¹ Claws of Legacy: Legacy's Descent ✓

CHAPTER 7

In the realm of the chemistry class, where beakers bubbled and test tubes clinked, Evie found herself seated beside Doug; her eyes fixated on Chad. Across the expanse of the lab bench, amidst the labyrinth of tubing, clamps, and pipettes, Chad stood, seemingly bathed in a radiant golden glow. Evie couldn't help but be captivated by his presence, her gaze inexorably drawn towards him. Meanwhile, Chad attempted to glimpse what his diligent lab partner was jotting down, hoping to copy her meticulous notes.

Mr. Delay, the chemistry teacher, scrawled a complex formula on the chalkboard, his chalk scratching against the dark surface.

"Is there any possibility that he's destined for a throne?" Evie whispered to Doug, her voice tinged with wistfulness. "Even a remote chance?"

"Chad, the embodiment of Prince Charming, the son of Cinderella," Doug replied.

Evie momentarily turned her attention towards Doug, then shifted her gaze back to Chad.

"While Chad may have inherited the charm, there might be a lack of substance beneath the surface," Doug remarked, his words laced with subtle meaning. "You catch my drift?"

Resting her head on her hand, Evie regarded Doug intently. "I beg to differ. To me, there seems to be more than meets the eye," she countered.

"Evie!" Mr. Delay's voice broke through their conversation. This may be a review for you. So, enlighten me, what is the average atomic weight of silver?"

Evie stared blankly at the teacher, her mind grappling with the question. "Atomic weight?" she pondered aloud. "Um... well... it's not much, right? It's just an atom?" A playful smile played on her lips, and she couldn't help but laugh.

Chad joined in her laughter, amused by her response.

Mr. Delay gestured for Evie to come forward.

With a mischievous gleam in her eye, Evie discreetly pocketed her mirror and confidently approached the chalkboard. "Let's see," she mused, taking the chalk from the teacher. In a covert maneuver, she retrieved her mirror from its hiding place and leaned down to speak into it. "How do I find the average atomic weight of silver?" Her mirror promptly revealed the intricate calculation, which she diligently transcribed onto the chalkboard. "That would be 106.905 multiplied by 0.5200, plus 108.905 multiplied by 0.4800, yielding 107.9 amu, Mr. Delay," she proclaimed, her smile radiant.

Impressed by her display of knowledge, Chad quickly copied her calculations into his lab notebook.

Observing Evie intently, Doug looked puzzled as he mouthed the abbreviation "amu" to himself.

"It was a mistake to underestimate—" Mr. Delay began.

Evie twirled in a circle, interrupting the teacher, her long blue-black locks gracefully swaying and inadvertently brushing against Mr. Delay. "A villain?" she interjected, a smile on her lips. "Do not make that mistake again." Nonchalantly tossing the chalk back towards the teacher, she sauntered back to her seat, exuding an air of self-assurance. As she passed Chad, he clandestinely slipped her a note, his eyes filled with longing. Settling back into her seat, Evie eagerly unfolded the letter, revealing the words "MEET ME UNDER THE BLEACHERS AT 3." She glanced up at Chad and nodded, acknowledging their secret rendezvous. Chad rested his head on his hand, mirroring Evie's gesture, and the two locked eyes, sharing an enchanting moment brimming with dreams and longing.

Doug, his head resting on his hand as well, frowned, his curiosity piqued.

-ˏˋ♥̩͙♥̩̩̥͙♥̩̥̩ ⑅

Chad led Evie beneath the shadows of the bleachers, the two of them standing face to face in an intimate moment.

"Does everyone in your realm possess the same enchanting beauty as you?" Chad inquired, his broad shoulders carrying a sizable tan backpack.

Evie glanced down at her shoes, a rosy blush tinging her cheeks. "I like to believe I am the epitome of beauty," she responded, playfully batting her eyelashes and letting out a musical laugh. "And how many chambers does your magnificent castle hold?"

A warm smile graced Chad's lips. "Too many to count," he replied.

As the distance between them narrowed, Evie leaned in for a kiss. Chad reciprocated, but just as their lips were about to meet, he abruptly halted, causing Evie's lips to meet empty air.

"You truly aced that chemistry problem today!" Chad exclaimed. "You'll have all the brainiacs smitten with you." He chuckled.

"I'm not that intelligent!" Evie protested. "No, really!" she insisted, her voice laced with sincerity. "But I excel in sewing, cooking, and cleaning. You know, like your mother, Cinderella. Minus the tattered dress," she added with a touch of pride. From her purse, she retrieved her mirror. "See this? If I ask it about something, it reveals my answer."

"Are you kidding me?" Chad asked, snatching the mirror from her hand. Speaking into it sternly and demandingly, he barked, "Where is my cell phone?"

"It won't work for you, silly," Evie teased, laughing.

"No biggie," Chad replied, returning the mirror to her and swiftly resuming his charming facade. "My father will simply get me a new one."

"Prince Charming," Evie murmured dreamily.

"Yeah," Chad responded, his smile widening.

"And Cinderella," Evie continued, her voice filled with enchantment.

"Yeah," Chad acknowledged.

"And the Fairy Godmother." She tenderly grasped Chad's hands in hers. "Hey, I heard her wand is displayed in some dreary museum. Do they always keep it there?" With a gaze penetrating Chad's soul, she leaned closer as if preparing for a kiss.

He began to lean in once more but halted again. "I would genuinely love to talk, but..." He turned away dramatically. "I'm just overwhelmed!" he exclaimed. "Unless..." He turned back to face Evie.

"Unless?" Evie inquired, her smile radiating anticipation.

"If you could handle my homework alongside yours, perhaps we could find time to hang out," Chad proposed, his eyebrows raising suggestively. He removed his backpack and handed it to her.

"Okay," Evie breathed, her voice laced with longing as she accepted the weighty burden.

"Thanks, babe," Chad said, winking at her before walking away.

"Goodbye," Evie uttered dreamily, her hand waving farewell to his retreating figure.

Unexpectedly, Doug's face emerged from the gaps between the bleacher seats.

"I couldn't help but overhear—" he began.

"Are you stalking me?" Evie interrupted, raising an eyebrow.

"Technically... yes," Doug confessed. "I, too, harbor an obsession with the Fairy Godmother's wand." He climbed down from the bleachers, positioning himself in front of Evie. "Which is why I am looking forward to the coronation. Perhaps we could sit beside each other and discuss its magical qualities." His voice cracked slightly with nervous excitement.

"Are you suggesting they utilize it during the coronation?" Evie questioned, her finger lightly tapping Doug's chest just below his green bow tie.

"Yes," Doug confirmed before adding, "I'm also asking you out."

Evie let out a flirtatious laugh, brushed it off, and strolled away, disregarding his request for a date.

Captivated by her charm, Doug watched as Evie sashayed back towards the dormitories, his heart filled with enchantment and longing.