The Genetic Code

Chapter 22

"Okay, students, all the equipment you need for this experiment are on your respective benches," Mr Walker drones in a monotonous voice that screams 'I hate my job someone please do me a favor and put a bullet to my brain'. "Read the instructions printed out for each pair and do the experiment. And please, try not to cause an explosion. I don't want to deal with the paperwork again."

"Aren't you gonna put on your goggles?" Juliette asks me as she eagerly sets up our materials.

"Nah, I don't do goggles. Why would I want to cover up these gorgeous eyes?" I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

She picks up the goggles on the bench and shoves them on my face before I can react.

"Exactly. I want to see those eyes for a long time, so I'd rather not risk letting them get blinded."

I scrunch my nose up in displeasure, and she giggles.

I place my elbow on the bench and lean my head on my hand, gazing at her intently as she works.

"I wouldn't have taken you for such a science nerd."

"What do you mean?"

"The way you do all these experiments with such zeal I would think you were a little kid opening their presents on Christmas. You're a nerdy girl, it's cute."

"Pfft, I don't get that excited."

I drop the piece of sodium into the prepared tank of water and it immediately begins to dart on the surface of the liquid, fizzling, producing tiny sparks. Almost automatically her mouth falls open slightly as she gasps and moves in closer to watch with wide eyes as if it's some kind of magic show.

I chuckle. "Point proven."

Suddenly an idea hits me. "You know... if you like this, there's somewhere I can bring you that I think you'll love. Are you free after school today?"

***

"Sodium boats?" She looks at me with wide questioning eyes.

"They're like speedboats, but without an engine. They're powered by a thin layer of sodium coating the base of the boat, which reacts with the water to propel the boat forward. A product of the reaction is sodium hydroxide, which neutralizes acidity in the lake; an unorthodox way of countering the problem of acid rain in the area, so it's eco-friendly," I explain as we walk, hands interlocked.

The twinkle in her eye as she listens reveals her intrigue, but she pulls an uneasy face. "Is it safe?"

"Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a merry-go-round... But what's life without a bit of thrill, right?" I gently squeeze her small hand in mine. "I used to come here every month, and I'm still here standing in one piece. The choice is completely yours, I'll respect your decision. Just say the word and we can go back—"

"Let's do it."

"Really?"

She nods enthusiastically, smiling widely, that twinkle in her eye changing into a mischievous gleam. "I've been living too much on the safe side. I just wanna say 'damn you' to the consequences and throw my inhibitions into the wind, do something adventurous."

I stop for a while, just looking at her and the radiant smile across her face stretching from ear to ear, pulling her eyes into two crinkled crescents.

"Why? You having second thoughts now? Chickening out, Crawford?" She narrows her eyes at me, though the smile stays.

I give a low chuckle, pulling her tightly to my side before hooking my arm between her head and shoulder, leaning in to brush my nose against her cheek. She shrieks, but then starts giggling uncontrollably. It's probably the most beautiful sound I've heard. "Just blown away by how amazing you are, ally," I mumble against her skin, feeling her shiver slightly in my hold, and plant a kiss on her cheek before releasing her.