Saving Mira-Jean (Hiatus)

Chapter 14

The days blurred as fast as the snow fell from the sky. I fell again into a routine, pick up Rose, grab coffee, chill in the car, listen for the bass that signalled Mira-Jean's arrival that drowned out the bell, school, gym, make sure Mira-Jean left school, drop off Rose, home; repeat.

We were currently in Physics laboratory session attempting to create an AC generator. Chase and I were partnered up and were making decent progress except our armature was not turning as quickly as we would have liked. Chase and I had unwound the copper with less turns than before so that the armature would have less weight and turn faster but with no luck.

"Well done Scott," we heard the Physics teacher say as he made his rounds. Scott had the fortune, or misfortune depending on who's side you were on, of being partnered with Mira-Jean. Their armature was turning quickly, and their bulb was lit, I suspected Mira, had even added a galvanometer to the outer circuit to show the deflection in the current to make plotting their graph simpler "Good work, extra ten points for efficiency."

"Thanks Sir," Scott mumbled the back of his neck going red and his eyes darting to the girl dressed in black sitting across the table, seemingly unaware that her work was not being rightfully recognised as she thumbed through her Physics textbook.

I jumped as something clattered onto the table next to me. All eyes but one turned to Chase who had dropped the pliers. "Sorry," he called out and returned to undoing the wiring on the metallic core again.

I bit the inside of my cheek and continued working. Having your hard work going unrecognised was a sore spot for Chase as it had happened to him so many times before. People took advantage of Chase's work nearly all the time growing up because he was just so easy going and did not know how to say no. At least, until he was accused of cheating back in junior high when in fact, it was the other party who had stolen his work.

I let out a frustrated sigh as the bulb failed to light again and Chase swore not-so-softly. We were the last pair working and even though no one said it, we were keeping the class back from an early dismissal from last period.

"Is your magnet strong enough?" Mira's voice sent a jolt down my spine. My eyes darted between her and Chase, trying to gauge their reactions to each other and I needed to protect Chase.

"Dunno," Chase muttered. One-word answers were not a good sign coming from him.

 Mira walked over to the materials bench and swiped another pair of concave magnets. She removed the original magnets replaced them with the new pair. Lo and behold the armature spun rapidly and an ac current was induced on the outer circuit which caused the bulb to light.

"Someone had bad luck picking a good pair of magnets." She pointed at the armature, "The magnetic field was not strong enough to turn the armature quickly. The magnets were probably too weak; probably not pure enough."

"All this time," Chase laughed a little deliriously, "that was the answer all this time." Mira rolled her eyes and the corner of her mouth twitched.

"I can't believe we're so stupid Ryder," Chase slapped my shoulder; hard.

"Ow," I whacked him back.

"It was entertaining watching you guys do the same thing over and over again," Mira's tone was cold, but playful, "that was the definition of madness right there."

"Thanks Mira-Jean," I said, seeing through the ruse she had up. I looked at Chase who was not making eye contact with me or Mira as he cleaned up our tidy workspace.