7 Ways To Love You

Chapter 17

 Reese's pov-

It's been two weeks since Seven and I reconciled. We're back to being inseparable. He's been really worried about me trying to hurt myself again. I won't lie, I've thought about it. Everyday is a struggle but having Seven here with me makes it so much more bearable. I've realized he's quickly become my crutch. I honestly don't think I'd be able to make it without him.

Piper and Artemis are back together. They've been flaunting their relationship in front of me like it actually means something to me. I truly could not care less about their relationship. Layla has been constantly trying to get Seven's attention, which we both find amusing. Yesterday she pretended to fall down in front of him, it was pathetic. She actually said, " Sevy, help me."

I mean, I understand you've got a crush but there's no need to act like that. Layla, Piper, and Artemis have also been pulling stupid pranks on me, trying to gauge a reaction. Two days ago Piper accidentally set my chemistry book on fire. The day before that my locker was filled with elephant toothpaste. They also constantly make comments about me and my appearance. Seven wants to retaliate but I won't let him. I have no interest in participating in their pathetic drama.

" I just don't get it, why won't you let me do anything. I could get them to leave you alone." Seven berated me as we walked to Chemistry. " Because if we retaliate, they'll just do it again and again. It's not worth my time or thought." I replied, opening the heavy wooden door for him. He walked in and I followed behind him. We took our seats in the back and waited for the professor to show up.

" Hey, guys." Dean said, pulling up a chair and sitting next to me. " Since when are you in this class?" I aske, looking over at him. He placed his bag down on the floor, sitting on his stool, " I've always been in this class, I usually sit up front." he explained. How have I never noticed him before? Despite Dean being fairly popular among the students he usually spends his time alone. I rarely see him hanging out with people willingly. He moves around in a constant state of stealth.

" Today we'll be working with hydrochloric acid and the different substances we can use it on." The professor announced. The items were already set up on our lab stations. Everyone had a different variety of slabs, which consisted of types of metals, stones, and woods. There was also a beaker of acid. He instructed us to pour the acid over the different materials and record the different reactions.

" Today, we'll be switching up lab partners. You need to get used to working with others." he announced and everyone in the class groaned. " Shit, we better be fucking partners." Seven grumbled. I hope we are too, I really don't want to be stuck with a stranger. " Cater, Piper, Sin, and Chase. You're group one, you'll be working at station eight." he announced, " Seven, Layla, Michael, and Arus." he continued calling students names until everyone was put in a group. Seven and his group were working in the station across from us.

I noticed there were only three pairs of gloves set out and the others had already grabbed them by the time I walked to the station. " We have limited supplies today, due to Professor Thorne borrowing our supplies for his torture class." he explained. Of fucking course. " The students without protective wear will be recording the information." He informed us.

I opened my notebook and labeled the page. " We're testing carbon steel first." Carter informed me and I acknowledged him with a small nod. Chase poured the acid over the metal and in a matter of seconds it started eating away at the metal. I made sure to start the stopwatch as soon as it hit. Five minutes in and the metal had almost completely dissolved.

Next was pine wood. Chase poured it over the wood and in a matter of seconds half of the board had dissolved. By forty seconds it was completely dissolved and there was smoke coming from where the wood had been. " How long was that?" Carter asked, leaning over to see the notebook. " Forty seven seconds." I answered. I felt a little uncomfortable being sandwiched between Chase and Carter, but decided to ignore it.