Chapter Text
Jayce walked into his physics class with thirty seconds until the bell would ring. Students were up and about, chit-chatting about hot gossip, who was dating who, who called who a bitch, the usual. The classroom was lively, while at the head of the room, Professor Heimerdinger stood with his back to the gaggle of students. He stood at the top of a tall step ladder, scribbling with white chalk on the wall-sized chalkboard. Jayce took his seat quietly, next to his best friend Viktor. They sat near the front of the hall, for easy entry and exit for Viktor. Viktor was already working on his bell ringer, those pesky things. Jayce flopped his science journal onto the lab desk.
"Ihaveanideaforoursciencefairproject." Jayce practically burst out, saying it so fast Viktor had to furrow his eyebrows and give Jayce a confused look. "What?" He asked. Jayce smiled, remembering it can be hard to keep track of his bursts of excitement. "I have an idea, for our science fair project!" He said, happy as a clam.
The bell rang, and students hurriedly took their seats. The professor started class by listing the agenda for the next week. After excitedly announcing a unit test over quantum mechanics, and getting very unenthused groans from his students, he hobbled over to his desk where he pulled out a ginormous stack of flyers. "Now, I'd like to announce a most tittilating endeavor," he started. "Could I have some volunteers to pass these out?" Jayce, Viktor, and a few more students raised their hands. "Jayce and Caitlyn, please." Viktor sighed. "Every year, Piltover Upper Academy hosts the largest science fair in Zaun! I highly urge you youngins to get started on your projects. There are 3 different entry levels, and those presentations are all held on separate days. The details are listed on the posters."
As Heimerdinger rattled on and on about the fair for what felt like forever, Jayce doodled in his notebook. Viktor and Jayce had been competing in the science fair together since their days in the lower academy, they didn't need to pay attention to this. Last season was their first entry into the Class A group. They made second place, standing with forced smiles in the photo hung in the trophy case outside the library. Viktor stole Jayce's notebook and wrote something down alongside scribbles and nonsensical words. He passed it back over.
What was your idea? In blue pen ink, was written in neat but jagged handwriting,
Jayce smiled and scribbled something back. He slid the notebook to Viktor.
THIS. Blocked in thick permanent marker, as Jayce had no pencils on him, he had to make due. He circled a doodled-diagram of orbs, drawing an arrow to them.
Viktor squinted, trying to work out a possible answer. "What is that?" He whispered to his partner.
"It's magic." Jayce said, a twinkle in his eye.
"Magic? That isn't something you can make into a science fair project."
"That's what they want you to think." He smirked.
"Jayce, please keep quiet during my lecture, or by golly I'll have you hand the rest of the flyers up around the halls after school." Heimerdinger said sternly, an accusing eyebrow raised at the pair. Girls in the back of the room giggled, Viktor slouched in his seat. Embarassed, Jayce grabs the notebook again.
its a way to harness magic through science
Viktor blinked.
come over after school i'll show you
i've been working on it for a while
And you didn't tell me
i wasn't confident in it yet
but with you i think its got a shot :)
Viktor smiled at Jayce, and Jayce felt something in his stomach. It was warm and all consuming, he couldn't help but smile back.
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Once the halls of the academy were flushed of its student body, Jayce went down the halls. He taped up every last poster, leaving them scattered on almost every locker and door. He didn't have to hang the posters up for the professor, but Viktor wanted to help. Speaking of, the boy followed Jayce down the hall, giving him direction on where to put each flyer. "The Class A block is the last two days, April 15th and 16th." Jayce said, actually reading the flyers out of boredom. "Oh? They pushed it one week back this year. It was the week after that last year." Viktor remarks. Jayce smiled softly. He appreciated Viktor's sharp memory, bringing up tid-bits when he was reminded of something. It's always the little things.
The pair made their way down the hall, posting up flyers. Jayce was about to cover up a brightly covered poster with his fair poster just to be petty, but decided against it. He took the time to read it, as so did Viktor. "The Spring Fling, huh?" Viktor smirked. "It's the same date as the last day of the fair." Jayce said. "You want to go?" Viktor asked.
"Oh, no! I'm not interested in things like that. Who even wants to go to a dance? Besides, I couldn't if I wanted to. We might have to present on that day." Jayce said, looking anywhere but Viktor, blushing.
"It's okay to want to go," Viktor sighed. "You should ask her."
"Ask her?" Jayce looked confused, no one coming to mind. "Mel. You like her, don't you? I'm trying my best to be a supportive partner here." Viktor put his head in his hand and pinched his brows together. "I mean, I guess. But I'd rather go with you,"
Viktor blushed.
"To the fair." Jayce added on quickly, thinking that alone sounded a little weird.
"Yes... the fair." Viktor winced. He needed to sit down.
"I'm going to miss the train soon." He said, feeling an unease. The discomfort in his chest burned.
"Yeah, it's getting late. I'll walk you." Jayce held his friend's arm, walking in silence.
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