Be My Addiction

5 • Science Project

Eugene

A week has gone by since the first day of school so it was once again Monday. The teachers have moved on from their beginning 'Get to Know You' lessons and moved into the subjects they are actually getting paid for. The only people who really needed those were the freshmen, who still had no idea where they were going or who their classmates were. It's a small school so generally, by the end of the school year, everyone was familiar with everyone. If not by people meeting people, then it was by rumor and just people being mentioned around. 

I walked Veronica to her class and kissed her cheek. She swatted at my shoulder playfully and tossed her blonde curls over her shoulder. "Babe! Keep the PDA to the DL" she teased and bit her lip in a flirty type fashion. 

Veronica was the vice head cheerleader of the cheer team. She was pretty high up there on the popularity meter so it was common for her to get a lot of attention. Add that with her hourglass figure and you get even more attention. Mostly from guys. She knew it too. So when she was batting her eyes like that, leaning on one leg so her hips were noticeable, with her arms crossed to make her chest more noticeable, I knew she was doing it more for the attention rather than to tease me.

I brushed off that fact because I knew she was a nice girl and she could be fun to spend time with. She liked the attention but she was pretty smart. We also looked good as a couple so I let a few things slide. Probably bad on my part but it was high school. Our relationship was built upon our popularity. I tried not to get attached.

I let out a chuckle and rolled my eyes "yeah, yeah. I know." Just for kicks and giggles, I kissed her on the nose. She did in fact end up giggling and I couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips. "Now. Because I am listening to your request not to give you an actual kiss, I need you to make sure your admirers keep their actions on the DL too" I hated using the text slang but sometimes that's the only way she would listen. 

Veronica gave me another confused expression "what do you mean?" Her eyebrows were scrunched together cutely, making my smile grow. Of course it fell when I caught sight of two guys making inappropriate gestures to each other while glancing towards my girlfriend. 

I placed my hands on her lower hips and pulled her closer. This made her cheeks flush. They only grew darker as I leaned in to whisper "the admirers who are currently staring at you from inside the classroom"

We both slowly looked their way. The guys instantly looked to the front. That must have been awkward. "I-I didn't notice" she whispered. 

"Mhm..." I gave her a pointed look before shrugging "we better head to class. The bell's going to ring." Veronica took the opportunity to dart off and I headed to my third hour.

Biology.

After walking into the class, I could see that there was only one seat left. Today was the day Mr. Grenell, the biology teacher, would be assigning seats. 

The seat was next to a boy with pitch-black hair. He seemed to be rummaging through his bag, distracting me from getting a good look at him but he wore a faded blue hoodie as well as jeans. After giving him a once over, I walked over and sat down.

He glanced towards me and I finally had a chance to see his face. It was Ethan. I forgot we had this class together.

By the sound of the bell, my thoughts were pulled from the clouds. Mr. Grenell moved to the front. He looked to be a jolly man around the age of 50. He had a short beard that had become mostly grey at this point and he was slightly balding. His cheeks were a rosy red and round enough for his small, circular glasses to sit comfortably on his face. He's the type of guy you'd picture to dress up as Santa.

He gave everyone a welcoming grin and clapped his hands together, making Ethan, as well as a few others, jump. He chuckled softly before he let out a booming voice "Morning class! I imagine many of you are tired and already ready for the end of the day. Well, only two more classes to go after this one" Even though he technically just said we weren't even halfway done with the school day yet, people seemed to be pretty excited. "To begin our first lesson, I think it would be good to start from the beginning. As a review. The practice of scientific study has only been around for a few hundred years. We are still currently developing those technologies. Well, for the first assignment, I am assigning a project" he held his hand up to prevent any groans "it's a mixed media project. That means you can present it or document it in any form of art or technology. For the assignment, you need to find and research one scientific tool, theory or method. You then need to find a way to present it to the class, with the help of your table partner. No switching partners. You have two weeks to turn it in. Using your school assigned computers, I have included a rubric and example for you to look at in your Email." He paused for a moment before continuing, "And I know what you might be thinking, 'this is biology, why are we doing this assignment?' Well, the answer is simple, I want to see how you work as partners and I really just want to get your brains working." After speaking, the teacher went to his desk. 

Partners? That means...

Me and Ethan both turned to look at each other. Neither of us seemed happy with this arrangement.