That One Chemistry Class Where I Knocked Out Half the Class

How I Knocked Out Half The Class

High school chemistry class. Nobody actually understands whats going on, and if you do, its cause your some kind of genius that everyone wishes they were. Every one thinks this class is playing with all kinds chemicals and making explosions. NEWSFLASH, it isn't. You sit for 80 minutes every other day listening to the teacher drone on about how certain elements are stable and how some aren't and all the other jazz that goes along with it. 

This particular class, though, was supposed to be great. It had everyone praying for the classes before chemistry to go by quicker: Lab Day. Lab Day is the sweet glorious day that we get to come up with our own experiment to figure out what does and doesn't happen. Last time we had a Lab Day, we had to figure out what chemicals would react with water. Of course, Ms. McLittle knew what would happen so nobody was in danger of getting hurt. 

When I walk into class, I scan the room. Being one of the last students in, I get to see who is and isn't here. There's the group of genius's that always work together, so everyone that actually could use some help, fail because the genius's like to not work with others. Then there's the kids that hardly ever show up to class, and when they do, they disrupt class the whole time. Then there's my group; the Average Joe's. We like to have fun, but we do get work done. I quickly walk over to them and say hey to everyone.

"Did you see that Ms. McLittle isn't here today?!", Lucy squealed. She's always hated McLittle.

"Oh crap, we were supposed to have a Lab Day today!! I had a great idea for an experiment!", I say with a smirk. 

"Better call the fire department. We all know how this is gonna go.", my friend, Mark, says. Just because I accidentally light his jacket on fire, your automatically labeled the kid that's not allowed to play with fire. Everyone snickers at this.

"Okay class, let's take our seats. My name is Mr. Alfredo and I am the substitute today. Your teacher left me a to do list and she says that we are to do a Lab Day...", Cheers erupt as he says this and he has to shush us before he can continue. "I am not usually a chemistry substitute, so I won't be able to know the outcomes of your experiments. She did say that your task was to design an experiment that will show how well you know your chemicals that can and can't be mixed. Now, that's all she left, so when I finish attendance you can start your experiments. Any questions?"

"Yes, can we work with partners?", asked Justin, one of the distractions.

"No, she says this is supposed to be done alone, to show how well you understand chemicals. Anymore questions? No? Okay, when I say your name, please say 'here'."

"Justin?"

"Here"

And for the next five minutes, he called names. From the distractions group were Justin, Jade, Caroline and Brad. From my group were Lucy, Sam, Me (Mike) and Sarah. The genius's were missing some, but still had Conner and Angela. 

"Okay. Now that attendance is out of the way, you can start your experiments. You all know where the supplies are and come to me when you want me to get the chemicals.", Mr. Alfredo said. 

Alright, so right before I get up to go get some beakers, I get stopped by Lucy's hand on my arm. 

"Don't even think of doing anything dangerous, Mike. I swear, if you do, you will have my wrath to answer to.", she whispered. Mr. Alfredo said any one speaking would get sent to the office.

"Fine fine. I know what not to do, so I should be safe.", I said. This didn't seem to ease her nerves, but she did let go. So I went over to the cupboards and got two beakers, a test tube rack filled with tubes, and four droppers. After I set all this stuff down at my desk, I went and filled one of the beakers with water. Then I went and got three more beakers and set them down on a tray and went over to Mr. Alfredo to get some chemicals.

"What chemicals would you like?"

I name the first three chemicals that came to mind, "Acetal, chlorine and acetaldehyde." I honestly have no idea what's gonna happen when I mix these together, but I have a little tingly sensation in my arms that most would take as a 'danger' sign, but I take it as a 'keep going' sign.

Author's Note: I want to say that I DO NOT have any experience with chemicals and I am making it up as I go and this is all fiction. I DO NOT advise trying any of this at home. 

I start to walk back to my desk, being careful not to spill anything. When I get back, I first put on protective glasses and gloves. Then I take the rack of tubes and put a few drops of water in three of them. Why not start with chlorine. I put a few drops of it in the water and nothing happens. I leave it in the rack and start on with the next one.  I put a couple drops of acetal into it and a few puffs of smoke waft up into the air. Mental Note: Okay, acetal needs to be kept under close watch. I grab another tube with water and put a couple drops of acetaldehyde into it. Immediately I smell a faint smell of burning. Mental Note #2: Acetaldehyde might be explosive. 

Now that I know what happens when they're mixed with water, might as well see what happens when I put them all together. First I grab the second empty beaker and fill it an eighth of the way with chlorine. Then I put about another eighth of acetal into the beaker. Immediately I start seeing smoke. Hmmmm, maybe I should stop and get help.....nah. I then grab the bottle of acetaldehyde and put about another fourth into the beaker. 

This is where it goes south.

Immediately I hear a big boom and then half the room is covered in this grayish smoke. I have about a second to wonder what's happening when I start to see Sam fall over. Then another kid falls and all of a sudden Lucy, Mr. Alfredo and I are the only ones that aren't unconscious. 

That's when I heard the alarm going off. God, if I had a dollar for every time I caused an alarm to go off, I'd be rich. Oh crap. Mr. Alfredo and Lucy are both storming over to me, being careful to not step on the students. Lucy goes to the phone and calls for help. Mr. Alfredo on the other hand, stops in front of me. The look on his face shows that I am one word away from getting kicked out of school. 

"What the heck did you do?! Almost everyone is out cold, and your the only one awake, besides Lucy and myself! I was warned about you and your experiments, but God, I didn't think you could do anything this bad! WHAT DID YOU MIX?!", yelled Mr. Alfredo.

I calmly stated that all I did was mix the chemicals I had asked for. "I truly did not know that this would happen. If I had, I wouldn't have done it."

"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT. KIDS ARE LYING UNCONSCIOUS ON THE FLOOR BECAUSE OF YOU! You are to go straight to the office and wait to give a statement to the cops. NOW GO!!", boomed Mr. Alfredo.

I quickly scrambled to the office, and praying I wouldn't see Lucy 'til tomorrow, not wanting to face her wrath. The only thought I have after this whole fiasco is this: Well, that didn't end the way I expected, but at least no one important got knocked out.