This chapter is dedicated to mamabeauty and symply_joyce for their continuous support. Thank you ❤️

Chapter Nineteen

MICHAEL

The sound of the bell ringing for the next period successfully wakes me from the light slumber I fell in. I open my eyes and I'm about to make an exaggerated yawn when I notice Cynthia beside me, acting kind of strange.

She is bringing out her books from her bag and making a show of dropping them slowly on the table as if she doesn't want to make any sound.

I watch with amusement as she does this and almost burst out laughing when I realize what she's trying to do.

She is definitely trying to leave me here in class and go to the laboratory by herself.

Whenever I notice that she might glance my way, I close my eyes to pretend that I'm still asleep and when I'm sure she's no longer looking, I open my eyes to watch what she's doing.

She's already done taking her things from her bag and is now trying to walk silently around the table so she won't wake me.

I decide it's time to make her know that I'm awake.

"You are a really bad seat-partner, you know?" I ask without hiding the amusement in my voice.

She freezes at my words and then turns around to glare at me. She's clearly at fault here but is still shooting daggers at me with her eyes.

"So you were awake?"

I nod with enthusiasm and a smug smile, "It was fun to see you try to get rid of me."

"Well, I guess I don't have to walk slowly anymore since you are already awake. I was just trying to let you sleep." She replies and I can definitely hear the sarcasm in her words.

"Yeah, right." I grin then stand from my seat, bringing out new notes from my bag for the class. The next thing I see is her speed walking out of the class.

"Hey! Won't you wait for me?!" I call out but she ignores me. "I don't know where the Chemistry laboratory is-"

She is gone. Just like that.

How can she do this to her seat partner?

I slump back on my seat with a sigh, not knowing what to do.

I glance around the classroom at the few students left. Should I just follow some of these students when they are going? Or should I just miss the Chemistry class altogether?

Well, since it's just a class, I can always make up for it in the next one.

"Hello."

I look up, startled, at the sound of the sudden feminine voice that just greeted and find two girls standing in front of me. The one I assume greeted me is smiling down at me while the one next to her is all excited, her hands over her mouth as if she is trying to contain her squeal.

I try not to look at her like I find her weird.

"Hi." I reply the first girl as politely as I can and give her an expectant look when she doesn't reply. She seems to have suddenly gone into daydream mode.

There must certainly be a reason she's currently standing in front of me.

"Aren't you going to the Chemistry laboratory?" She finally asks.

It's about the Chemistry lab. Too bad I no longer feel like going.

"No, I don't think I will."

Or should I go? They will surely take me there if I ask them.

"Why? Chemistry practical classes are always so fun. You will like it." She assures.

"Well..." I trail off.

The energetic one soon grabs me by the arm and starts to pull me up, "Come on, let's go before it starts." She giggles and I decide to let her 'being-all-over-me' go because she's cute. I give her a small smile before standing up.

"It's actually not far." The first one explains as she grabs me by the other arm and I only nod, suddenly not liking the situation.

Is this how we will be going to the laboratory? The two of them holding me by my arms?

We step out of the class and the loud one won't stop giggling while the second one will occasionally glance at my face and smile.

This is actually not so comfortable.

I sigh with relief when we get to the stairs, thinking that they will finally leave me and I'll be able to climb down by myself but I later discover that I am so wrong. Instead, they decide to just turn me into their child.

The both of them will go down a stair first and then while holding my hand will watch me climb down the same stair.

I had to stop them at the second stair and explain to them that I can walk down the stairs just fine. I can't count the number of times I rolled my eyes because they won't stop shouting 'careful!' or 'watchout!' while I climb down. I'm not a fucking kid!

Immediately I descend down the last stair, they are quick to both come to my sides and hold me by my arms again.

"So, how do you like the Science class so far?" The calm one questions as we walk down yet another corridor.

I give her a fake smile because there's no way I can genuinely smile at any of them after all these.

"Oh, I've only been one for a day so I can't say yet." I respond as genuinely as I can.

"Michael, if you need help, any help whatsoever, I am here for you." The giggly one says with a giggle.

"I'm also here for you." The other one says too giggling.

I also fake giggle along, "Yeah, thanks."

I don't even know that we are no longer walking until the calm one announces that we are at the laboratory already. I notice that the whole classroom is now looking at us and the teacher is busy writing something on the board. I scan through the students in search of Cynthia and when I find her standing next to that slimy disgusting son of a bitch, I find myself getting all riled up.

Just what's going on between the two of them? Why are they always together?

"You should come inside." The giggly one says before entering the lab and I notice that she and her friend are already in their lab-coat. That's when I realize that all the students are putting on a lab-coat except for me.

I bet it's like a requirement to enter the laboratory and my oh-so-divine seat partner considered it information not worth sharing.

I should probably ask the teacher if I can still get one. I walk into the laboratory and stand close to the teacher so he can hear me.

"Mr..." I start to say but realize I don't even know his name.

"Steve." The guy standing next to me completes for me. I mumble a quick thanks to him. "Mr. Steve, is it still possible for students to get a lab coat?"

"Of course." The teacher answers without looking back. "We know it's a given for careless students like you to misplace their lab coats and that's why we have extra ones. But let me sound this warning to all of you, no one should disrupt the class with issues like this, if you want to get a new coat, come to me immediately after the assembly or during lunch. Do not interrupt my class unnecessarily again, is that clear?"

Yeah, it's pretty clear. But was saying all that really necessary?

I'm surprised no one answered the teacher and notice that they are staring at him like he has grown two heads.

Oh, they are probably wondering if they know he had just spoken to the one and only son of the school's owner and I just can't help hiding a smile.

I know I'm an important person but I'm not the type to exert my power just like that. Well, at least today.

I'll let him have his fun as the teacher so they can answer him.

The teacher on not receiving any response from the students repeats his question a bit louder, "Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir." Everyone chorus.

"Good. The class captain should attend to the student without the lab coat. The lesson is about to start."

The girl who identifies herself as the class captain smiles cockily at no one in particular and rushes over to me. Without even saying a word to me, she pulls me into a closet in the laboratory and closes the door.

I glance at the closed door then at her, immediately noticing that she's still standing in front of the closed door and she's looking at me like I'm something fascinating.

Am I on a prank show where I get weirded out by people who approaches me? Because that's the only plausible explanation as to why she's staring at me like that.

She takes slow steps towards me with an expression I find kind of creepy and I unconsciously take some steps back.

What is she doing?

"Hum... aren't you supposed to be choosing out a lab coat for me?"

She didn't even react like I had just spoken to her and just continues to move towards me causing me to begin to mentally freak out.

Hope she isn't thinking of kissing me or taking advantage of me because we are alone here? Well, I admit she is pretty and all but she is kind of giving me the vibes of a vampire.

I almost let out a chuckle at my insane thoughts and really begin to look at her. She definitely isn't a vampire, right?

She continues to take steps towards me and I continue to move backwards until I'm touching the wall of the closet then I freeze, not knowing what to do.

Now what?

She takes one last step forward until there are only few inches between us and just when I'm thinking this may be the right time to probably scream and call for help, she brings her face down to my chest and sniffs it.

She literally just sniffed me.

"I'm just curious about the cologne you use." She explains in a voice that literally gave me goosebumps. Then she walks towards a box where I later discover the lab-coats are in and she starts to go through it.

I tell myself to calm my erratic breathing as I try to process what just happened.

"My name is Meera by the way." She announces as she pulls out a lab-coat from the carton then turns to look at me, "This should fit."

I only nod in response.

She walks towards me again and holds out the lab-coat as if she wants to put it on for me. I put my hand out with a smile and ask her to just give it to me.

"Don't worry, I'll wear it myself." I assure her and with a shrug, she drops it in my hand and walks out of the closet.

Just like that.

Wow!

I stay there stunned for a while, wondering if I had actually just had a real-life encounter with a vampire and had almost become one. I bring myself to actually just snap out of it and to get out of the closet before she decides to come back. I quickly put on my lab-coat at that thought and hurriedly go out of the closet.

The first thing I notice when I'm out in the laboratory is everyone standing in pairs in front of the equipments of the white table and being the only unpaired person, I go to stand in front of an empty workstation alone.

The Chemistry teacher is busy addressing them by the time I really begin to listen to what he is saying, "-and as you all know, Chemistry is one of the core-subjects you must pass as science students to get a related course in the university and you should know that you will not only be questioned on the theoretical aspect of Chemistry but also the practical aspect. The Qualitative analysis is a very important part of Chemistry practical. So, you all have to make sure to know and understand it well and that's why I'm giving you a revision on the topic. For most, if not all of you, this will be an easy exercise but I won't want you to be too overconfident as any mistake will reflect on your score since I've just decided to make this exercise ten marks of your continuous assessment."

At that announcement, everyone in the class starts to murmur and I'm just too surprised to react.

I thought this was the first class for the session. Is this a kind of welcome test or something to initiate me as a science student? Even when I know nothing about Science?

And to think that I was actually considering not coming down to the laboratory. But what's even the use of coming? It's not like I understand a single thing he has written on the board or what I'm going to do with these things in front of me.

If this is really going to be a test, then I'm surely flopping it. There's no two ways about it.

And come to think of it, shouldn't my seat partner be by my side at this time of need? When I'm vulnerable and know no one except her?

I glance at her direction but she isn't even looking my way.

Great, just great.

"I hope everyone is paired with a lab partner before we begin the test." The teacher says.

"No, not all of us are with partners." I quickly respond. I notice the gazes of the other students on me and I begin to wonder if Cynthia is also looking at me.

"Are there any other students without a partner?" The teacher asks and everyone shakes their heads.

"I guess you will be working alone then." He concludes and I can only stare blankly at him.

I should work alone? I practically have no idea on what to do.

"Now start." He orders and I can't help being annoyed at him.

Is he being serious right now? Even if he isn't my class teacher, shouldn't he have noticed by now that I'm a new student?

I glance at what is written on the board to see if I can interpret it but just reading the first question is enough to make me give up. I notice the other students are opening their book and writing something down.

What are they writing? The questions? Or are they answering it already?

I'm guessing it's time to use the 'my-dad-owns-the-school' card. I'm going to have Cynthia work as my partner and no one can prevent that. Not even Cynthia herself.

I'm about to say something when the teacher speaks, "Yes, Cynthia. Is something wrong?"

I turn to her direction and realize she has her hands raised. What's she doing?

"No sir, I just want to ask if I can change partners." She replies and I suddenly begin to feel hopeful. I notice that her partner, the backstabber, is no longer moving but he is looking at her questioningly.

I almost laugh at the betrayed look on his face when he is a betrayer himself. I wonder if he knows what it feels like to be betrayed by someone you least expect.

"Change partners? Why?"

"I just feel I will be more comfortable if I'm working with my actual seat partner." She explains and it's all I can do to not let out a happy yelp.

She has a conscience after all.

"Who is your seat partner?" He asks and she points at me, "Michael."

He turns to me, "Michael, will you be okay with that arrangement?"

Hell yeah!

"Yes sir, very much sir." I reply instead, not wanting to sound too excited but I know my face holds more than that expression.

"And will your lab partner be okay with this arrangement?" He asks again and I narrow my eyes at the teacher.

Why is even asking? Who cares?

What if he says no and Cynthia decides not to join me anymore? Mr. Stewart, I will never forgive you if that happens.

"Yes, it's okay." John replies, surprising me.

Well, who would have thought?

"Well then, Cynthia, you can change partners." He finally says.

I watch her pick the rest of her books and glance at John who is pretending to be working with one of those things and I catch the sad look on her face. For a moment, it seems like she won't come to me after all but she sighs and begins to walk towards me.

I can't help grinning as she approaches me and I could have sworn she was about to return my smile, but instead rolls her eyes and places her books next to mine on the table.

"I was just about to take advantage of being the school owner's son to threaten that teacher to make you my seat partner because I simply don't understand anything he wrote on the board and these things in front of me." I blurt while gesturing to the equipment.

"If you had not made the stupid decision of joining this class when you know nothing about it, I won't be in this current situation." She replies as she opens her notebook.

Is she regretting her decision?

"But still you chose me."

...over him. Right?

She pauses while writing and looks up at me, an unreadable expression on her face.

What is she thinking? Or maybe I sounded too desperate?

I just wanted to make sure she prefers me to that bastard.

She looks away and clears her throat, "I just pitied you. Don't get too excited." She then gestures to my notebook. "You should make your own table too."

I say nothing and do as she said, drawing the table like she did in her book. She is already checking through the substances and glancing at the board as if figuring out what to do with them by the time I'm done making my own table.

"What can I do to help?"

"Just watch the way I do it carefully and write what you observe." She instructs and I nod although I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be observing. "What does the first question say?"

"Heat the compound in test tube A and write down your observation and the name of the compound." I read out.

"I think the first compound only needs to be heated."

Okay.

She puts on something with a pipe attached to it and it starts to burn like a candle then brings out a small cylindrical tube labeled A with some kind of liquid inside and holds it with a funny looking stuff.

She seems to be having difficulty placing it inside so I decide to hold the thing that is meant to hold the tube while she makes sure the tube is secured in it. When we are sure that it isn't going to fall, she holds the handle tightly and places it a little above the fire.

Almost immediately, the compound starts to turn green and I had to blink twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

Did it really just- change colours?

"Cynthia, is the liquid inside that thing meant to do that?" I ask, watching with fascination as the colour gets deeper and she gives me a flat look.

"That thing is called a test tube and yes, it is meant to do that. Now, I only need to see if-

"Wow! That's brown smoke coming out from it!" I exclaim, genuinely intrigued. "It was a clear liquid and then it changed to green and now it has brown smoke!"

I know I probably sound like a five-year old who is witnessing a magic show for the first time but you can't blame me, this is the first time I'm seeing something like this and I think I'm in love with this class.

Oh, bless those girls that convinced me to attend the class.

Does this apply to the rest of the liquids in - what did she call those things again - yeah, test tubes?

"I can't wait to try the next compound. Who knows what colour it will change into?" I utter excitedly. "Who knew science could be so intriguing?"

"You should have just joined the Science class from the beginning of Senior Secondary School if you found it this amazing." She says with a small smile.

It was an innocent comment but I bet she doesn't know the amount of weight those words hold. Because I've always wanted to join the science class from the beginning of Senior Secondary School.

My dream was to become a medical doctor. Like Mum.

But that dream was killed even before I can actually work towards it, and it's all thanks to my Father.

Maybe I should start considering it again.

With three months to your final exams? My subconscious taunts.

I sigh sadly, "Yeah, I should have."

***

This chapter was long and it had to be divided. The continuation will be posted soon.

How do you think Michael's mother died?

Don't forget to vote and comment.

Continue to the other chapter 👉🏾👉🏾