INT. CLASSROOM – 10:30 AM

After that day, I never talked to Ice again.
Well… more like he didn’t talk to me again.
He rarely even showed up to class.

“Do you still work now, Fyre?” Oriel asked, standing beside my desk. This was our usual routine while waiting for the next subject.
“Yes!” I nodded. “But I try my best to schedule my shifts on weekends.”
Behind her—like a twin permanently attached—Dhylan was playing on his phone.
“That’s great,” Oriel said, concerned, flickering in her eyes. “I mean, it’s quite far to travel back and forth, right?”

I nodded again. She wasn’t wrong.
“But this means we’ll get fewer projects from you,” she pouted dramatically. “That makes me sad. Still... I think it’s the best choice if it helps you avoid getting sick too.”
She was so sweet. Her words melted my heart a bit—until Dhylan cut in with a smirk.
“Stop fangirling. She might notice.”
He said it like I wasn’t even there. And right on cue, Oriel jabbed him hard in the side.
Before I could even laugh, the classroom suddenly quieted down, and everyone began heading back to their seats.
Standing at the door was Professor Murasaki—the infamous "terror prof." I’d heard stories.
And right behind her… was Ice.

The lecture began, and her voice was just as sharp and terrifying as the rumors claimed. But I had to admit—she was really good. Her lesson today: Career Interest.
Minutes passed like a gentle breeze, each moment filled with lively discussion and thoughtful notes. Before I knew it, the lecture had eased into something more exciting—a laboratory discussion. A quiet buzz of curiosity stirred in the room as Professor Murasaki shifted gears, her tone growing more animated. It was clear something fun was about to begin.

“On Friday will be our first laboratory activity,” the professor announced.

A wave of murmurs rippled through the room. Students blinked away sleep, now fully paying attention.

“Don’t worry,” she added. “This is just a test—to see how well you know your basics. It’s a bonus lab exam. No pressure. I want to assess your skills so I know how to tailor the lessons moving forward.”

She walked to the front and pulled out a glass bowl filled with small folded papers. Like a raffle, she picked one and read aloud: “Baking.” There were a few gasps and excited squeals.

“How about a simple cake?” she continued. “You can choose the flavor and type you like. But I need your final choice by the end of day tomorrow to avoid duplication.”

She paused, letting it sink in.

“This will be a two-person project,” she said, firm. “Choose your partner wisely—and finalize your theme today.”

Immediately, chatter erupted across the classroom. Friends laughed and leaned toward each other, discussing plans. Couples were already writing down ideas. Excitement buzzed in the air.

This kind of collaboration was one of Professor Murasaki’s signature methods. A mix of freedom and challenge. And it worked.

A few minutes later, the professor began walking around, collecting theme ideas.
I turned toward Oriel—but stopped.
I already knew she’d partner with Dhylan.

She might reject him for me, but I didn’t want to be the reason they were separated.

What should I do?

I glanced around. Everyone looked friendly, but I was new, and no one really noticed that I didn’t have a partner yet.
I hesitated… and then glanced at Ice.
He hadn’t moved at all. Still looked bored.
He probably had a partner already… and after what happened yesterday, I really didn’t want to ask.

Reluctantly, I raised my hand. “Excuse me, Miss. I don’t have a partner yet.”
Professor Murasaki looked up from her laptop, scanning through her list.

“There are twenty-two students in this class,” she muttered. “Which means… everyone should have a partner by now.”

Her eyes shifted… and landed on the seat next to me.
I turned, following her gaze.
“Mr. Atlas,” she called. “Do you have a lab partner?” Her tone wasn’t a question—it was confirmation. Ice looked up slowly.

“No. Not yet,” he said, clearly unenthusiastic.
“Perfect,” the professor declared, snapping her laptop shut. “Miss Ashfault, your partner will be Mr. Atlas.”

She look at the class and announced. “This will be your partners until the end of the semester, okay good day!” And that was it. Final. No room for protest.

She dismissed the class, and just like that, my fate was sealed.