My College Rival Confessed… Right After I Started Dating His Best Friend

If my(18f) life were a college rom-com, this would be the part where the audience gasps.

For the past semester, my senior and I have been academic rivals-constantly arguing in debates, topping each other’s scores, and exchanging sarcastic jabs. He’s insufferable. Annoying. Too full of himself. A week ago his bestfriend confessed and I said yes, we agreed to explore these feelings.

last night, my so-called rival cornered me, looking different. He wasn’t smirking. He wasn’t taunting. He just looked… tired. Then, out of nowhere, he said, "I was going to confess first."

I laughed because what? But he didn’t. He just shook his head, muttered, "Forget it," and walked away.

Now, I’m spiraling. This guy has spent months acting like I was his biggest competition, and suddenly, he drops this bomb? Why now? Why after I’ve started dating his best friend? And most importantly… why does this bother me so much?

TL;DR: College rival and I have been butting heads for months. I start dating his best friend, and suddenly, he confesses. Now, I’m questioning things