Forbidden Chemistry

The First Lesson

The next day at school felt heavier than usual for Astrid. The weight of the extra class with Mr. Blackwood loomed over her like an impending storm, dark and inevitable. As she walked through the halls, each step felt like dragging a mountain behind her. Every time she glanced at her schedule, it was a cruel reminder that today marked the first of many long, excruciating afternoons with him.

Chloe, her best friend, caught up with her just before lunch, her expression bright as usual. "Hey, what's up?" she asked, falling into step beside Astrid. "You look like someone just canceled your birthday party."

Astrid forced a smile. "It's nothing. Just...extra work."

Chloe's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Extra work? Since when is that a problem for you? You're basically a walking encyclopedia."

Astrid sighed, her grip tightening on her books as they navigated through the crowded hallway. "It's not just any extra work. It's with Mr. Blackwood."

Chloe's jaw dropped, and a grin spread across her face. "Hold on. You're getting extra classes with Lucian Blackwood? The hottest teacher in school?"

"Don't say it like that." Astrid groaned, her stomach twisting. She regretted saying anything at all.

"I mean, this is a dream, right? He's like...the fantasy." Chloe exaggerated a swooning motion, much to Astrid's annoyance.

Astrid shot her a sharp glare. "It's not a dream. It's a nightmare. He can't stand me. And now, thanks to my parents and the principal, I'm stuck with him after school every day."

Chloe raised an eyebrow. "Well, if you can't stand him, maybe use that fiery attitude of yours to get through it."

"Easier said than done," Astrid muttered.

By the time the final bell rang, Astrid's nerves were fully frayed. She stood outside Lucian's classroom, staring at the door as if it were a portal to hell. Bracing herself, she knocked lightly and stepped inside.

Lucian sat at his desk, his attention on a stack of papers. When he glanced up at her, his expression was as neutral as ever. "Miss Monroe. Right on time."

Astrid resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Lucky me."

His lips twitched slightly, but he quickly masked it by clearing his throat. "Take a seat," he said, gesturing to the desk in front of his.

Astrid hesitated, reluctantly sitting down and setting her books on the desk. The silence between them was suffocating, thick with unspoken tension.

"So, the principal wants me to help you with chemistry," Lucian began, his tone impassive.

Astrid crossed her arms. "Help? Or torture?"

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "If you consider education a form of torture, then yes."

"Coming from you, it definitely feels like that," Astrid shot back.

Lucian's lips twitched again, this time more noticeably. "I see we're off to a great start. Look, I'm not here to babysit you, Miss Monroe. If you don't put in the effort, you'll continue to fail."

Astrid bristled. "I'm not failing."

"Not yet," he replied smoothly. "But from what I've seen, it won't take much for that to change."

She narrowed her eyes, her temper flaring. "You know, just because you're a teacher doesn't mean you know everything."

"And just because you're the top of the class doesn't mean you can coast through every subject," Lucian countered.

Astrid clenched her fists. "I'm not coasting."

"Really?" Lucian leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "Because your last test tells a different story. Tell me, how's your understanding of chemical bonding?"

Astrid scowled, her heart pounding in frustration. She knew where this was going. "It's fine."

Lucian smirked, as if he could see right through her. "Let's see then."

He turned to the board, quickly sketching out a series of chemical equations. "Explain the bonding in these compounds."

Astrid stared at the board, her mind scrambling to make sense of the mess of symbols and numbers. Her frustration grew as the silence between them stretched on. Finally, she muttered, "I don't need you to quiz me like this."

Lucian turned around, arms crossed, an eyebrow raised in mock surprise. "Isn't that what this is? A lesson?"

"A lecture," Astrid muttered under her breath.

He ignored her comment and pointed to the board again. "This is basic chemistry, Miss Monroe. You can't tell me you don't know the difference between ionic and covalent bonds."

Astrid felt her face flush with irritation. "Of course I do. I just..."

Lucian tilted his head. "Just what?"

She wanted to scream. Instead, she shot him a glare. "I get tripped up on the applications."

Lucian crossed his arms, leaning against his desk with an air of superiority that only made her angrier. "If you can't apply what you know, then what's the point of knowing it?"

Astrid clenched her jaw, fighting the urge to snap back. "Thanks for the life lesson, Socrates."

Lucian chuckled under his breath. "Sarcasm is cute, but it won't help you pass chemistry."

Her eyes flashed with irritation. "I'm not here to be cute."

Lucian's smirk widened. "Good. Because I'm not here to coddle you."

The rest of the session was just as tense. Every time Lucian explained something, Astrid would counter with a remark, challenging his tone, his methods, and his arrogance. He, in turn, would respond with cool, calculated comments that only seemed to rile her up more.

After what felt like hours, Lucian finally set down his marker and glanced at the clock. "That's enough for today. We'll pick up tomorrow."

Astrid let out a sigh of relief, grabbing her books and quickly standing up. But before she could leave, Lucian's voice stopped her.

"Astrid."

She turned, her hand resting on the door handle. He looked at her with that same unreadable expression, his voice softer than before.

"Don't waste my time. If you're serious about passing, then show me. Otherwise, don't bother coming back."

Astrid's heart pounded in her chest. She didn't respond. Instead, she nodded curtly and walked out, leaving the classroom behind.

But the tension followed her, lingering in the pit of her stomach as she made her way down the empty hallway. For a moment, she wondered if Chloe had been right. Maybe this wasn't just about chemistry. Maybe it was about proving something—to Mr. Blackwood, to herself.

As she turned a corner, she passed a group of girls standing near the window. She recognized them immediately—the so-called "perfect" girls, with their skinny waists, flawless hair, and perfectly curated Instagram feeds. They didn't spare her a glance as she walked by, but she knew what they were thinking.

They always looked at her that way—the curvy girl who didn't fit the mold. The girl who wasn't perfect.

As she walked away, she could hear them whispering behind her back, mocking her. But Astrid didn't stop. She didn't care anymore.

"Perfection isn't achievable," she thought. "Not for me, and not for them."