Section A Meets Section C (Accidentally)
The next day began like usual — chaotic, rushed, and full of me regretting waking up.
I sat in Section A, unpacking my books, when Sana slid into the seat beside me whispering:
"Aristaaa, I have the BEST news."
I sighed. "Is it actual news or your usual nonsense?"
She grinned.
"The teacher said Sections A, B, and C will have a combined science period today."
My brain blanked.
Combined…
Science…
Period…
"Does that mean—"
"Yes," she smirked. "Section C. As in KAE-LORRR."
I nearly dropped my pen.
"Why?! Why are they combining all sections? We don't need THAT much science!"
"It's a lab demonstration," Meera said, joining us with her water bottle.
"Also relax. He probably won't even look at you."
I frowned.
"Thanks for the support."
"I mean it in a good way!" she said quickly.
"He's in his own world. You know—Mr. Cool Hoodie, Mr. Laughing-With-Everyone."
I tried to act calm.
"I don't care if he looks at me or not."
Sana snorted SO loud the neighbouring bench stared.
"Sure. And I don't care about chocolate."
---
The Lab Entrance Disaster
All three sections gathered outside the lab.
Chaos. Noise. People everywhere.
I spotted Section C entering in a line, and my stomach flipped like a gymnast.
And then —
Kaelor walked in.
I instantly looked away.
But it was too late.
Because he saw me first.
He blinked, surprised.
Like he didn't expect to see me in that crowd.
For a moment, his steps slowed, eyes following me.
Sana whispered, "Oh my God, Section C boy is staring."
"SHH!" I hissed, nearly elbowing her.
But the universe wasn't done embarrassing me.
Our teacher suddenly shouted,
"Students! No pushing!"
And guess who got pushed by a crowd of boys?
Me.
Guess who stepped aside to avoid collision?
Kaelor.
Guess who he ended up catching by the arms so we didn't both fall?
ALSO him.
It wasn't romantic.
Just a simple stop-you-from-falling kind of thing.
But my brain still shut down.
He said, "Careful… Arista, right?"
OH. MY. GOD.
HE KNEW MY NAME???
"Y-yeah…" I whispered.
He let go once I steadied myself.
"Section A is chaotic," he joked lightly.
"Yes," I said. "We… uh… like chaos."
He chuckled.
Meera and Sana were looking at me like I just performed black magic.
---
The Lab Partner Twist
Inside the lab, the teacher announced:
"Each table will have 3 students. No mixing sections within the same batch… except if we're short."
Of course, my table was short.
Teacher looked around and said:
"Hm. One more student needed here.
Kaelor, you join that group."
I choked on nothing.
Sana silently screamed.
Meera dropped her pencil.
Kaelor walked over, confused but smiling politely.
"Looks like I'm with Section A today."
I tried not to hyperventilate.
"We're… happy to have you."
WHY DID I SAY THAT
WHO SAYS THAT
WHAT AM I A HOSTAGE SITUATION SPEAKER
But he just smiled… softer this time.
---
The Experiment Disaster (Part 1)
Teacher gave us a task:
"Record temperature changes in a beaker of hot water."
Simple, right?
WELL.
Not when I'm in the same group as him.
I reached to adjust the thermometer —
He reached at the same time —
Our hands touched for 0.2 seconds —
I jumped like I touched electricity.
He laughed under his breath.
"Relax, it's just a thermometer."
I wanted to hide under the table.
The experiment went wrong because:
Sana dropped the beaker
I panicked
Kaelor ended up holding the thermometer upside down
Teacher stared at us like we were a cartoon trio.
"Section C boy… I expected better."
Kaelor whispered to me, "I swear this is not my fault."
I giggled — accidentally.
He blinked like he wasn't expecting that.
For the rest of the period, he kept smiling whenever I said something stupid (which was… a lot).
And I hated how nice it felt.
---
The Ending Moment
As all sections started leaving, Kaelor said:
"See you around, Arista."
He walked away with his friends, disappearing into the Section C crowd.
Sana grabbed my shoulders.
"DID HE JUST SEE YOU AROUND YOU???"
Meera added, "He knows your name. He talked to you. He saved you from falling. HE SMILED AT YOU."
I covered my face.
"This doesn't mean anything."
But my heart?
My heart whispered:
It'll mean something… one day.
But not yet.
Slow burn had officially begun.