This chapter's kinda boring, (I'm sorry for that!) but I'm just going by the original story. Be sure to review :)

Chapter Eight

2 Years Later

"Horticulture Science." Dr. Laurence quoted as he wrote the words on the chalkboard. It was the first day teaching at the university, and he was eager to start off talking about the basics. He was a tall man with eggshell white skin that wrinkled slightly with old age, and a small amount of brown hair on the top of his head. He definitely looked like the classic university professor.

"It is the study of the industry and science of plant cultivation. It includes the process of preparing soil for planting seeds, tubers, or cutters. Though in this class, I'm going to teach you all the significance of plant life in general." he took a deep breath and sat on the edge of his desk. He reached for the small plant on the far side of the desk and held it up for the class to see.

"The Earth is nature's mother. Plants are born out of the Earth, and they are buried in the Earth when dead. From its surface many varieties of plants and animals come, and the Earth provides nourishment in several forms. I once read that everything nature creates has a special sort of property, and each one is different. Herbs, plants, and some stones possess great power. Much more than you realize, students. I will not only teach you plant biochemistry, or breeding patterns, or things like nutritional value. No. In this class, you will be taught about how they affect the very planet we live on, as well as how they play the role in man-kinds own existence."

He paused and looked over at the door. Eli Goldsworthy was there with a smirk on his face. He gestured for Dr. Laurence to continue.

"Inside the little rind of this limp flower," he gently tapped the petals of the flower. "Is both a poison and a powerful medicine. You smell it, you feel good all around. If you taste it, you die. It just goes to show that there are two opposite elements in everything, in men as well as in plants-good and evil." Just as he finished, the bell rang, and his students scattered out of his class. Only one person remained in the room, and it wasn't a student. Eli Goldsworthy had known Dr. Laurence ever since he was nine years old. He was a family friend as well as Eli's sixth grade biology teacher (and the church's pastor).

"Morning, father." Eli said as he sat in the desk chair.

"I told you, Elijah," he said as he packed papers into the drawer. "On school grounds I am doctor Laurence."

Eli rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I actually came to ask you a favor."

"I'm not letting you borrow my gun."

"It's not that," Eli chuckled. "It's serious."

Dr. Laurence laughed in response has he made his way to the door. "Sure it is, son!"

"I'm being honest!" Eli ran after him. "I met this girl a while ago and I was thinking-"

"Ah! So there's a girl involved in all this! Sorry, son, I'm not the person to talk to about raging hormones and whatnot. Shouldn't you be talking to that knucklehead cousin of yours Topher?"

"His name is Thomas, pastor."

"It doesn't matter he's still an idiot."

"Anyway, I met this incredible girl a couple of years ago. And I-"

"Are you still going on about the Julia Char girl?" he exclaimed as they both walked through the student infested campus. "You know, it's unhealthy to keep going back to a girl who doesn't love you. You'll end up physically hurt and emotionally exhausted."

"It's not Julia." he said softly. Dr. Laurence stopped steadily in his tracks and turned to look Eli is the eyes.

"Really? Good! Then where have you been for the past couple of years? I've hardly seen you around at all."

"That's what I've been trying to say. I met this girl a couple of years ago and I haven't been able to let go of her since. She's beautiful, smart, funny, and an all around great person. This is the very first time I've ever felt like this about anyone before." he paused, making sure the old man was following. "And I was wondering if you would marry us this summer."

The special request was a lot for Dr. Laurence to take in. Here was an eighteen year old boy, clearly blind with love, asking him to marry him and his girlfriend. "You're young, Elijah."

"I know," Eli replied. "But I love her."

"What's her name?" Dr. Laurence asked. Eli hesitated to answer.

"It's Clare Edwards. Randall's daughter."

"You're stepping into the fire, son." his voice turned serious instantly. He knew very well what went on in the streets. Knowing that Bullfrog's son and Randall's daughter wanted to get married was shocking, and he was worried how this would affect the social "order" of things in Toronto. "Are you sure marriage is something you want to do? This could be dangerous for both you and her."

"I know but I don't care."

"And are you sure you love this girl? I can distinctly remember you talking like this when you were with Julia."

"Yeah, and I can remember you scolding me for loving her in general."

"For obsessing about her, not for loving her, Elijah."

"Whatever. So will you do it?" he practically begged. "Please, father. I promised her I'd give her the world. And in order to do that, I promised that she and I would be married and then we'd get far away from here."

Dr. Laurence stared at Eli. The expression on his face said proved that he was serious. He loved her; he was in love with her. "You really love this girl, don't you?"

"I do."

"Fine. Come with me." he began walking towards his car. Eli, with a large goofy smile plastered on his face, walked with him. "Now you and she will have to get married in secret, and hopefully the marriage will may be lucky enough to bring peace between your two bickering families."

"Hopefully." Eli said. "Now let's get out of here, we're in a rush!" he began sprinting toward the car, but was stopped short when he tripped over his own two feet. This boy is inconsistent, Dr. Laurence thought.

"It's best to go slow." Dr. Laurence sighed. "Those who rush stumble and fall."