The Scientific Jerk

Chapter Nine

He wasn't crying out loud like a four year old. He didn't cover his face like a girl does when her boyfriend breaks up with her. He just sat on the corner of the floor. His face was wet with tears. And he held the key in his hand, twisting and rotating it in his hand. I put my hands in my back pocket.

I honestly have no idea what to do when someone cries. Like it is the most awkward thing in the world. Like last year I went to the bathroom and this girl stood in front of the mirror crying. I had no choice other then be nice. I pulled out a small doughnut from my bag and hand it to her. She looked at me and awkwardly took it. I smiled at her and tapped her shoulder and walked away. But hey, at least we are kind of friends! (I actually did that once! - the author)

I looked at the awkward crying scientist. I thought for a second then spoke, "nice back room you got there, why don't you let anyone go here?" He looked away from me. I stood there waiting for him to say something. No answer.

I finally build up courage to walk up and sit next to him.

"Um. Something new?" I asked. Captain looked at the paper. I reached my hand and lightly grabbed the paper.

It was a warning from the school district saying that chemicals are to be taken seriously. At the end it said that a new science has been hired to teach the science club, and that the school district is giving him one last chance to not make any mistakes.

I understood how Captain felt. The guilt rushed up my head and gave me a terrible headache. I wanted to make Captain stop crying. But I didn't want to be a shoulder to cry on.

"I did not do it", Captain leaned his head back until it lightly hit the wall.

"I know", I said. Then seconds later I added, "that's why it won't happen again." I got up.

He nodded. "I shall stay here", he said, giving me a cue that I should leave.

The guilt was making me dysfunctional even till the next day. That's why I didn't feel like I deserved to hang hang out with my friends at lunch. I took my tray of lunch to the bathroom. I went inside a stall and ate my lunch there. Eating Mac-n-Cheese while sitting on a toilet didn't help. I wish there was a chemical I could inhale to burn my guilt away. But whatever, Captain is sort of acting childish. A childish scientist.

Right before I went to science club, Mr. Stanley stopped me again. He handed me another piece of paper with my grades. C- .

"You should think about staying in science club after the semester. There is a contest after the semester and I really think you should compete" he seemed proud of me.

"But I hardly know anything about science", I said.

"Well get to know it then", he walked away. Why does he always walk away in the middle of our conversation. Like what if he won a novel prize and the president met him. And Mr. Stanley and the president shake hands and the president goes, "very proud to announce tha-" as he watches Mr. Stanley walk away with a million dollars and a trophy in his hands. Help me my guilt is driving me crazy!

As I walked in to science club, the mad scientist was on his feet again working on our fireworks. What is he?

"Alumin", Captain said. "I apologise but we won't be able to finish our firework project if we do it in the time period of science club. Extended time would be needed to finish it before the semester ends."

That's not my fault. "What extended time?" I asked.

"I mean, I would like to invite you to my house to finish the fireworks. I have everything needed to finish this project at home."

Pshhh no. His house? I'm not lying I would never go to his house. And if I am lying, may lightening struck Captain.

I was totally going to reject it. Then my small brain spoke again. "Yes Allison. You caused his whole science career to threat. If you don't say yes to this, your guilt would take over you."

I rolled my eyes until I could basically see my tiny brain. "Fine!" I said out loud.

"Wonderful" Captain handed me a piece of paper with his adress. "Let's get to work"

I took the piece of paper and stuffed it into my bag.

Captain's house, I'm cursed.