I am sitting in Chemistry for the 4th period only half paying attention. I already know the majority of the stuff that Mr. Keneddy was teaching. I taught myself everything that I didn’t know last year before starting at LAB TECH. I was currently compiling a list of all of the compounds I needed to start testing. I knew two of them I could get from Dr. Nella. She is working on a project similar to mine except she is working to duplicate cells to grow organs from scratch. I have no clue how I am going to get my hands on the other four compounds I need. Dr. Carther might have one that I need since he is working on skin regeneration. I am completely consumed in my thoughts when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. I knew if I went to check it I would get yelled at by Mr. K but was it worth the risk to see if it was Huxley? Nope, it was mom. I hate myself for getting excited to see if I got a message from him.
“How late will you be home tonight? The boys and I are going out to dinner "I contemplate my response. I either get the house to myself or the ability to stay at the lab longer without hearing slack from my mother.
“Not sure, shouldn’t be too late tho”
The rest of the day went by excruciatingly slowly, each class felt like hours and by the end of the day, I was jumping out of my seat to get to the lab. I promise it was just excitement about furthering my research. That's all. As soon as the last bell rang I was out of my chair and heading towards the bus stop. From school, I only had to take one bus to get to the lab. Which means I arrived a little past 3:30. I couldn’t stop my eyes from scanning the office to see if I could spot Huxley. Ugh stupid brain. He is still hiding something, don’t forget that. No mushy feelings, especially for Huxley. I kicked myself for feeling the slightest bit disappointed that Huxley's computer or bag wasn’t at his desk. Either he left early or didn’t come in at all. I try to push past the embarrassment covering my face and think of the task ahead. Today I was shadowing Melvirn as he did more testing on the Wheat project. The good thing was that all of the other scientists I needed to talk to about getting extra compounds were currently assisting Melvirn with his research. I guess being Melvirn's shadow has finally paid off. Dr. Nella is my first task of the day. Melvin and I approach the research lab and are greeted by a room full of other scientists. They all looked up as we entered the room, Melvirn retreated over to three other doctors that I was familiar with. Dr. Nella (of course), Dr. Simone, and Dr. Brooks. They were discussing their projects as me and Melvirn interjected.
“So, have we made any progress on the latest stage of testing?” all three scientists looked up at Melvin apologetically, I knew their resonance before they even opened their mouths. It was Nella who spoke up.
“No, unfortunately, our last test worked by adding more nutrients to a single strain of what but it caused a growth stunt, which means that the amount of nutrients was the same as a full-sized sample.” I could see that Nella was awaiting a withering response.
“What she means to say is we got nothing” That was Dr. Brooks, he is always very blunt about how his work is going and I could tell Melvirn appreciated it. Melvirn huffed and took a step back to address the room.
“I have a team of 19 highly trained and world-appreciated scientists and not ONE of you can solve this fucking problem?” this was not good, I tried to decide if I could slip out unnoticed.
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“I gave you millions of dollars and an enormous team to do trial runs on my research and you are all making a fool out of my name. FIGURE IT OUT!” This is the side of Melvirn that I never want to get on, he is amazingly talented but incredibly scary as well.
I didn’t even have time to catch up with Melvirn as he stormed out of the research lab. I assumed that he didn’t need me any longer as he didn't even take a second to see if I was following him. I answered my question when I heard the slam of his office door echo from across the building. This was my chance to talk to Nella, we have had a good relationship over the past few years. She is one of the only female scientists who has been given as large of a grant as she was, and I have a huge respect for her. She looks slightly shaken as I approach her.
“Hey Dr. Nella,” I say softly to not scare her. She turns around to face me and her face beams with a smile when she meets my eyes.
“Raelyn! I didn’t see you come in, how has your research been going?” Slow, very slow…
“I came in with Melvirn, he sota soaks up all the attention in the room so don’t feel bad.” I give her a small smile as I contemplate whether I come right out and tell her what I need and why I need it.
She started like I did, an intern in a lab filled with men who think they are better in every way. I couldn’t tell if she would appreciate the initiative or become concerned with my plans. I decided I wouldn't give her a complete lie but enough that she might give me some resources.
“Honestly? My research is slow. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I was able to get my hands on a few cells to start some human testing” lie.
“The only issue is I don’t have the compounds I need to trial my injection. I know you are working on similar research and I was wondering if you had extra or unusable samples that you would want to donate to my research?” I could feel her eyes studying me, it was nothing like Melvirn’s gaze so I stood my ground.
“What do you need?” Nella didn’t shut it down right away! Maybe I have a chance.
“ I am looking for Thiazole and Pyrimidine” Nella smiled at me, and I tried to hide my excitement.
“You’re a smart girl Raelyn, I hope you get the results you are looking for. You're in luck, one of my shipments sent me extra Thiazole and I am more than happy to donate Pyrimidine to you. Use them wisely” I can’t believe she said yes, I knew the others wouldn’t be that easy to convince but that was a challenge for another day.
“Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me” Nella just smiled and said
“Grab them from my lab when you need them, tell the other interns that I gave you permission” She winked at me as I smiled and walked back to my desk. Even Melvirn’s crappy mood wasn’t going to get me down today, I was one step closer to curing my disease and nothing was going to stop me.
A couple of hours passed as I was completing some administrative work for Melvirn. I had been contemplating the best ways to figure out what Huxley was really up to and why he cared so much about those files when I heard a familiar voice from the other side of the office. Speak of the devil. If only I could get myself a sample of the neon green substance, I might be able to reverse-engineer it to figure out what it is. I hear Huxley’s voice again and my legs think faster than my brain as I am standing up and walking towards him. I have never really looked at him before, he is not hard on the eyes. What am I saying? He is taller than me, tanned skin, and dark features. I come back to myself as I realize that I am standing right behind him looking like a lost puppy.
“Hi” is all I say, good one. I kick myself for feeling like this.
Huxley turned around to look at me and I expected his expression to soften. I couldn’t tell if I was hurt or confused when it didn’t. If anything it got more reserved.
“Is there something you need Anderson” Wow, I was not expecting that sort of response, especially after last night. For some reason, I felt my chest get tight and my lungs constrict. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Just came to say hi… I guess” Why am I like this?
“Hi,” he says as he turns his back to me and walks away. Did he just walk away, did he just WALK AWAY? What the fuck. I just stood there stunned.