“Alright class. Put down your pens, it’s time to start the lab.” everyone sighed with relief as Mr. Lee finished notes. Taking notes in his class was like trying to draw a train while it sped passed you. He picked up a class attendance list and cleared his throat.
“I will be picking the partners for this lab.” you could just feel everyone holding back their groans of disapproval. He read off the names and I waited for my name to be called, hoping I wouldn’t be stuck with Jeremy again. He was a really nice guy…if you could get him to talk. He didn’t talk with girls so he ended up drooling for the rest of the lab.
“Anna,” my head snapped up and I paid rapt attention. “you will be with…Bethany.” I looked behind me and gave a little smile to Beth. She was really smart judging from Mr. Lee’s praises. Beth picked up her stuff and moved to my table.
“Hey.”
“Hello.”
I don’t know why but my cheeks suddenly felt hot. Mr. Lee’s voice faded into the background. My heart pounded in my ears…all my senses were focusing on her. Her soft fragrance, her shining hair. I clenched my hands into fists before I reached over and touched her. I couldn’t help but long to wonder what her full lips tasted like. My tongue darted over my lips.
‘No…I can’t have her…focus, Anna, focus!’ I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, calming the sudden burning in my loins. I focused on Mr. Lee’s explanation of the lab, but when I tuned in he was just finishing.
“Ok class, go get the items and get started.”
‘What the hell was that?! I’ve never felt such a hunger in my life!’ Beth was collecting what we needed and I was desperately reading the handout so I at least knew what we were doing. Beth gracefully sat down beside me, wafting her sweet scent my way…I bit the inside of my lip to fight back a soft whimper.
“Anna…are you ok? Your face is red. Do you think you’re getting a fever?” Beth’s melodic voice broke through my haze and my heart went from a quick little jaunt to full out sprint. I quickly nodded.
“Y-Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for your concern.” I mustered a smile and she looked at me curiously.
“At least it’s a nice, simple lab this time. Doesn’t take much effort, mostly it’s just observing.” she turned to me and smiled and I swore I could hear the angels singing. Beth’s gaze dropped and I realized that I’d been so busy staring, I had forgotten to answer her.
“Oh…yeah. That last one was crazy.” she looked relieved when I responded normally.
“Let’s get started.” I smiled as bright as I could without scaring her and nodded.
Mr. Lee had boiled water in the teacher’s lounge and had given us all a ¼ cup, I reached forward to grab the copper sulfate at the exact same time Beth did. Our hands brushed and we both looked at each other in shock. I looked down and started mumbling apologies, trying desperately to hide the blush I knew was spreading across my entire body.
“Anna, Beth…is there a problem here?”
“No, Mr.