An Attraction of Gravity -Fiction Prompt #155.

I shuffled into chemistry lab and slumped onto the tall stool, resting my dizzy head on the cool black countertop. I had partied too hearty last night and was still feeling the effects of one too many rounds of beer pong.

My lab partner, Zara, who looked fresh as a daisy, glanced over. "Rough night, huh? Maybe this will pep you up." She slid a steaming mug across the counter. "It's my super powered hangover elixir - green tea, lemon and ginger."

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"Ugh, you're my hero, Zara," I said, warming my hands around the mug. "I don't know how you convinced me to try out for cheer squad and then go to Callum's party. Peer pressure is real, my friend!"

Zara laughed that sparkling laugh of hers. "Oh come on, you had a great time! Plus, you nailed those tryout stunts. Coach Tatum was super impressed with your basket tosses and pyramids."

I managed a half-smile. "Well learning tumbling for the last 10 years does pay off. And flying through the air as a cheerleader does give me kind of a rush, I admit. It's like defying gravity for a few moments."

Our conversation was cut short by our teacher, Ms. Farah, starting class. We were learning about gravitational forces today. As Ms. Farah spoke about the attraction between objects and acceleration due to gravity, my foggy brain struggled to focus.

Then suddenly, something she said caught my attention. "Gravity is one of the fundamental forces of physics. Without it, objects in space would not be drawn towards each other...just like two humans can feel an undeniable attraction."

Ms Farah glanced at Zara and me with a twinkle in her eye. "In fact, the human attraction between two people and gravitational forces have a fascinating similarity."

My cheeks flushed. I snuck a peek sideways at Zara, only to catch her gazing back at me. We both instantly looked away shyly.

Could Ms. Farah sense the chemistry between me and Zara that we had been ignoring? There certainly was an appealing attraction between us, steadily growing stronger over late night study sessions and inside jokes these last few months.

My heart pounded as I scribbled nonsense physics equations absentmindedly in my notebook. I had to nip this accelerating crush in the bud. Zara was my best friend I couldn't risk ruining that! But how to resist the intensifying gravitational pull I felt towards her?

At that moment, the bell rang and everyone clattered noisily gathering their belongings. As I shoved my books into my backpack, Zara touched my shoulder gently.

"Hey! A bunch of us cheerleaders are meeting up at The Daily Grind tonight to make SPIRIT banners for the big game on Friday. Want to join? Could be fun!"

I turned to politely decline the invitation, the words sticking in my throat as I met her glittering sapphire eyes smiling eagerly back at me. An exhilarating rush flowed through me at her touch, like the split second of defying gravity at the pinnacle of a cheer stunt.

In that moment, I realized resistance was futile. The attraction was too powerful to ignore. It was time to stop fighting this intense chemistry Zara and I shared.

"Yeah, sounds awesome!" I heard myself say. "I'll meet you there at 7?"

Zara grinned, lighting up her beautiful face. "It's a date!" She gave my hand an electric squeeze then glided gracefully away, her golden ponytail swishing behind her.

I watched Zara until she disappeared around the corner, the tingling sensation of her hand still lingering. A smile crept across my face. Tonight, I would stop trying to defy the laws of attraction that had been pulling me towards Zara from day one.

Finally ready to embrace falling head over heels for my best friend, I felt a glorious sense of release like leaping freely into the thrilling unknown. Gravity was taking over now. And I was ready to fly.

My entry to the ink well fiction prompt