'Get a life Sam, I don't care what you think. You're just jealous!' Grace yelled dramatically across the Chemistry lab. She was 'angry' but I could hear a tinge of delight in her voice. She loves the attention.
I steadied myself, ensuring I was pouring the acid into the measuring cylinder at eye-level, just as Mr. Brown had instructed.
'Ava!' Grace snapped suddenly, causing me to tip some hydrocloric acid on the desk. 'Please tell Sam to stoooop'
She sounded like a five-year-old. She moaned and she pouted. I'd forgotten what they were arguing about. I glanced at Samuel breifly. He wore a cocky grin under a mocking, yet friendly gaze. He caught my eye and winked flirtatiously. I took nothing of it. Sam thinks he's way hotter than he is. I rolled my eyes.
Sam and Grace fought relentlessly. They've had this furious, flirty feud for as long as anyone can remember. No one knows what went down between the two of them to make this happen, or how they both have the stamina to carry it on.
They just have opposite opinions on everything, or maybe they just pretend to. Like the other day, Grace declared that she loved barbeque sauce and Samuel insisted it was dreadful. It escalated to the point where they had asked everyone in the year whether they liked barbeque sauce or not. It must be exhausting going to all that effort just to prove you're right. I laughed to myself because I know I used to be like that too.
This was routine for all of us now. They fought so often Mr. Brown had quit trying to calm them down in his lessons and he'd settled on letting them have it out until the arguement dissipated or the bell rang. Fortunately, Chemistry is the only class Grace and Sam have together. Unfortunately, I'm in the class with them.
'Ava' Grace was groaning as if she was tired of it all but secretly wanted it to go on. I remember what they were fighting about now.
'Sam, you shouldn't judge Grace's choices in her relationship. People show their affection in different ways.' Although I did understand where Sam was coming from, Grace and Toby could be awful touchy-feely at times but it's gotten a lot better recently.
I felt Sam's arms wrap around my waist possesively. He had to hunch a bit to do so. I'm really not very tall.
'You're right, Ava. I'm sorry' He kissed the side of my forehead. I flinched a little, but it was okay. I knew Sam well enough to know that this didn't mean anything. Besides, Sam and I have had some really good times- like last summer. I would say that when he's not being a self-centered, attention-seeking douche, he could be a sweet guy and a good friend. I turned to hug him quickly before ending our embrace.
'That's sweet Sam, but it's not me you should be apologizing to' It was Grace's turn to approach me. Her hug was different. She wimpered childishly and buried her nose in my shoulder. I stroked her hair gently in an attempt to be comforting.
'Baby' Sam disguised in a cough. I threw an angry glare back at him.
'You're right Ava' he sighed. He came towards us an enveloped in his extended arms. 'I'm sorry Grace' he said through locked teeth. I could feel his warm breath on my ear. Grace gave out a long, melodramatic sigh.
'It's okay Sam' She genuinely sounded tired this time. Becoming slightly uncomfortable, I pushed Sam off my back and Grace off my front simultaneously. I enjoyed the cool air that surrounded me again. It's enbrace is better in comparison.
I assessed Grace's expression; she seemed thoughtful. She looked at me and smiled, she'd noticed I was staring.
'Thanks Ava' She squeezed my hand in hers for a moment. I looked around and Sam had already gone back to his seat. I smiled back at my friend. Grace and I are close. We are close.
Grace is with Toby. It's cute: Grace Gayle and Tobias Fallon. Even the sound of their names together seem to chime harmoniously. I think they've been together a year now. They're the kind of couple that has it figured out, they've been together long enough for that to happen. They're comfortable. They don't text all the time anymore, or kiss desperately whenever they see each other. We're all grateful the honeymoon period passed. I remember in the summer they went through a real rough patch, fighting constantly. That period ended too. Now, they're replaced their passionate debate and tongue for small talk and pecks on the cheek.
'Did you get to finish your experiment Ava?' Mr. Brown nudged his glasses further up his nose with his pen and studied me kindly.
'No Sir' I half-smiled. 'But I understand neautralisation well, I can use the figures in the textbook experiment for my graph'
'That's fine' He assured me. 'Grace and Samuel never stop, do they?' He smiled and sighed. Mr. Brown amongest the youngest of the staff. He did his Chemistry A-level just six years ago, so he's familiar with the syllabus. A lot of girls have a crush on Mr. Eli Brown, and I could see why. Brown had soft hazel eyes and stubble that worked, not to mention a body constantly undergoing an exothermic reaction.
I cleaned my apparatus and left the classroom slowly. Some days I do everything quickly, other days I'm in no rush. Either way I like to stay busy.
I've always thought Sam and Grace would get together. It seems impossible and perfect at the same time. For the moment it is impossible, because Sam is dating Dinah. I wish I could speak more positively of Dinah, I really do. I'm sure she's a wonderful person when you get to know her. But I haven't been able to speak to her properly. I've heard that she doesn't really like me all that much. I don't know why and nobody does. Apparently Dinah formulates her oppinions of others quickly. After those first few minutes of your first ever encounter she'll have decided whether you're worth a second encounter or not.
Anyway, it's ridiculous to think Grace and Sam would ever become an item. They're both too proud for that. But the thought of them isn't such an absurd notion.
