Lost in the lake

POV of Raine

I stared anxiously at the clock hanging above the entrance to the gym, feeling my heart pound in my chest. The pressure was intense—twenty multiple-choice questions to answer in just ten minutes. That meant I had only thirty seconds for each question, and I was already sweating; my palms clammy, my head aching. In moments like this, I couldn’t help but question my decision to major in Chemistry. Why did I choose this path again?The final question forced me to stop, think, and draw out the chemical reaction and double-check the electron flow. I knew that if even a single step went wrong in the reaction, the resulting compound could cause disastrous effects within the human body. With a deep breath, I chose option B. I really hope scientists double-check their work and binding agents.

As I looked up from my paper, I caught sight of Jackson sitting across from me with a wide, goofy grin. He was clearly confident, and I was certain he knew the answer to that question.

Despite the stress, I somehow managed to complete the exam just in time. As I exited the gym, I felt triumphant—like a true badass. With my third year finally behind me, the thought of leaving this place tomorrow to drive back to Toronto was a massive relief.

I slid into my sleek black Toyota Corolla, rolled down the windows, and switched on the radio. “Call Me Maybe” was playing, so I cranked up the volume and cruised home, letting the music wash away the stress.

Once home, I decided on a hot shower, then started packing my things for Toronto. After getting organized, I knew I needed dinner—there was no way I could fall asleep on an empty stomach.

When it came to preparing for exams, food wasn’t just a comfort—it was a necessity. While some people might get by on little more than a cup of coffee or a granola bar, I found that eating a proper meal gave me the stamina to tackle difficult subjects like chemistry. Skipping meals was never an option for me; the demands of memorizing reactions and mechanisms required all the energy I could muster. With a full stomach, I was better equipped to focus, think critically, and push through the pressure that came with every test. I believe I heard that chess players can burn up to 200 calories per hourduring intense, competitive matches.

That exam was tough.I pleaded—Jesus, Allah, Ram, whoever is listening—please let me pass, and I promise I’ll pray every morning. I tried to make a deal with the universe as I enjoyed delicious homemade veggie tacos. The satisfying crunch with each bite was pure bliss. After dinner, I finished packing and took some time for self-care before heading to bed.

The next morning, I woke up at 9 a.m., feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. After sending off my snap streaks, I began getting ready, carefully choosing my outfit. I settled on a baby blue sweater paired with black jeggings. The combination made me look cute and confident, letting my hair down and putting in my contacts, topped off with sunglasses for a stylish touch.

I specifically chose the sweater, knowing it would hide the belly fat I’d gained since my first year at university. Back then, I weighed 120 lbs, but now I was up to 150 lbs—a change I still hadn’t quite come to terms with. Despite that, the black jeggings made me feel good about my figure, especially since they showed off my curves nicely. Sometimes I think of Meghan Trainor’s song “All About That Bass.” It’s a little reminder for daily self-affirmation.

After checking that I had packed everything for my trip, my friend Jackson sent me a text, marking the start of the day’s next adventure.

Jackson: Yo, you ready to head back today? excited? how did your organic chemistry exam go?

Raine: Yup, I’m ready. That exam was honestly brutal, like a slap in the face. It was incredibly difficult, but at the same time, I managed to stay fairly relaxed through it. I can’t believe the professor made it that tough. I was familiar with most of the reactions and mechanisms, but I struggled to recall the specific ingredients.

Jackson: That exam was tough. Thanks for the last-minute help. I bet you did fine; I got some reactions right, hopefully. We are still going together, right? Are you picking me up, or should I pick you up?

Raine: Yeah, can you pick me up? I wanna be a passenger princess and not drive. See you soon. I also can’t wait to discuss those questions in detail with you and see if we get the same answers.

Jackson has always been an amazing friend, although chemistry isn’t exactly his strong suit. I genuinely hope he manages to pass his exams. His major is biology, so, understandably, organic chemistry isn’t his favourite. Jackson has a lean build, an adorable baby face, and a head full of incredibly curly hair. He’s like a sweet little pumpkin—just being around him puts me in a good mood. Sometimes his hair even stands up like a peduncle.

That morning, I made some toast and eggs for breakfast, but somehow, two hours slipped away while I was mindlessly scrolling on my phone. Time always seems to move faster when I’m procrastinating.

Without knocking, Jackson strolled right into my house as if he lived there himself. I suppose that’s one of the perks of living in a safe neighbourhood; we rarely lock the door. I gave him a big hug and asked him to grab my suitcase so we could load it into his car.

We settled into his red Nissan, and as we drove, we chatted about everything that had happened over the school year. During our little drive, my friend Paige texted me.

Paige: Are you leaving today? Done with exams? I still have one at 6 pm, and I’m not looking forward to it. Drive safe!

Raine: Paige, just one exam left—stay focused and look after yourself. I’m a passenger princess today with Jackson driving.

Paige: Have a safe journey then. I refuse to get in his car again after that horrible driving to ecology last year! Lol. I’ll see you in a couple of days in Toronto with Val and Jason.

“Was that Paige messaging you just now?” Jackson asked, glancing over as we drove.

“Yeah, she was just letting me know she still has one more exam to get through before she can head home,” I explained. “But keep your eyes on the road, Mister!” I returned to my phone again. “By the way, I heard you’re going to your cousin’s birthday party—is that why you’re heading to Toronto?”

Jackson grinned. “Just to clarify—it’s actually my nephew’s fifth birthday party. He’s an absolute cutie-pa-tootie and totally obsessed with Lightning McQueen. That’s why you saw the red car in the trunk earlier; it’s all part of the theme.”

I laughed. “Sure, Jackson—if calling him your nephew helps your reputation, I won’t question it.Anyway, I really need a washroom break. Can we please stop at an OnRoute or maybe Tim Hortons?”

“That works out perfectly,” Jackson replied. “I forgot to fill up the car earlier, so we’ll need to stop for some gas as well. Sounds like a plan!And for the record, he really is my cousin’s kid—my cousin played basketball at university and has already graduated.

After using the washroom, I decided to stretch my legs and wander around while Jackson lined up to order some Tims for us. As I walked through the bustling stop, one man immediately caught my eye—he was strikingly handsome in a way that only a handful of men ever are, at least in my opinion. He stood out not just because of his looks, but also because of the way he gripped his phone, his irritation almost palpable. For a moment, I genuinely thought the phone might snap under the intensity of his hold.

His appearance was impossible to ignore—defined features, striking hazel eyes with a naturally sharp shape, and a sun-tanned complexion that looked almost unfair on him. He wore a tailored royal-blue uniform, crisp and impeccably fitted, the jacket sitting broad across his shoulders and tapering cleanly at the waist. Subtle gold detailing traced the cuffs, understated but deliberate, like a quiet declaration of authority.

He appeared irresistibly tempting—almost dangerously so. Similar to a tempting piece of candy, you know you shouldn’t gaze at it openly, but somehow, you just can’t look away.

The outfit raised a question in my mind. Not business. Not a wedding. Too precise for either. Was he a pilot? Who stops at an OnRoute dressed as if he’s moments away from stepping into a cockpit?

He was clean-shaven, his jawline sharp enough to deserve its own hazard warning label, and I had to mentally scold myself—twice—to stop staring before it became obvious.

Every woman in the room seemed to notice him, but for me, it was more intense. He was physically ticking every box on my boyfriend’s criteria list, but I also reminded myself thatNope. Zero womanizer allowed.Still, it was hard not to be drawn in as he continued glaring at his phone with enough frustration to murder someone. Suddenly, his hazel eyes flicked up and met mine. The moment felt charged, and I couldn’t tear my gaze away. I panicked, spun around, and accidentally ran into the wall. Rubbing my head, I muttered,“Smooth, Raine. Really smooth. Human wrecking ball.”

Keeping my gaze low, I made my way over to a chair and sat down, my face still burning red—the classic walk of shame. Trying to distract myself, I put on my headphones and let the music fill my ears. Despite my efforts to melt into the background, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me. I glanced around the room, and sure enough, our eyes met again. He held my gaze for several seconds before a sly smirk appeared on his face. It was clear he realized I had been checking him out, and I instantly felt foolish. Oh my god, what have I done? Fortunately, this feeling was short-lived as Jackson soon joined me.

As we settled in with our coffees, Jackson brought up the exam. “Let’s discuss the exam, shall we? What did you think about the most stable bond for carbocation?” he asked.

“That was an easy question. I put benzylic first, then allylic, followed by third degree—”

“Second degree followed by first degree. Good, at least I got that one right.” Jackson interrupted before I could finish. Our answers lined up for the most part, and it was reassuring to know we were on the same page.

I then asked Jackson about the Sn2 and Sn1 reaction mechanisms. We had written similar responses for those questions as well, which helped boost our confidence in how we tackled the exam.

Jackson steered our conversation toward the antibiotics question from the exam. Curious about my approach, he asked, “How did you find the antibiotic question?” I explained my response in detail, describing how antibiotics can be derived from microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria, which naturally produce antimicrobial compounds. My answer outlined the steps involved: first, these microorganisms are isolated, then the fermentation process is used to cultivate them and encourage production of the desired compounds. Following fermentation, the next steps are recovery and purification, which involve techniques like filtration and extraction to separate and refine the antimicrobial agents. Once these compounds meet medical standards for purity and efficacy, they are formulated into various dosage forms, such as tablets. The final step is packaging and distribution, ensuring these medications reach hospitals and pharmacies for patient use.

Upon hearing my explanation, Jackson laughed and admitted, “I definitely did not get that question right.”

As we prepared to leave, I met those hazel eyes once more—he caught my gaze before he exited the building. Settled confidently in one of those soft armchairs by the entrance, he shot me a smug smirk that made me want to wipe that look right off his face. Truthfully, he wasn’t even that attractive, at least not enough to justify that attitude. Refusing to let him get the last word, I responded with a bold smile, deliberately licking my lips and winking at him. Take that, I hope you feel uncomfortable, I thought to myself, relishing my own quiet victory and doing a little happy dance in my mind.

The conversation with Jackson kept us entertained throughout the drive, and time seemed to fly by effortlessly. Before we knew it, we had arrived in Toronto, ready for whatever adventures awaited us next. Once I was home, I showered and snuggled up with my oversized teddy bear, finding comfort in its embrace. It felt good to be home.

A couple of minutes later, I decided to tidy up by putting my clean clothes away and tossing the dirty ones into the washing machine. Once that was done, I headed to the kitchen and started making a salad while my mom cooked dinner for my dad, who was still at work. The aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, and I couldn’t resist indulging in all the delicious dishes my mom had prepared for me—the perfect way to end a long day.

How do you think this romance should unfold?

1. slowburn
2. Instant Spark
3. Complicated mess
4. Anger First, Love letter

Can't wait to hear your thoughts :)