't matter. Knowing she can effortlessly take any man from me is a constant reminder that I'm below her.
*******
As I sat in class, I began staring at her as I often did. There was something about her confidence that radiated, leaving me unable to take my eyes off her. I don't know if I was more jealous of her looks or the life she had.
Seeing her smiling and giggling around her friends would quickly remind me how pretty and charming she was. But no matter how attractive she was on the outside, I had a sheer dislike for the person she was on the inside. Occasionally, I've even called her the B word... just in my head, though.
Once class ended, she pivoted and shot me a look. With a simple smile, she left me panicking as I pretended to look towards someone else's direction. But that confident smirk on her face proved she knew I was looking at her, and that I had all the reasons in the world to be envious.
Afterwards, I tried to avoid her and just walk back to my apartment. However, I was once again left in a daze, wishing I were in her shoes as she hung out with her circle of friends.
Brian was there, of course, probably wishing he could get back with McKayla if she would ever take him back. However, there was an even bigger blow to my ego. A crush of mine, Tom, who I thought was in my circle of friends, also started hanging out with my rival. I wasn't sure how close they were, but I couldn't blame him for being drawn to her once she started giving him attention.
Once again, I was caught red-handed. McKayla and her entire group of friends looked towards me, noticing my inability to take my eyes off them. She then whispered something, causing her friends to laugh as they continued looking my way.
I didn't know what she said, but I was left red with embarrassment.
There's no way she said something nice,
I thought to myself.
Nobody laughs at compliments.
Most humiliating of all, Tom was also laughing, causing me to think I had lost my shot now that McKayla was potentially in the picture. For a brief second, I thought about confronting the group and asking them what was so funny. But like I always do, I just hung my head in shame and rushed away, pretending it never happened.
Though I tried to save myself from further embarrassment, our interactions were far from over. My friends from when I lived in the dorms during freshman year had an intramural flag football team. Despite having no semblance of athleticism, they asked me to play because one of their girls couldn't make it, and they would have to forfeit unless they found another girl.
"I don't even know how to play football!" I argued, looking for any excuse not to join.
"It's okay!" one of the boys explained, looking a bit desperate. "You'll just be standing on the field so we don't get this qualified. We don't expect you to do much."
I groaned, knowing things wouldn't be that easy. Whenever it came to sports or exercising, I always made a fool of myself, proving I'm nothing more than a clumsy little dumb blonde.
Of course, they eventually convinced me to go, since I was incapable of standing up for myself. But despite all their attempts to comfort me, things went just as terribly as I suspected.
I let out a huge gasp as soon as I arrived. "What is she doing here?" I asked, as I noticed my rival on the field.
"I think she's on the team we are playing against," one of my friends responded. "Do you know her?"
"Kind of..." I said, looking her up and down. However, I didn't feel like explaining that the cute little brunette was my rival.
As we got ready to play, and the boys quickly tried to teach me some skills, all I could do was dread the possibility of being matched up against her. We were similar in height and weight, though she had a much tighter body than me and bigger breasts. Neither of us really did sports growing up. However, I assumed she would be good at this, just like she was at everything else.
I wasn't surprised when I realized Brian was on her team, but my jaw almost hit the floor once I saw Tom throwing the ball around with them. "Is he on their team too?!" I asked one of my closer friends.
"Tom? Yeah, he just joined them. Their whole team is actually really good."
"Including McKayla?" I asked, dreading the answer.
My friend looked at me and said, "She's their worst player, so you'll probably be guarding her."
My heart almost jumped out of my chest as those words haunted my brain. I was left cringing, wishing I could disappear and avoid the embarrassment that was sure to ensue.
As encouraging as my team was, including the other girls, it was no help. However, I found a glimmer of hope when I was told they almost never pass her the ball.
Unfortunately, things would be different in this game. Though she was definitely their worst player, she had never been guarded by someone as pathetic as me.
Looking so cute in her tank top and a little tight spandex shorts, she shot me a confident smile before the first play. I did my best to guard her, hoping they would throw the ball to someone else. Unfortunately, I couldn't keep up with her, leaving her wide open... every time.
Over and over, they threw her the ball as I struggled to keep up. She caught it every time, before leaving me in her dust. Touchdown after touchdown, she exposed me for the weak and unathletic girl that I was. After every play, I was left on my knees, gasping for air and trying to pick up my confidence.
I heard "Oohs" and "Ahhs," coming from all directions as I kept my head down, trying to hide the embarrassment of being bested by her once again. I knew nothing about football, but I wanted to cry. As her team celebrated with her, I could only imagine how much Tom was laughing at me.
Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, things escalated to a whole new level. We were already losing by so much, and there was no hope of winning the game. I had no idea why we were even still playing.
McKayla caught another pass, but this time I was right next to her. Feeling optimistic that I might finally do something right, I reached down and tried to get her flag. However, as I was reaching, my left foot tripped over my right, and I went stumbling forward.
My brunette rival didn't have time to jump out of the way, causing me to stumble right into her. Unfortunately, instead of halting her in any way, I just bounced off her like the weak little girl that I am.
Though our height and weight are practically the same, she showed her superior strength, running me over like I wasn't even there. Once again, she was left with nothing but open field as she trotted in for another score.
I didn't know what to do. Standing up and facing my team would have been embarrassing enough. However, remaining on the ground would only further show how physically dominant she was to me, as she put me on my butt without even trying.
