Chapter 51 – Conspiracies

Madelyn walked into the chemistry lab, her eyes scanning the room for Sarah. She spotted her best friend waving enthusiastically from one of the lab tables near the window. A smile tugged at Madelyn’s lips as she started toward her, eager to sit with someone familiar.

But before she could slide onto the stool next to Sarah, a voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Madelyn?” The teacher, a sharp-looking woman with glasses perched on her nose, called out from her desk. “I’m Mrs. Elwood, your chemistry teacher. Welcome to my class.”

Madelyn turned to face her, offering a polite nod. “Thank you, Mrs. Elwood.”

Mrs. Elwood’s gaze softened slightly as she gave a small smile. “It’s always good to have new students join us. Now, I see you’ve found your friend, but I have a strict policy against distractions.” She gestured toward the middle of the classroom, where an empty seat was next to another student. “You’ll be working with Kim today. Sarah can focus better without the temptation of chatting.”

Madelyn’s ears—hidden under her Human Disguise—would have drooped if they’d been visible. She glanced at Sarah, who gave her an exaggerated pout and a sympathetic shrug. “Good luck!” Sarah mouthed, grinning.

Madelyn sighed softly and made her way to the assigned seat. The girl sitting there, Kim, looked up briefly from her notebook. She had short, dark hair and wore a pair of headphones around her neck, the edges of a scribbled diagram peeking out from her notebook.

“Hey,” Kim greeted, her voice casual but polite.

“Hi,” Madelyn replied, sliding onto the stool and setting her things down. She tried to muster a friendly smile, though she felt slightly awkward being separated from Sarah.

Mrs. Elwood clapped her hands to get the class’s attention. “Alright, everyone. Today, we’ll be diving into chemical reactions. I’ll be assigning each pair a simple experiment to complete during class. Safety first—goggles on, gloves on, and no fooling around!”

Kim handed Madelyn a pair of goggles without a word, already securing her own. Madelyn slipped them on and glanced at the board, her sharp eyesight quickly taking in the instructions. It wasn’t anything too complicated, but it involved a lot of precise measurements and careful mixing.

Kim glanced at her. “You good with measuring stuff?”

Madelyn nodded. “Yeah, I can handle that.”

“Cool,” Kim said, setting up the beakers and test tubes with efficient movements. “I’ll do the heating part. Let me know when you’re ready.”

Kim adjusted her goggles and glanced sideways at Madelyn, her expression curious but not unfriendly. "So," she began, her voice low enough not to attract the teacher’s attention, "you're Benjamin's twin sister?"

Madelyn stiffened slightly, gripping the edge of the beaker in her hand. "Eh, yeah," she replied hesitantly, forcing a smile.

Kim nodded, her short dark hair shifting slightly as she tilted her head. "Benjamin was always nice to me," she said, her tone sincere. "I’m sad he’s not in our class anymore."

Madelyn’s stomach churned at the mention of her old name, and she forced herself to keep her breathing steady. "Oh," she said quietly, focusing on measuring the next liquid.

Kim didn’t seem to notice her discomfort and continued, her tone taking on a conspiratorial edge. "Honestly, if you weren’t here, I might’ve thought he disappeared or something. I mean, he kind of just vanished, you know?"

Madelyn froze, her hand hovering over the flask. She glanced at Kim, unsure of how to respond. Her mind raced, the weight of her secret suddenly feeling much heavier. "Vanished?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kim nodded, her dark eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Yeah. One day he’s here, the next day… poof. No word, almost no explanation. Pretty weird, don’t you think?" She leaned in slightly, as if sharing a juicy theory. "I mean, I’m into conspiracy stuff, so my brain immediately goes to, like, aliens or secret government programs."

Madelyn couldn’t help but let out a soft, nervous laugh. "Aliens, huh?" she said, hoping to steer the conversation into a less uncomfortable direction.

Kim shrugged, a faint grin tugging at her lips. "Hey, I’m just saying, sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction. But I guess it makes sense now—if you’re his sister and you’re here, that explains a lot."

Madelyn nodded quickly, eager to move on. "Yeah, it was... a sudden move," she said vaguely, returning her attention to the experiment. She carefully poured the next liquid into the test tube, her hands steady despite the anxiety bubbling inside her.

Kim watched her for a moment, then seemed to sense her unease. She leaned back slightly, giving Madelyn some space. "Sorry if I’m being nosy," she said, her tone more subdued. "I just... always thought Benjamin was cool. If you’re anything like him, we’ll probably get along fine."

Madelyn glanced at Kim, her nerves settling slightly at the unexpected compliment. "Thanks," she said softly, managing a small smile. "I’ll, uh, do my best."

Kim grinned, her earlier curiosity fading into a more casual demeanor. "Cool. Let’s nail this experiment, then."

When Madelyn carefully poured the last liquid into the concoction, a strong, pungent smell wafted up from the beaker. It hit her senses like a truck, the sharp, almost acrid aroma making her nose wrinkle instinctively. Even in her Human Disguise form, her heightened sensitivity to smells hadn’t entirely disappeared. She nearly lost her grip on the pipette as her concentration faltered, and she felt a familiar but unsettling sensation stir deep within her—her true fox-body, bubbling just beneath the surface.

She quickly set the pipette down and took a steadying breath, forcing herself to focus. Her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted her goggles, masking the internal struggle raging within her.

“You okay?” Kim asked, glancing over at her with a raised brow. “That stuff’s rank, but it’s not that bad.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Madelyn forced a small laugh, waving her hand dismissively. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… caught me off guard, that’s all.”

Kim nodded, her attention already back on the beaker. “No kidding. Chemistry’s full of surprises. This stuff smells like gym socks and rotten eggs had a baby. Here, let me finish it off.” She grabbed the stirring rod and began mixing the solution, completely unaware of the tension radiating from her partner.

Madelyn exhaled slowly, trying to regain control over the conflicting sensations within her. It was a stark reminder of how close to the surface her fox instincts were, even when suppressed by her Human Disguise. The primal part of her reacted to the world in ways she couldn’t always anticipate—smells, sounds, even emotions seemed to pull at it, threatening to break through.

Lyra’s voice whispered softly in her mind, the fairy’s calming presence like a warm breeze. You’re alright, Maddy. Breathe. It’s just a smell—nothing you can’t handle.

Madelyn nodded subtly to herself, grateful for Lyra’s support. She focused on the rhythmic motion of Kim stirring the concoction, letting the repetitive movement ground her. Slowly, the tension eased, and she felt the instinctual pull of her fox-self recede once more.

“Alright, that should do it,” Kim announced, holding up the now-clear solution with a hint of pride. “Not bad for a first try, huh?”

Madelyn mustered a genuine smile, her nerves settling. “Looks good,” she said, glad the moment had passed. “Teamwork for the win.”

Kim grinned. “You’re not bad to work with, Roth. Maybe you can help me out next time Mr. Thatcher gives us one of those impossible homework problems.”

Madelyn chuckled softly. “Sure, as long as you don’t drag me into any conspiracy theories.”

Kim laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Deal.”

As Mrs. Elwood began making her rounds to check each pair’s work, Madelyn allowed herself to relax. The class had been a small challenge, but she’d made it through.

As Chemistry wrapped up, Madelyn wasted no time gathering her things and heading out the door. Kim had been nice, no doubt, but there was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that Kim’s curiosity might lead her to dig deeper into the “Benjamin’s twin sister” story. It wasn’t paranoia—just a quiet worry she couldn’t shake.

Before she even made it halfway down the hall, Sarah appeared at her side, dramatically throwing her hands up in exasperation. “I mean, seriously! How is it fair that I didn’t get to sit with you? Do I look like someone who can’t focus?” she huffed, her voice dripping with mock indignation.

Madelyn laughed, the sound light and genuine. “To be fair, Sera, you did spend half of mentor class doodling on my notebook.”

“Details,” Sarah replied with a dismissive wave. “Besides, I was being artistic. Mrs. Elwood clearly doesn’t understand the value of inspiration.”

Madelyn rolled her eyes, her smile softening. “I get it, though. I think she just wanted me to settle in without any distractions.”

“Distractions?” Sarah echoed, clutching her chest as if wounded. “I am a delight, not a distraction! How could she even think that?”

Madelyn chuckled as they navigated the crowded hallway. “Don’t take it personally. You are a lot of things, Sera, but low energy isn’t one of them.”

Sarah grinned, leaning in closer as they walked. “True. So, how was Kim? Did she drive you crazy? I saw her showing you that weird notebook of hers.”

Madelyn hesitated, unsure how much to share. “Kim’s… alright. She’s nice but really into conspiracy theories. She was talking about how Benjamin’s disappearance was, like, alien-related or something.”

Sarah snorted loudly, earning a few curious glances from nearby students. “Aliens? Seriously? Oh, that’s rich.”

“Yeah,” Madelyn replied, her voice dropping slightly. “It’s just... she seemed a little too interested, you know? I’m worried she might start asking questions that are hard to answer.”

Sarah nodded, her expression turning thoughtful. “Fair. But don’t stress too much. If she does, we’ll handle it. We’re a team, remember?”

Madelyn smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude. “Thanks, Sera.”

They reached their next class, and Sarah gave her a playful nudge. “Anytime. Just don’t go ditching me for Kim, okay? I mean, you’re my best friend. She can’t have you.”

Madelyn laughed, shaking her head. “Don’t worry, Sera. I’m not going anywhere.”

As they slipped into their seats for their next class, Madelyn felt a sense of reassurance settle over her. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she wasn’t facing them alone. And for the first time in a while, that thought brought her more comfort than fear.

The rest of the day passed quickly. Madelyn was still readjusting to school life. She hadn’t been gone long, but everything felt like a new experience all over again. Little things stood out to her—the way people spoke to her now, the way she found herself responding. It wasn’t just about being Madelyn instead of Benjamin; it was about how much freer she felt, like a weight she hadn’t even realized she was carrying had been lifted.

Sure, she was still shy, and she doubted that would ever fully change, but something about being herself made it easier to navigate conversations. When she smiled or laughed, it felt genuine in a way it hadn’t before. Her voice, her mannerisms—they all aligned with who she was now. It was refreshing, even if it was still a bit overwhelming at times.

During their last class, Sarah passed her a note, doodled with small stars and hearts around the edges. "So, what’s the plan after school? Hanging out? Gaming? Or both? ;)" Madelyn smiled softly at the thought of Sarah’s unrelenting energy.

She scribbled back quickly: "Let’s see how tired I am after this. Maybe hang out, though. Gaming might need to wait."

When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Madelyn felt a mix of relief and accomplishment. She had made it through her first day back, and while there had been challenges, she hadn’t crumbled under the pressure. Her friends had been supportive, and even the more curious classmates like Kim had been manageable.

As she packed up her things, Sarah bounded over with her signature grin. “So? Survived Day One as Madelyn?”

Madelyn laughed lightly, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Barely, but yeah. It wasn’t as bad as I thought.”

“That’s the spirit!” Sarah said, looping her arm through Madelyn’s as they walked out of the classroom together. “So, what’s the verdict on hanging out? Because I’ve got some energy to burn, and you seem like you could use some fun.”

Madelyn hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “Alright. But let’s keep it low-key, okay? Today was... a lot.”

Sarah gave an exaggerated salute. “You got it, Captain Low-Key.”

As they walked down the hallway, Madelyn couldn’t help but reflect on how different this return to school had been from her first day as Benjamin. She wasn’t just surviving—she was finding her place, her people, and herself. And while the challenges were far from over.