the farm boy

[sashachernov]

unianterested‌:

“No. See, a redox reaction are already opposites. Redox stands for Reduction and Oxidation. They go hand in hand because oxygen is highly reactive due to the slightly negative field around allowing it to continuously pull electrons away from other elements.”

Ian slowed down a bit as he doodled a small chart onto Sasha’s notebook, languidly drafting something that looked like it should’ve belonged in a textbook than in some kid’s high school notebook. “Think of Minnie Prescott being oxygen. People get drawn towards her because she’s a bitch and then there’s a reaction, like her blowing you in the back room of a party or kissing and telling all her friends. Reduction is simply referring to the process in which the element that gains the electrons once combining with oxygen, reducing the positive charge. Think of it like the blow back from all the rumors afterwards.”

He flattened his hand on the book and looked gravely at the other. “Reversing oxidation is incredibly difficult seeing as oxygen is literally everywhere. There’s no escape from it,” he told him solemnly. “Do you get it now?”

Sasha furrowed his brow as he tried to follow along, eyes widening at the detailed charts and diagrams that Ian was drawing. He knew he missed a lot of school but — Ian had to be better than most. There was no way most of their peers were also this detailed. If they were, Ian was screwed for life.

The example had him clapping a hand over his mouth to stifle his chuckles. “That’s — a detailed reaction,” he said, but somehow it actually did help him connect the dots in his head. “Is that... did all that really happen?” He tried to stay away from all the rumours at Carmel. He had enough on his plate without managing the gossip too.

“That makes sense.... what if you like did it in a enclosed space and sucked all the oxygen out? Have scientists tried that?”

[sashachernov]

unianterested‌:

Ian peered over at Sasha’s textbook and sighed. A single glance was enough for him to recall the chapter he tackled in sophomore year simply because he’d gotten bored over Summer break. He gestured for a pen and a notebook.

“You’re on the right track. Redox reactions are a type of chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electron between two species and it’s vital to a lot of basic functions such as photosynthesis, respiration combustion, corrosion and– you guessed it– rusting.”

Ian made quick work of breaking down the basic rules of oxidation states, jotting down numbers and chemicals like he was writing his own name. He only stopped at the offer of a sandwich and blinked, bewildered and then awkward. School lunches were often his only meal of the day, which meant the lunch ladies were super sweet on him for his patience and willingness to eat anything like a garbage disposal. It didn’t mean he liked it when people watched him eat. 

“No thanks. I’ve got my own,” he said. “Are you getting the material?” 

Sasha slid over a pen and his notebook, beaming at Ian once the other male caved and started to explain the reactions to him. He shifted closer so he could see what Ian was writing in the page as he listened to him talk about the material. He was going a little fast, but Sasha hoped he was actually understanding what he was saying.

He squinted at the page, asking a question about another hypothetical redox reaction, and then blinked as another babble of explanation made him feel like maybe the wool over his eyes was lifting a bit.

“Okay,” he said, shrugging, taking the sandwich out and biting into the first half. “I... it’s starting to make sense, I think. Is there like an opposite to a redox reaction?”

[sashachernov]

abexander‌:

Have you considered alternative forms of schooling?

I’d take it dead or alive. I’d pay good money for it, too.

Like what? My aunt doesn’t have time to home school me.

Uh... okay well, if that ever happens I’ll keep you in mind.

[sashachernov]

abexander‌:

They didn’t. I’m a naturally likable person thanks to my smile and my colorful personality. Wouldn’t you agree?

I mean, I’d like to think most people are naturally likeable... so yeah, I guess you are.

[sashachernov]

natassiareyes‌:

I have a tradition, I like to spike the big punch bowl at homecoming every year. I don’t think I really have one, have any suggestions for me? Oh, prom is ten times worse than homecoming, I wish you good luck. The point? More popularity, I guess. And is that seriously your standard for people not being bad?

Oh... that’s fun I guess. That’s probably why the punch made me feel funny, huh? Uh well... depends what you like I guess. Story? Strategy? Killing stuff? At least I have a few months to prepare myself mentally... thanks for the warning. I mean, when most people in the upper echelon think I’m a substitution for the dumpster, anyone who doesn’t is pretty much a saint.

[sashachernov]

islanotviolet‌:

Oh, yeah… I wasn’t here for most of the campaigning, so I didn’t get a lot of that. I’m just the girl that everyone asks who the heck I am.

Lucky. Are you an exchange student or something?

[sashachernov]

wallypearce‌:

Things will usually mellow out until the next big thing. That’s why apathy is the best thing to have because you realize most of this is all bullshit.

I mean, yeah, it is bullshit. But so are a lot of things in life. Sometimes the bullshit is fun though and other times, I don’t think anyone actually enjoys it. This is one of those times.

[sashachernov]

carmelvivian‌:

That is very admirable of you. If only people could notice how much farther that gets you in life when you live that way. Yeah, confused is  good thing to say. Oh I just meant that he means well.

Thanks... I mean, I guess it’s pretty cutthroat up at the top but I try to stay away from that stuff. I bet it’d be harder if I cared about it. Oh... yeah, I guess I’m sure he did.

[sashachernov]

abexander‌:

No, a character. You kind of look like him. Oh. It’s just you and your aunt?

Bummer.

Oh... no, I mean, I have my little siblings but I don’t want them to miss school so when she can’t do stuff on her own, I stay home to chip in.

Not really... I don’t know if a calf with two heads would survive very long.

[sashachernov]

abexander‌:

People pretended to like you? I can’t imagine what that’s like. 

Did they not pretend to like you? Or do they actually like you?

[sashachernov]

abexander‌:

What other reasons do you have to miss class? Do you get asked to do Michael Langdon impersonation?

Okay, last question: Do you ever get any two-headed calves?

I don’t know who that is... is he an actor or something? Well, there’s a lot of other things to do on the farm and my aunt can’t do it all alone.

Uh no... that’s never happened. 

[sashachernov]

carmelvivian‌:

Okay you make a fair point, that could be quite dangerous. Well some of us know more than we are given credit for. I know personally, I actually like getting to know people. If you are nice to me I’ll be nice to you. Did he really now? That sure is interesting. Sorry if he said anything that offended you.

That’s a good attitude to have. It’s kind of how I try to be too. Yeah, but he also kept talking about collusion so I don’t... I think he was pretty confused. Why are you sorry? I’m assuming you don’t control him.

[sashachernov]

unianterested‌:

Ian grunted when Sasha dropped down next to him. He didn’t know if he had a sign on his back that said ‘talk to me when I’m eating’ but it was safe to assume either way that the kids at Carmel High were both stupid and masochistic. 

“You know I don’t do the homework thing anymore.” He cut him a sideways glance, unwilling to take any credit for looking at him. Ian didn’t really know how to approach the wide-eyed and impressionable and the guy always seemed to ominously reek of goats. He focused on his slimy concoction of cafeteria meals, swirling his spoon inside a mixture of pasta sauces before taking a meager bite and saying, “What part are you having trouble with?”

Sasha brightened at the question, and immediately started rooting around in his bag before pulling out a battered textbook, flipping to a page he’d stuck a post-it onto. “Uh, so... oxidation and reduction reactions. I don’t get it,” he squinted at the page. “I thought oxidation was just like... rust. But this is talking about something else.”

He peered at Ian’s plate, half-horrified, half-curious. “D’ya want half my sandwich? My aunt makes really good ones.”

[sashachernov]

natassiareyes‌:

Homecomings lame anyways, at least you had your own priorities in order. Can’t say Pokemon’s my game of choice, but you do you. Besides, it’ll just be the same thing again once spring comes around, with prom. I think anything would’ve been better than blonde and blonder. 

 Why’d you go then? To homecoming, I mean. So what is your game of choice? Wait, you mean they’re going to go through all this again? What’s the point? Minnie’s not that bad. She’s never thrown any food at me, at least. 

[sashachernov]

natassiareyes‌:

I’m good, just disappointed the people of Carmel chose Minnie, I would’ve at least gone for Vivian.

I can’t say I thought about it pretty much. I meant to vote but then I got distracted by the punch. And Pokemon. There was a Snorlax. So I forgot to cast my ballot before voting closed. Dunno who I would’ve picked for queen... but I kind of wanted Zeke to win king, not gonna lie. He shares his Dunkaroos with me at lunch sometimes.

[sashachernov]

natassiareyes‌:

I don’t think things could ever chill out here. But I’d go ahead and say that all the populars are done with being nice, especially since you don’t have anything they want.

Are you disappointed you didn’t win?

[sashachernov]

carmelvivian‌:

Sure you can say that things have chilled out. Dangerous? You make this sound like the prom court was threatening people. All I did was offer baked goods to the kind people of Carmel. And who said that any of us were pretending? 

I mean... it doesn’t need to be a threat to be dangerous. People were waving pins around. It was a little irresponsible. Considering I didn’t realize any of you knew my name, I’m pretty sure people were pretending. Also Reid kept talking about how he had ‘never even met a Russian’ even though I’m Russian.