Chapter Two: Chemistry

I run to class, apologizing to the people I ran over. The bell rang and I was safe. People stared at me and some girls greeted me with amazement.

"Ah! Hikari-sama! Ohayou!"

"Ohayou everyone!"

"Ah! Hanazono! Ohayou, go and take your seat! It's my pleasure that you're here!"

"Arigato sensei!"

I took the seat at the back, there was an empty chair next to it. I drop my bag on the empty chair and bring out my notebook.

This feels so good. Being here studying. It feels like the first day of school again. Excited for lessons and meeting new people.

"Uhm, Hikari-sama," a girl approached me.

"Just call me Hikari," I smiled.

"Uhm, can I borrow a pencil?"

"Oh, uhm sure!"

"Wow! Hikari-sama lent me her pencil! I shall treasure it always!"

"eh?" I have an odd look on my face.

Then, the door slides open. Oh crap.

"Ah! Takishima Kei! It's an honor to have you visit us!"

Takishima! Why can't you leave me alone?!

"Arigato sensei, I will go take my seat now."

If, I know that creep – which I do – he'll sit next to me.

He drops his bag on the floor.

"Is this seat taken?" He asks the girl sitting on the table next to mine.

"eh!?"

"Hmm? Anything wrong Hikari? You want me to sit there? Sure, as long it makes you comfortable."

"NO, no, it's okay. You can stay there."

"Ah! I'm in between two S.A. members!"

The class continues. The teacher talks and half the class listens. The other sleeps. Even if I've read this, it's still nice to listen. It makes me feel normal for once. Not anyone super smart. Not an S.A. member…

Takishima looks at me often. I know, women have that kind of intuition. Whenever I look back, I catch a glimpse of him turning away from me. What does he want?

"Alright, I'm allowing you to work with partners for this experiment so look for them now," the teacher said.

The girl between me and Takishima looked from me, then darted to him. She looks like she can't pick.

"Ah! I can't choose which one!"

"Anoi! Come over here!" one of the other girls called.

She left her seat.

It left me and Takishima staring at each other. No choice.

I go over to his table and he just sits there casually.

"What do you wanna do? Take the record or perform the experiment?"

"Whatever. I can do them both better than you."

"Eh!"

I started performing the experiment. He just sat there watching.

One part chlorine. Two parts oxygen.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm mixing the chemicals with a stirring stick. What does it look like?"

"Don't mix it by hand, there's a mixer next to you."

I place the test tube in the mixer and set it for two minutes. I regret doing that.

I sit next to Takishima. His arms were crossed and so were his legs. He looks at me a couple of times. Then looks away. Looks, then away. Looks then, away.

"Look," I started, "why on earth do you keep looking at me?"

"What? Who said I was?"

I look to my sides and behind me: at my left side, there he was next to two empty chairs. To my right a dead lizard in a tank. I don't think they know its dead. Behind me, eww. His arm around my neck.

I slid it off my shoulders and continued to stare at the mixer. Since when did two minutes become an hour?

Look, then away. Look, then away. Darn it Takishima!

"What's wrong?"

"What?"

"You keep looking at me!"

"I'm not."

"Well you're facing this direction so, what are you looking at? The dead lizard in the tank?"

I stand up and get the test tube; it was time to mix it with the rest.

Takishima stood up as well. He was behind me. I bend down to look at the instructions. When I straighten myself I felt somebody's chest near my back. Too near. Takishima. He's standing close. Too close.

"Are you sure you're doing the right thing?" He asks.

I space out and just look at him over my shoulder.

"Hikari."

"Oh, yeah. Of course! It says so on the directions 4 parts Nitroglycerine.

"That's not Nitroglycerine you idiot that's Nitrogen."

"No, it's Nitroglycerine!"

"Read it!"

Before I could, the test tube started shaking.

"Hikari!"

A bright flash of light and BOOM! It's like me making porridge.

I was on the floor, Takishima on top of me, covering me.

"Are you okay? Hikari?"

"Fine, thanks." I stare at him.

"Good." He smiled.

Why does he have to this to me?

The bell rings.

"Alright, you have half an hour for your break, I suggest that you read in advance, okay? Dismiss."

I dash out of the room, making sure Takishima doesn't catch up. To make sure I lose him, I take as many twists and turns as possible. I run fast and faster. I took one more turn.

I drop to my knees, exhausted. I see someone with white pants.

"I'll kiss you if you're Tadashi," I prayed.

"Oh," suddenly I sense a dark aura pulsating from the person in front of me. He's twitching at the statement, I can feel it.

I know who this is.

I look up, unsurprised.

"So, you won't kiss me just because I'm Takishima Kei?" His eyes are covered again. I better run.

I stand up and tried to make a run for it. He pulled my skirt.

"Now," he had me against the wall, "what's the matter?"

He's looking in my eyes.

I'm blushing again. That idiot!

"Don't get too close to me!"

I send a punch towards him but he easily blocks it. This man makes me weak.

He went closer. Pressing his head against the wall behind me.

"Tell me, what's the matter, Hikari?"

"uhmm…" I murmur.

He drops his head on my shoulders. His head was so heavy. His face hot. It made me feel hotter. My chest heaved quickly.

I looked at the clock on the opposite wall, two minutes to 1:30. I just have to stall.

"Takishima,"

He raised his head. It's close. Darn that man.

"Why do you care so much?"

His face turned red, his expression taken back. Now that's something you don't see every day.

"Because…" His head bowed down, his eyes covered again. "Hikari is a special person to me."

My eyes widened.

"Eh?"

"Very special."

He placed his hand on my face again. He went in slowly. His forehead against mine. His other hand still against the wall. Our lips a few inches apart. Wait. Scratch that last.

One minute.

"Takishima," I pushed him gently, only because I feel so weak.

"Let's walk back." I smiled.

He smiled.

"You know, if you're exhausted, I can carry you."

"EH?! Idiot! I don't need your help."

We walked back side by side. Just like when we were kids. But only –?!

"Takishima!"

"Why?"

"Why are you carrying me? You idiot I said I didn't need your help!"

"I had a whim. Now let's skip class and go to the green house shall we?"

"Eh? Wait what about – ah!"

He started running fast, and laughing too. I have to admit though; this does make me feel better. But he better put me down.