Ch 2: The Lab

"Not much happened until the fourth day when we had our first lab…"

"Ok class; get into lab groups of three." By the time I had gathered the things I would take with me to my group, I was alone. Everyone else was already in lab groups. No, I take it back; Alice and Bella weren't in a group yet; so I heave a sigh and drag myself over to where they are. It's not that I wouldn't be eager to work with two glorious goddesses, but my heart has been broken by enough girls to know when rejections are most likely coming. Already I could feel the hope, even as I tried to beat it back. I steeled myself for the pain, which I was well used to by now. I arrive and they both look up. I take in a breath when Bella says, "Would you like to work with us Jeff?" Whatever it was I was expecting from them, it certainly wasn't this. I stand there in shock, and the look on my face probably showed it, because Bella giggled. It sounded like a bunch of crystal necked glasses being played combined with a little bit of heaven. Through will power alone I manage to drop my folder, book, and pencil onto the table and sit down on one of the stools. Bella and Alice launch into the lab with gusto, and I shake my head to clear it and join them.

"Bella, could you pass me the next slide?"

"Sure." Our hands accidentally touch, and I shiver. "Jeeze Bella your hands are freezing." I mutter as I insert the slide into the microscope. "Prophase." I announce, and Bella slides over so that she can see. I take advantage of her distraction and look around. Everyone else is nowhere near our level of progress. Just then I feel something icy blow onto my neck. "Gah." I jump and spin around. The AC had hit me. Damnit, why does this school make the AC cold enough to turn water into ice? No wonder Bella's hand was freezing.

"You ok Jeff?" inquired Alice.

"Yeah, its just… I'm a transfer from Florida and I'm not used to these damn arctic AC units. Aren't you cold?"

"Not really." She replies with a shrug.

"Just my luck." I mumbled to myself sarcastically. "Hey Bella."

"Hmm…." She looked up from putting the microscope away.

"What English teacher do you have?"

"Mr. Killinger, why?"

"Well, English has never been my strong point and-" I am cut off by the bell.

"Meet me in the library after school ok?" She flashed me another dazzling smile and by the time I recovered she and her sister were gone.