Chemical Bliss

Chapter 7: On My Nerves

Yasmine and Ryder had just finished their satisfying meal at Chick-Fil-A stand in Macy. Their afternoon had been filled with laughter and excitement, and they were now on a mission to get AirPods for Yasmine's brother, Jasper. They entered inside a tech store and Yasmine immediately approached the display of AirPods, meticulously comparing the different versions, colors, and features. After some deliberation, they made their choice and headed to the cashier. Ryder pulled out his wallet, and Yasmine chipped in. They wasted no time and left right away after they finished buying. Once they reached the street where Yasmine lived, she told Ryder about how she would sneak back inside the house without her parents knowing she was gone this whole time.

Ryder: How are you planning to get inside without your parents hearing you, Yasmine?

Yasmine: It's easy. I'll just climb on the tree leaning towards my bedroom up there.

Ryder: Haha, be quick and quiet. Anyways, it was fun spending time with you in Macy.

Ryder: We can do this more often if your parents allow you to hang out more.

Yasmine: Yeah, too bad they don't allow me to hang out much. See you tomorrow in school, Ryder.

Ryder watched with bated breath as Yasmine gracefully ascended the tree, making her way up to her bedroom window with ninja-like precision. She was careful not to make a sound, knowing her parents would be suspicious if they heard anything unusual. Finally, she reached her bedroom window, slowly pushed it open, and slipped inside. Just as she was about to leave her room, her mom's voice suddenly interrupted her from the hallway.

Yasmine's mom: In a stern tone. Yasmine, Jasper told me you were busy studying. I hope you were focused the entire time.

Yasmine: Umm, y-yeah mom. I was. Completely focused.

Yasmine's mom: What were you studying?

Yasmine: She lied. I was studying chem after finishing my other assignments. Everyone says the teacher gives a lot of quizzes before exams.

Yasmine's mom: Good. I hope you do well. Your job is to keep up your A game.

Yasmine's mom: Don't waste time and don't be passive about your studies.

After successfully escaping her mother's questioning and making her way out of her room, Yasmine tiptoed down the hallway to Jasper's room. The corridor was dimly lit, and she moved with the practiced stealth of a seasoned secret agent. She reached his bedroom door and gently turned the doorknob, making sure it didn't make a sound. Her heart raced as she pushed the door open ever so slowly, the hinges barely creaking. Inside, Jasper was hunched over his desk, engrossed in a pile of homework, headphones firmly in place. He hadn't noticed Yasmine's stealthy entrance. As Yasmine drew nearer, she gently cleared her throat to get her brother's attention.

Yasmine: She whispered. Hey, Jasper. I got what you wanted.

Jasper: Wow, so you did promise me sis.

Jasper: Gotta say mom and dad weren't totally convinced, but I managed to get them to stop questioning you after you left.

Yasmine: They didn't notice anything suspicious in our house cameras did they?

Jasper: No, I unplugged the router and then secretly plugged it back when they got home.

Jasper: But seriously, Yasmine...Don't do this again.

Jasper: Remember the time we both got grounded as kids because we were at a neighbor's house without their knowledge?

Yasmine: Yeah, I remember that. I'm sorry I put you up with this. I just wanted to have some fun...

Jasper: Next time just ask them. I'm sure they won't say no if you did everything you're supposed to do.

Afterwards, Yasmine returned to her room. She closed the door behind her with a gentle click, ensuring she didn't make any noise to wake her parents up. She sighed with relief as she finally had a moment to herself. The memory of the day's events played in her mind like a movie reel, and as she began to undress, she couldn't help but think back to that unexpected and awkward moment with Elijah. Yasmine crawled beneath the thick, plush blankets that adorned her bed, cocooning herself in their warmth. As she settled in her bed, the memory of Elijah's accidental kiss replayed in her mind. She had never expected such a thing to happen, and it had taken her completely by surprise.

Yasmine: She thought to herself. What? Why am I thinking about that awkward kiss?

Yasmine: On the inside. I was clearly annoyed by it and he should've watched where he was going!

She couldn't help but blush at the memory, her heart racing at the unexpected intimacy of the moment. The events of the day had added an unexpected twist to her thoughts, and as she closed her eyes, she knew she would be revisiting that memory in her dreams, seeking answers and clarity in the stillness of the night.

The next morning in chemistry class, Yasmine was eager to participate and demonstrate her knowledge. The topic of the day was the noble gases of the periodic table, and she had been reviewing the material the night before. As Mr. Waisanen began his lesson, Yasmine waited patiently for an opportunity to answer a question. He was explaining the characteristics of noble gasses, emphasizing their stability and lack of reactivity. He then asked the class a question.

Mr. Waisanen: Can someone please name me one of the noble gasses of our periodic table?

Yasmine's hand shot up quickly, hoping to catch the teacher's attention. However, before Mr. Waisanen could call on her, Elijah couldn't resist the urge to share a chemistry-related joke.

Elijah: He blurted out with a mischievous grin. When there are gasses, there's NOTHING noble about it!

The entire class burst into laughter, including Mr. Waisanen, who couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected humor. The joke, though light-hearted, seemed to steal Yasmine's moment to shine, and she couldn't hide her annoyance.

Yasmine: She thought to herself. Can this guy not?

Mr. Waisanen: Towards Elijah. That's a clever one, Elijah. I'm gonna need some of your jokes to teach chem in an interesting way.

Elijah: As you should, Mr. Waisanen. I have other chem jokes to tell if you wanna hear more.

Elijah: I just thought it'll be smart to use them periodically.

Mr. Waisanen: You're really on a roll everyday, aren't you Elijah?

Elijah: You could say when I'm vibing in my element.

His witty comment once again sent the class into fits of laughter, and Yasmine couldn't help but roll her eyes as she grew increasingly frustrated with his constant interruptions. However, Yasmine was determined to contribute to the discussion and prove her knowledge. She finally mustered the courage to speak up, her annoyance with Elijah's jokes evident in her voice.

Yasmine: Excuse me, can I answer the question?

Mr. Waisanen: No need, Yasmine. Our Marco Polo over here just got it covered for us. I'll explain more about some of the noble gasses.

Yasmine: She thought to herself. If only it weren't for him...I would've answered!

Mr. Waisanen: So class, noble gasses all lie in Group 8A of our periodic table...

Mr. Waisanen: I'm gonna start talking about the first one, helium.

Mr. Waisanen: Helium is a colorless and odorless non-toxic gas, which is less soluble in water than any other gas.

The attention of the class remained focused on the lesson as Mr. Waisanen went ahead to talk more about helium and other noble gasses. In the corner of her eye, Yasmine noticed Elijah glancing in her direction. Surprised, she turned her head slightly to see him winking at her with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Despite her annoyance with his constant jokes, his gesture momentarily caught her off guard. She blinked her eyes, and tried to brush it off but deep down it was too difficult to ignore.