Sweet Bomb

Chapter 2.Physics class

Coco sat at her usual desk in the back of Mrs. Johnson’s physics classroom, her fingers doodling mindlessly in the margins of her notebook. She had always found solace in art, but today her pencil seemed to have a mind of its own, sketching abstract swirls and patterns that mirrored her swirling thoughts. Each time she glanced toward the front of the room, her heart fluttered a little harder. Troye was sitting just a few seats away, his dark hair tousled and his expression as unreadable as ever. Mrs. Johnson was deep in her lecture, her voice steady and authoritative as she explained Newton’s laws of motion. “Remember, class, these laws govern not just the movement of objects, but also the relationships between forces and motion. They can be applied to everything from a thrown ball to the orbits of planets.” Her words echoed off the whiteboard, where she had drawn diagrams of falling apples and rolling carts. Coco swiped a glance at Troye, who sat with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the teacher. His piercing blue eyes held a depth that left Coco both intrigued and intimidated. Unlike most boys at school, who were more interested in sports and social status, Troye seemed to exist in a realm all his own. He was known for his intelligence, often answering questions before Mrs. Johnson even finished asking them, and for an icy demeanor that kept most students at arm's length. Yet, there was something about him that pulled Coco in, like the gravitational force that held planets in orbit. “Coco! Pay attention!” Mrs. Johnson suddenly called out, snapping Coco from her reverie. The class erupted in laughter as she felt her cheeks turn crimson. She shot an apologetic glance at Troye, who smirked ever so slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. It was a brief moment, but it felt like a secret shared just between them. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Johnson,” Coco mumbled, her eyes darting back to her notes, but she could still sense Troye’s gaze lingering on her. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if he found her artistic doodles as interesting as the physics concepts they were discussing. Despite the chill that surrounded him, Troye had a way of making her feel warm, a spark that ignited her curiosity.

“Now, let’s consider the implications of inertia,” Mrs. Johnson continued, her chalk squeaking against the board as she wrote down examples. “An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an external force. Similarly, you could argue that emotions can be inertial too. They linger until something—someone—forces them to change.”

Coco’s heart raced. Was Mrs. Johnson talking about them? The way she and Troye seemed to orbit each other? She bit her lip, trying to concentrate on the lesson, but her mind kept drifting back to the way he had looked at her earlier, the teasing smirk that hinted at something more beneath his cool exterior.

The bell rang, ending the class and shattering the momentary bubble of tension. Students filed out, their chatter filling the hallways, but Coco lingered, gathering her things slowly. She caught sight of Troye standing by the door, his back against the wall, his arms still crossed, seemingly unbothered by the chaos around him.

“Hey,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper as she approached him, her heart pounding in her chest. “You were really sharp today in class.”

Troye turned his head slightly, his expression still unreadable. “I guess,” he replied, his tone cool but not unkind. “Physics isn’t exactly difficult if you pay attention.”

Coco nodded, trying to find her footing in this conversation. “It must be nice to understand everything so easily. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. You must really like physics.”

“It’s not about liking it,” he said, pushing himself off the wall and straightening up. “It’s about understanding the fundamental principles of the universe. It’s logical. People, on the other hand…” He trailed off, a flicker of something—annoyance?—crossing his face.

“People?” Coco echoed, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”

Troye’s gaze shifted to the bustling hall, students laughing and rushing to their next classes. “They’re unpredictable. Emotions cloud judgment. Physics is straightforward—there’s a formula for everything.” Coco felt a strange pang in her chest. “But isn’t that what makes life interesting? The unpredictability? The emotions?” She dared to meet his eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of the warmth that had flickered there before. He regarded her with an intensity that made her heart race. “Maybe,” he said finally, his voice softer than before. “But it’s also messy. Complicated.” They stood there for a moment, the noise of thehall fading into a distant hum. Coco felt the weight of the air between them, thick with unspoken words and lingering glances. She wondered if he could sense the shift, the way their connection felt charged, like two magnets drawn together yet still hesitant to close the gap. “I think we need a little mess sometimes,” Coco replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her stomach. “People are what make life worth living, even if it gets complicated. Just like in physics—forces can create beautiful things, like art.” Troye’s brow furrowed slightly, as if he were processing her words. “Art? You think chaos can lead to beauty?” “Absolutely,” Coco said, emboldened. “Think about it. A painter pouring colors onto a canvas doesn’t just stick to the rules—they break them to create something unique. It’s the same with relationships. Sometimes you have to let go of control to see what happens.” For a moment, the corners of Troye’s mouth twitched again, and she could have sworn he was about to smile. Instead, he shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “I guess you have a point. But it still takes a lot of courage to embrace that chaos.” “Courage?” Coco echoed, her heart racing. “Is that what you’re afraid of? Letting go?” Troye hesitated, his expression shifting as he considered her words. “I’m not afraid,” he finally said, though the way he said it felt more like a challenge to himself than a declaration. “I just… prefer to keep things simple. It makes it easier to navigate.” Coco bit her lip, studying him closely. She could see the flicker of vulnerability beneath his cool facade, a glimpse of the boy who might want to let someone in but didn’t know how. “But what’s the fun in that?” He met her gaze, and for a heartbeat, the world around them faded. “You’re different,” he said, his voice low. “Most people don’t question my logic. They just accept it.” She took a step closer, emboldened by his admission. “Maybe you just haven’t met the right person yet,” she suggested, her heart pounding louder in her ears. Just then, the bell rang again, jarring them back into reality. The hall filled with the shuffling of students as they hurried to their next classes. Troye glanced at the exit, a flicker of something indecipherable on his face. “I should go,” he said, turning to leave. Coco felt a sudden rush of disappointment. “Wait!” she called out, her voice cutting through the noise. He turned back, his expression neutral but his eyes curious. “Um, I was wondering…” She hesitated, her heart racing. “Would you like to study together sometime? I could use some help with the next chapter. And who knows, maybe we could make it a little less… simple?” Troye regarded her thoughtfully, and for a moment, she feared he’d decline. But then, a slow smile spread across his face, transforming his features. “Sure. I’m in. Just don’t expect me to go easy on you.” Coco couldn’t help but grin back, a rush of warmth spreading through her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” With that, he nodded, a flicker of mischief in his eyes, before turning to blend into the crowd. Coco watched him go, her heart racing with the thrill of their exchange. She had cracked just a bit of his icy exterior, and the thought ignited a fire of excitement within her. As she made her way to her next class, Coco couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. The laws of motion applied to more than just physics; they applied to emotions, too. She felt buoyed, as though she were a satellite caught in Troye’s gravitational pull, spinning through the chaos of high school life. The remainder of the day passed in a blur, her mind racing with thoughts of Troye and their upcoming study session. She daydreamed during lunch, imagining all the ways their time together might unfold. Would they argue over formulas? Laugh about their differences? Or perhaps, just maybe, would they discover an unexpected chemistry that neither of them had anticipated? As evening fell, Coco sat at her desk, the physics textbook open in front of her, but her attention was elsewhere. She pulled out her sketchbook and began to draw, this time inspired by the idea of forces and attraction, of two bodies in motion. Her pencil danced across the page, creating abstract shapes that intertwined and overlapped, a visual representation of the connection she felt with Troye. It was late when she finally put down her pencil, exhausted but exhilarated. She couldn’t help but smile as she thought about what tomorrow might bring.