So I haven’t posted excepts in a very long time so today I’m making up for my shortfalls by posting an entire chapter. I hope you enjoy it…
The Eyes to See Grace, Chapter 4: Chemistry
She studied the map that everyone was given on their first day at the high school. All of the other students were already seated when she came through the door of the World Literature class prompting the standard buzz to fizzle to a hush. Grace was certain that the story of her expulsion from Millbridge Academy had already seeped its way through the community and by the expressions staring back from the classroom she knew she was right. On the off chance anyone forgot, Graces’ swollen top lip, bruised cheek and split bottom lip served as noticeable public reminders of what was now known as her incidentat Millbridge.
Her eyes timidly swept the room full of condemning eyes but when they met the gaze of Toby McHale Grace frowned then glanced over her shoulder briefly considering other options. Sucking in the edge of her split bottom lip she reluctantly made her way to the teacher’s desk.
When Grace began school at Millbridge the previous year the rumors in West Fieldmill wafted like winter snow flakes. Speculations about pregnancy and swirling tales of “promiscuity” became favored local theories explaining her abrupt disappearance last year. Grace preferred their version of reality especially since she was no longer going to reside in West Fieldmill, or so she thought.
Grace handed the blue slip to the teacher who slid the paper beneath his pen without looking up at her. “I am Mr. Hanready, you may call me Mr. Hanready,” he said as he signed the paper and handed it back to her pointing to an empty desk in the back corner of the room. Grace was relieved that she didn’t have to walk directly past Toby or sit some place feeling everyone’s eyes on her and she was seated too far back for Toby to see her unless he made the conspicuous gesture of turning around to look at her.
Grace placed her books on the desktop and sat down avoiding everyone’s eyes by fixing her gaze to the floor. The tip of her tongue glaze over the fat split in her bottom lip letting it slid up to the hard lump puffing her top lip.
Mr. Hanready called on a Lee Matson to read paragraph 2 on page 75 of Pride and Prejudice. As the class opened their books Grace caved in to the temptation to peek and glanced towards Toby but he was already staring at her. A fleeting thought told her that she should look away and break eye contact but she didn’t. When his lips parted, her mouth went dry.
Grace dropped her gaze and opened her book then peeked up again, he was still studying her. He didn’t look mad but he wasn’t smiling either, more like he had unfinished business. Her face flushed again only this time she looked down more quickly. Grace knew what business Toby McHale hadn’t finished. When she glanced back she thought she saw Toby’s expression soften if ever so slightly before he turned back to the front of the class.
When the class ended Grace’s heart raced, of course he would talk to her but what was she going to say?
As soon as the class ended a brunette bounced into classroom and began chattering with animated hand gestures to Toby. Grace hoped that he could feel her eyes searing into his back as the girl covered her mouth and giggled. Toby squeezed the girls arm as he stepped away from her like he was pressing her shut off valve then turned towards Grace.
As she hoisted her backpack over her shoulder Grace shot Toby a cool glance, “Grace,” he said as he reached to catch her arm. His tone was firm but she pulled her arm away just as the river of students in the hallway carried her away.
Toby’s McHale’s girlfriend was her polar opposite. Her hair was shiny, the color of mocha, long, dark and silky smooth and she had a perfect olive complexion. She dropped her pack to the floor in the girl’s bathroom and latched the stall door. For a minute she pressed the fingers against her temples then raked her fingers though her kinked tangle of platinum hair. She had been gone for nearly a year, she knew she had no right to be mad about the brunette but she decided to stay mad anyway.
Grace crossed herself like a Catholic, even though she wasn’t, she hoped the gesture would spare her from finding Toby in her next class. She collected her backpack and made her way through the empty corridors to her locker where she stuffed her science book into her book bag. Grace rotated the map of the school then stopped in front of a doorway looking up at the number above the door.
“Grace McAvoy,” the teacher called, “you are late for this class have a seat.”
Without thinking, Grace walked quickly down the center isle toward the empty table near the back of the room passing Toby and his perky brunette lab partner on her way. “God, hates me,” she muttered as she sat down. The brunette glanced over her shoulder and gave Grace a long look.
Grace felt her face burn as Mr. Belden began explaining the science lab, a hydrogen and oxygen reaction, Grace smirked as Mr. Belden pointed to the two tanks at the back of classroom telling everyone that lab team who generates the largest explosion will be allowed to leave class early.
Students began lining up to fill their balloon with a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. Grace opened a stick of gum then doodled on her notebook cover while lab partners discussed and even argued over the ratio.
Bunsen burners were soon lit and long tongs were used to hold the balloons over the flame. Grace tied her balloon shut feeling relatively certain that she had the right ratio. With all balloons already burst the class turned to her to watch. A skinny boy with greasy hair mocked a tiny poof and a few students snickered at her. Grace smirked at him then held the balloon above flame letting her eyes trailed to meet Toby’s. The brunette leaned towards him. Grace set her jaw then smirked ever so slightly at Toby as her balloon exploded.
There was very little flame which was exactly what she expected but it produced a concussion so great that it knocked the corner mounted classroom television on, causing it to broadcast static that blanketed a room full of startled gasps. Grace never blinked and she never took her eyes off of Toby who ducked his head when her balloon exploded.
Smirking she slid from her seat and in one fluid motion she threw her backpack over her shoulder. As she passed Mr. Belden’s desk she plucked the early release pass from his fingers as she left the classroom heading for her locker.
Grace shrugged into her parka contemplating whether she should walk home or ride the bus.
“I see you have your own coat,” he said.
Grace froze not turning around, “I see you have your own brunette,” she muttered as she stepped around him.
Toby locked onto her forearm and Grace looked down at his hand, her eyes slowly trailing up to meet his with a single raised brow. Toby swallowed hard then lowered his chin, “you owe me an explanation.”
