Sleepless Beauty, A Novel

Chapter Three - Nate

My heart skips a beat. What? Had this just happened! The new girl, Lexie Morgan is my chemistry partner? How ironic. Confusion courses through my thoughts and I am overwhelmed with a mixture of grief and excitement. Could we connect? Would she like me? Millions of questions followed up and I was astonished how calm Lexie was after those words left Professor Abernathy's lips.

"How about we meet at the park after school? We can discuss–I mean I can copy off whatever notes you've gotten. I wasn't paying attention," my stomach sinks and I felt like hurling. The bile rose to my throat and I tried my best to keep it concealed. It would be a tragedy to barf all over the new girl.

"S-sure. I mean, you can take my notebook and copy everything during next period. So I'll s-see you at the park?"

"Of course! See yah there!" her valley girl voice got higher and I wanted to cover my ears. She was definitely over exaggerating it. As she sauntered out of the classroom, I followed slowly behind trying to keep my distance. I hoped this got us closer. The probability of this working is below the zero mark but I have confidence. As long as I don't mess anything up, I'll be okay... right?

The next few periods dragged on slowly as I continuously tap my foot in anticipation, not even paying attention to the lectures given. They were important, but lifting my reputation from the geek range could be great for me. If she were to date me, I would be as popular as her. Heck, I could probably be on the news! Wait a second, Nate. Calm yourself. This could totally blow if you keep getting your hopes up. Worry replaces my excitement.

I see Malaise next to my locker, waiting impatiently for me to arrive. She tucks a strand of brown hair behind her ear and looks around nervously.

"Hey-"

"Shut up and follow me," she interrupts. I try to back up as she grabs my shirt sleeve and drags me toward the Janitor's Closet. This was crucial information if she had to take it as far as the off limits storage compartment that no one ever uses. I worry even more. God, the stress was killing me. "Look, you can't be around Lexie. Never. Absolutely not ever. She's dangerous,"

"What? Mal you're crazy-"

"Just trust me man! Okay, the truth is, you know that linebacker?" I didn't know what the term 'linebacker' meant so it must've had to do something with sports.

"No-"

"Well he's a linebacker and he likes that new girl you've got your eyes on!"

"I don't have my eyes on her,"

"C'mon it's obvious! You were practically drooling at lunch and who chokes on a sandwich because some random person walks by? No one unless they like the person walking by! Look, Nate, listen to me. Kyle Jenson is bad news, and you don't want to get on his bad side, trust me."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"I'm your best friend and have you ever seen Ethan when Kyle walks by him? He shrivels up into a little ball and starts tearing up! He wasn't in fourth period because of that," my belief toward this grows a little bit broader. Maybe Kyle Jenson, the 'linebacker' liked Lexie. Who wouldn't? Well, maybe Mick. He did call her a bitch for no reason earlier. "Do you trust me?"

"No–if you have proof that I can see–I don't. Besides, I'm her chemistry partner so we have to hang out after school already. There's no stoping school work,"

"You were? How did I not know? I was in there with you!"

"You left after your name was called, Malaise."  I roll my eyes.

"Oh right," she says, hand to chin and body slummed to one side.

I open the door to the closet, letting in more light than my eyes could adjust to. Everyone had started to pack up to leave and my books were still placed outside my locker. I rush away from Malaise as fast as possible. As much as I love her as a friend, she can't persuade me to stop trying to get closer to Lexie. Even if Kyle likes her. She would probably deny.

I pass Lexie on the way out of school. She didn't seem any different than when we parted at chemistry.

"Here's your INB, thanks." she hands me back my green, five star notebook that I gave her during that period. I take it and half-heartedly smile. She smiles back and my heart warms up. "How about we walk together? We can talk about some subatomic particles or something,"

"Hah, s-sure. I see you're trying to practice your seventh grade science vocabulary out for size," I nudge her arm and I instantly regret my life choices. I hope she thinks that's okay. I didn't mean to touch her. Spur of the moment. "Sorry,"

"Sorry for what? Nudging me?"

"No, I mean sorry for being awkward," I change the subject to make myself seem less weird. Even though that was definitely impossible. She laughs and I reassure myself that she didn't care. "Hey,"

"Yeah?" she asks, raising one eyebrow at me.

"Did you see me choke on my sandwich today?" I see the hesitation in her eyes, a look on her face told me that she didn't want to tell the truth.

"Nope. You choked on your sandwich? When?"

"Never mind, it doesn't matter. So, did you get our topic from Professor Abernathy?" I remember him saying about everyone having their own topics. I completely forgot to go back and get it. Malaise distracted me. Now that I think about it, my heart has been racing this whole time. One girl can't make me that nervous can they? I was getting no where in life, whatsoever.

"Yep, I haven't read it though. I couldn't understand all the science-y things in it," she twirled her blonde hair until it would for sure come out as a curl.

"Here l-let me see it," I was getting even more nervous now. Every moment I spend with Lexie, the closer I get to sudden death. Or at least that was how it felt. She pulls a small slip from her book bag and hands it over to me.

For your project, you will not only create a human battery, but you will also charge an electrical item of your choice. Now, don't be fooled, this may not come easy at first. A COPPER and ALUMINUM plate will help you accomplish this. Also, don't be afraid to use your hands! Ask your Professor for help during this assignment.

This was completely cake. Nothing but cake actually. I had done this years ago during my seventh grade science fair project. All we needed was those plates, a micro ammeter, two crocodile clips, lead wiring, a couple blocks of wood, and one of us! But the tricky part was actually charging something. I hadn't gotten that far in the experiment.

"What does it mean?" Lexie asks. I look up from the slip of paper.

"W-we're just making a human battery. It's pretty easy, I've done it before."

"Cool-I mean how am I going to help? I mean, I would, but I don't really want to. So..." I stare blankly into her eyes. I knew she was smarter than that. She was like me. Worried about how my reputation would end up with the opposed person. I finally pieced everything together.