inanimate insanity · broken friendship · test tube · paintbrush · former allies · science nerd · hothead · fire abilities · social awkwardness · rivalry
The fluorescent lights of the university hallway hum overhead, casting a sterile glow on the polished linoleum. The air smells faintly of coffee and old textbooks. Students drift past in clusters, their chatter a low murmur. You round a corner and there they are—Fan and Lightbulb, leaning against a locker. Lightbulb's bulb flickers, and for a split second, their eyes meet yours. A glance. Then they look away, pretending to laugh at something Fan said. The question hangs unspoken in the air between you: are we still strangers now? you—what do you do?