𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐗𝐄𝐃 [𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐱𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥]

15. Dazed Dispute

Cold, frosty wind whisked through the open corridors of Lady Queen High as the students tightly hugged their well-ironed blazers, close to their shivering bodies. The previously, lush, green courtyard, adorned with leafy maple trees, overlooking the majestic school, had now been replaced by the scenery of a huge stretch of land collecting very thin layers of pristine snow, and woody leafless trees, standing like dark spooks at distances from each other. All this, signaled the arrival of the winter season.

It was late November, and although it doesn't usually snow much, in Lysvig-even at the harshest, and lowest temperatures of December, this year, however, a fine white cover was seen all over the city. It was odd, definitely. But it was pleasant. It hadn't even snowed last year- Only occasional chilly, frosty, breezes at best. This year it was snowing, very less, yes-yet it felt good. Most things, this year, felt good, Monica wanted to add. Atleast, they could all atleast get a glimpse of White Christmas, thats a positive.

The sun was up, providing the quivering students, a silver of warmth as they were headed to their Chemistry Laboratory, at the end of the wintry corridor.

Monica tugged at her blazer, pulling it as close as humanly possible. She sighed, as the warm exhaled air, formed a foggy cloud near hear mouth. She could hear Anastasia's chattering teeth close to her ears, and noticed Sienna putting an arm around Angelina's shoulder bringing her close, as the lovely couple shared each other's warmth. They were all cold, but none complained. Until...

"Shouldn't we, like, petition the Headmaster, for an early winter break or something. This is torturous. I'll freeze to death. " Anastasia suggested, teeth still chattering and hands shivering.

"Mou would revive you like that last scene in Frozen, if you freeze. Won't you, Mou?" Angelina remarked playfully.

"Of course, I would! Ana's my best mate!" Monica replied feigning enthusiasm.

"Oh, of course Elsa, show me the power of our sisterhood! " Angelina huffed sarcastically, as the other three giggled, then proceeded to rub her palms together, praying for the friction to produce some heat and relieve her from this frosty agony.

The Chemistry Laboratory was almost as huge as a tennis court. It had five long counters arranged parallelly, along the breadth of the room, with wide aisles between them, and short wooden chairs arranged in rows. All the Chemistry apparatus were organised in pairs, lining each counter. It was a highly accumulative set up, so that all the students could perform their experiments simultaneously. At the front end of the Laboratory there was a large blackboard along with a table and a chair in front of it. It was meant for the supervising Chemistry teacher.

Entering the Laboratory, the students were greeted by a slightly warm feeling due to all the Bunsen Burners, burning together-evidently from the previous class, which had been conducted minutes ago. Their teacher, Mrs. Grover, was already writing down their today's-target-of-experiments on the board. Hearing the rumble of unsynchronised footsteps, she noticed the students flocking in, as she was greeted with a rather lousy 'Good Morning', which she thankfully chose to ignore and greeted back tersely. Clearly, Chemistry wasn't quite the favorite activity for a wintry morning. A cup of coffee and a lovely rom-com would've done much better.

"Good morning students. This is your last practical class for the year. We will be going over some of our experiments from the beginning of the session and I would gladly answer all your questions regarding those. I have set some targeted experiments for today, as well. All the necessary apparatus have been provided. You all shall pair up with your assigned partners and settle down in your seats. " The teacher droned, uninterestedly. She would definitely, not-gladly, answer the students' doubts.