We headed to the lab. My stomach twisted with nerves.
The door had a big sign: LAB, and stepping inside felt like walking into a different world. Everything was spotless and neatly arranged white counters, blue cabinets, and instruments lined up in precise rows. There were racks of test tubes, Erlenmeyer flasks, beakers, pipettes, graduated cylinders, balances, Bunsen burners, tongs, goggles, and a fume hood at the far end. Safety posters Wear goggles! and No open flames unattended! Hung on the walls.
"It's beautiful," Aviva whispered, eyes wide.
"Relax," I muttered. "It's also where I could accidentally burn off my eyebrows. And we've been here before. They just renovated it."
Sir Lewis clapped his hands. "All right, class take your seats and put on your safety gear. Goggles on, lab coats buttoned. No exceptions."
I slid into my seat beside Twilight with all the enthusiasm of someone waiting for a root canal. He didn't look at me. Of course he didn't.
"Today," Sir Lewis continued, "we'll cover synthesis reactions. To start, a quick refresher: a synthesis reaction is when two or more simple substances combine to form a single, more complex compound." He walked to the demo bench. "For safety and demonstration, we'll begin with something classic: the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed to make a foamy reaction, showmanship only. Afterwards we'll perform a controlled synthesis: burning magnesium ribbon in air to produce magnesium oxide. Remember: never look directly at a very bright flame; it can damage your eyes."
My ears perked up at that last bit.
The demo started with Silver and Joseph. Sir Lewis showed the class a measured cup of hydrogen peroxide and a bottle of dish soap. "When peroxide breaks down rapidly, it releases oxygen and forms foam this is the 'elephant toothpaste' experiment. I'll add a catalyst to speed it up."
Joseph grinned and, against Sir Lewis's clear instruction, grabbed a little extra catalyst and dumped it in. For a second, nothing then a geyser of white foam shot out of the flask, bubbling and hissing. Steam rose; the foam overflowed the bench and slid toward the floor.
"Joseph!" Sir Lewis barked. "You added far too much catalyst. That's reckless."
Silver hissed. "I told him not to -"
"It's fine," Joseph mumbled as he backed away, covered in foam. "I thought it'd make a rainbow effect."
Sir Lewis waved for the lab assistants. "Everyone stand back. Joseph, go clean up and change. Silver, sit this one out."
The class burst into laughter while Joseph sulked off. The foam show had been dramatic, but not dangerous just embarrassing for our big classmate.
Sir Lewis regained control. "Since their demonstration failed, we'll proceed with the planned synthesis. Fiona Twilight come here."
My heart thudded as we walked to the demo bench. "Today you'll burn short strips of magnesium ribbon in a crucible under a fume hood. Magnesium plus oxygen gives magnesium oxide. When magnesium burns it gives off an intense, white light do not look directly at it without proper eye protection. Wear your goggles at all times."
Twilight put his goggles on with methodical movements. He looked like he'd been born to handle a Bunsen burner.
I fumbled with my goggles and put them on too, blinking at the world through the green-tinted plastic. My hands were a little sweaty.
We each took small strips of magnesium ribbon and a pair of tongs. Twilight handled his with precise, calm movements. He struck a match and lit the burner. The blue flame hissed.
"Steady," he said, his voice low.
When he held the strip in the flame, the ribbon flared with a blinding white light for a heartbeat so bright that the protective goggles felt like a mercy. The light didn't scorch the air, but it burned in my vision like a camera flash. For a moment I felt that same weird thrum in my palms.
"Don't stare," Sir Lewis warned. "Use the shield if you need to see it safely." The magnesium burned to a white ash, leaving chalky magnesium oxide in the crucible.
My jaw tightened. Twilight looked over, just once, and his eyes found mine then he turned back to the work as if nothing had happened.
The bell squealed its welcome. Phew.
"Okay," Sir Lewis said, packing away the demo. "Homework: each pair will prepare a short report on the synthesis reaction you observed and explain safety precautions. Due next class. Dismissed."
As everyone filed out, Aviva sidled up to me, eyes glittering. "Fiona! You and Twilight will be working together at home. Cute. New boy, strange girl vibes."
I shoved her hand away. "Save the cute for someone else. What do you mean stqrnge girl?" Aviva just chuckled her question away.
We walked into the next class only to find Silver lounging in my seat. She looked up, smug. "Oh! Did you forget this was my seat, Fiona?"
I set my bag down. "Miss Silver please. That chair is obviously taken." I didn't even bother lowering my voice.
She stood slowly, smirking. "Well, Fiona Marvin, since you're so brave. Let's see you say that to my face."
My fingers curled into a fist. "Miss Silver, don't play a dangerous game if you're not prepared for the consequences."
Her smile faltered for the first time.