Ink and Instincts...I guess you hate me.

Chapter 5- Classroom Chemistry: Invisible Bond

Shirley and Trevor's chemistry kindled on a slow flame. Both of them felt this tension between them. Destiny made them play the role of enemies but they couldn't resist looking at each other. An unexplainable feeling pulled them towards each other. Soon there was a series of events that ignited this spark more and this time it could be felt by their friends too. However, there was a prompt villain in their story, Ron who played a role of a wolf in a shepherd's skin in Trevor's life from now on.

The class teacher's rule of weekly bench rotations leads to Trevor sitting just on the front bench before Shirley. They accidentally touch each other's hands when Trevor returns Shirley's book, Pride and Prejudice. Destiny has shaped a long path for them to travel on.

Trevor Pov:

Our class teacher has made it a compulsion to rotate the seating every week, which means I'll be sitting in front of Shirley's desk each week. Though it brings us closer physically, I can't turn back to look straight into her eyes. I can smell her classy perfume, which is not overpowering but attractive. We share a common liking for perfumes. The tension between us is increasing slowly. Being a passionate reader is always at her disposition. I sometimes wonder how anyone could read so much. She occasionally raises her head from her books to glance at me. I want to know her more. It is tough for me to stay away from her. But I maintain a distance so that I don't creep her out.

She accidentally dropped her novel Pride and Prejudice that day, and I picked it up to return it. Our hands touched slightly, and I felt a little shock. I felt butterflies in my stomach. I"Here's your book. You read a lot, don't you." I whispered slowly. With a surprised expression, she had a cute smile on her face. Shirley rarely shows this soft side of her, and I loved this soft side she hid from others.

Shirley Pov:

Trevor is sitting right before me, and I occasionally glance at him. We are closer physically, but I can't ask him to turn back and talk to me suddenly. What if he thinks of me as a desperate, creepy girl? The sparkling chemistry is increasing between us. The classic cologne he wears is beautiful and not overpowering at all. We share a common interest in perfumes. I happen to re-read Pride and Prejudice, my favourite romance novel by Jane Austen.

I dropped my book, and Trevor picked it up to return it to me. I felt goosebumps when our hands touched and the world around us slowed down for some time. He casually asked me about my reading habits. I felt so lost in his eyes that I couldn't reply to his question." I love reading; it is my favourite hobby."I replied while blushing and smiling slightly. It was so unlike my usually seroius demeanour. I started reading my novel again, going back to Mr Darcy and Elizabeth's story.

Trevor Pov:

Ron is my childhood best friend and like a brother to me. His only annoying behaviour I resent is annoying people for no reason. It was all fun and games until he did something serious. I have noticed how he always tries to pass useless remarks on her. I always avoided this and stopped him, but he wouldn't budge. 

Shirley is not even a bit scared of Ron. She ignores him so to save us from quarrelling again. Ron crossed his limit when he tried to sit beside her. I screamed angrily, " Enough of this nonsense, Ron, just leave Shirley alone. Don't even think of teasing her."

I have never been so angry with Ron. He backed off immediately and passed a scowl towards Shirley, expressing that it was her fault that I screamed at him. I don't know what took over me, but I couldn't see any guy beside her. Even when Zack, who is just a friend to her, sits beside her, I feel anxious and probably jealous. I should have gathered enough courage to talk to her, but feared rejection. Besides, I shouldn't forget that I am already in an unwanted relationship with my girlfriend. First, I must break free of this namesake relationship and talk to Shirley afterwards.

My group always has specific spots reserved where we park our bikes near the school gate. I turn up early and wait for Shirley's school bus to arrive. I waited for her to climb down, and we almost entered the school together. I adore that she travels such a long distance daily for her studies. She is indeed very committed to her academics.

Shirley Pov:

Ron is the only person I seriously hate. I have never met such a disgusting, spineless person ever in my life. He constantly annoys people for no reason at all. I was reading a book when he started passing remarks like Look at the topper, one more book again. It's not that I am scared of him and can't take over him, but arguing with him is useless. It is more like pelting stones on dogs that will make the dog bark even more. That's why I kept quiet and gave no response. He just began to cross the limit when he tried to sit beside me. Just then, Trevor screamed at him angrily and asked him to go back.

Ron obeyed his words but passed a scowl at me as if it were my fault that his best friend screamed at him. Ron won't let this insult go off that quickly. Whenever Zack or any guy friend sits beside me, Trevor feels anxious or jealous. I know that he feels a particular bond with me; I think the same. I don't get why he won't talk to me directly. Is there something stopping him? I hope it's not Ron manipulating him with nonsense remarks. I'll have to muster enough courage to move to friendship from being classmates.

My mom has opted for the school bus because I live far from our school. She won't let me use my scooter; I am a terrible driver. Since the school is too far, our driver is supposed to drop me off and pick me up. I asked my mom to opt for the school bus so that I could be free from any preying eyes of our driver. Thankfully, my mom agreed. I notice that Trevor always arrives before me. He always enters with me. If I reach early while he hasn't reached yet, I wait for him. It is like an unsaid ritual that we must enter the school together.

Thanks for enjoying this story. A lot more is yet to come. Do comment with your favourite part and leave a vote. ..Riyaspeaks :-)