Acceleration

Chapter 6: The First Fastest

Erin stared blankly at the chemical compound on the board. He knew the answer, but if he wanted Elizabeth to talk to him, he had to pretend he didn't. Mr. Bazel's droning lecture was dull enough to make him doze off. Erin had spent the entire week chasing leads on Hotrod, but every trail ran cold. Whoever had hidden the guy clearly knew what they were doing. Right now, all he wanted was for the school day to end so he could crash for the weekend.

A tap on his arm snapped him out of his trance. Elizabeth was looking at him, brow slightly furrowed.

"Wanna partner up?"

ABSOLUTELY, Erin screamed internally. He bit his lip to suppress the grin.

"For what?"

She blinked. "Wow, dude. You really don't pay attention."

She pointed at the board. "We have to do a lab project outside of school. You're the only person I know in this class."

"Oh—yeah, I'm down."

"I was thinking I'd help you," she said flatly.

Erin couldn't read her. Every word came in the same deadpan tone, and her face gave away nothing.

"Uh... that works."

"Cool," she said, sliding her books into her bag. "My parents hate me being out, so it's probably best if you ride with me."

"Alright, cool," he said, trying to sound casual. Then he realized—

"Wait, I don't know where you park—"

"Sure you don't, buddy," she smirked. It was the tiniest grin, almost invisible—but it was definitely there. Before he could respond, she was already gone.

***

"What happened?" Marlin asked, mid-bite, almost choking on his sandwich.

"Lisa, please tell me that's just a girl's way of shutting a guy down," he added.

Lisa shook her head. "Nope. Girls don't invite guys over unless they're at least a little interested," she said, patting Erin on the shoulder. "Unless she thinks you're so weird you need to be studied."

"Ain't that the truth," Tommy muttered behind his drink.

Erin's leg moved like a piston. A faint crackle of blue sparked under the table as he kicked his best friend in the shin. Tommy sputtered, spitting water all over Marlin.

"AUGH! YOU ASSHOLE!" Tommy shouted, smacking Erin in the back of the head.

Lisa rubbed her chin while the two mock-wrestled like toddlers. "Well... she did call you out for staring at her from across the parking lot."

Erin froze mid-scuffle. "Wait—what?"

Tom seized the moment and slapped him again.

"There's a chance," Lisa said, barely suppressing a smirk, "that she's just desperate for a lab partner."

"Oh, thank God," Marlin sighed, slumping dramatically in his seat. "I thought she liked him for a second."

"Marlin," Erin said, pushing Tommy off, "Why are you praying for my downfall?"

"I can't let you get a girlfriend before me, man."

"Brother," Erin leaned across the table, "I already did."

Marlin laughed. "Yeah, and how'd that work out for you?"

Lisa didn't miss a beat. "A year of manipulation, gaslighting, and now stalking."