Go to the Library (Nicole Path)

You decide to go to the library. You browse through some chemistry books when you see a young woman with blonde curly hair sitting at the table.

She's completely focused on the book and is taking notes on a sheet of paper.

You walk behind her and take a peek at the notes.

She scribbles: 'What the fuck is an amorphous solid?'

You can't help but chuckle and the young woman gives a start, turns around, and looks at you wide-eyed.

You: "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Young woman: "It's fine... I was just focused."

You: "I'm really sorry. Can I make it up to you?"

Young woman (nervous): "Uhm... No, I don't think so. I just want to study in peace."

You can sense that she feels uncomfortable. Her eyes dart around the room as if looking if anyone is there who might be able to chime in if you persist. Clearly, she thinks you are trying to hit on her. Which you totally would if you weren't married and had any kind of chance with a hot blonde like her. Besides, she couldn't be older than twenty-five at most.

You: "I just wanted to say that it's glass."

Young woman: "Excuse me?"

You: "Glass is an amorphous solid. The molecules of glass aren't actually solid. They always move, but extremely slow. That's why glass can't be classified as a solid or a liquid, hence..."

Young woman: "Oh.... (pauses) Oh! I see. Thank you!"

You: "Just making up for startling you. My wife keeps telling me I have to move louder. (chuckle)"

Young woman (smiles): "Thank you very much."

You turn to leave the lady alone.

Young woman: "Are you... a professor or something?"

You: "No, but I have a PhD in chemistry and work in a lab. I do teach our interns regularly, though. And I give some seminars once or twice a year. Why, do you need more help?"

Young woman: "It's just.... this part here. I mean... I'm sorry, never mind. I'm sure you don't want to spend your free time explaining chemistry to a lousy student, right?"

You: "Are you kidding? This is fun for me. What do you got there?"

She shows you a paragraph and you laugh.

You: "Yeah, okay. This is a tricky one but there's a really easy way to remember it. Here, check this out..."

20 minutes later

Young woman: "Oh my god, I totally get it now!"

You: "See? It's not so bad once you wrap your head around it, right?"

Young woman: "Totally! Thank you so much... uhm."

You: "Adam."

Young: "Adam. Thank you. You just saved my ass from a bad grade."

You: "Happy to help."

Young woman: "I'm Nicole, by the way."

You: "That sounds familiar."

Nicole: "It's not an uncommon name."

You: "No, that's not what I mean. My stepdaughter has a friend called Nicole, I think. She's also a student, maybe you know her?"

Nicole: "What's her name?"

You: "Ashley."

Nicole: "Ashley Willard?"

You: "Yeah, that's her!"

Nicole: "Oh my god, really? She's one of my best friends in uni. I'm actually about to meet her at the mall this afternoon!"

You: "Wow, what a small world. So, that's where she's headed off to..."

Nicole: "She didn't tell you?"

You (scoff): "She hates my guts."

Nicole: "What? That's crazy! You're amazing. I wish my dad would be half as useful as you."

You (grin): "Oh, useful, am I?"

Nicole (chuckles): "I'm just joking. But actually, can you do me one last little favor?"

You: "I'm listening?"

Nicole: "I just need to use the bathroom real quick. Can you watch over my stuff? I'll just be a minute."

You: "Sure, no problem."

Nicole leaves and you think about what a funny coincidence this is. Maybe Nicole would tell Ashley about this and that could raise her opinion about you? There wasn't much hope, though. Ashley would probably tell Nicole a bunch of exaggerated and false stories and then Nicole would hate you too, just like Ashley does. You sigh and stare at Nicole's half-empty glass of water.

Then it hits you. This would be the perfect time to test your serum! There aren't many people around and the only close person is a senior lady, who was lost in a book. If you speak quietly, nobody will know. You look around one more time to make sure nobody is watching and then quickly pour the content of your vial into Nicole's glass. Then you set a timer on your watch because this trance lasts only for about a minute at most. You contemplate if this was a good idea, but now it's too late. She comes back.

Nicole: "Thank you so much. I hate packing everything up, just to go to the toilet and then get everything out again. The only other option is to hold it until the end and then I can't concentrate and.... I'm oversharing again, aren't I?"

You: "Uhm... no, it's alright."

Nicole: "Sorry, I tend to be a bit of a blabbermouth once I get started."

You (chuckle): "I didn't expect that, but okay."

Nicole: "Nothing to worry about."

You have to admit to yourself that you find this young lady quite charming. Nicole looks a bit flustered and, to your delight, takes a big sip from her glass. And then another one and another one. The serum has an addictive substance in it to make sure it will be drunk entirely. Nicole licks her lips and looks at you.

Nicole: "Okay, where were we?"

You: "Superfluid Helium."

Nicole: "Right. (reads) A remarkable transition occurs in the properties of liquid helium at the temperature two thousand ann seveteeeh...."

Nicole trails off mid-sentence and stares into nothingness.

This is your moment. Whatever you say next will change her reality. You don't have much time.

To be continued