The Science Project (A short story)

The Science Project

'Science is the best subject ever. No one argues with me.' I announce to the class during recess. There is no need to argue. Our teacher Ms. Walker is the best teacher a student can ask for. We play games and have prizes while learning! Everyone is hyped when we get science. Well, most of us. Shin Yukito was sitting at the back of the class, with his usual tired and bored look. He has snowy white hair and bright blue eyes that seem to glow. I narrowed my eyes. Why is he being so unenthusiastic? Why does he have to be so different?! I ignored him and pushed away the thoughts.

It was finally Friday. Science time! I was running the periodic table in my head. Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium...

'Morning class!' Ms. Walker sang as she walked in.

'There will be a slight change of schedule. Since the science fair is just around the corner, we'll be doing a group project!' Everyone tensed up. Eying their friends, they prayed they would be in the same group. I scanned the list of pairings. Then, my blood ran cold.

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Jake Aaron, Kyda LiaAlabaster Verto, Shin YukitoHon Teim, Dia Manda

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'Noooo!!!! Not him! Out of all people!' I mentally screamed. Yukito is going to ruin my project! This is terrible. A white object on my table catches my eyes. It was a hand. It was pale but delicate. Yukito's. Without my permission, my hand moved on its own. My vision turned red. Then, I slapped him. Right on his cheek.

'I am very disappointed in you Alabaster, I thought you knew better than to slap someone.' Ms. Walker's voice rang in my head as I walked home. The rest of my day was terrible. I couldn't concentrate in class. My friends are giving me weird looks and Yukito and I haven't made any progress in our project. In fact, we haven't even spoken to each other after I slapped him. Ugh! Why do things have to be so complicated! Why can't they just go the way I want?!

The next day, there was a note on my desk. It was from Yukito.

Verto,

I'm really sorry I made you angry yesterday. Can you forgive me? We can talk about our project next recess.

Yukito

The note was written in beautiful cursive. I can't help but marvel at it. I turned my head. Yukito was looking in my direction. I gave him a tiny nod.

We met at my table at recess.

'I want to do this air gun project.' I told him. 'We can choose the best material for the ball to make it fly faster and figure out how to make the bullet travel farther. We can even ask our siblings to test it out when playing!' It was an excellent idea. Of course, the annoying Yukito has other ideas.

'Please, I don't want to do this project. I don't want to make a gun.' he whimpered. I rolled my eyes. Yukito flinched.

'If you hate my idea so much, you suggest a better one.'

'Well, I have this idea...' Yukito said in a small voice.

I have to admit, DIY camera is gonna be an amazing project. It's simple, cheap but cool. So we agreed on that. As we parted ways, I heard Yukito mutter something softly.

'Thanks for understanding, Verto.'

The next day, Yukito was back. He handed me the instructions to make the camera and left. I opened my mouth to talk to him, but he was already gone. I studied the paper. It came with detailed instructions for the camera. The instructions were written in neat handwriting. He must've written it himself. I looked in his direction, but he avoided my gaze.