Anna and Alex were the undisputed stars of Nowhere High School. Not because they were arrogant like the other famous groups, but because they were a rare combination of intelligence, charm, kindness—and also because they were the only two people who could argue for hours without throwing hands.
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Anna was the child of an everyday person, brought up in a humble household where discussions about philosophy occurred as frequently as disputes about who forgot to close the fridge. She was passionate about exploring topics such as morality, ethics, and justice—essentially, she was a living TED Talk.
Alex, on the other hand, was the son of a wealthy politician, was used to grand ambitions, big words, and the idea that every problem in the world could be fixed with “a well-structured policy.” He had a plan for everything—except how to win an argument against Anna.
They were two contrasting characters—Anna, the idealist, upheld the notion of absolute moral principles, while Alex, the aspiring politician, advocated for “pragmatic compromises.”
Together, they formed an unbeatable team—partners in mischief, best friends, and the preferred duo for anyone needing a little help with math or emotional support, you name it. If you required tutoring or wanted to know how to win your crush, Anna and Alex were available to provide an insight with a dash of attitude.
One day, their school revealed an upcoming inter-school quiz competition. As expected, their names topped the list.
The competition was a big deal—winning it meant a trophy, eternal glory, and, most importantly, skipping an entire day of classes. The latter was motivation enough.
However, there was one problem: Veronica and her group. The "Queens of Arrogance"—as Anna liked to call them—were also competing. Veronica, stunning but snobbish, had a habit of underestimating anyone who wasn’t part of her circle.
“You know, I almost feel bad for you two,” Veronica smirked at lunch. “We all know this quiz is about intelligence, not charm.”
Alex sipped his juice calmly. “Oh, don’t worry, Veronica. We’ll make sure to explain the difficult words to you.”
Anna almost choked on her sandwich. “You’re so kind, Alex. You’re practically doing community service.”
Veronica rolled her eyes and flounced away, but not before dramatically flipping her hair, nearly smacking her friend, Bella, in the face.
The next few days, Anna and Alex dedicated each afternoon to their preparations. Their study periods combined serious concentration with light-hearted teasing.
“Explain epistemology,” Anna challenged, relaxing on Alex’s sofa while tossing a ball into the air.
“The examination of knowledge, its characteristics, and boundaries,” Alex replied without hesitation. “Now, my turn. What year did the French Revolution begin?”
“1789, obviously. Give me something harder.”
“Alright, what’s the capital of Burkina Faso?”
Anna frowned. “Oua-something? Ouga…. Wait. Don’t tell me. Ouagadougou!”
“That’s my girl,” Alex grinned, high-fiving her.
The day of the quiz arrived, and the school auditorium was packed.
Anna and Alex were seated at their table, directly opposite Veronica’s team. The host kicked things off, and the questions began to flow. Anna responded with her self-assured attitude, while Alex relied on his sharp observational skills to foresee tricky inquiries.
When the final round came, the competition was extremely close. The deciding question was asked: “What is the capital of Burkina Faso?”
Veronica buzzed in first. “Um… Africa?”
A long silence followed.
Anna raised an eyebrow. “That’s like saying the capital of Texas is America.”
The audience burst into laughter, and even the host had to suppress a chuckle.
Alex leaned closer. The answer is Ouagadougou.” He pressed the buzzer, answering correctly and clinching their win.
As the trophy was awarded to them, Veronica kept her distance. Anna leaned nearer and whispered, “Don’t fret, we’ll still assist you with your geography assignments.”
Later that night, Anna and Alex settled under their favorite oak tree outside the school, relishing their triumph.
“You’ll never change, will you?” Alex sighed, dramatically collapsing onto the grass.
“And you’ll never stop trying to prove me wrong.” Anna grinned, lying down next to him.
They stared at the stars, feeling the gentle breeze on their skin.Despite their endless arguments and debates, one undeniable fact remained: their friendship was solid.
Years later, Alex became a politician, fervently advocating for change, while Anna became a professor, teaching philosophy and reminding her students that “politicians are perilous without supervision.” Yet, regardless of the distance between them, they maintained their connection. Whenever Alex made a significant political choice, he would hear Anna’s voice echoing in his mind, warning, “DON’T SELL YOUR SOUL FOR VOTES.” And each time Anna questioned whether her ideals could certainly make a difference, Alex would text her: “Hey, at least we haven’t wiped out humanity yet. Progress!” They were different.
They were opposites. But together, they were an unstoppable force—and incredibly entertaining to observe.
Author: Hajira Umrani
Image taken from HajiraCreativity