Mismatched

Chapter 1

Kai knew it was him before she even looked up. She knew the way he smelled; like the earth, deep and musky. His black hair was growing out and it curled slightly around his ears and somehow made him look even more mysterious. Elian caught her gaze and flashed her an award winning smile then took his seat.

Mira continued her long winded speech on the injustices at the school cafeteria until their teacher walked in. "Okay class today we will be working on a small team task about DNA extraction. I have randomly put you into pairs and the instructions are on the screen. Please begin." Mira looked at Kai mournfully as people began to shuffle about, "Odds of us being a pair?", she asked sadly. "Unfortunately for you, she is mine for today." Kai looked up to meet the forest green eyes of Elian. Mira gave her friend a quick approving look and went to find her partner as Elian sat down beside Kaira.

"So Kai, how was your summer?" She kept her eyes averted and spoke softly: "Oh you know not that bad, got a head start on this year's reading list, worked at the candy store on Maple Rd. Pretty ordinary and yours?" He placed his hand on hers, "Well", he began, "To Start of I would like it if you actually looked at me." He chuckled and it was a deep rumbling sound, "I don't bite. Much. Summer was good mainly played sport, hung out with my mates, broke up with Reina and got my Mark." Kai gasped and grabbed his right arm, and sure enough on his wrist were the slightly raised burn scar and the onyx coloured symbol. Kaira gently traced the symbol with her finger and he shuddered at her touch. It was strange; it looked like nothing and something at the same time, like one of those ink blots psychologists use to learn more about your personality. "Did it hurt?" she asked awestruck. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "Yes, you will experience it soon enough. It's like being branded but then afterwards it's like the best feeling in the world. It's hard to explain." "I know it's this huge thing and it's inevitable, but I am terrified. What if... what if I don't love my Match?" He looked away then, as if an immense sadness had consumed him. "I am scared of that too... Let's starts this DNA extraction shall we?"

As Kaira was leaving class Elian grabbed her hand and held her back, "Give me your phone." She laughed but handed it over and he quickly added his number in, "Call me. Tonight." It wasn't a question or suggestion, it was a command. With a smile goodbye he left the class and left Kaira a weak puddle of jelly on the biology class floor.

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