My Brother From Another Universe

17: Lab Chase

Tracking Alasdair to his lab is not as easy as we thought it would be, especially since we have no headway. As ridiculous as it sounds, we did have hopes that at least one of us would come up with an idea in their sleep on how we can go about it, but there was none.

I fill Mr. Trainor in on what has been going on since the last meeting we had with him and he suggests that we closely monitor Alasdair's movement to know when he would be going to the lab so we can find out where it is. That is what we are going to do, but we don't have time on our hands especially if he doesn't visit the lab soon.

We end our conversation when Nathan walks into the lab for our weekly session with Mr. Trainor. He greets us cheerfully and reminds me that I agreed to hang out with him someday. I tell him I haven't forgotten even though I have completely and utterly forgotten I ever made such a commitment. Just as Nathan and I take our seats, Alasdair walks in. My impression of him has totally changed ever since I found that cannabis in his room. He greets Mr. Trainor curtly and just offers a "hey" to me and Nathan. Nathan responds in his usual cheerful manner while I just pretend not to see or hear him.

Mr. Trainor starts the session with his signature pep talk before asking us how far we have gone with our inventions. While Nathan is telling us about how his family is really looking forward to his winning the contest and how supportive they have been from the start, Alasdair's phone rings and he excuses himself to pick it up. Mr. Trainor grants him permission to leave the class then uses his eyes to signal me to follow him. I make a show of being pressed and excuse myself then follow Alasdair to the bathroom without his knowing.

"Dude, what do you want? I'm at school, quit calling and texting me!" Alasdair yells at the person on the other side. The person yells back but I am not able to make out what he's saying.

"That's because you kept on calling me!... What do you want?... Why do you want to visit the lab all of a sudden?... Fine, fine. But that would be after school, I can't leave school now... I'll call you and meet you at the lab... And tone down the calls, it's getting annoying... Whatever."

Alasdair leaves the stall and groans before walking out of the bathroom. I wait another two minutes before leaving for the lab. Mr. Trainor cheerfully welcomes us back and we continue the session.

After the session, I tell Mr. Trainor about Alasdair's call with Caleb and he offers to drive us there after school. I text Austin and Wyndy to meet me and Travis in the janitor's closet. I fill them in and we agree to meet at the parking lot.

* * * * *

We meet up at the parking lot after school like we agreed, and as we wait for Alasdair and Mr. Trainor, Chris walks up to Austin and holds her by the waist. "Hey babe," he says. "I've been looking all over for you. Come on, let's go grab some pizza, it's been a while since we hung out together."

Austin looks over at us and back at Chris. "I'm actually in the middle of something important right now, maybe some other time, okay."

The rest of us turn to stare wide-eyed at Austin, stunned by her reply. Chris also looks surprised.

"Really," he says, tilting his head to look at us. "What are you guys up to?"

"Something important, I don't wanna bore you with the details, but we can always go out tomorrow," Austin tells him.

"That's fine, I don't wanna get in the way of whatever it is you're in the middle of. It seems pretty important so I'll let you go, this time."

"Thanks baby." Austin kisses him and he waves us goodbye before walking away.

"Did you really turn down a date with Chris for Avan?" Wyndy asks Austin, nudging her playfully.

"I didn't turn down the date, I just did a rain check."