This was bullshit, I thought as I was setting up inside the empty classroom. He wasn't there yet, ten minutes after the discussed time. I wasn't surprised. I had already picked out the genre I wanted to work with. Behavioural potions. They had always fascinated me. To think a sip of a drink can make you lose control of your own mind. How could one not be intrigued.
I hear the door close, I guess he is here. Wish he wasn't, but it is what it is.
- So you showed up?
I don't get a response. How childish.
- So what genre are we doing?
- Im doing behavioural altering potions.
He's quiet. I look up, and he looks kind of confused, not super confused, but like he isn't 100% sure. I sigh.
- You know, potions that change how we act, or have some kind if control over us? Love potions, truth serums, stuff like that.
- Right...
He looks to the window, and then back at me. Im writing mythe hypothesis. I don't know if Ill, or I guess WE, will get started on any potions today. He doesn't have to be here for this, but he is so I might as well put him to work.
- You can look through the course-book. See if you find anything that catches your eye.
He sighs before sitting down, picking up my potions book. Now it's ruined.
- So I am helpful?
I swear, this jerk.
- Why don't you feed your own ego, Lorenzo. Im busy, helping YOU, against my will.
His arrogance put the devil to shame. We sit, or more like endure, the silence for a while, only interrupted by him coughing. When he coughs for the second time I ask:
-Sick?
he tilts his head, grinning.
-Worried about me again, doll?
I blink hard, before looking up, meeting his eyes and flashing him a smile as I point to my throat.
-Let's hope its nothing trivial.
He drops the smile and rolls his eyes. A small victory yes, but a victory nonetheless.
We sit for a few more minutes, but even when he is quiet he bugs me. Just something about him being alive. I can't take it.
- Your existence is giving me a headache, go stand over there.
He scoffs, lifting his head from the book, his tongue running along his cheek.
-Nothing ever pleases you, does it?
His tone is irritated. I dip my feather pen in the ink as I answer.
-Nothing you could do, no.
This makes him let out a short laugh. I continue writing. From time to time I look over at him, and I see he has dog-eared some pages. At least he actually did what I asked him too. He turns the pages quickly, seemingly only browsing them and occasionally stopping to read a whole page before dog-earing it. His hands are defined, with clean, short nails. Quickly, I look away and focus on my writing again.
I finish and look to him again. He's still browsing, but there is definitely enough potions already, seeing how many dog-eared pages there are. He seems more interested than I thought. The light from the window is hitting him from behind, causing an almost ethereal light around him. It's beautiful really, if it wasn't for him. I fold my parchment and stand up.
- That's enough.
He slams the book shut, standing up as well.
- OH WHAT NOW?
I take a step back. Calm down, anger issues. I raise one of my hands, Im arriving in peace.
- You dog-eared enough pages, Lorenzo. You don't have to do more. You're good, Jesus.
He blinks, and looks a little embarrassed. Nodding, he replies as he puts the book down on the table.
-Right.
I check the time. We were quick, so theres a lot of time left, but not enough to analyse a whole potion. Great.
- Can I look it over?
I turn, and he's pointing at the parchment with the hypothesis. Really? I raise an eyebrow, questioning. Without waiting for an answer he picks it up and starts reading. Does he not trust my academic skills? Grumpily I sit back down. He looks focused, AKA not at me, so I pick up the potions book instead. I think eight or nine potions should be enough.
I grab my quill again and make a sloppy list on another piece of parchment.
1. Amortentia
An obvious one. Only a fool wouldn't include it in a study like this.
2. Confidence boosting brew.
Creative name. I wonder what that one does.
3. Draught of peace.
Relieves anxiety. Hopefully better than antidepressants, those suck.
4. Essence of insanity.
Causes irrational behaviour. Perfect.
5. Forgetfulness potion.
Again, wonder what that one does.
6. Gregorys Unctuous Unction.
A potion that causes the drinker to believe that whomever gave the potion to them is their best friend. Now that's interesting.
7. Hate potion.
Not actually what you'd think. It shows the takers worst traits and habits. I wonder how, and to whom? Everyone or just the taker? Externally or internally?
8. Truth serum.
Creative name again. Also a potion only a fool would leave out in a study like this.
This should be enough, I think to myself as I close the book. I see Lorenzo has finished reading my hypothesis, he looks pleased. Of course he is, it's good. Im getting him an O. I hate that he is benefitting from this.
- Good enough for you, Berkshire?
- Yes.
-We can't do anything else today, so we're finished.
I get up, grab my things and hastily leave. When I exit I make a point of inhaling deeply, as if I hadn't allowed myself to breathe around him, and I hear him huff behind me. At least we got to have a warming up session, or whatever you'd call it. I wonder what he thinks about all of this.
YOU ARE READING
Snakes that bite
Fanfiction"Snakes are special. Most of them are harmless of course, but there are some that are so venomous that they will kill you before you even know you were bit. That's the kind of snake Lorenzo is." #1 berkshire This is a Enemies to lovers fan fiction a...
