Em, the amazing friend that she is, held my hair back as I lurched again, "Are you sick or something?"

I heaved once more before leaning back on my heels. I grabbed for toilet paper and wiped my hands and my mouth before flushing it all down the toilet. I sat there for a moment, thinking about what I'd seen...

I'd recognise those eyes anywhere - since they'd been in my dreams for the last three years, and constantly appeared in them for the last month. I knew that voice and hair and everything about him... 

But I'd never met Christian Park in the flesh. So how did we see each other in our dreams if we'd never met?

I turned around to face Emily, "You've had dreams about boys right?"

"A few," she admitted with a thin blush. 

"Well, picture this, the guy that has been in your dreams frequently for the last three years," I jabbed a finger towards the hallway, "Is in that room right over there."

"Shawn?"

"Ew. No," I leaned in, "Christian Park. He's exactly like the guy from the dreams."

Em let out a small giggle and I narrowed my eyes at her. She rolled her eyes, "Come on, it's funny, Nat. He's literally the guy from your dreams."

"Ugh. Stop," I muttered, "I'm not going to tell you the worst part, now."

Em laughed, "Oh seriously. You lo-ve me. You'll tell me. Please?"

I scowled and then complied, "I've never ever seen him before. But he somehow recognised me too..."

A large ringing bell went off and an overhead voice rang through the speakers, "May all students please proceed to their classes. Classes begin in five minutes."

I stood up and brushed my teeth - taking up two of the minutes. Then I went back into the dorm room and slipped into my school shoes, jumping around as I searched for my satchel, "Come on... I had the satchel like a minute ago."

I ruffled the comforter on my bed, searched under it, searched the wardrobe, and a few minutes later I found it on the floor by the door. I leaped for it and tossed it over a shoulder. I ran for the elevator and desperately pressed the down button as quickly as I could. I only stopped when the elevator doors opened. I hurried into them and pressed the button labelled English, Religion, Drama & Film Studies, Ancient & Modern History. 

The doors were beginning to close when a familiar voice called out, "Hold the doors!"

I instinctively put out a hand to stop them from closing and someone ran into the elevator so I could close it. The boy went to press the button for my floor before realising it was already pressed. 

I looked to him and jumped with a loud squeak, "It's you?"

Christian Park gulped and looked back at me with the fear that I'm sure was on my face as well, "Okay... We need to talk. Obviously."

The door opened and I bolted out without answering him - I was already late to class, anyway. I pushed open the door to the English room. The teacher raised an eyebrow, "Why are you late? Just because it's a new campus doesn't mean new rules."

I gulped, "Sorry, I lost my satchel."

"S.B.P. you're late too?" a boy called out as I stepped further into the room to find a seat up the back free. 

I looked over my shoulder to see Christian Park entering the room as well. I sighed. I was already too freaked out, but I had to try and concentrate with him next to me. 

He sat in the only other empty seat without a word. 

I opened my notebook in front of me and took out a pen to begin writing down the notes. 

***

I sat down next to Bree in the dining hall, "Hey."

She grinned at me, "Hey yourself, S.B.P. How you doin'?"

"Alright. And you?" I lied.

"Amazing," she exaggerated, "Most of these guys are smokin' hot."

I leant back in my chair to survey the dining hall, "I suppose you're right."

"You hadn't noticed," she observed.

"Nup. I've been freaking out all morning instead," I scowled.

"Is everything alright, Nat?" Rose asked.

I shrugged, "Don't ask me because I don't even know what's going on."

I stood up after a few more minutes of casual conversation. They had the decency to leave me alone after that. I walked over to another table where Em, Diana, Beth and Olivia were sitting. I joined them, sitting down at a place with chicken schnitzel and mash potato on a plate. Olivia, next to me, had chicken katsu donburi. I stomach growled and I moved to pick up my fork when the speakers let out a small screech. 

I winced and looked up to the small, formal stage at the front of the dining hall. Principal Mosbey from Dunwich Academy for Boys was standing at the microphone, leaning on a podium, "Hello boys... and girls. Welcome to the Facility. How... entertaining this must be for you all."

I reluctantly put my fork down, knowing I wouldn't be eating anytime soon. 

The thin man continued, "As most of you must know already, the Facility will be taking samples of your pheromones and hormones and evaluating how one person reacts with another. All of these tests will be taking place after school today and tomorrow. Every boy will be having their samples done today, and every girl will be having their samples done tomorrow. Thank you."

Principal Wednesday visibly rolled her eyes and a few of the guys let out snickers. Principal Wednesday moved to the podium, "May I please have both schools' presidents and vice-presidents up to the podium?"

I stood up and a few eyes were turned to me. I kept my head down as myself and Rose made our way to the stage. I made my way up the stairs and my twin squeezed my hand gently before letting go. I took a deep breath and held my head up in front of the crowd of 96 students and however many so faculty teachers. A much smaller crowd than I was used to, but more than half of them were unfamiliar faces. 

Principal Wednesday moved slightly to the side, "The S.B.P.s will give a short pep-talk each, now."

I raised an eyebrow. Am I? Oh...

I moved slowly to the podium and looked out at the faces, "Well... isn't this new and different? It's not every day that us girls have to actually take our time in the bathroom to look good." Luckily, most of the girls let out chuckles. No more messy buns for us, "I'm Natalie Roberts, by the way. And this might be scary, heaven knows I'm scared, myself, but it's a good opportunity. Not all schools have the chance to have their hormones and pheromones studied. Heck, I didn't even know that was a possibility until yesterday. But this is another opportunity because our schools get to combine together and work together in a new environment. We're pretty lucky. Just know - and this goes for girls and boys - that if something occurs and you need to talk, I'm here. And I'm just as scary as Hades when someone does something wrong." More laughs. 

Bree shouted, "She's not wrong!"

Even more laughs. I gave her a small smile, "And that includes calling out across the dining hall, Breeana Fowler."

She grinned mischievously and I looked away, "Keep in mind that this is a great opportunity. Thanks."

I moved away from the podium to stand next to Rose. She whispered, "Did you wing that?"

"You know it," I winced.

My eyes involuntarily raked Christian Park as he moved to the podium. He moved stiffly, yet somehow gracefully. He leaned his elbows down on the podium - a big no, no - before straightening up correctly, "My name's Christian Park. And... well, I'm not really good at pep talks. But I'll tell you that I'm pretty freaked out - and that's coming from me." He paused, probably to think over his words, "It's alright to be scared about this. I mean, we're about to go get our bodies involved in a scientific research study about everything that connects to love. I don't want to know who's my perfect match based on some science experiment. I'd like to find that out for myself, actually. But who's to say that I've got that chance. Sometimes you have to go with the flow. And if in the end it turns out beautiful, it's a miracle."

I narrowed my eyes at the floor as he continued talking. The boy had a way with words. And add to the sexiness of his voice... everyone was entranced. 

I looked up again as he went on, "Now, I'm not one for all that sappy romance stuff. The guys know me. But all of us will need to drop our pretences a little bit if this is going to be a truthful experiment. Don't a faker, a hater or a player. Be yourself. I'm sure Natalie would agree with that, girls."

My eyes snapped to his and I was captured by the reddish hues in them. 

He quickly looked away, "So, on behalf of the S.B.P.s I'd like to thank Principals Mosbey and Wednesday, Drs Weston and Demonico and the teachers all here for this great opportunity."

He stepped away from the podium and glanced at me again. I let out a small nod. Christian Park moved to stand next to me and he muttered, "We seriously need to talk."

I didn't answer but I looked up to Principal Wednesday, "Can we eat now?"

Song: Dark Necessities - RHCP