Chapter Text
“Before we release you to go to your classes, we have a special announcement for you all!” The principal of Periodic High said. Groans could be heard throughout the room. “Our first annual school dance is coming soon, in two days, on August 24th!” he said, still in a happy and energetic tone, as if he were ignoring the students.
There were some excited conversations, and some apathetic faces. The principal smiled at the reaction.
“You are all now released for your first period.” The bell rang, and crowds of people were heading out of the classroom.
–
7th period had ended two hours ago. Unlike most schools, PHS only had 7 periods, so everyone went home without another period. Also, unlike most schools, the elements lived in one huge building that had a room for everyone. The building was organized by 7 floors, and the lanthanides and actinicides lived in the basement. There was also a lobby on the ground floor. It was built like an apartment building. All the elements were in their own rooms where they would do homework, have fun, and do… other stuff that elements would do.
Hydrogen lived on the highest floor of the PTB (Periodic Table Building) in one of the two rooms on the floor. Her twin brother, Helium, was on the other end of the floor in his own room. She wasn’t expecting a visitor, but that’s what she got that day. She was drinking a glass of water, and was still holding it in her hand when she heard a knock at the door.
She rushed to the door and opened it to see a blonde girl in pigtails who was flashing her annoying yet signature smile at her.
“Oh. It’s you!” Hydrogen awkwardly smiled. Fluorine. Hydrogen thought she was done talking to her, that she could go with all her other friends and she would be fine. But, in a way the smile was genuine. She was glad she could see her old friend.
“Hi!! I know it’s just been so long since I visited, but like, I didn’t forget about you or anything! I mean, we’re still friends, right?” She ranted, not even pausing between sentences.
“Right.”
“Wait, are you still drinking that water?” Fluorine laughed. “Drink this one, it’s totally better.” She handed a bottle of water to Hydrogen.
“What’s the difference?” Hydrogen asked, inspecting the water bottle.
“It’s just… better for you, you know?” Fluorine said, pushing aside the topic. “Like, it has me in it.” She snatched the bottle from Hydrogen’s hands and pointed to where the label said “With fluoride added”.
“That’s a little… weird…”
“Don’t think about it too much. Anyways, I just wanted to ask if you’re coming to the school dance?”
“Of course I am!” Hydrogen exclaimed, already getting excited at the idea of it. “Why?” She asked in a much calmer tone.
“Oh, I just wanted to know so that like, we could meet up or something?”
Meet up? “Um…” Hydrogen thought about Fluorine. She was kind of toxic, but still, they were both very extroverted. They were similar. I mean, couldn’t Fluorine spend time with other people? Why her? Hydrogen remembered all their good and bad times together. Just a few seconds ago, she judged her for drinking water. “Well…” Hydrogen couldn’t make up her mind.
“With Argon,” Fluorine added, just casually.
“...What?” There’s just no way anyone was getting Argon to go out. They don’t talk with anyone, only go outside for school, and have things she’d much rather do. The only reason people knew their name was attendance, and they’d much rather keep it that way.
“Like, y’know… just as friends?”
“You’re friends … with Argon? ” Hydrogen was baffled.
“Um, no? Not yet.”
Hydrogen sighed internally. They didn’t need even more proof that Fluorine was a crazy girl who was about to attempt the impossible. Bonding with a noble gas? Anyone else would have called her crazy for it.
“Sure. Let’s do it.”