Repeating History

Episode 3: Friend and Foe

Sharp tapping rang through Beth's ears as the redhead tried to focus on the writings on the board. The tapping continued as Beth's frustration grew. "Can you stop?" She hissed to her sister, the source of the noise.

"Sorry. It's just I'm sooo booored!" Ashley whined softly as she placed her chin on the table the two were sharing. In front of them were numerous test tubes filled with various liquids. Even further in front was the class's teacher Mrs. Hertz. "Can't we just do the fun part now and skip over the technical stuff?" Ashley whispered, grabbing a beaker of clear liquid and lightly swirled it. Beth took the beaker from her sister and placed it away from her.

"Ash do you want us to get in trouble?" Beth lightly hissed. Ashley rolled her eyes in annoyance at her sister. Ashley's attention was quickly caught to the table next to them as a boy around their age was shaving some sort of silvery metal into a empty test tube. Ashley immediately sat straight up

"Looks like we're getting out class early today," Ashley said nugging her sister and pointing at the boy. Beth turned to see what her sister was pointing at.

"Uh oh... looks like Bellarose is going to get in trouble again..." Beth lightly chuckled. Both preteens took their eyes away from board and on to 'Bellarose' who now held one of the test tubes filled with another clear liquid. Carefully he slipped on safety goggles and slowly poured the test tube's contents into the tube with the silvery substance, despite his tablemate protests.

"Mr. Bellarose and just what do you think you're doing-"

Bang!

Students screamed as smoke began to fill the classroom. The twins held their breath, grabbed their things and rushed out with the rest of the class. As the class grouped up outside the smoke filled classroom, both twins looked at 'Bellarose' to see the boy giggling. Soot was sprayed in his mess brown hair and covered his shirt lightly darkening the periodic table of elements printed on the black fabric.

"Joshua Bellarose!" Mrs. Hertz voice pierced the air, causing Josh to stop giggling.

"Yes ma'am?" Josh sheepishly asked, slowly turning to face the teacher.

"Joshua, can you please enlighten the class on what I had said in the beginning of the lesson?" Mrs. Hertz asked crossing her arms and practically shooting daggers at the boy.

"Don't touch anything until you say so..." Josh meekly replied forcing himself to make eye contact.

"Good you were listening. Now what is your special rule?" Mrs. Hertz asked sternly, tapping her foot impatiently.

"Don't bring your own materials..." He sighed dejectedly.

"And?"

"-And don't perform your own experiments in class..." Josh answered.

"Good. Now tell me what you brought this time?" The older teacher sighed rubbing her temples. Josh mumbled something that no one could make out. "Please say that again but louder this time Mr. Bellarose."

Josh gave a long drawn out sigh, "Potassium ma'am..."

Mrs. Hertz gave a long drawn out sigh and placed her head in the palm of her hand. "Class is dismissed for the rest of the day. Joshua, please head to the principal's office, I'll be joining you shortly to discuss with Mr. Delmas about your punishment..." the teacher sighed. The twin's classmates gave cheers and quickly dispersed into the courtyard.

"Talk about luck!" Beth exclaimed as she and Ashley took a seat on a bench by nearby tree.

"Yeah, can always count on Bellarose to get us out early! So now that we have a free period, what should we do?" Ashley asked, throwing her arms atop the backrest. Beth smirked and pulled out one of the programming books the girls picked up from the library.