Opposites Attract

Mad Science Class

The week went on after that. I gradually got used to not seeing Will or Layla and the others in my classes, and gradually started to make new friends. Hell, the "populars" even tolerated me... not that I tolerated them enough to sit with them... 

Wednesday had been my first day in Mr Medula's Mad Science class, and he was the one teacher who liked to have a seating plan... mainly so idiots like Lash and Speed had zero chance of sitting next to either flames or chemicals.

We had all filed in and lined up against the wall, rolling our eyes as middle school flashed back and we all eyed the empty desks as they gradually started filling up with pairs. 

"... And Mrs Stronghold can go there," Mr Medula pointed blindly at a table as his eyes focused on his clipboard, "And sitting next to her, I'll have... Mr Peace."

Everyone "ohhh"ed. And by everyone, I mean Lash and Speed, from their place in the middle of the classroom where they literally could not touch a single thing.

I rolled my eyes, sending Warren a small smile as he stalked over to the table. He didn't even look at me to see it, eyes fixed on the ground he was walking on as he threw his bag down, clambered onto his chair, and stared straight ahead. I raised my eyebrows but shook it off. Luckily, my chair was right next to a floor length window so I was able to see out into the school grounds, and off the edge of them. 

Once everyone was seated, class began. What I didn't realise about Mad Science, was that it entailed a lot of group work... which was probably for the best because I was kind of bad at science. Warren had clearly not realised it either because the prospect of having to actually speak to people seemed to terrify him. 

"Work in your pairs, and through experimentation, I want you to find me the three main chemicals used in making the freeze grenade you read about for homework," Mr Medula called.

Immediately, the room was buzzing with conversations, hardly any of them actually about the assignment. I cautiously turned around in my chair towards Warren. He was still staring straight ahead.

"I thought we were okay," I whispered.

His staring faltered, as his head slowly turned towards me.

"We are okay," he replied lowly.

I smiled softly, and opened my textbook. He placed his hand over mine and shut the book; "No need- it's lithium, nitrogen and palladium," he smirked.

I chuckled softly, before my eyes trailed to our hands, that were still on top of each other. When he noticed this, he quickly retracted his hand nervously, and with the sudden loss of heat, I started to miss the warmth they provided for those few seconds.

"So you've got to be straight with me," I started.

"About what?" he raised his eyebrow.

"Are you wanting to pretend we still despise each other? Because you-"

"No. No, there's no need to do that. But you will become a target if anyone finds out we're actually on good terms."

"Target for who..?" I asked.

He furrowed his brows, "Most people; you're on decent terms with the popular kids at the minute- they don't bother you too much, but they'd start teasing you if they thought you were friendly with me... And then there's your brother and friends-"

"What about them?" I cut him off, defensively.

His face softened as he tried to phrase it diplomatically; "You said it yourself at the restaurant- they were the voices in your head saying I did it on purpose. They don't like me and that's okay, but I don't want them being funny or argumentative with you if they see you being civil with me."