Scholarship #Project Nigeria

√19. Bonds of Chemistry

A/N: Hey guys! I can't believe it's been three years since I wrote a chapter 😭. I promise my writing has gotten a lot better guys, so enjoy! 💗

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The morning sun stretched its warm fingers across the bustling courtyard of Royal Valley High School. The air was thick with the scent of earth and the joyful chatter of students. As I walked through the crowd my heart sank like a stone into the pit of my stomach. Today was the day I would be forced to collaborate with none other than Jason Okafor.

I had never met a more infuriating boy than Jason. His cocky grin and smug remarks grated on my last nerve. With his full afro hair and self-assured swagger, he acted as if he owned the school. It was bad enough that we were paired up for chemistry practicals, but it was worse knowing that his mere presence would cloud my focus.

"Morning, Lewa," he greeted me with a smirk that hinted at his underlying amusement.

I clenched my jaw and nodded curtly. "Morning, Jason."

We walked to the chemistry lab in tense silence. The lab's white walls were adorned with faded periodic tables and posters of chemical reactions. The tables were lined with Bunsen burners, beakers, and an array of colorful solutions. Our teacher, Mrs. Ojo, stood at the front, her stern gaze casting a shadow on the room.

"Lewa, Jason, you may begin your practical," she announced.

I forced a smile, my heart sinking even further. Jason's grin, on the other hand, widened as if he relished the situation. We were assigned to perform a titration.

As we gathered the necessary equipment, I couldn't help but glance at Jason from the corner of my eye. He seemed so at ease, as if he were born to excel in the subject. Chemistry had always been my passion, my sanctuary of equations and reactions that made sense in a world that often did not. I resented that Jason, of all people, would share this space with me.

"Alright, Lewa, let's get this show on the road," he said with an exaggerated enthusiasm.

Suppressing a sigh, I nodded and began to measure the chemicals needed for the titration. As we worked, I couldn't ignore the way his hands moved with familiarity, his fingers deftly handling the delicate glassware. It was infuriating how natural he seemed, as if chemistry were a dance he'd perfected while I stumbled through it like an awkward novice.

"Pass me the burette, Lewa," he requested, holding out his hand.

I handed it to him without a word, careful not to meet his eyes. He had a way of unnerving me, of making me question my own competence. But I was determined not to let him see my vulnerability.

As the experiment progressed, I realized that, against all odds, Jason had his strengths. He was meticulous in his measurements and precise in his calculations. Despite my initial resistance, I couldn't deny the efficacy of our partnership. We were making progress, and our results were promising.

"See, Lewa, it's not so bad working together," he commented, a teasing lilt in his voice.

I shot him a glare, refusing to give him the satisfaction of admitting he was right. But secretly, I had to acknowledge that he was. The chemistry between us, though fraught with tension, was undeniable in the context of our collaboration.

As the experiment drew to a close, we stood side by side, observing the final reaction. The liquid in the flask turned from a vivid blue to a pale pink, a sign that we were nearing the endpoint of the titration.

"We're almost there," I muttered more to myself than to him.

Jason nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on the flask. In that moment, our differences seemed meaningless, overshadowed by the shared pursuit of knowledge and success. For a brief instant, I glimpsed the side of him that wasn't a perpetual thorn in my side-the side that cared about the outcome as much as I did.

"Stop!" Mrs. Ojo's voice rang out, and we ceased our measurements.

She came over to examine our results, her stern expression softening as she nodded in approval. "Well done, Lewa and Jason. It seems the two of you make a good team."

I exchanged a surprised look with Jason, and for the first time, a hint of genuine satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. It was a small victory, but a significant one. We had set aside our differences, if only temporarily, to achieve a common goal.

As we cleaned up our workspace, I found myself musing over the unexpected turn of events. Perhaps there was more to Jason than met the eye. Maybe his arrogance was a shield to protect his vulnerabilities, much like my initial resistance to working with him had been a shield to protect my pride.

"Good job today, Lewa," he said, his tone unusually sincere.

I smiled, genuinely touched by his words. "You too, Jason."

As I walked away from the chemistry lab, a feeling of uneasiness lingered. Jason and I might never be the best of friends, he was cocky and self centered. Could his behavior today just be a facade?

As the red sun began its descent, casting an orange glow over the horizon, I couldn't help but wonder what other surprises awaited me. My life had started to feel like the bonds as intricate and unpredictable as the reactions we studied in that very lab.

A/N: Guyss! How did you find this chapter? It's quite brief and I haven't updated in forever so I forgot a lot of details 😭