Poppy oil can also be added to spices for cakes,
~~~
~ in a science lab, over chemicals
He taps me on the shoulder and I flinch instinctively, causing him to withdraw awkwardly. "Why do you always... Never mind."
I give him the small, static, panicked smile and he returns it with a warmer, friendlier smile. He slides up to me and takes the acid in my hands. "I'll pour this, if you hold the tube under the water."
I do as he asks and he empties the measuring cylinder into the conical flask. We time how long it takes for the tube I am holding to fill with gas, and then record out results in our books.
"Good work, partner," he says, punching me playfully on the arm. I wince but I don't recoil, and he gives me an apologetic smile. "A story for another time, I guess."
I don't reply but I take my seat, expecting him to return to his own seat. Instead, he takes the one next to me and my usual partner, Hannah, wiggles her eyebrows at me from the other side of the classroom. My ears have been party to gossip about Andrew Pilkinson; everyone's have.
"You free this weekend?" He asks, stealing my ruler. I scowl at him and I take it back.
"Maybe."
"Oh, I see how it is," he says, holding my pencil case childishly over the sink, blackmailing me into giving him my ruler. I laugh and I reach over to grab it, knocking him and causing him to drop it. Luckily the sink is empty.
"Thanks, Pilkington," I say, narrowing my eyes at him in a joking manner.
I feel different with him. Realising that I have let my guard down I bring it back up. I drop my gaze to the table as I go to retrieve it, and he pulls back to let me get it.
Obviously not realising that I have gone quiet, he turns on the tap as my hand is under it.
"For fuck's sake Andy."
~~~
