Third Period – Chemistry Class
Naya slid into a seat near the back, hoping to disappear into the lab tables and fumes. She didn't even care who her partner was, as long as it wasn't—
"Assigned lab partners are on the screen," the teacher called out. "You'll be working together all semester, so get comfortable."
Naya glanced up.
Saw her name.
Saw his.
Lucien Rey.
She blinked twice.
"No. Nope. Absolutely not," she muttered.
Lucien took the seat beside her without hesitation. "Hey, partner."
"I'm switching."
Lucien leaned back, relaxed. "Too bad. She said it's for the whole semester."
"I'll drop the class."
"You love chemistry."
"I used to love chemistry. Now it's tainted."
Lucien let out a short laugh. "We're just doing labs. Not a trust fall."
The teacher passed by and tapped the table. "You two good?"
Naya smiled with the warmth of a popsicle. "So good."
As soon as the teacher walked away, she hissed under her breath, "Do not talk to me unless fire is involved."
Lucien grinned like that was the funniest thing he'd heard all morning.
"Got it. Fire only."
---
Lunchtime – Courtyard
Nora plopped her tray down next to Naya. "So… I saw your lab partner."
"I'm filing an emotional restraining order," Naya deadpanned, stabbing a carrot.
Nora looked over her shoulder. "Well, he looks like he's trying to play it cool, but he's definitely watching you."
"I don't care."
"You just noticed though."
Naya glared. "Shut up."
Jessica approached the table like she was floating on gossip fumes.
"Hey, Naya. Cute how you and Lucien got paired up. Meant to be?"
Naya didn't blink. "Jessica, aren't you late for your villain origin story?"
Jessica gave a tight smile. "Just saying, maybe next time don't ask a guy out in front of a camera."
Naya stood up. "Maybe next time don't post it on your story for attention."
Jessica blinked, caught off guard for once. "Wow. Someone's touchy."
Nora stood too. "She's not touchy. She just has boundaries. You should Google that."
Jessica rolled her eyes and flounced off.
Naya sat down hard. "I swear, if one more person mentions that video—"
Lucien appeared beside the table.
Naya tensed.
"I didn't know she recorded it," he said quietly. "If I had, I would've stopped her."
Naya didn't look up. "Doesn't matter now."
Lucien didn't move.
"Just so you know," he said, "I didn't say no because I didn't like you."
Naya froze.
Lucien turned to leave.
Then added over his shoulder, "But if you still hate me, that's fair."
He walked off.
Nora stared at Naya. "Okay... you heard that, right?"
Naya was too busy trying to keep her heart from sprinting out of her chest.