There are two types of people in high school science class:
1. Those who know what they're doing, and
2. Those who fake confidence and pray nothing explodes.
I was firmly the second type.
So when Mr. Graham announced, "Today, we're starting a month-long chemistry partner project," I felt my soul briefly exit my body.
Kayla leaned over. "I bet you get Malik."
"I will set this place on fire."
She laughed. "But, like, with style."
I crossed my fingers under the desk. Anyone but Malik. Anyone but Malik.
Mr. Graham read off the pairings. I braced myself.
"And finally — Imani Okafor and… Noah Liang."
I blinked.
Kayla blinked.
Noah looked up from where he was sketching in the margins of his notebook, raising one eyebrow like this was mildly interesting but not life-changing.
Me? I was freaking out inside.
Not because I was nervous about working with the mysterious new guy. But because now the entire class was staring at me like I'd just been cast in the school's most unexpected ship.
Tasha, three seats over, scowled like someone stole her Cartier lip gloss.
I ignored her. Mostly.
---
"Hey," I said as I slid into the lab stool beside Noah.
He nodded. "Hey."
Awkward silence.
"We're partners, I guess."
"So it would seem."
More silence.
"Are you always this talkative?"
He smirked slightly. "Are you always this nosy?"
I grinned despite myself. "Only when I'm stuck with someone for four weeks."
He tapped his pencil on the table and opened his notebook. "Do you actually know chemistry or are we faking it together?"
"Mostly faking."
He glanced sideways at me. "Honest. I like that."
I was not prepared for that.
---
We spent the rest of the class discussing atomic structures and balancing chemical equations. Except by "discussing," I mean he did most of the work while I made smart comments and took colorful notes to make it look like I was contributing.
Noah was quiet but sharp. Focused. Not the kind of quiet that screams "I'm brooding because it's cool," but the kind that said, "I'm watching everything and deciding if it's worth my time."
It was unsettling. And weirdly attractive.
At one point, I caught him glancing at my doodle of a molecule with legs.
"You know that's not scientifically accurate."
"It's a creative interpretation."
"Looks like it's trying to run away from the test."
"Wouldn't you?"
He chuckled. It was soft. Surprising. And it made my stomach flutter.
---
At lunch, the school was already buzzing.
"Did you see Imani and the new guy?"
"She's totally flirting."
"Tasha looks like she's about to commit arson."
I sighed, slumping into my chair across from Kayla.
"You'd think we kissed in the hallway or something," I muttered.
Kayla opened her juice. "People are bored. This school lives for romance gossip. You and Noah are basically the season finale."
I groaned. "We haven't even had a normal conversation yet."
Kayla tilted her head. "Do you want to?"
I paused. Did I?
Yes. Maybe. But that was dangerous territory. After Malik, I'd sworn off guys for the semester.
But Noah wasn't like Malik. He didn't pretend to be the good guy. He didn't try to impress. He just… was.
Still, I had enough chaos in my life. I didn't need more.
---
Later that day, I found myself alone at my locker when I heard the click of heels.
Tasha.
Of course.
She leaned against the locker next to mine, manicured hand holding a sparkling water bottle like it was designer perfume.
"So," she said sweetly. "You and Noah, huh?"
"We're science partners. That's it."
She smiled, teeth sharp. "You know, it's cute that you think this year is yours. After everything with Malik, I thought you'd lie low. But here you are, back in the spotlight."
I closed my locker slowly. "I didn't ask for a spotlight. I asked for a lab partner."
Tasha tilted her head. "People like you always think you're different. You're not."
"People like me?" I repeated.
She blinked. "I didn't mean it like that."
"No, say it with your chest. What kind of person am I?"
She went quiet.
That's what I thought.
I stepped closer. "You don't scare me, Tasha. And if you try to mess with me this year, I'll make sure you're the one people whisper about in the hallway."
Her smile faltered. "Whatever. He's not your type anyway."
"Then we have something in common."
I walked away before she could respond. My heart was racing. But it felt good.
Really good.
---
The next day in class, Noah didn't bring it up.
In fact, he passed me a note during Mr. Graham's lecture.
> Your drawing yesterday gave me an idea.
Check the back page.
I flipped to the back of his notebook. There, sketched in quick, clean lines, was the molecule from yesterday… but this time, it wore sunglasses, carried a suitcase, and had the words "Vacation Vibes" floating above its head.
I laughed. Out loud.
Mr. Graham turned around. "Something funny, Miss Okafor?"
I cleared my throat. "Just a scientific breakthrough, sir."
He narrowed his eyes.
Noah grinned beside me.
---
After class, he waited for me.
"Wanna walk to lunch?" he asked casually.
I blinked. "You… want to?"
He shrugged. "Beats being interrogated by Tasha again. I've been getting death stares from her all morning."
"Yeah, welcome to my world."
We walked side by side down the hall, neither of us talking much, but not uncomfortable either. It was strange how natural it felt.
Like we'd done this a thousand times.
---