mysteries & secrets | mileven

one

CHAPTER ONE;
• MIKE. SCIENCE PARTNER. •

"class!" mr clarke yells, "everybody, this is jane. she would now join our chemistry class instead."

"it's el." el whispers to him, looking down at the ground.

"sorry?" mr clarke asks due to her quietness.

"it's.. it's el." she says a bit louder and looks up at him finally.

"alright then, el. welcome abroad, you can sit at that free table at the back." he points to the back with a smile.

"t-thank you." she nods, keeping her head down and walking to the back

she sits down at the empty desk, taking out her notebook and pencil case before she starts writing down some notes whilst mr clarke starts speaking.

"who can tell me the answer to question 5?" he asks but no one raises their hand, "el?"

she looks up and everyone's staring at her. her anxiety starts to build up and she quickly shakes her head, "i-i.. i don't know."

"okay. listen closely next time, el." he sighs, "anyone else?"

"oh yes, mike?" he calls out.

"valence electrons." mike answers him.

"very good, mike." mr clarke smiles with a nod.

mike looks over to el for a split second, that's weird. she had a bunch of notes written down, how did she not know the answer?

the class continues on and he was still wondering why she didn't answer the question? was she scared? or did she think people would judge her?

"okay, i'm assigning a group project to explain what we learnt today. you'll work in pairs, with the person sitting next to you. you have 2 days, meaning you'll present next lesson." mr clarke tells everyone

el looks to the seat besides her with a frown. it was empty. does that mean she's working alone? she wanted to ask but her anxiety was just too high right now.

"mike and el! since you both don't have a neighbour, you guys can work together." mr clarke says right before the bell rang

el quickly packed up her stuff, rushing out of the room as mike attempts to chase after her.

"um, el!" he finally caught up to her and she was right in front of her locker

"hi, so are you free after school today?" he asks as she only gives him a quick glance before nodding

"cool so my house? my-"

"no." she cuts him off, "m-my house. if that's... okay with you of course....." she trails off

he nods, "yeah, that's fine. should we wait at the parking lot? we can drive." he smiles softly

"i- uh- i rode my bike today actually so-"

"that's fine, we can just put it in my car." he reassures her as the bell rings again, "guess i'll see you later."