DARK CHEMISTRY
Next Morning — School
Lizzie barely remembered when the call ended.
Maybe it didn't.
Maybe they both drifted off with the line still open, breathing into each other's dreams across continents.
But morning came.
Her eyes were still a little swollen, but she felt… softer.
Lighter.
Because his last whisper stayed with her:
"I'm right here."
She dressed quietly, braided her hair, and walked to school with a small ache in her chest — but this time it didn't feel like breaking.
It felt like longing.
---
At the School Gates
Moana ran up to her immediately.
"LIZZIE! Did you get sleep? You look less ghosty today."
Lizzie gave a tiny smile.
"I… slept."
Moana squinted dramatically.
"With who?"
"N-NO ONE!"
Moana gasped. "DON'T LIE TO ME—"
"It was a video call! He fell asleep— I fell asleep— it wasn't— JUST STOP."
Moana's jaw dropped.
"Oh my gosh. You're having heart-to-hearts with a guy in Poland. That is so dramatic. I love it."
Lizzie covered her face.
---
Chemistry Class
The students entered quickly — no one wanted to be late to Ms. Helena's class.
Lizzie walked in quietly, taking her seat.
She felt Helena's eyes flick toward her for a split second.
Then…
A tiny nod.
Just that.
But Lizzie understood:
You survived the night.
Good.
He'll be relieved.
Class began.
Helena wrote a long chemical equation on the board.
Lizzie stared… but this time, she actually focused.
Her pen moved confidently.
Her mind was sharper.
But suddenly—
Her phone buzzed.
Lizzie froze, panic rising… until she saw the name:
Daniel ❤️
Her breath hitched.
He texted.
Moana, sitting behind her, peeked and almost choked on her own saliva.
Lizzie's hands trembled as she opened the message:
"Are you okay? Did you eat breakfast?"
And seconds later, another message:
"Send me a picture of your face. I want to see if you slept."
Lizzie's cheeks flushed immediately.
But before she could react—
A shadow fell over her desk.
Ms. Helena.
Lizzie almost died on the spot.
But Helena didn't scold, didn't take the phone.
She leaned down and whispered quietly so only Lizzie could hear:
"Tell him you're fine. Otherwise he won't concentrate in Poland."
Lizzie's eyes widened.
Helena straightened, walked back to the board, and continued teaching like nothing happened.
Lizzie swallowed, shyly typed back:
"I'm fine. I slept… because of you."
Three dots appeared immediately.
He was typing.
"Good. I'll call tonight."
Lizzie's heart fluttered violently.
---
When the bell rang, everyone rushed out.
Lizzie stood to leave — but Helena's voice stopped her.
"Elizabeth."
Lizzie turned.
Helena's arms were crossed, face stern…
but her eyes were warm.
"Keep your phone charged tonight."
A pause.
"He misses you more than he admits."
Lizzie's heart trembled.
She nodded softly.
And for the first time since he left—
She walked out of class with a small smile.
Lizzie sat at her study table, textbooks open, highlighter uncapped, hair falling into her eyes as she quietly revised organic chemistry.
She was doing okay.
She was focused.
Mostly.
Until—
ding
Her phone lit up beside her notebook.
Her heart jumped instantly.
She didn't even need to look to know who it was.
But she did.
Daniel Cegielski ✦
Her breath hitched.
Her fingers trembled as she unlocked the screen.
The message was short.
But it hit her straight in the chest:
"Look outside your window."
Lizzie froze.
Her heart hammered against her ribs.
"W-What…?"
She slowly stood up, her legs shaking, and walked to her small window.
Her hands pushed the curtain aside—
And her breath caught.
Outside, on her screen, was a photo.
A picture Daniel had sent.
In the photo he stood outside a tall Polish window, the night sky behind him, holding a warm paper cup of coffee.
His caption:
"This is my view tonight.
What's yours?"
Lizzie's heart melted.
She quickly snapped a picture of her own window — the quiet street, the faint streetlight, the soft curtains.
She sent it.
A second later, he texted:
"Pretty view.
But I want to see your face more."
Lizzie felt her cheeks burn.
She typed with shaky fingers:
"I'm studying! You'll distract me."
Again the three dots appeared.
"Good.
I like distracting you."
Her entire soul left her body.
Lizzie sat heavily on her bed, trying not to combust.
Another message came through:
"Video call?"
Lizzie squeaked aloud.
She typed back quickly:
"I—I look horrible…"
He replied in two seconds:
"Impossible.
Call me."
Lizzie's fingers hovered over the call button.
Her heart raced.
Before she could decide, her phone buzzed again — but this time it wasn't a text.
Incoming Video Call: Daniel
Lizzie's breath stopped completely.
Her hands shook as she accepted the call.
The screen loaded—
And there he was.
Daniel.
Sitting by a window in Poland, wearing a black sweatshirt, hair messy, eyes warm and tired.
The moment he saw her, his lips curved into a soft, breath-stealing smile.
"There's my girl."
Lizzie covered her face with both hands.
"D-Don't say that…"
He chuckled lowly.
"You look cute when you're flustered."
Lizzie's heart almost exploded.
She peeked between her fingers.
He leaned closer to his camera, expression softening.
"How was school?" he asked.
Lizzie swallowed.
"Ms. Helena was… strict."
He smirked slightly. "That's normal."
"But she… she gave me chocolate," Lizzie whispered.
Daniel blinked.
Then he laughed — quietly, but with so much fondness it warmed her chest.
"I told her to take care of you. She's doing better than I expected."
Lizzie bit her lip, nodding softly.
Daniel watched her — really watched her — the way he always used to in class, eyes sharp but gentle.
Then his voice dropped lower.
"You look tired… Did you miss me again?"
Lizzie's eyes softened.
"…yes."
Daniel inhaled slowly, his jaw clenching just a little.
"Good.
Because I missed you too."
Lizzie's chest tightened.
"But," he continued, "I need you to sleep soon."
"I was studying—"
"And now you're done."
Lizzie blinked. "What? No—"
"Lizzie."
Her breath froze.
His voice turned soft… commanding… protective.
"You cried yesterday. Your body needs rest. Come lie down."
Lizzie slowly obeyed, lying on her pillow while holding the phone so she could see him.
Daniel relaxed too, resting his cheek on his arm.
Their screens were face-to-face.
Almost touching.
Almost like they were inches apart instead of continents.
"Closer," he whispered.
Lizzie moved her phone.
He whispered again.
"Closer."
Their faces filled each other's screens.
Lizzie felt her heart pounding wildly.
Daniel's eyes softened.
"There," he murmured. "Perfect."
They watched each other quietly, breathing in sync.
He whispered:
"Good night, baby."
Lizzie's heart shattered in the sweetest way.
And seconds before her eyes closed, she heard his last soft breath:
"Don't stop needing me… please."