Fall in love in a weekwe get by

“Don’t be distracted,” the familiar feeling of a jellyfish swallowing you, a short gesture with both hands at once – again, I didn’t even have time to understand what exactly I did, but for some reason I knew that if necessary I could repeat it. Sharp shards of glass and ice, scraps of apples and, for some reason, paper hovered over Applestone’s table, as if in a freeze-frame. Some kind of note or letter.

This shocked and offended expression will probably give me nightmares. Goggled eyes, a glance slanted towards the bridge of the nose – the fragments hovered literally an inch and a half from Applestone's face. And he, it seems, could not decide now what should be more surprised: that he was still intact or that he had made such a mistake.

“Congratulations, Mr. Obley, you have a worthy competitor,” the professor appeared next to me, I felt him behind my shoulder – a feeling of strength and for some reason security. – Let go of the shield, Miss Blair. Follow the group while I deal with the effects of Mr. Applestone's brain softening. – A hand flashed in front of my face, taking a piece of paper out of the air. – Hm. You may be pleased to know that this worthy young man lost control of the experience because he was trying to impress you, Miss Blair, with his poetic talents.

“Oh yes,” I couldn’t resist. – I was amazed. Right into the liver.

She lowered her trembling hands – only realized that until now she had unconsciously, on a reflex triggered by Charlotte, been holding the shield. And I fell in love with Norwood. He now looked like a conductor or a surgeon. The fragments collided with a quiet ringing sound, gathering into a prickly sparkling ball, similar to a curled up hedgehog. Scraps of apples and scraps of paper were strung onto “hedgehog” needles, and then it all simply evaporated. All that remained was Applestone's stunned face – although no, no longer stunned, but frightened. I realized how it could end.

– If anyone else wants to hit the object of their dreams, please do not stifle your impulses. Alchemy lab is the perfect time. I will be happy to personally escort you to Mrs. Maskelyne’s office for your documents and with no less happiness will say goodbye to you forever. Mr. Applestone, gather your things and leave the classroom. Tomorrow after classes, I’m waiting for you at the department with all the knowledge you have. We will decide your fate thoughtfully and comprehensively.

I thought Applestone's face was scared a minute ago? I was wrong. The real horror was only now reflected in her. It seems that the “worthy young man” and connoisseur of boobs had no doubt: the fragments in the face would seem like a light breeze and a gentle caress compared to what awaited him alone with Professor Norwood.

Until the end of the lesson, there was such silence in the laboratory that you could hear the hiss of evaporating ice and the quiet rustle of drying apple slices. Honestly, it seemed to me that even these unfortunate apples were scared to death! The group barely breathed. And after class they left the office in silence, almost on tiptoe. No jokes or giggles.

I wasn't laughing either.

In hindsight I realized that if it weren’t for Charlotte, everything would not have ended so well. Will I be able to repeat it myself, if suddenly? Yes, I didn’t even have time to understand what was happening! By the way, she disappeared after the explosion, and I didn’t notice exactly when. And why? It’s okay if you just got bored and decided that now you can leave everything to me. What if she spent a lot of effort on intervention and never appears again?

Professor Norwood was the last to leave. He paused on the threshold and said into space:

“What happened doesn’t deserve such a funereal look.” But the reaction is commendable. Come to your senses, you are on your lunch break after all. Cupcakes are waiting.

I involuntarily snorted. She muttered:

– Thank you.

I probably didn’t hear it—the door closed too quickly. It doesn't matter. The main thing is that he really calmed me down. And even, miracle of miracles, he praised me.

And only in the dining room, having already had lunch and drinking a chocolate cupcake with fragrant tea, I realized one more thing: he knows that Charlotte loves cupcakes!

Is that so, Dr. Norwood? Did you still pay attention to your assistant, at least sometimes?

***

– Now you will be called to see Director Maskelyne.

I think I jumped along with the chair, so sudden was Charlotte’s ghostly whisper in my ear. It’s good that I just managed to swallow the tea, otherwise I probably would have spat all over the table.

“Where did you come from?! And why like that, above the ear?! While you were alive, didn’t you learn that you don’t talk to people from behind their backs?”