Girl from Parallel universe -Part 1

4 | Chocolate

Lucas found himself ensnared in Olivia's frivolous schemes, a situation he yearned to escape.From the outset, he sensed her attempts to draw closer to him, her intentions transparent despite her facade of innocence.

Meanwhile, Grace's demeanor remained unchanged—serene, refined, and seemingly flawless. Unperturbed by Lucas's ulterior motives, she maintained her composure.

In the intricate tapestry of their interactions, Lucas held a unique place in Grace's world. His enigmatic nature intrigued her deeply; his mind, a blank canvas she couldn't decipher despite her earnest attempts. From the very onset, he captivated her attention, leaving her oscillating between confusion and fascination whenever they shared moments together—be it sitting side by side or engaging in playful banter during lunch breaks.

Their shared lunches were often shrouded in a palpable silence, an awkwardness that seemed to repel the curious gazes of onlookers. Amidst this quietude, Lucas grappled with a gnawing sense of guilt, a realization dawning upon him that he had unwittingly utilized Grace as a means of extricating himself from Olivia's clutches.

Summoning his courage, Lucas broke the silence with a voice barely louder than a whisper, his gaze unwaveringly fixed upon Grace's countenance. In her presence, he felt a reverence akin to beholding a divine entity, his words tinged with remorse as he confessed, "I am sorry. I cannot fathom your emotions at this moment, but I apologize for exploiting our connection to distance myself from Olivia."

As Grace flashed him a reassuring smile, Lucas felt a wave of relief wash over him. Her understanding demeanor provided solace amidst his inner turmoil, yet her parting words lingered in his mind like a gentle echo, "You owe me a favor."

Those words, though delivered with a smile, carried a weight that intrigued Lucas. What favor could she possibly request? The mystery only added to the enigma surrounding Grace, deepening his curiosity about this enigmatic girl who seemed to hold him in her orbit.

Lost in thought, Lucas watched as Grace gracefully rose from her seat, plate in hand, her departure accompanied by a fleeting smile directed his way. As she vanished into the bustling crowd of students, Lucas couldn't shake the feeling that their encounter held significance beyond mere chance.

The notion lingered with him throughout the remainder of the day, prompting him to contemplate his next course of action. Rather than dwelling on his past missteps, Lucas resolved to express his gratitude to Grace in a tangible way.

With determination in his stride, Lucas ventured into the nearby store beside the cafeteria, where an array of confections awaited his selection. The process of choosing the perfect gift for Grace became an exercise in meticulous consideration, each option weighed against the backdrop of their budding friendship.

Finally settling on a decadent chocolate bar, Lucas approached the cashier with his precious find in hand. The transaction, typically executed with the exchange of paper coupons, served as a reminder of the limited resources at his disposal. However, Lucas was undeterred, driven by a desire to convey his appreciation to Grace in a meaningful manner.

As he emerged from the store, chocolate in hand, Lucas felt a sense of anticipation building within him. This small gesture, he hoped, would serve as a token of his gratitude and perhaps pave the way for deeper connections to unfold between them.

As he made his way towards the science lab to collect the weekly activities timetable for their class, a hand suddenly emerged from the door of an empty classroom and yanked him inside. Startled, he turned to see a group of older boys, unmistakably his seniors. One of them stepped forward with a smirk and said, "Well, well, look who we have here, our favorite junior. We've got a few things we need to discuss with you. Why don't you have a seat?" Lucas stood frozen, his eyes fixed on them, unsure of what was to come next.