School AU where Ava is naturally smart so she doesn't study and gets top scores while Beatrice pours herself into studies and secures second place (because even if she gets full marks she'll be behind ava since alphabetical order lol)
And Bea's parents can't accept that. It doesn't look good that their daughter isn't the top in the school. So she's punished whenever she fails to show her name in the top spot. Bea then grows to hate her situation, to hate Ava. It isn't until she's paired with Ava that her hate slowly disappears.
Because she dedicated so much of her time studying, she doesn't have any friends and when Ava - oblivious to Bea's first hatred - is so friendly with her, she's taken aback. She's entranced by Ava's bubbly personality and amazed by how well and fast she finds solutions to the project's problems. She's serious when need be and her mind is just brilliant. Bea would have never come up with such creative solutions because she's all about going by the books.
Though that didn't stop Ava from sparkling brightly at the fact that Beatrice can remember so much. Beatrice finds herself liking Ava's company and thankfully for her, Ava does too. They hang out more after that and learn more about each other.
When it was nearing the exams however, Beatrice suddenly distanced herself from Ava. She was reminded of what's at stake and because she's been spending time with Ava, having fun for once in her life, she forgot that she has expectations to meet. She frantically throws herself into study, neglecting food and sleep and just in a constant state of panic.
Ava noticed the bags under Beatrice's eyes and how she just looks like she's going to collapse any moment, until she does and Ava immediately brings her to infirmary. When Beatrice wakes, she panics and tries to get out of bed but Ava stops her, a frown on her face as she pushes Beatrice back down. Ava tells that she fainted and she's worried about how she's not taking care of herself but Beatrice dismisses it, saying that she needs to get back to studying.
Ava continues to stop her from doing so until Beatrice snaps. "You don't understand! You will never understand! I'm tired! I'm so tired of being punished even though I try so hard to meet their expectations! Why must it be you?! Why must you stand in my way?! You don't suffer because you're so good at everything without even trying!" She sobs, letting her emotions out after holding onto them for so long. At the moment she doesn't care that she's blaming Ava for her situation, she just needs to get her feelings out.
By the time she's finished, body trembling and breath shaking at every inhale, she realized she had poured out her life story and taken it out on Ava. She doesn't dare to look up at her, clutching the sheets tightly. It was a few agonizing seconds and Beatrice was about to apologize for her outburst when Ava slowly reaches out to place a hand over hers. She tenses at the touch but at the same time she's filled with warmth. She doesn't remember the last time she's been touched so gently and it sends a fresh wave of tears trailing down her cheeks.
"Bea, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you're suffering so much. You're so amazing and it hurts to know that you're not being treated the way you deserve. You're so kind despite the pain you've been through, despite the fact that I'm the one causing it. I want to help you, I don't want to see you in pain. I consider you my best friend and I would do anything to help you."
Beatrice's eyes widen. She's never had someone to call a friend, let alone a best friend. She timidly brings her gaze to Ava's face, seeing so much sincerity and kindness.
"Grades don't really matter to me. I don't have parents so there's no expectation of me. So if it'll make your life easier, I can make a few mistakes and ensure that you'll be at the top. And I'll be right behind you." Ava says with a grin.