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The Elemental University library was a sanctuary of knowledge, its towering shelves filled with books on every conceivable subject. As the sun shone through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the wooden tables, Aurelia Oxide and Nickolas Allen found themselves in a quiet corner, surrounded by stacks of books on elemental chemistry. Aurelia, her golden hair tied up in a loose bun (for up to 5 seconds at a time), was engrossed in a book titled “The Unseen Elements: A Journey Beyond the Periodic Table”. Nickolas, his eyes hidden behind a pair of glasses, was flipping through a hefty volume on the properties of radioactive elements.
Their focus was unwavering, their determination obvious. They were on a mission to unravel the mystery of Gallus Siliconson’s powers, to understand the strange reaction that had occurred at the pool party.
As they delved deeper into their research, an unspoken tension lingered between them. It was a tension born not just from the urgency of their task, but also from the unexplored territory of their growing friendship. They never expected to become friends but were brought together by Gallus’ episodes of instability.
Nickolas broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. “Aurelia, do you think we’re on the right track? Could Gallus really have a third element?”
Aurelia looked up from her book, her eyes meeting his. “I think so, Nicky. It’s the only explanation that makes sense. But we need to be sure.”
Nick stifled a laugh. “Nicky? That’s new.”
Her lips curled into a playful smile. “Well, ‘Nicky’, change is inevitable. Speaking of change, maybe we should go apply for the leave soon. Or would you rather stay here, safe with your books?” Her tone was light and friendly, but her eyes were filled to the brim with adventure. “Come on… or should I just call you Nicki Minaj?”
“If you call me that, I’ll call you Ariana Grande.” he threatened playfully.
“Joke’s on you, my ringtone is ‘thank u, next’. So, I don’t mind too much.”
“Whatever…” he replied, frowning slightly.
Aurelia chuckled, a hint of mischief in her voice. “I don’t know what to call you, man. Nick, Nicky, Nicki Minaj, Saint Nick, Nickel, Nickelodeon, there’s too many nicknames. Heh, get it? NICK-names?”
“How about… you just stick to Nickolas.” he deadpanned. “It’s my name, after all.”
“Nicky it is.” she replied, grinning from ear-to-ear.
‘Nicky’, as he had now been renamed, groaned slightly, but he knew he couldn’t change it. As much as he hated to admit it, Aurelia was annoying - but in a fun way. A fun, hypnotic way, which brought them together. The fact that he was always calm and composed, and she was always wild and crazy were like two poles of a magnet.
A magnet.
Magnetic.
That was the word he was looking for.
Their friendship was magnetic.
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Selena Platina and Gallus Siliconson. Selena, her platinum eyes shimmering in the sunlight, greeted them with a cheerful smile. Gallus, however, seemed more reserved, his usual introspection replaced with a quieter introspection.
As they sat across Aurelia and Nickolas at the table, the library once again fell into a comfortable silence, the only sounds being the rustling of pages and the occasional scribbling of notes.
Despite the seriousness of their task, there was a sense of camaraderie among the friends, a shared purpose that brought them closer together. And as they continued their research, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation for the journey that lay ahead.
“So,” Selena began, breaking the ice. “Any new finds, guys?”
Aurelia and Nickolas, whose heads were both in the books let out a unanimous, muffled “Nope.”
“Well, I have…” Gallus whispered to Selena.
“What is it?”
He giggled and pointed toward Aurelia and Nickolas, seated beside each other, reading silently.
“So what?” Selena asked. “Is it their books?”
“No, their eyes. Notice how they look at each other, then quickly look back in the book?”
Selena’s eyes followed Gallus’s gesture, and she couldn’t help but notice the subtle dance of glances between Aurelia and Nickolas. It was a quiet exchange, but it spoke volumes. She suppressed a smile, not wanting to embarrass her friends, but the observation sparked a playful idea in her mind.
“Alright, you two,” Selena said, her voice carrying a hint of mischief. “I think it’s time for a little break from the books. How about a game to lighten the mood?”
Aurelia and Nickolas looked up, curiosity replacing the focus in their eyes. “What kind of game?” Aurelia asked, always ready for a bit of fun.
“It’s simple,” Selena explained. “We each take turns saying something about ourselves that nobody else knows. If someone else shares that fact, they have to say ‘me too’.”
Gallus chuckled, “That sounds like a recipe for disaster, but I’m in.”
They agreed, and the game began. As they took turns revealing little-known facts about themselves, the atmosphere grew lighter, laughter replacing the silence. When it was Nickolas’s turn, he hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I’ve never been on a roller coaster,” he confessed, expecting chuckles.
“Me too,” Aurelia said, surprising everyone, especially Nickolas, who did not know that she had never been out of the university. Their eyes met, and there was a spark, a connection over something as simple as a shared lack of experience.
“Wait, really, Ari? You haven’t?”
“Nope. I’ve never been out of the campus, Nicky. Also, what happened to Mr. ‘I-hate-nicknames’ all of a sudden?”
The game continued, but the moment lingered between them, a new layer added to their already complex dynamic. It was clear to everyone at the table that the bond between ‘Ari’ and ‘Nicky’ was special, filled with playful jabs and teasing nicknames, but underlined with a mutual respect and a growing affection. Except for the two of them.
As the game wound down, Selena leaned back in her chair, a knowing look on her face. “You know, I think we’ve all learned something valuable today,” she said, her gaze flitting between Aurelia and Nickolas. “That sometimes, the most interesting elements are not found in the books, but in the chemistry between people.”
“Eww, Selena, that was cheesy…” Aurelia cringed. “But you’re right. We all do have an interesting friendship.”
“That’s not what she means… but whatever. Come on, let’s get out of here. We have to go check with Dr. A whether we all got permission to go.”
The chapter closes on a light-hearted note, the group’s laughter and teasing fading into the background as they gather their belongings. The playful banter between Aurelia and Nickolas, now ‘Ari’ and ‘Nicky’, was a magnetic friendship, one sure to evolve.
As they stepped out of the library, the campus was bathed in the soft glow of the evening lights. They walked together, a comfortable silence settling over them as they made their way to Dr. A’s office. The anticipation of their upcoming adventure, coupled with the possibility of permission granted, added a spring to their steps as they all walked on.
As they approached his office, Gallus felt an odd sensation in his arm. It felt nice, until he looked above and saw a light flicker. He tried to sense what was going on, but he had no theories. All he saw was Selena, standing beside him, knocking on the door. He thought, perhaps it was the fact that her hand brushed up against his, and the catalytic effect of her platinum was shining through. His eyes seemed to close slowly, as he felt his flesh melt. It wasn’t a new feeling, but it was definitely unexpected. He was liquefying, as he usually could, only this time, he couldn’t solidify again.
Aurelia gasped and tried to grab his hand and pull him into her father’s office anyway, but by the time she opened the door, there was nothing more than a silver puddle sitting in her hand.
Selena and Nickolas exchanged a worried glance.
“We need to figure this out, and fast,” Aurelia said, her playful demeanor replaced by seriousness. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with a liquefied Gallus in my hand.”
“Not drop me?” said liquid asked. “We probably have to leave for our mini-vacation today or tomorrow. This is serious.”
Aurelia’s eyes glowed, as she tried to heal him, but to no avail. He was still a puddle of gallium.
Nickolas nodded. “Let’s hope Dr. A will give us the green light. We might not have much time.”
Selena, in the spur of the moment, pulled out her phone, encased in a metallic phone case and smiled at the liquid in her friend’s hand. She removed her phone and proceeded to shape the case into something else - a jar. “Quick, get inside the jar. I know this is awkward, but it’s for the time being. Dr. A isn’t here, so you’ll have to spend the night liquefied.”
If Gallus still had his face, it would have been pale with shock. It was going to be a long night.
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