Gray Areas | Englot | GirlxGirl

2. Chemistry

Upper East Side, Manhattan, NY

10 Years Ago-Junior Year

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Engfa knew she hated chemistry class. Hated it with a passion. It was obvious why-she couldn't care less about mixing chemicals in test tubes or figuring out molar concentrations. Her ambitions had nothing to do with that.

Her dreams were way bigger.
Engfa wanted to be on a stage, under bright lights, or starring in blockbuster movies that would one day earn her an Oscar-not stuck in a lab that reeked of chemicals.

Yet here she was, staring at a board filled with formulas that felt like a foreign language, her mind wandering to the new kid with the thick British accent.

Unlike Engfa, who struggled with chemistry, she seemed genuinely fascinated by it.

Engfa couldn't shake the memory of that little smirk she wore whenever Engfa stumbled over a problem, as if her confusion provided her with some twisted amusement. It made her blood heat up-not with anger exactly, but with something else. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

What was this person's deal, anyway? how dare she mocking her?

Engfa tried to shake off the distraction, but the new kid's presence lingered in her thoughts like an unresolved equation. The way she leaned forward in her seat, her eyes sparkling with interest, made Engfa feel both challenged and frustrated. It was as if chemistry was a game to her, one that she played effortlessly while Engfa felt like she was constantly lagging behind.

"Seriously, how does she do it?" Engfa muttered under her breath, glancing at the girl, who was now deep in conversation with a classmate about the latest lab experiment.

The contrast was stark; while Engfa struggled to grasp even the basics, this girl seemed to absorb everything with ease, her enthusiasm evident in the way she spoke.

With a heavy sigh, Engfa returned her gaze to the board. The formulas blurred together, creating a chaotic tapestry of numbers and letters that mocked her attempts at understanding.

"Alright, for the assignment, you'll work in pairs," Mrs. Newton announced. "Due next week. I'll be assigning your partners."

Engfa wasn't even paying attention until she heard her name.

"Charlotte Austin and... Engfa Waraha."

Her gaze shot up, meeting Charlotte's from across the room. They were seated on opposite sides of the lab, but Engfa could feel the intensity of Charlotte's eyes on her-sharp, confident, and a little too curious.

Engfa tensed, a faint chill running through her despite herself. There was something unsettling about the way Charlotte looked at her, as if she already had Engfa figured out.

Charlotte Austin.

Of course, it had to be her. The new girl who always seemed composed, like nothing ever got under her skin. Engfa saw chemistry as a nightmare, but Charlotte seemed to enjoy every second of it, as if equations and chemical reactions were her native language. What was it about her that made chemistry seem so thrilling?

It was infuriating. And now, they had to be partners.

Engfa exhaled quietly as Mrs. Newton continued reading off names, trying to keep her cool. She glanced away from Charlotte, but she knew this was going to be something-either a disaster or... something else she wasn't ready to think about.