Chapter 11.

Arabella was heading toward the academy’s hall when the voice of a creature calling her name stopped her. In front of her stood Emilie, a creature with fiery red hair and freckles sprinkled across her nose. Arabella rarely noticed her and didn’t really know her that well. Emilie gave her a warm smile and then asked:

– Hey! Are you also working on the project for planet Cyno?
– I am – Arabella replied with an honest smile.
– Then I found the right person. I’m in the team that’s going to assist you and Orion. You two are the leaders of the project.
– Um... I’m not sure about that. I’m not the leader on this project – she responded, clearly surprised and a bit thrown off.
– Actually... what do you mean by "leaders"? – she corrected herself, trying to clear the confusion.
– We’re just helping, but you two are in charge of the whole thing. Orion said it’s a major project and that he chose you to be his co-lead because you’re perfect for the role.
– Oh... then I guess you did find the right person – Arabella replied, still a bit shocked and confused.

She hadn’t expected Orion to say something like that.

– So, how can I help you?
– I wanted to know when we’re traveling there, and whether we need any specific preparation?
– We’re leaving in six days. Since your team is assisting, it would be good if you studied the chemical compositions and uses of some of the materials. We’ll be exploring how to use them to improve both planets... and if you need help with that, I’m here.
– Thank you so much! I really hope we’ll work well together and that I’ll get to know you better during the project – Emilie smiled again.
– No problem at all. If you have any other questions or problems, just come to me. I’m looking forward to working together too.

They said goodbye and went their separate ways.

Arabella continued on toward the rest hall. As she approached, she saw Liv waiting for her.

– How long have you been waiting here? – she asked.
– I decided to wait out here so you wouldn’t have to suffer looking for me.
– Well, thank you for that lovely gesture!

They entered the hall and immediately grabbed plates to choose their food. Once they found a place to sit, the conversation continued.

– Do you have math class next? – Liv asked, chewing eagerly on her sandwich.
– I thought you’d remembered that by now. We have it together!
– Perfect! That gives us more time to talk, because I have something very important to tell you.
– What is it?
– It’s about a guy.
– Ooh, tell me everything! – Arabella exclaimed with excitement.
– His name is Kasy. He’s tall and loves skateboarding. We met in sociology class. We instantly clicked during our conversations.

She paused briefly to finish her sandwich, while Arabella bombarded her with questions.

– What did you talk about? How long has this been going on? Why didn’t I know about this...?
The questions were endless. Arabella was shocked but thrilled by the news.

– After a few conversations, I realized I really liked him. I wasn’t sure how he felt, so I kept it to myself. But recently, he asked me to go to the skate park with him after school today. It’ll be our first time hanging out outside the academy. I just haven’t had the chance to tell you until now.
– And you should feel bad about that! – Arabella said dramatically.
– You’re acting like I murdered someone!
– You murdered me, by letting me find out so late – she teased.
– Well, good luck today! I hope you have a great time. Just relax, take it slow... I know how nervous you get sometimes, but don’t worry. You’ve got this – she smiled warmly.
– Thank you so much. You’re a sweetheart.

After their break and a sweet chat, they made their way to the classroom where math was being held. The lesson had already begun and Professor Margaret had just walked in. Arabella quickly noticed Orion wasn’t there  considering they attended math together, his absence stood out.

After marking the attendance, Professor Margaret spoke gently to the class:

– Children, today we won’t be doing anything new, instead we’ll practice solving problems on the board. If anything is unclear to anyone, please don’t hesitate to ask

 – I’ll gladly help you.
A minute of silence followed, which signaled that everything was clear to everyone.
– Now, Sheila, you’ll do the first task on the board.
Sheila stood up, and the rest of the class began working on their own problems.
Professor Margaret glanced over some papers and then looked at the board — everything seemed to be going smoothly.

Arabella figured this was the right moment to ask her a few questions about the upcoming math competition. She liked Professor Margaret. Her answers were always warm and kind. The competition had brought them closer.

– Professor, I’d like to ask you something about the math competition.
– Go ahead, Arabella – the professor smiled gently. Arabella approached her desk and pointed to the problem.
– Is it possible to solve this task in two different ways? – she asked, showing her method.
– Absolutely. You’ve made a good start, but you’re missing one step.

Just then, Orion flung open the classroom door and walked to his seat like he wasn’t late at all.

– Orion can help you with that question – the professor added after a brief pause, clearly hoping he’d at least greet them or apologize for the disruption. But that moment of waiting was pointless.
He simply unpacked his things without a word.
– Is that alright with you, Orion? – she asked him.
– Yes – he answered shortly, sending a sharp look in Arabella’s direction, which she returned with equal intensity.

– Wonderful. I was actually planning to stay after class today to help you two prepare for the competition. However, something’s come up, so Orion, I’ll leave that lesson to you. It’s the perfect chance to walk through a more complex problem — you’re good at that.

– Fine – Arabella said, walking past Orion’s desk, throwing him another biting glare. He returned it just the same.

After class, she headed back to the room where they’d be stuck together, practicing math with her least favorite person. She expected him to ditch her and that nothing would get done. But when she arrived at the door, it was already slightly open. She saw him sitting by the window, waiting for her.

– You’re late! – he scolded, watching her every step.
– I came exactly on time – she answered calmly, pulling her notebook from her backpack.
– Incorrect. You should’ve arrived before class started and been prepared, not doing it now – he continued lecturing.
She ignored him completely and began working through her tasks. She sat by the window, while he sat a little behind her.
But soon, he moved closer. She noticed only when he began shifting his things.

– What are you doing here? – she asked without looking up.
– We’ve both been invited to this session, and we’re both going to work on these problems.
– Which task do you need help with?
– I don’t need help. I realized where I went wrong and I’m fixing it – she replied calmly, focused on her notebook.
– Let me see how you’re doing.
– That won’t be necessary.
– Stop acting like this. Face it, you’re stuck here with me.
– Still, I have full freedom to do whatever I want.
– Not full freedom, not while I’m here.
– You’re mistaken. Just because I’m your chaos doesn’t mean you’re mine.
– Are you sure about that? – he asked, watching her intensely while she kept writing, pretending he wasn’t even there.

She continued working diligently, fully focused, while he kept watching her visibly irritated by her indifference.

Suddenly, he took the pencil from her hand. That finally got her attention.

– Give me back my pencil – she shot him a deadly glare, while he smugly raised it above his head, out of her reach.
– What if I don’t want to? – he teased.
– Give it back so I can finish the task.
– Use another one!
– I want that one!
– Then you’ll have to work for it.

For the first time, she followed his challenge. She leaned in closer than she should have. He raised his hand even higher, making it harder for her to grab the pencil.
Determined, she stood up from her chair and reached for it  but accidentally tripped and fell right into his lap.

Her heart started to pound wildly. He dropped the pencil and stared straight into her eyes.

– You asked for trouble and now, you won’t get out of it so easily – he whispered, still looking deeply into her eyes.

The look pierced her. Those dark eyes caused her great confusion. The sharpness in them had now softened considerably and turned into a wicked longing. His eyes betrayed him and she could see how much he wanted her. And then, his longing got out of control and caused an unexpected action. He put his hands on her waist, gripped her tightly and pulled her closer to him, placing her on his lap so that their eyes were facing each other. They looked at each other without saying a word... He removed a restless strand of hair that was falling over her eyes. It was burning, and that was only because of one simple action. And she shouldn't have... She shouldn't have allowed herself, that now, her greatest enemy has such an influence on her. However, she easily surrendered to this moment and to a new game that they had just started. She liked how she affected Orion. His breathing was heavy and fast. He put his hands on her thighs, tightening them for a moment, then put them back on her waist, hugging her tightly. He slowly brought his lips closer to hers until they almost met. And then he stopped. Now she could feel his quickened breath lightly touching her lips. With his touches, he created a vicious longing for both of them. Orion then quietly and quite gently broke the peace they were in with words that pierced her entire being.

– I've always wanted you...

She could feel his heart beating fast. As she sat on his lap, she felt that he was getting harder and harder. She influenced him more and more, and she didn't do anything special for him. He had always been madly longing for her. She put her hands behind his neck and then gently entwined her fingers in his black hair. Then she leaned up to his ear and planted a soft kiss.

– Then prove it... – she quietly whispered to him, challenging him.

She felt it burn. He gently returned the kiss on her neck, after which she wanted to kiss her whole body. He was creating suffering for both of them with that slow game of his. He brought his lips slightly closer to hers. That move could have created a stir, but at that moment the bell rang for the end of class. He cursed angrily. Both of them hastily left the classroom, where an explosion of their particles, desire, longing and lust could occured.