Close The Door

Chapter 9- Altered Chemistry

Mallow just came out to me. As she was crying, I pulled her in for a hug, and she reciprocates, crying into my chest as I comfort her. Even though I was relieved that she didn't have feelings for me, my heart still hurt for her because even though she won't be killed, she would be imprisoned. She chokes on some sobs here and there, but I run a soothing hand on her back, reassuring her that everything will be alright, even if I don't have the answers. She pulls away.

"Goh, I'm scared," she confesses. I look at her eyes, which were filled with fear, just like the fear implanted in her brain by the government. I sigh, looking around to make sure no one heard. To my relief, the street was as empty as the library during school closures. She wipes her tears off her face. "I'm sorry for ruining your shirt," she says apologetically. I shake my head, unbothered by the tear stains. I'm more worried about her safety now, just like James's, Ash's and my own. Who knew the world could take away so much from us when we've done little to nothing to deserve it.

"Mallow, I'm scared too," I tell her. She does a double take before she fully realizes what I meant. Upon her realization, I began to panic, as I've realized now what I meant. "You're secret's safe with me. Who else knows?" She asks. Relieved, I wish I could tell her about Ash, but the more people that know the more risky it becomes. "Just you. I didn't realize what I said," I say truthfully. She looks around, and becomes alert when she notices someone in front. In a panic, she reaches over to me and pulls me in for a kiss. As much as we both don't want to, it's a decision made between life and death. As the person walks by, Mallow breaks the kiss. "Hmm, who knew iced coffee actually tasted good," she says with a smirk. Once the coast was clear, we walked back, detailing a plan.

Essentially, I would be her boyfriend and she would be my girlfriend. No one would notice, unless we didn't kiss or even hold hands. Thankfully, we're both smart and if we want to make it far, we have to go as far as we can. I shudder at the thought, but it's only fair to her that I can protect her secret. Even if mine goes out, as long as I'm the only one that knows hers, she has nothing to worry about.

We're soon approaching the campus, and it's about half an hour before my class starts. "I have chemistry next," I tell her. She gives me a look that says 'good luck' because chemistry is not the easiest thing in the world. Sadly, she doesn't, and when we arrive at my class, she gives me a kiss on the cheek. Before she leaves, she winks. I smile back at her, grateful to have a friend like her that would go all the way to keep up the fake relationship. Upon walking into the classroom, I notice Ash is in the same class with me, mouth gaping.

"Woah, when did that happen?" He asked. Much to my embarrassment, I shrug it off. I sit down next to him. "We went on a date to the nearby coffee shop, and she'd confessed that she had a crush on me, and we both agreed to try dating each other," I say, obviously lying through my teeth, and I knew that he knew. He played along with it as well. In the corner, I noticed a man glaring at me. He wore a long pink coat, and had curly platinum blonde hair. If I hadn't known any better, he seemed unconvinced, but didn't say anything. He turned around, after I compared the way that both he and Kiawe had a similar stare. It began feeling like there was some sort of connection, but I began to feel even more disjointed.

The professor was ready to begin the class. It took a while for all the other students to settle down, but he began the session by directing all of us sitting in a four by four area to introduce each other. In my group was Ash, the one guy from earlier, and another guy who was wearing a light blue jacket with blonde hair, but not as light.

"My name is Ash," Ash said. The guy with the blue jacket had to turn around completely in order to face the entire group. "My name's Clemont," he said. The final guy kept his introduction short and simple, but definitely not sweet. "Bede."