As always:
Thanks to rf-fast for editing. Your insights were a welcome addition.
I was scampering home. I know, I know, but it's true. I wasn't in a hurry, rushing, going quickly, or any other verb. I truly felt like a rat on the wheel with a piece of cheese in front of it. For the first time ever, a girl was coming to my house.
It all started with an accident in my freshman chemistry class. I loved chemistry and I was going to make a career out of it. With my vision set and a full scholarship to State University, I was on my way. I did my best to ingratiate myself with the faculty, especially the leading chemistry professor, Dr. David James and I was glad I did. He allowed me to sit in on lectures, involved me on some of his personal projects and when he could, professional ones as well and even took me to a conference that was being held nearby. I probably spent more time with him than my fellow students. It didn't matter to me; I was dedicated to my career. If you wanted to go the psychological route, it may have had something to do with my father leaving when I was seven or the fact my mom remarried four years ago to a guy I thought was creepy who, ironically, was a police psychologist for the state and probably the one to ask about why I didn't socialize very much. Then again, I'm a chemist and not a psychologist. The only damper was that I never had a girl in my life. That is unless you count the terabytes of porn I have. Yes, that word was plural.
"What the hell are you doing Paige?" Dr. James called out, "Fuck – Everyone out NOW! Leave everything and go!"
With his exaggerated motions, the class quickly dispersed for the exits. Everyone from the building pooled outside, curious as to why we were being evacuated. Hazmat showed up and stormed the building as if they were on a beach in Normandy as I finally cut through the throngs of people and into the company of my professor.
"What happened?" I pushed up my black rimmed glasses with one hand and readjusted my backpack with the other. Despite being told to abandon everything, no way was I leaving it behind, it was my precious.
Dr. James was rubbing his forehead, "I give the class an easy mixture of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide and Paige decides she wants to use sodium cyanide instead. What should have been common table salt turned into a poisonous hydrogen gas."
I chuckled and he shot me a dirty look. "What did you expect from a person who chose sorority life instead of concentrating on college?" I knew I was being stereotypical and I only said it for a laugh. In all actuality, I had never met Paige Pierson.
"I don't know what to do with her, halfway through the semester and she's still making stupid mistakes. I can't keep an eye on one when I have a whole class to deal with." Dr. James took a deep breath and stared at me for a moment. "What about you, Tyler, huh, interested in babysitting for me?"
I laughed. He just looked at me. "Are you serious?"
"I was thinking, I could pair off the class and everyone can have a lab partner. I normally don't do that for my freshman class because I want everyone to have hands on experience and the mixtures are so basic but Paige is definitely making me rethink that notion. At least this way, I can make sure she's paired up with you and the school won't burn down."
"But Sir, what about my studies? I really don't want to be dragged down by the class ditz."
"She's not that bad, she's pulling in a 'C,' it's just that she doesn't concentrate during the lab exercises." Dr. James must have noticed my still less than enthused facial expression and decided to sweeten the pot. "I'll tell you what, I'll convince the Board of Trustees to let me take a prized pupil with me to the Global Chemical Convention in Munich."
That got my attention and I couldn't help my eyes from going wide and the goofy grin now plastered on my face. I suppose I could help the dirty blonde haired slightly air headed girl with some basic chemistry for a chance to go to Munich.
Dr. James put his arm around my shoulder. "That's a yes," he laughed.
It took hazmat a week before they gave the green light for classes to resume, but I think they were milking the clock. Dr. James wasted no time. One second after class began, he announced his decision to divide the class into pairs and that they were chosen at "random." The students reshuffled their seats and I was no exception. I took a deep breath, running a hand through my hair and stood. Somehow, I just knew I was going to be doing all the work while she spent all her time on Facebook or something. At least she was good eye candy, she could have a starring role in my late night fantasies – "Oh, Tyler, your knowledge of chemistry makes me so horny." Before I could take a step, however, a female voice interrupted my reverie.
"You're Tyler Morgan, aren't you?"
It was Paige. I always knew she was attractive but seeing her right next to me versus across the room with forty people separating us, well, it was obvious I was underestimating her looks. Her locks had a slight, natural curl to them, her eyes were like sparkling emeralds, her body was an hourglass, but her dimples are what really made her stand out as they made her absolutely adorable. "Yes I am."
"Hi, I'm Paige." She set down her bag at the desk next to mine. "I guess that means we're partners."
"I guess so," I chuckled.
"And you're the one that shatters the curve on all the tests we have?"
"Uh..."
"I thought so." Paige shook her head and then muttered under her breath, "Random my ass..." Then in a much more pleasant tone she continued, "Listen, I know why we were teamed up together so do you think you could help?"
"With what?"
"I'm majoring in chemistry and I'm getting a 'C' in the freshman class. Can you help me get better?"
"Of course." I was ecstatic at her words. If she had the incentive, then I wasn't going to be doing all the work. She'll actually give a damn.
"Great. How about we start tonight at your place?"
This was happening all too fast. "Um, all right."
"It's a date."
My body went stiff, "What?" I barely got the word out.
"It's a study date." Paige giggled. "Geez, lighten up. It's not like you and I would ever be together on a real date."
And there it was. The fatal blow to my ego. The wooden stake through the heart. The silver bullet. But I didn't care. Though it was a study date, a girl was going to come over to my house and into my room. Even if I didn't have a shot, how often was this going to happen? In my mind, I can always play this back as my first official date, even though it wasn't.
And so I was scampering home. I waited until the end of class, of course, but I left for home immediately. I had to get prepared for Paige's arrival. My chemistry books, my notes, a few common household items that I can use to demonstrate chemistry in a fun way. Most importantly, I had to clean my room.
"Hey son," my stepfather called out as I rushed through the house. "How's it going?"
I rolled my eyes. Something about him always bothered me. He would always greet me but after that, we just kept to ourselves. "Fine Ray."
He shook his head as if he was disappointed with my response, which was typical for him and I continued up the stairs to my room, which was typical for me. I had an hour to get ready and I felt I needed every second of it. I was hard at work when the doorbell rang. I glanced at the clock to notice my hour was up. I hustled down the stairs to welcome my guest. "I got it!" Coming from upstairs, I didn't make it in time. "Hi mom, when did you get home?"
