Ch 4: The Shortage

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from the Twilight series, but I do own Jeff, so ask before you use him.

"Last week I was in a bit of a fix. My medication had run out, and I was still waiting for the prescription to be filled. I remember the phone conversation I had with them…"

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN I HAVE TO WAIT!" I screamed at the customer associate at the other end of the line. In truth, it probably wasn't fair that I was taking my problem out on her, but my medication kept my hands from shaking, which they seemed to like to do at the most inconvenient times. I eventually hung up because I had to get to school. I grabbed the keys out of the bowl by the door, and stopped. I held out my right hand, palm down, as still as I could. I really put all my effort into trying to keep it from wobbling, but it seems the more I tried to focus on keeping it still, the more I kept shaking. I curled my hand into a fist, and rushed out the door. I didn't like it one bit, especially when my hands started wobbling a little bit when I was driving to school. They didn't wobble a lot, and, seeing as I had just taken my last pill yesterday, I was probably ok for regular activities. That is, if you don't include carrying mostly full containers normal activities, or pouring, or doing precise adjustments… Ok, so I might have some problems, but what could possibly go wrong.

"Ok, so maybe I kinda jinxed myself there, but I had honestly forgotten we had a lab that day."

"Alright settle down and split into your lab groups. Today, we will be observing how sulfuric acid reacts with carbon based substances. At your desks are your lab sheets explaining the procedure."

Bella and Alice were already over acquiring the necessary materials, so I took this opportunity to look over the lab. It seemed pretty straight forward. Fill the beaker with five spoons of sugar, add 100 ml of sulfuric acid, and use the provided tongue depressor to "Keep your results straight". Whatever the hell that means. I had just finished putting my name on the lab sheet when Bella and Alice returned with the materials.

"So Jeff, do you wanna measure out the ingredients?" Asked Bella brightly.

"Umm… no thanks, I'm kinda," I faked a yawn, "tired from staying up so late last night."

"Oh well, your loss." Now there is one thing I will say about science; it has always fascinated me. It didn't disappoint me either when Alice added the ingredients and a tower of what looked like moist charcoal started to form.(1) Alice, who had been in charge of "keeping our results straight" (a.k.a. making sure the tower didn't fall over), suddenly spaced out, and the tower started leaning over. "Alice, what the hell are you doing!" I hissed as I raced around the table. I managed to pull the stick away from her iron grip, but the tower had already fallen over.

"I'll go get more," I mumbled irritably. As I was walking away I heard a hushed whisper, years of being bullied had trained my ears to be sharp, "Alice, what did you see?" At least, that's what I thought I had heard, but when I turned around, sugar and H2SO4 in the other, Alice was sitting there, looking embarrassed and Bella was glaring at her, like I more than likely was.

"Sorry about the space Jeff." Apologized Alice, giving me a more than adequate dazzling smile, which somehow managed to appear apologetic. I sort of went into a daze, so I wasn't watching where I was going when I bumped into the table, causing the graduated cylinder full of sulfuric acid (which was why I was focusing on Alice and not my hands or the floor, which would have made me look past my hands)(2) to lurch out of my grip and splash onto Bella's lap.

SHIT! "Oh my god Bella are you ok?" I rushed around the table, talking as I went. "I'm so sorry. Quickly, we need to get you under the emergency shower!"

"Jeff, I'm fine."

"FINE! How can you be fine, sulfuric acid can melt your skin.(3)" I was starting to panic, I knew first hand just how dangerous sulfuric acid was since I used to take care of our pool back in Florida.

"It didn't get me."

"Bull! Get up now, or so help me I will drag you over there!(4)"

By now, most of the groups were either looking at us in shock or whispering to each other. Bella gave me a look that said I'm only doing this because it's easier this way, and let me drag her over to the shower, where I insisted she stand for at least ten extra seconds. When she pulled away, I pounced on her and forced her to sit down.

"Alice, quick I need a…" I turn around to see Alice holding out a roll of gauze wrap from the first aid kit, "oh… I see thanks." I guess that's what comes of having a doctor for a father. I wrapped it around her leg and secured it. I grabbed her arm and pulled her up.

"I think you should take her to the nurses office." Stated Alice, while Bella gave her a glare so cold you could probably keep produce fresh with it.

"Great idea Alice." I stated as I dragged Bella, against her will, out the door.

A/N: I hope I did my Chemistry teacher proud.

(1)- this actually works. Try it, it's pretty cool.

(2)- For those of you who don't understand this bit, I shall explain. There was a study done that showed that if you look at your hands while you are walking with a full container, you are at least 50 more likely to spill it.

(3)- Yeah, riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight! Like that would ever happen.

(4)- Not like I could if she didn't want me to.