Sweetly & Scientifically ✔

Prologue

"You are failing chemistry, Reyna."

The words hit me like a ton of bricks. Mr. Fredrick, my teacher, pulled me aside after class to talk. I knew I wasn't doing well, but I didn't know it was that bad. It wasn't that I hated the subject or didn't pay attention in class. I just had a tendency of getting the measurements wrong.

I didn't mean to stain my face black for a week. Unfortunately, my lab partner was a victim of that incident too. I also didn't mean to nearly blow up the lab. It was only a small fire anyway. It could have happened to anyone. Since then, I was more careful about rolling my sleeves up under the lab coat with a lit Bunsen burner nearby.

"Mr. Fredrick, there must be some way to make up for it," I reasoned. I would have to face the wrath of my mother and waste away in summer school if I couldn't improve my grade. "I can't fail."

"My hands are tied, Ms. Winters. Your grades haven't been that great from the start."

"I didn't think Cs were that bad," I grumbled as I crossed my arms.

"Cs aren't that bad. Unless, of course, they're mixed with Ds and Fs," he replied, holding back a smile.

When you put it that way... I found it hard to argue with his statement, so I did what any respectable, mature young adult would do.

I begged.

"Please, please, please!" Getting onto my knees, I clasped my hands together and put my elbows on the desk. What dignity I had left was long gone. "There has to be a way. My world will revolve around passing chemistry. Additional classes? A make-up test, maybe?"

I could have sworn his eyes brightened at the mention of a test. He looked away from my overkill pout and thought for a moment. "Alright," he sighed. Resting his forearms on the desk, he leaned forward and continued. "There is something. It's a written test."

"I'll do it!" I said without hesitation.

"Not so fast. The odds of you passing this test are slim to none, but if you can get at least 90% on it, I will give you a passing grade for my class."

"Okay. I know I can do it." I stood up, brushing off my knees.

"Consider yourself very lucky," he said with his attempt at a pointed look.

Mr. Fredrick was handsome for a teacher in his early forties. Maybe it was the puppy dog eyes that made it impossible for him to come across as stern. He was the kind of teacher that everyone got along with and loved to be around. He hated punishment, and always did all that he could to help his students. That is why he's one of my favorite teachers, I thought happily as I turned to leave.

"There is one other thing, Ms. Winters."

I stopped. I should have known it wouldn't be that easy. Despite being cool, he was still a teacher. So close! I cringed before facing him with a smile.

"I believe it would be in your best interest to find a tutor."

"That won't be necessary," I stated as sweetly as possible. "I have a strict No Tutor policy. I don't get along with them very well." The last thing I wanted was a tutor to either tell me I was doing it wrong a thousand times or do the work for me while I learned nothing.

"I think I have just the person to help you prepare for this test," he kept talking, ignoring my protest. "This young man is the only one in the school who has passed it." He picked up a pen and scribbled something down, tearing the piece of paper off of a notepad when he was done. "And he did it for fun. That should tell you something."

Yeah. That the boy doesn't know the meaning of the word 'fun'. "Mr. F, I really don't think I need one."

"Wesley Black."

I was ignored once again, but my interest was piqued. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't put a face to it. "Who?"

"Wesley Black," he repeated slowly. "He's a junior, like you. And he's quite the genius. You may have a bit of," he paused, trying to think of the right word, "trouble convincing him, but he would be an excellent tutor for you." He handed me the paper. "If he isn't in any of your classes, you can find him at his locker or in the room just to the right of this one."

I dragged my feet to the door, but turned around before I left the room in a final effort to get through to him. "Are you sure I wouldn't be better off studying alone? I mean, I don't want to impose on him."

"Have a pleasant day, Ms. Winters." He grinned, showing off his pearly whites in a victorious display. 

I take back what I said about him being my favorite teacher. Feeling depressed about the entire situation, I stepped out into the hall and checked the note with a heavy sigh. His name and locker number were written in black ink and taunting me. He was only a few lockers down from mine, so I must have at least seen him around.

As I began walking, Mr. Fredrick’s words had me looking towards the door just beside the chemistry classroom. I stumbled to a halt when I read the sign.

Chemical Storage Room

“That can’t be right,” I said under my breath. 

There were no other rooms that Mr. F could have been talking about, and I thoroughly scanned the immediate area for another. So unless there was a hidden passage in the wall or a trapdoor in the floor, that storage room was where I could find Wesley Black.

His time was spent in what was essentially a supply closet with more space. My mind went in all different directions with that thought, and none of them were good. What unsettled me more was that chemicals were likely to be in there too. On the other hand, I never saw Mr. F use the room or bring anything out of it, so maybe I was wrong. In fact, it was probably best to stop my imagination from running wild and wait to see what was inside.

"Summer school, here I come," I muttered on my way to the cafeteria. I still had time to meet up with my friend and eat.

"I need Skittles..."

~~~ ( s ) ( s ) ( s ) ~~~

Reyna: Seriously?! I have to live through this again?!

Author: Hey, hey! No spoilers for new readers. And do not scare them off!

Reyna: You're no fun...

Author: Oh, just wait until the others join us. Speaking of, you are all going to have to reintroduce yourselves.

Mr. Fredrick: May I offer my commentary this time, Ms. Author?

Author: I'll think about it, uh....um... What's your first name?

Mr. F: You didn't give me one. *smiles tightly*

Author: I did to! *mumbles* It's around here somewhere...

Reyna: *notices the new title* No! No, no, no! No more Skittles?!

Author: *looks up* Of course there are, lots of them! They are just inside the book now. We don't want the glorious creators of Skittles to be mad at me for using it in the title.

Reyna: Psh, I don't care if they're mad at you. I just want my candy!

Author: You ungrateful litt- Hey! Don't walk away from me!

( s ) Lots of Love & Skittles! ( s )