Deadly Chemistry
Chapter One – After School
The bell rang at Starlight Academy, and the halls burst alive with voices, footsteps, and the squeak of polished shoes on marble floors. Sunlight poured through wide windows, casting long golden beams across lockers and bulletin boards plastered with club posters.
For most, it was just another afternoon. For Isla Clementine Aldridge and her friends, it was another day of surviving in a school where reputation mattered more than homework.
Under the shade of the old acacia tree near the courtyard, four students gathered like they always did.
Isla sat with her back straight, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear while flipping her notebook closed. Her quiet, sharp gaze made people think twice before approaching. Beside her, Eliana Faith Wycliffe lounged with a half-eaten lollipop, phone in hand, scrolling endlessly. Helena Soleil Ashford stood nearby, arms crossed, already looking bored with the world. And leaning lazily against the bench was Yosef Elijah Harrington, tall and broad-shouldered, exuding that mix of charm and teasing that often got him in trouble.
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
Okay, listen up🤩 *Eliana said, eyes sparkling.*
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
Big news. Transfer students are coming.🥳
Helena Soleil Ashford
*Helena groaned* You always say that like it’s some earth-shattering thing. 😬
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
It IS!!!
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
*Eliana shot back.*
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
Five of them!! And rumor has it they’re rich and ridiculously good-looking🤤
Yosef Elijah Harrington
*Yosef laughed.* Groundbreaking. This school doesn’t already have enough spoiled rich kids? 😑
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
*Eliana pointed her lollipop at him.* Don’t ruin my fun. 😫
Helena Soleil Ashford
*Helena smirked.* Let her dream, Yosef. It’s not like anyone else wants to. 😏
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
*Eliana gasped dramatically.* Excuse me?? I am lovable!
The three broke into laughter, but Isla remained quiet, her gaze lifting toward the main building as if her mind had wandered.
Yosef Elijah Harrington
You’re awfully silent, *Yosef said, nudging her shoulder.*
Yosef Elijah Harrington
Don’t tell me you’re actually curious.
Isla Clementine Aldridge
Just cautious... *Isla replied softly.*
Isla Clementine Aldridge
New faces mean new changes. Could be nothing… could be trouble.
Helena Soleil Ashford
*Helena rolled her eyes.* Always so intense. They’re just students. 🙄
Isla said nothing more, though the unease in her eyes lingered.
The laughter dimmed when a sharp voice cut across the courtyard.
Arabella Kensington
Well, well. Still sitting under this sad tree like the school’s rejects? 😏
Arabella Kensington, the headmaster’s daughter, stood with two of her followers, her designer bag dangling casually from her wrist. Her lips curled in a mocking smile as she looked down on them.
Helena Soleil Ashford
Go bark somewhere else, Arabella. *Helena said flatly.*
Arabella Kensington
*Arabella smirked.* Careful, Ashford. Daddy owns this school. One word from me and you’re all gone. 😏
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
*Eliana scoffed.* We’ve heard that a thousand times. Find a new script 😮💨
Arabella Kensington
*Arabella leaned closer, voice dripping with arrogance.*
Arabella Kensington
Don’t get any ideas about the new students coming in tomorrow. They’ll never waste time with losers like you.🫢🙄
Yosef clenched his jaw, ready to retort, but Isla’s voice sliced the air, calm and firm.
Isla Clementine Aldridge
Then let them decide for themselves *she said.*
Isla Clementine Aldridge
*Her eyes locked on Arabella’s, cold and unwavering.*
Isla Clementine Aldridge
Your opinion doesn’t matter.
For a heartbeat, Arabella’s smug mask cracked. She scoffed, flipping her hair before strutting off.
Arabella Kensington
*Helena let out a low whistle.* Remind me never to get on your bad side.
After school, they went their separate ways, each carried home in sleek cars or on foot through quiet streets. But the chat didn’t stay silent for long.
That night, Isla lay awake in her room, the glow of the city outside her window. Her friends’ voices still lingered in her mind—joking, teasing, dreaming.
But tomorrow… tomorrow, five strangers would enter their world. And Isla couldn’t shake the feeling that life at Starlight Academy was about to change in ways none of them were ready for.
Chapter 2 – New Faces, New Tensions
The morning sun rose over Starlight Academy, painting the gates in gold. A hushed excitement lingered in the air—new students were arriving, and nothing stirred up curiosity like fresh faces in familiar halls.
The courtyard was already alive with whispers when Isla and her friends entered. Eliana looped her arm through Helena’s, practically bouncing with energy.
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
They’re here. I heard they’re handsome. Like movie-star handsome.😍
Helena Soleil Ashford
*Helena sighed, brushing a strand of auburn hair behind her ear.*
Helena Soleil Ashford
You heard that from the same girl who once said the cafeteria meatloaf was gourmet. Not exactly a reliable source.
Yosef Elijah Harrington
*Yosef chuckled.*
Yosef Elijah Harrington
Still, it’s not every day we get transfers in the middle of the school year. There must be a reason.
Isla remained quiet, scanning the courtyard. She wasn’t one for gossip or hype, but even she couldn’t ignore the shift in atmosphere. Students leaned against walls, craned their necks, and whispered like something grand was about to happen.
The gates swung open, and three figures walked in. The tallest one led the group, his steps steady and unhurried, like he owned the ground he walked on. His sharp features, blonde hair, and unreadable eyes made the crowd fall silent for a heartbeat. Theodore Zachary Maxwell.
Beside him were two equally striking boys. One with grayish white hair and a confident smirk—Luca Alexander Mortimer. The other, with storm-grey eyes that seemed to pierce through people—Xavier Elias Pembroke.
Behind them, waiting near the entrance, stood Samuel Tristan Huxley and Wesley Dominic Sterling, who were already students of Starlight. The five exchanged nods, clearly familiar.
Student B
Oh my god, they’re—
Student A
Did you see the one in front? He looks dangerous but in a good way.
Student C
No, the blond one! Total heartthrob material.
Arabella, dressed impeccably as always, sauntered through the crowd like it was her personal runway. Her eyes locked onto Theodore instantly, gleaming with determination. She flicked her hair over her shoulder and approached him with a smile too sweet to be genuine.
Arabella Kensington
You must be the new transfer. Theodore, right?
Arabella Kensington
I’m Arabella, daughter of the Academy’s owner. If you need anything, guidance, introductions, a friend, I’d be happy to show you around. 😊
Her voice carried, making sure everyone heard. A few students snickered, others leaned in to see Theodore’s reaction.
Theodore stopped walking. For a moment, silence stretched. Then his gaze flicked to Arabella, cold and unimpressed.
Theodore Zachary Maxwell
Not interested. *Cold*
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Arabella’s smile faltered, but she quickly forced it back, though her cheeks burned crimson.
Isla, watching from a distance with her friends, raised an eyebrow.
Isla Clementine Aldridge
Well… that’s new. Someone who doesn’t bow to Arabella. *Cold*
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
*Eliana’s eyes sparkled.*
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
Did you see him? He’s like—like—ugh, words aren’t enough.🤩😫
Helena Soleil Ashford
You’re drooling.👺
Yosef Elijah Harrington
Dangerous guy. I can tell. But the other two? They’ve got mischief written all over them
Theodore, Luca, and Xavier passed by without another word, Samuel and Wesley trailing close behind. Their presence lingered even after they vanished into the building, leaving behind a sea of whispers, broken hearts, and one very humiliated Arabella.
Isla glanced once more at Theodore’s retreating figure. He hadn’t even looked at her, yet something about him unsettled her.
She frowned, pushing the thought aside.
Isla Clementine Aldridge
*to herself* Doesn’t matter. He’s just another arrogant transfer. Nothing more.
But deep down, she knew she was lying.
Chapter 3 – Sparks in the Hallway
It was the second day of the new transfers, and the school corridors were buzzing with curiosity. Every glance seemed to follow the newcomers, especially Theodore, who walked as if the world around him didn’t exist.
Isla kept her usual pace, folder clutched under her arm, with Yosef, Eliana, and Helena behind her.
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
I swear… every time he walks past, it’s like the air changes. I can’t even—😫💖
Helena Soleil Ashford
Eliana, it’s just a guy. Stop pretending it’s some supernatural effect. 😑
Yosef Elijah Harrington
He’s… different. Dangerous, maybe. I don’t like the vibe.
Isla ignored the chatter, her eyes scanning the hallway for any sign of trouble.
Fate, however, had other plans.
Isla Clementine Aldridge
Watch where you’re—
He didn’t move to help. He didn’t apologize. He just stood there, examining her like she was a puzzle.
Isla Clementine Aldridge
Seriously? Not even a ‘sorry’? *cold*
Theodore Zachary Maxwell
You should pay more attention. *cold*
Before the tension could escalate, Luca’s voice cut through, playful:
Luca Alexander Mortimer
Relax, Theo. First week. Don’t scare the locals.
Xavier Elias Pembroke
*Chuckled behind him, glancing at Yosef briefly.*
Yosef Elijah Harrington
He should at least learn manners.
Isla clenched her jaw, standing tall.
Isla Clementine Aldridge
If you’re going to bump into someone, the least you can do is be polite. *cold*
Theodore’s gaze lingered a moment longer, then he turned on his heel without another word.
Luca and Xavier followed, joking quietly between themselves, sharing subtle glances that hinted at familiarity, though no one else noticed.
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
*practically squealed.*
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
Did… did that just happen? You actually stood up to him!🫨
Isla Clementine Aldridge
*exhaled sharply.*
Isla Clementine Aldridge
I didn’t stand up… I just… ignored him eventually. *cold*
Yosef Elijah Harrington
*chuckled.*
Yosef Elijah Harrington
Ignored him, yeah right. Your glare could have cut steel.😐
Even as they walked to class, Isla’s mind replayed the encounter. Something about Theodore unsettled her, something dangerous....but intriguing.
Queens and a Knight💞 (Group Chat)
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
*📲*GUYS. Hallway incident. Isla vs. Theodore Maxwell. 🔥🔥🔥
Helena Soleil Ashford
📲 You’re overreacting. I was there. He’s just… obnoxious.
Yosef Elijah Harrington
📲 He’s arrogant, yes. But Isla handled him like a pro.👌
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
📲 Exactly! Did you see the sparks??
Isla Clementine Aldridge
📲 Sparks? Please. I was just making sure he didn’t get on my nerves.
Eliana Faith Wycliffe
📲 Sure, Isla. We all saw the “don’t mess with me” glare 👀
Helena Soleil Ashford
📲 You have to admit… he’s different.
Isla Clementine Aldridge
📲 Different doesn’t mean anything.
Yosef Elijah Harrington
📲 Yet you can’t stop thinking about it, huh?
Isla Clementine Aldridge
....
And just like that, the hallway collision had left a mark. Not in bruises or scratches, but in curiosity, tension, and the subtle stirrings of something neither Isla nor Theodore wanted to admit.
Trnxvh
Note: Sorry, I was too lazy to edit the chatting scene. So I didn't edit their group chat conversation like in the previous chapters....
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