Crossed Spells

Chapter 3: Secrets and Suspicions (Part 2)

The afternoon seemed to stretch endlessly for Lucas. Each class was torture, his mind constantly returning to Aria and the mysteries surrounding her. He took notes mechanically, his pen scribbling words he didn't even read, while his eyes constantly searched for Aria's familiar silhouette in the hallways between classes.

Finally, the time for science class arrived. Lucas entered the laboratory, his heart beating a little faster at the thought of seeing Aria again. She was already there, sitting at their usual bench, her eyes fixed on the open textbook in front of her. When Lucas approached, she looked up, a small nervous smile playing on her lips.

"Hey," he said softly as he sat down next to her.

"Hey," she replied, her voice barely audible over the hubbub of the class settling in.

Lucas opened his mouth to say something, anything, but Professor Chen chose that moment to start the class. "Today," she announced, "we'll be studying exothermic chemical reactions. You'll work in pairs to observe and record temperature changes during different reactions."

As they began gathering the necessary materials, Lucas couldn't help but steal furtive glances at Aria. She seemed tense, her movements a little too precise, a little too controlled. He wondered if she felt the same tension as him, that almost palpable electricity that seemed to crackle between them.

"Pass me the thermometer, please," Aria asked, pulling him from his thoughts.

Lucas reached out to grab the instrument at the same moment as Aria. Their fingers brushed and... nothing. No spark, no electric current. Just the ordinary contact of two skins. Lucas frowned, disappointed despite himself. Had he imagined this whole thing?

They worked in silence for a moment, each focused on their task. Lucas carefully poured the chemicals into the beaker while Aria noted the temperature changes. It was routine work, almost boring, and yet Lucas couldn't help but feel an underlying tension, as if something important was about to happen.

"Aria," he finally began, unable to bear the silence any longer. "About what happened the other day, in the hallway..."

Aria visibly stiffened. "What about it?" she asked, her voice suddenly tense.

Lucas hesitated. How could he phrase this without sounding completely crazy? "Didn't you notice something... weird? With the lights, I mean."

Aria looked at him for a long moment, her eyes scanning his face as if searching for something. Finally, she shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about, Lucas," she said, but there was something in her voice, a note of... what? Fear? Lie?

Lucas was about to insist when suddenly, the beaker in front of them began to smoke alarmingly. "Oh no," Aria whispered, instinctively backing away.

Without thinking, Lucas reached out to move the smoking beaker away. The moment his fingers touched the glass, a searing pain shot through his hand. He let out a muffled cry, quickly withdrawing his hand.

"Lucas!" Aria exclaimed, grabbing his injured hand between hers.

And that's when it happened. For a fraction of a second, Lucas could have sworn he saw a soft glow emanating from Aria's hands. The pain in his hand diminished almost instantly, replaced by a soothing cool sensation.

As quickly as it had appeared, the glow vanished. Aria let go of his hand as if she had been burned, her eyes wide with panic.

"What the..." Lucas began, but he was interrupted by Professor Chen rushing over, drawn by the commotion.

"Is everything alright here?" she asked, examining the smoking beaker and Lucas's reddened hand.

"Yes, ma'am," Aria quickly replied. "Just a small accident. Nothing serious."