Chemistry, and the Choice After

The actual chemistry class goes by fairly quickly. Using the discussion of structure from last class, Professor Styles quickly moves on to a brief interlude on ion-dipole interactions. This in itself is not particularly interesting; intermolecular forces, at least discussed at this level, is child’s play. The more interesting extension comes as she connects them to steric hindrance, discussing its effects on acidity and reaction rates—eventually, this connects to torsional bond angles and things start to come together.

For your part, you keep a low profile, dutifully taking notes, wanting to avoid the undue attention that you got last class. It wouldn’t be good to lose Professor Style’s good graces, or worse—be seen as a teacher’s pet. So you answer a question or two during the lecture, and otherwise stay silent. That is, except for when Beatrice pokes you with her pencil, a cute confused look on her face, a question on her tongue about what the professor just said.

It happens a few times. You would try flirting, but the classroom is deathly quiet save for the scritch-scratching of pens on paper and the professor’s voice, so you keep your answers concise and direct, speaking in a low tone. As the class ends, Beatrice gives you a look before heading out, and you realise that the questions might not have been entirely… academic in nature. Shit. You’re going to have to rectify this at some point, aren’t you?

You head out of class, stretching your hands a little after all the scribbling you did, and realise with a start that there’s not much time before your little ‘date’ with Helen tonight.

You promised her wine and chocolate, and while there is chocolate in your room, you don’t have either wine or the glasses. It’s going to take time to go out and get it, which would be fine, except for the fact that Janet, the hot nurse, did ask you for a stool sample today, before her shift ends… and you don’t exactly have time to both things.

Crap, how did I get into this position? you think to yourself. Regardless, you’re not getting any more time by dawdling around, and so you make your choice, setting off.

Beatrice +5