Atomic Love [2]

Chapter 15 - Science Fair Pt. 1

TW: Swearing

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Chapter 15

November 3, Tuesday

Kathrin's POV

Ok, I'm just going to summarise.

It was the science fair today. I got partnered up with some random person, got second place again (I swear to God, I always have to get top three, but never first place).

Me and this person did some robotics related shit, and surprise surprise, Leonard and his skipped-two-grades-ass and Arthur got first place. Are we shocked? No.

Last year when I brought home the second place medal, I got a whole ass beating for 'not being smart enough', but I barely ever go home anymore; I usually just crash at the treehouse or the abandoned house, so that was no longer a worry.

Currently, I was walking with Arthur and Leonard down the street, the night dark and the road wet from the rain that just ended.

It was pretty silent as all I could hear were our sloppy footsteps. Though I eventually spoke up, asking, "What was your project again? I didn't understand shit."

I could see Arthur shake his head disappointedly, burying his face into his hands as he murmured, "Here we go again." I had a look of confusion on my face while Leonard started smiling.

He pulled out a piece of paper, showing me this diagram that's on it. (a/n: my nerd friend actually drew a diagram which you can see above. And to clarify, I mean no harm to nerds, they're great. Ok, continue reading >:))

"Two dual copper coils accelerate particles in opposing directions and are powered by a laser, so when I flip this switch-- they collide and break apart, creating nuclear fission. Then I would use a laser to knock the particles out of the coils and into a detector, which should give me my results." Leonard explained.

I sighed, understanding what Arthur meant. "I'm sorry I asked." I then muttered out.

Afterwards, the Lee boy stopped walking, reaching into his bag to get a large pile of paper, handing it to me. "What's this?" I quizzed. "A more detailed explanation of my project. I assume you were confused, noticed from your furrowed brows and slight frown." He stated, me giving him a playful glare.

I took it from him, groaning slightly at the weight. "You've been carrying this the whole day?" I then asked, flipping through it but not actually bothered to read it (he doesn't need to know that).

"Well from 07:34 to now." Leonard then clarified.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew our way, blowing pieces of the paper out of my hand and onto the damp ground. "Aw shit, sorry man." I apologised, quickly handing him the rest of the paper that wasn't blown away so I didn't have to keep holding it. "Want me to go get the rest?" I then offered, while he shook his head. "I have a digital version of it at home."

I just shrugged while we continued walking. "What the hell, you can't just waste paper like that." And there Arthur goes with his unnecessarily eco-friendly ass.

"50% of waste business is actually paper-- half! If you just save one tonne of paper, it would be fourteen-hundred litres of oil, twenty-six thousand five-hundred litres of water and seventeen trees. C'mon guys, be better." Arthur lectured.

He ran back, picking up the dirty and wet pieces of paper from the ground while Leonard and I just continued walking.

Y'know what, now that I'm looking at it, I've basically got the Walmart versions of Sienna and Maeva. The overly nice environmental enthusiast and an insufferable know-it-all (Harry Potter reference  haha).

As we continued walking, nearing Leonard's house, I could see the figures of Sienna and Dylan walking by.

A big part of me was telling me to keep on walking; a friendship can't be continued with only one person trying to save it. But then there wass that small part, determined to continue what I had with them.

Eleven years wasn't worth just throwing away just like that. I couldn't give up on them, I just.. couldn't.

"You guys go on without me. Ima go back to my place now." I stated, Arthur nodding in response while Leonard smiled slightly, waving.

I ran up to the couple, stopping them in their tracks. "What do you want, Kathrin? Can't you just leave us alone? This is literally harassment." Sienna stated, annoyance practically dripping off of her tone.

"I've heard enough of how much you hate me, can't you just let me fucking talk for one second?" I questioned, her silently glaring at me.

"I have been trying to make this friendship work. I really really care about you and Maeva. You two have been like siblings to me since the first grade-- since pre-k with you." I started saying.

"And if you really wanna give up this friendship because I want to defend a guy who's innocent, fine, so be it.

"But don't you dare forget how hard I tried-- really, really tried-- to not be a horrible person, because I want to be the friend you and Maeva deserve. But Nate shouldn't take your shit for something he didn't do.

"So I'm sorry, but I have to take his side. But are you really willing to throw away this friendship we have-- and have had for so fucking long?" I finished saying, fidgeting with my fingers.

I could see the slight tears that glazed Sienna's bronzed brown eyes as her light pink lips were as thin as a line.

I scoffed, backing away from her. That was my final resort, my final beg. "Fine. Fuck this, fuck our friendship. I'm done trying."

With that I ran away, leaving yet another person behind as my aching heart followed.

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954 words (edited)