~the next day~
Alexis cycled to the school, looking forward to the science trip. She knew that Erick Sack's had worked with April and Robyn's father, her grandfather and was eager to learn as much as she could about what they did. "Morning goldilocks", Alexis said after meeting up with her blonde haired friend outside the school.
"Hey red. Looking forward to this trip?" Charlotte asked.
"Absolutely!" Alexis said happily. They were going to visit Sacks Tower were her grandfather, Kirby O'Neil, used to work.
"I think you're the only one", Charlotte remarked.
"Nah I can't be. There are others in our class who like science", Alexis said
"That maybe so but that's not why you're excited. It's because Mr Sacks worked with your Grandfather"
"That's very true but I'm also interested in the stuff that Sacks industries does"
"Right you keep telling yourself that", Charlotte said clearly not believing her.
Alexis decided not to reply to that. "Whoa!" Charlotte said when she saw the impressive building of Sacks Tower.
"It does look pretty cool but Tony Stark's tower is much cooler" Alexis insisted.
"You're such a film geek", Charlotte said shaking her head.
"Oi! If I had a fence I'd take it right now", Alexis said pretending to be cross. Charlotte laughed at her auburn haired friend.
"Red sometimes you are so funny"
"Well I live to please", Alexis said with a smile.
"Everyone! Listen up. Please get your things and leave the bus single file. We have arrived at Sacks Tower", Mrs Campbell said standing up. Charlotte and Alexis got their bags and filed off the bus along with the other students in their class. They entered the large building's reception where Mrs Campbell spoke to the receptionist and received the visitor stickers. "Put these on while we wait for Dr Andrews", she said handing them out.
A few minutes later a man with wearing a lab coat "Welcome to Sacks Tower. I'm Dr Andrews and I'll be giving you a brief tour of our facility", he said "the first several floors are you basic offices but the higher ones have small labs", the scientist said as he led them up the stairs to one of the offices.
"Most of the work is done in larger labs but some is done here. There are currently 3 major branches of Sacks industries and these are Sacks Biomed, Sacks Robotics, and Sacks Construction. Now I'm going to show you one of the labs but don't touch anything as we currently have some testing going on at the moment", Dr Andrews said. Alexis stared at the lab name when they entered 'O'Neil Biomed lab'.
"This lab was named after a very gifted scientist in the Biomed branch who unfortunately died when one of the labs caught fire" Dr Andrews explained. Alexis looked down at the floor and Charlotte put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Mr O'Neil was Alexis's grandfather", she piped up.
"I'm sorry. I never met the man but I heard good things about him"
"Thank you", Alexis said looking up at the scientist.
"There's a picture of him on the back wall if you want to take a look", Dr Andrews said pointing to a framed photo. Alexis walked over to it while the scientist talked to the rest of the class about the sorts of things they do.
The photo itself was a simple one. It had her Grandfather standing next to Erick Sacks, both in their white lab coats. Her grandfather was holding a little turtle which looked very similar to her own Spike. Underneath was a small inscription that read
Kirby O'Neil and Erick Sacks.
Project Renaissance
Project Renaissance? I wonder what that is and why does it involve a turtle? She thought after reading it. "Excuse me Doctor Andrews but what is Project Renaissance?" she asked.
"I'm sorry but we're not allowed to talk about our projects", Dr Andrews replied. Alexis nodded in understanding but she saw his uneasiness when she asked him about the project. The project must be important but why did he get uneasy when I asked him? The teen thought. Maybe it was her Aunt's influence being a reporter but Alexis was determined to find out what Project Renaissance was. Her chance came when Doctor Andrews suddenly got a call.
"I'm terribly sorry Mrs Campbell but something has just come up. Jessica could you finish up the tour for me?" he asked the scientist who'd just come in.
"Of course Dr Andrews" Jessica said "Where were you taking them next?"
"The robotics testing so they can see a demonstration", Dr Andrews replied.
"Alright follow me please", Jessica said and they followed her out. Alexis watched Doctor Andrews go down the hall while she walked at the back of the group.
"Excuse me. Is there a bathroom nearby? I need a minute" Alexis asked.
"Follow the corridor around the corner. It's clearly marked. When you're done take these stairs up two flights to the robotics lab", Jessica said. Alexis nodded and went down the corridor. She reached the women's bathroom, she heard voices coming from the room a few doors down. Alexis crept up to the door and listened.
"Mr Sacks there is a problem with the mutagen. We can't seem to make it stable enough to test", a voice that sounded like Dr Andrews said.
"Is there any way around that problem?" Mr Sacks asked.
"To be honest sir the notes you gave us only go so far. If we had the original test subjects…"
"Well you don't", Alexis heard Mr Sacks snap "My notes should be enough and I can get you whatever equipment and chemicals you need to make it work"
The teen realised that they were going to be coming out so she quickly but quietly hurried back to the bathroom door. Alexis knelt down and pretended to be tying her shoe when the two men came out.
"Alexis? Why aren't you with your group?" Doctor Andrews asked noticing the red haired teen.
"I had to use the bathroom. I was just on my way back to them now", Alexis replied finishing tying up her shoe and stood up.
"Alexis this is Mr Sacks, my boss", Dr Andrews said introducing her to the man "Mr Sacks this is Alexis. One of the students from the school and Dr O'Neil's granddaughter".
"Pleased to meet you Mr Sacks", Alexis said extending her hand and Mr Sacks shook it.
"Pleased to meet you too. Your grandfather was a good man and a brilliant scientist", Mr Sacks informed her.
"So I've heard"
"You remind me of one of his daughters. April?" Mr Sacks asked.
"No Robyn. My Aunt's older sister", Alexis corrected.
"How is your mother?" Mr Sacks asked.
"She and my father are dead. I live with my Aunt now", Alexis said sadly.
"I'm sorry to hear that", Mr Sacks said sympathetically.
"Thank you", Alexis said.
"I'll take you back to your group. Dr Andrews we'll talk more later", Mr Sacks said. After the head of the company took Alexis back to her group the rest of the trip flew by. The next thing the teenager knew they were back on the bus heading to the school.
"You ok Red?" Charlotte asked concerned as her friend was being a little too quiet.
"Yeah I'm fine", Alexis said looking out of the window.
"You sure? I mean it must have been hard for you"
"I'm fine Charlotte", the teen snapped. "I'm sorry Charlotte. I didn't mean to be like that. It was hard to hear about my Grandfather. I just wish I knew him", she said after seeing the hurt look on her best friends face.
"That's ok. I understand"
"We still friends?" Alexis asked.
"Course. But you can make it up to me in pizza", Charlotte said.
"That's a deal", Alexis said shaking on it.
"So you still think Stark Tower is cooler?" Charlotte asked.
"Yep hands down", Alexis replied.
"Even with the pretentious sign?" Charlotte questioned.
"Ooh look at you using big words", Alexis teased "but yes even with the pretentious sign"
Several moments later the bus pulled up outside the school and the class filed out single file. "Weren't you going to text Cody about a tutoring session?"
"Oh shoot! I forgot thanks", Alexis said pulling out her phone.
"I'll see you tomorrow. You can tell me everything that happens"
"It's just a tutoring session Charlotte", Alexis reminded her.
"Of course it is", Charlotte said walking to the bus. Alexis shook her head quickly texted Cody. She heard the answering chime behind her making her jump. "Cody! Don't make me jump like that!" she exclaimed slugging him on the arm.
"Ow. Judging by that right hook I'd say that I won't ever sneak up on you again", he said rubbing his arm.
"Damn straight", Alexis said as they walked to the bike rack "uh I guess we walk" she added after unlocking her bike and then realising that they only have one bike.
"Nah we can fit", Cody said getting on "get on the back". Alexis squeezed on behind him and Cody rode off.
It turned out that Cody Jones was smarter than he let on. At least that what it seemed to Alexis when she checked over the maths problems she'd set him. "You've done a pretty good job", she remarked.
"I had a good tutor", Cody replied giving her a smile.
"Cody I didn't do anything. I didn't teach you anything. I set you these to see which areas you needed to focus on", Alexis said "but it doesn't look like you need that much help. So why was I assigned to be your tutor?" she asked.
"I guess I don't really pay too much attention in class", Cody admitted "plus I think my teacher hates me".
"Well, if you goof off or do whatever it is you do in the class that's not the work…they're not exactly gonna like you for it", Alexis informed him "so promise me that'll you'll pay more attention in the lessons".
"I promise I'll pay more attention red", Cody promised, putting his fingers up in the scout's salute "scouts honour".
Alexis raised an eyebrow at that "why do I get the feeling that you were never a boy scout?" she asked.
Cody gave her a sheepish smile "ok, I was never a boy scout but I promise I'll pay attention in class", he said sincerely. This time Alexis believed him.
"Good. Now, I see you skipped question 14. The method for it is rather straight forward…" Cody listened as Alexis explained as simply as she could.
An hour later…
April walked into the kitchen to see Alexis and Cody finishing up the tutoring session. "You're finished?" she asked, mostly for confirmation.
"Yep. All done for today", Alexis confirmed.
"Would you like to stay for dinner Cody?" April offered "I was about to order pizza".
"That's very kind of you Miss O'Neil but I can't", Cody replied gathering up his things "I've got to head home".
"I'll walk you out", Alexis said and the pair left. "Are you gonna be ok walking home?" she asked as they headed to the ground floor via the lift.
"Yeah, I'll be fine red. It's not that far", Cody answered. The lift dinged, indicating that it had reached the floor they wanted and the door slid open. The pair stepped out and crossed the lobby to the main doors. "See ya tomorrow red", Cody said.
"Yeah, see you", Alexis said. She watched him pull open the door and walk off down the street. The teen then turned around and headed back to her apartment, deciding to take the stairs this time.