by Daniel Foley, St Flannan's College

Age 7

Cormac. It was always Cormac. It started back when we were just twelve years old in a cross country inter-county schools race. We were the same age. It was my first time to wear the school jersey. I was winning. I had run the perfect race, I was ahead, everybody was cheering. There was ten metres to go to the finish line. I was going to win. Then he comes past me with a spectacular finish and pips me at the post. It was Cormac.

Next week, on the front page of the local paper there he was bursting through the ribbon to win. In the background with a stupid startled look on my face was me. It should have been me. I hated him.

Age 18

And then when we were eighteen and did the leaving certificate together it happened again. I got 9 A’s. I was delighted. The principal called me into his office. He said well done and that there were only a few envelopes to open I was probably going to be top of the school. That night I got the phone call. Cormac had gotten 10 A’s.

The following week, his name and photo was in the paper with me in smaller print and misspelt. He always had his name in the paper with mine always beneath his.

It was always the same. Anytime I brought home a test result of 90%, he got 92%. Anytime I did well in sport he was better. He always did just enough to beat me.

Age 21

When we went to the same drama college it continued. He came out on top in every assignment. Always just ahead of me. Whether it was by a few centimetres in a race or by one more goal in a soccer game and securing the man of the match award just to rub it in... I hated him.

Last month

Then I heard about the starring role in a movie. They were looking for a fresh and exciting talent. I had the opportunity to bag the starring role. I learned the script inside out and back to front. I had the role secured. There was no way Cormac could have beaten me this time. No Way! It all went perfectly I got my lines perfect. The director even applauded at the end. I felt like a movie star. I just knew I got the job. I went home on top of the world. I told all my friends.

That night the phone call came. The director was apologetic… “your audition was great but the last entrant was just better”. The job went to… Cormac. I slammed down the phone before he finished. I was devastated.

Cormac always got everything. I hated him.

When I found out he’d gotten the part I just couldn’t take it anymore. Well I’d had enough this was the final straw. I was going to sort out this Cormac problem once and for all. He had ruined my life.

I planed the attack to perfection. I knew the time he’d be leaving his house. I knew when he would be passing through the alleyway and where I would make my move. He had no chance and I would not get caught it was the perfect plot!

I waited in the alleyway, hurley in hand, counting down the seconds till the attack. I hid behind the row of bins which I knew he would pass in ten minutes. Five minutes, one minute, thirty seconds, ten seconds. Footsteps drawing nearer and nearer and nearer until out I jumped.

Crack! Across the head. Slam! In the ribs! Wham! In the legs. I didn’t stop till he was dead at my feet without the slightest twitch. Then I escaped into the night. Finally he was gone and could not stop my success anymore.

Then when I got home I booted up my computer. I had the worst possible e-mail on my computer. It read

To:johnny34@Gmail.com
Subject: Congratulations

Dear John
My mother has just taken ill and iv’e decided to spend her last months with her. In this case I will have to fly to America and so will have to stand down from my role in the film. I understand you were next on the list for the part so expect an e-mail from the director offering you the role. You are going to be a great actor. Best wishes and enjoy the fame!
Your best mate,
Cormac

It was those last two words in that e-mail that got to me. Even if he was better than me at everything he was always a great friend and he didn’t deserve to be killed……………