The Mischief in the Lab and Beyond

The college was alive with energy, students bustling through the corridors, their voices a symphony of chatter and excitement.

Inside the chemistry lab, the air carried the faint scent of ethanol and scorched metal, a lingering reminder of past experiments that had gone slightly wrong. Long black-topped tables stretched across the room, their surfaces etched with faded chemical stains, scratches, and the occasional burn mark. Overhead, the sterile white fluorescent lights buzzed softly, casting a glow on neatly arranged glass beakers, test tubes, and flasks sitting on the shelves lining the back wall.

At the front, a massive green chalkboard bore remnants of hastily wiped equations, the ghostly chalk dust settling onto the wooden podium where the professor's notes lay scattered. A large periodic table hung beside it, its edges curling with age. The faint hum of ventilation filled the room, while the fume hood stood in the corner like a silent sentinel—its glass streaked with ghostly fingerprints of past users.

Students sat on tall metal stools, their lab coats crisp and white, though some bore smudges of ink and chemical spills. The scent of rubber gloves mixed with the tang of distilled water as someone carefully adjusted the nozzle of a Bunsen burner, the tiny blue flame flickering against the sterile steel countertop. On the far side of the room, glass clinked—someone was measuring out a reagent, their gloved hands steady but cautious.

Beyond the windows, the sky was overcast, a pale gray that cast muted shadows across the room. Outside, a few students hurried past, their laughter muffled through the thick glass. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with a quiet intensity. The anticipation of reactions—both chemical and personal—hung in the air, waiting to unfold.

The clock struck 11 AM. The class had ended.

As students filed out of the lab, Sofia groaned, pressing her notebook against her forehead.

"Damn, I hate titration reactions."

Victoria, walking beside her, laughed and grabbed Sofia's arm, pulling her like a child. "Same. Let's just go to the cafeteria before my brain melts."

"Fine, fine," Sofia sighed, allowing herself to be dragged along.

Before they could make it far, Charles stepped into their path, a hopeful smile on his face.

"Hey, Sofia, want to grab a drink?"

Sofia leaned her head on Victoria's shoulder, barely glancing at him. "I think I'll pass."

"Come on," Charles pleaded, his eyes widening. "Just once? You reject me every single time."

"Sorry," she replied casually. "We have a presentation after the break." She walked past him without another glance.

Victoria followed, smirking. "Bye, Charles."

Once they were seated in the cafeteria, Victoria sipped her coffee thoughtfully. "You know… maybe he really likes you. That's why he keeps trying."

Sofia sighed, staring at her untouched coffee cup. "You think so? I don't like him."

Before Victoria could respond, Sofia's eyes lit up mischievously. She spotted Darwin sitting alone in the corner, staring at his coffee like it held the secrets of the universe. A devious smile curled on her lips.

"Oh my," she whispered. "He's still sitting alone."

He is an innocent boy with blue eyes and messy black hair. He always sits alone, never disturbing anyone, and barely speaks due to his shyness.

Victoria groaned, already knowing what was coming. "Not again. You mess with him too much. Give that kid a break." She patted Sofia's head in exasperation.

"Come on, I like teasing him." Sofia stood up with purpose.

She walked toward Darwin, deliberately looking in different directions, as if pretending she wasn't approaching him.

Darwin noticed. His face paled.

"Ahnnnnn, why the hell is she coming this way?" he muttered under his breath.

Panic surged through him. Without finishing his coffee, he shot up from his seat and turned to leave—only for Sofia to suddenly step in front of him.

"Ah—"

Crash!

They both tumbled to the ground. Sofia landed on top of him, her blonde hair spilling around them like a golden curtain.

From across the cafeteria, Victoria placed her hands over her face. "She did it again…"

The cafeteria burst into laughter.

"S-Sofia…" Darwin stammered, his heart pounding too hard for him to think straight. His eyes darted to where her hand rested on his chest, her face just inches from his.

"Ahhh, no….... no," he mumbled, trying to form a coherent sentence.

Sofia tilted her head. "Are you hurt?"

Darwin scrambled backward like a startled animal. "No! No, I'm fine!" Without another word, he bolted out of the cafeteria, not daring to look back.

Laughter erupted around them.

"Damn, he's too shy," a guy cackled.

"But he's cute. How is he so shy at twenty-two?" a girl mused.

"I don't think he can even talk to a girl," another guy snickered.

"Forget talking.....does he even know any of his female classmates' names?" a girl teased, biting into her pastry.

Victoria shook her head at Sofia. "You okay?"

Sofia grinned. "Oh, I'm more than okay."

Meanwhile, outside…....

Darwin stormed down the path, his face burning. "Damn, what is wrong with that woman?"

His hands clenched into fists. "Next time, I'll tell her straight...don't mess with me. Yes! I will tell her!" He punched the air, trying to psych himself up.

"Darwin. Darwin!"

Lost in his world, he didn't hear his friend Doron calling from behind.

"Yes! I'll tell her—"

A hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

"What the hell?!" Darwin jumped, spinning around wildly.

Doron gave him an unimpressed look. "What are you even doing?"

Darwin let out a breath. "Man, don't scare me like that."

Dean walked up, smirking. "We're heading to the canteen. You coming?"

"Nah, I'm full." Darwin turned on his heel.

Doron and Dean exchanged glances before grabbing him by the arms.

"Let's go."

"No—damn it—I said I'm full!" Darwin struggled, but the two of them lifted him off the ground like kidnappers.

Just as they were about to be seen, Darwin finally gave in.

"Fine! Fine! I'm coming! Put me down!"

They released him, and the three walked toward the canteen.

Dean slung an arm around Darwin's shoulder. "So, what happened? Sofia bully you again?"

"Hah! Who do you think I am?" Darwin scoffed, puffing his chest. "I told her to stop messing with me today. In fact, I was messaging her earlier and told her straight up—'Don't do that ever again!'"

Dean slowly turned his eyes toward Darwin. Doron stepped between them, giving Darwin a cold, knowing stare.

Darwin shifted uncomfortably. "What? Don't believe me?"

Silence.

Then, both of them burst into laughter, clutching their stomachs.

Dean wiped a tear from his eye. "This is the best joke of the day."

"I could believe the sun rose from the south, but you talking back to Sofia?" Doron wheezed. He laughed so hard he inhaled a piece of grass.

Darwin frowned. "What? Are you comparing me to you cowards? Just watch. The next time I see her, I'll tell her right in front of you guys."

At that moment, Sofia and her friends walked back toward the classroom building.

The wind made her golden hair flutter like dancing snakes, the sun glinting off her blonde eyes like a bewitching spell. Her red skirt swayed gracefully with each step.

Darwin's confidence vanished instantly.

"…Or maybe not," he muttered.