Adam didn’t know exactly when it started: this quiet, persistent need to reach out to Nickie.
Maybe it was the way she made things feel less suffocating.
Her texts weren’t just distractions anymore.
They were something he waited for.
Looked forward to.
Needed.
At first, his excuses were flimsy.
‘Nickie likes school. so... think about something school related.’
***
Monday
Adam (11:14 PM): How do you even remember all the history dates? Do you have a deal with the devil?
Nickie (11:15 PM): Nah, just a photographic memory. And caffeine. Lots of caffeine. You should try it.
Adam (11:16 PM): Tried it. Almost fought a vending machine once.
Nickie (11:17 PM): Did you win?
Adam (11:18 PM): I got the chips. It kept its dignity.
***
Tuesday
Adam (10:03 PM): Why does the cafeteria lasagna taste like betrayal?
Nickie (10:04 PM): Because it’s 30% despair, 20% cardboard, and 50% regret.
Adam (10:05 PM): That checks out.
Adam (10:05 PM): But like... technically edible?
Nickie (10:06 PM): Technically, yes.
Nickie (10:07 PM): Morally? Never.
***
Wednesday, Midday
Adam (12:42 PM): What happens if you sleep through gym class?
Nickie (12:43 PM): You wake up, and suddenly you’re the coach.
Adam (12:44 PM): Damn. I don’t want that kind of responsibility.
Nickie (12:45 PM): Too late. First rule of gym class?
Adam (12:46 PM): First rule of gym class? Never let them see you stretch. That’s when they know you’re weak.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
***
Later that Night
Adam (9:37 PM): What happens if I just... don’t turn in the chem project?
Nickie (9:38 PM): Explosion. Chaos. Possibly jail.
Adam (9:39 PM): Really?
Nickie (9:40 PM): No. But I had you for a second. You’ll just fail.
Adam (9:41 PM): That’s comforting. Thanks.
Nickie (9:42 PM): You’re welcome.
Nickie (9:42 PM): Want me to help you?
He stared at the screen longer than usual.
Then typed:
Adam (9:43 PM): Yeah...
And just like that, the wall cracked a little more.
***
Thursday, The Public Library, 3:47 PM
Adam dropped his notebook on the table with a sigh, slouching into the chair across from Nickie.
“Alright, drummer girl, educate me. What’s the secret to not blowing up my grade… or the lab?”
Nickie grinned, flipping open the chemistry book.
“Step one: try not to look like you’re planning your escape the second it gets boring.”
Adam smirked. “Too late.”
Nickie rolled her eyes. “Okay, seriously. Did you even read the assignment?”
Adam leaned back, arms crossed. “Define read.”
Nickie raised an eyebrow. “Did you glance at it for longer than two seconds?”
“I skimmed it. Skimmed is good, right?”
Nickie facepalmed. “Right. We’re starting from scratch.”
Twenty Minutes Later
Adam tapped his pen against the table, eyes narrowing. “So… this reaction creates gas, and then it just disappears?”
“Exactly,” Nickie said. “Chemistry is basically legal magic.”
Adam nodded. “Legal magic. Cool. Sounds like a band name.”
Nickie chuckled. “Only if you promise to wear a wizard hat on stage.”
“Deal. But you’re getting a cape.”
“Absolutely not.”
Forty Minutes Later
Books and papers covered the table, Nickie explaining reaction sequences while Adam scribbled notes.
He was getting the hang of it… or at least, that’s what he kept telling himself.
"So if this chemical reaction fails, do we summon a demon or just blame David’s last solo for grinding our minds into dust?" Adam said quietly.
Nickie snorted, clutching her notebook.
The librarian shot them a stern glare.
"Blame the solo. But I’m down to summon a demon if it helps you pass." Nickie whispered.
The librarian’s glare burned through them like a death ray.
Adam leaned towards Nickie, whispering, "If we get kicked out, at least we’ll go down in history as the first to summon Beelzebub during chem review."
"Screw passing. That’s an A+ move."
“Shh!” the librarian whispered.
"Careful, Bass Boy. She looks like the kind of person who’d hex you with organic compounds." Nickie leaned closer, whispering even more quietly.
"Bring it on. I survived worse."
5:15 PM
Nickie slammed the chemistry book shut. She offered her fist for Adam to bump, which he did, gently. They silently gathered their stuff and headed out.
“Boom. Chemistry conquered.” Nickie said with a satisfied tone.
Adam was stretching. “If I pass this, I’m writing you into my autobiography.”
Nickie opened the door and held it for him. “Just remember who saved you from academic doom.”
“Don’t worry,” Adam said, holding the door so she could let go. “I’ll dedicate a whole chapter to your Gremliness.”
