Fangs & Fins
Chapter 4: "Lunch & Lad Partners"

Rose made it through two classes and lunch without seeing James. She focused all her energy on trying to figure out escape plans so he wouldn't engage her in conversation. She was so focused she didn't hear Lily and Lewis arranging plans for the full moon at the end of the week.
"Well be a little bit safer now because Dads away, but we still have to be careful," Lily said, taking a bite of sandwich. "We don't want a repeat of last month." She looked at Rose accusingly.
Last full moon Rose had seen the moon in a reflection on a compact mirror and had turned the tap water on when her sister and Lewis weren't looking. Lily and Rose had both gained tails for the night and Lewis had had to do a lot of explaining to their Dad.
Rose didn't notice Lily's glare and kept looking behind her. Lily shook her head.
"Maybe if you two just went to bed early with the windows covered up you'd be alright." Lewis suggested. Lily thought over the comment carefully and made a decision. "Okay. We'll try that. Lewis, find out when the moon rises. Rose, don't make any plans Friday night."
Rose stood up. "I have to get to Chemistry." She grabbed her lunch and chucked it in the garbage and headed off.
Lewis and Lily exchanged glances. Rose was usually the last one to leave after lunch because her Chemistry class was only a few feet away.
"Okay," Lily said. She gathered up her stuff and slung her bag over her shoulder.
Lewis stayed sitting and stared after Rose. "She's been acting kind of...weird. Don't you think?" He looked at Lily.
"She was never normal to start with but she isn't acting Rose like." She agreed. :Just give her a day or so. Everyone is a little tired on Monday and she was up late last night." Lily knew the part about Rose staying up late wasn't true but she didn't want Lewis to worry about Rose. That was her job. Plus Lewis was making full moon preparations and Lily wanted him to focus on that.
Lewis walked over the garbage and dumped the remains of his lunch into it. "Huh." He said, peering inside.
"What?" Lily asked.
"Someone threw away a red rose."
Wasn't there something about Rose and red roses?
Probably nothing, she thought. Lily said goodbye to Lewis and headed off towards her next class.

Rose and Lewis sat at their lab station, waiting for the bell to ring. Lewis was the perfect lab partner. He made sure she didn't have to touch water. Bur judging by the two new members to their class this might change.
James and a tall blond girl were talking to their teacher. He nodded as they talked. He pointed the girl in the direction of an empty table and brought James over to Rose and Lewis.
"Rose." Your English Teacher tells me you've been partnered with James in her class and she feels that being with someone he knows would benefit him. He will be your partner. Lewis, you can sit next to Jewel."
"Crap". Rose mouthed at Lewis. He nodded.
James sat down next to Rose in Lewis's empty seat. "Hey partner."
Rose looked away. Lewis was across the room with the blond girl, Jewel. She had dark brown eyes and her blond hair fell perfectly down her back. With the shorts, pink top, and silver belt resting on her torso, she looked just like all the other girls Rose hated around here. Lewis was looking out the window, trying to avoid Jewels flirtatious smiles. The bell rang and their teacher stood up. "Today we are working with Copper Sulfate."
Rose looked at the thick blue liquid in front on her.
He went on. "When the moisture in Copper Sulfate evaporates it creates crystals. Just take some observations before we put them away to evaporate for a while. We won't see them again for a while." There was a smirk on her teacher's face, which always meant they were doing something he loved but that Rose thought was pointless. Waiting for weeks to make worthless little crystals. It was just like the Rock Candy Maker she and Lily had gotten when they were little. It was a waste of time and it didn't taste good.
James was quickly jotting down facts while Rose spaced out. She sighed and wrote down the basics:
-Dark blue
-Thick
-Looks Sticky
"Make sure to put on your goggles! Copper Sulfate can damage your eyes!"
Rose put on a pair of the eye safety glasses and tried to think of what to put next.
She glanced at James's paper. He had about half a page of full sentenced notes.

James picked up a stray scalpel and stuck it into his and Rose's bowl of Copper Sulfate. James brought the liquid closer to his face and examined it closely.

Rose scooted her stool closer to James so she could look at the Copper Sulfate. But she caught James a bit of good and he slammed the knife into his eye. Rose gasped, while James covered his eye and rushed out into the hallway.

Rose followed James out into the hall.

"You alright?" She asked him. James nodded and removed his hand from his eye. It looked perfect fine.

"Um…yeah," James rushed back inside.

Rose thought about this. She was certain he had stabbed himself in the eye.

"Drama Queen," She muttered, following James back inside.

Maddie here! Sorry this is a bit late, my internet was down today. If you go to our profile you can find links to the Fangs & Fins website, Fangbook! Make sure to REVIEW! (I apologize for any spelling/grammar errors, I'm a terrible speller. It's a curse I tell you!)

-Maddie

PS. Did you know that if you hit the synonym button for "scalpel", "stiletto" is one of the options? That totally made my day. :)