Chemical Bliss

Chapter 2: Serious

When Mr. Waisanen was done talking to the entire class after responding to Elijah's jokes, everyone got up and moved around to learn some details about each other and fill out their activity sheet. Except for Elijah who felt too comfortable to move around, as he sat at his desk taking turns writing down his name on each of his classmates' paper.

"Signed your ticket!" he declared to a guy who handed him his sheet. "You're free to board this train!"

The boy rolled his eyes and wandered off, leaving Elijah to recline smugly in his chair. He twirled his pen, scanning the room as though waiting for his next admirer. Eventually, Yasmine approached him hesitantly, clutching her sheet. Her dark eyes flicked toward him, and she seemed to debate whether this interaction was worth the effort.

"Well, well," Elijah started off. "Need me to sign your ticket too? That's cool. Bring it over here, angel."  

Yasmine blinked at the pet name but didn't protest. Instead, she set her paper on his desk with a quiet, "Umm...okay."

Elijah leaned forward dramatically, picking up her paper and letting his gaze sweep over it. "What a disappointment," he muttered, shaking his head. "Only a few names filled. This train is looking pretty empty."

Yasmine frowned, crossing her arms. "Just sign it already."

Elijah raised an eyebrow, undeterred. "Patience, angel. I can fill out most of these other questions for you too. You know, really give you a first-class experience."

Her lips pressed into a thin line as she glanced at the clock. "Just make it quick. The bell's about to ring."

"Quick?" Elijah leaned back in his chair, looking scandalized. "I don't rush perfection. A good job takes time, and I take pride in my work."

He wrote his name a bit more slowly on her paper and then drew a couple smiley faces on her paper. The bell suddenly rang and everyone rushed to turn their paper in the bin and quickly head out of class.

"Have a nice day, kiddos!" Mr. Waisanen called out. 

Yasmine lingered, her pace unhurried compared to her classmates. Beside her, Jodie waited patiently, her bag slung over one shoulder. When the room was almost empty, Yasmine approached Mr. Waisanen's desk, her paper clutched loosely in her hand.

"Mr. Waisanen," she began, hesitating slightly, "what should I do with my activity? I didn't get a chance to finish it..."

The teacher looked up from his desk with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it, Yasmine," he said, his tone calm and understanding. "I'm only grading everyone on participation."

Relief washed over her face, but before she could thank him, he added, "But I still need you to turn it in so I have evidence that you participated today."

She nodded, her grip tightening slightly on the paper. "Thanks, sir," she murmured with a grateful smile, and handed him the assignment before heading toward the door with Jodie.

Yasmine turned her activity sheet in the light blue bin at the table adjacent to the door and headed out with Jodie. Elijah stood near his locker talking with Louis, but couldn't help stare at Yasmine from afar.

"Earth to Eli!" Louis waved a hand in front of Elijah's face, breaking his trance. "You hear anything I just said, bro?"

Elijah blinked and turned his attention back to Louis.  "Sorry, man. My thoughts... drifted."

Louis smirked, following Elijah's gaze down the hall where Yasmine and Jodie had vanished. "Oh, I see what's going on here. Fawning over those girls, huh?"