DARK CHEMISTRY
Lizzie's tears streamed freely, soaking the sleeve of her uniform. Her chest heaved with sobs, and the world felt unbearably heavy.
Suddenly, a gentle shake pulled her from the haze.
"Lizzie! Hey! Wake up!"
She blinked rapidly, her vision clearing. Moana crouched beside her, worry etched all over her face.
"Wh-what…?" Lizzie stammered, her voice hoarse, tears still clinging to her lashes.
"You were crying in your sleep. What happened?" Moana asked softly.
Lizzie tried to speak, but the words got caught in her throat. She felt the familiar ache—the one tied to longing, loss, and memories she wasn't ready to face.
And then… she noticed the classroom. The polished floors, the smell of markers and chemicals, the faint hum of students chatting. She wasn't in her dorm. She wasn't in her apartment with the baby.
She was back in high school.
Her eyes darted around, confused. And there he was.
Daniel. Her chemistry teacher. Staring at her, calm but piercing, as if he could see right through her, into the corner of her soul that nobody else could reach.
He placed a sheet of paper neatly on her desk, his expression unreadable but commanding.
"You got… 94 out of 100," he said quietly, leaning slightly so only she could hear. "Why are you crying?"
Lizzie's throat tightened. She wanted to say something—anything—but the lump in her throat refused to move.
He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face, his touch firm, careful, protective.
"You did perfectly. You worked hard. You should feel proud. Not like this," he said, his voice low, almost a whisper, but it carried weight that made her freeze.
Her tears, though still present, slowed. She felt the strange, familiar mix of fear, comfort, and longing that always followed him—like walking on the edge of fire and ice at the same time.
Moana hovered behind her, unsure whether to intervene or leave them alone. She watched quietly as Daniel's gaze softened ever so slightly, and Lizzie, though still trembling, blinked up at him, caught somewhere between shame, relief, and the undeniable pull she always felt when he was near.
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