Chemistry Class
Synopsis: Emma and Alyssa start talking for the first time as Chemistry lab partners, but there’s more than just that kind of chemistry between the pair.
written by @herunrulyheart & @theunrulyheart
Chapter 1
Third-period Chemistry class was Emma Nolan's favorite time of the day for two reasons. The first one is how much she enjoyed anything science-related, the second being a cute brunette cheerleader that sat a row in front of her. Alyssa Greene was perfect in Emma’s mind. She's the whole reason Emma is gay. Maybe not the whole reason but she's the reason the blonde teenager was kicked out of her parent’s house.
Alyssa was the girl Emma openly admitted having a crush on in one of her Youtube videos. Sure she never named Alyssa but the simple fact she said she was in love with a girl is what caused her to be kicked out of the house and have her classmates hate her even more than they did before.
So after watching Alyssa blow up peanut brittle -which Emma isn't sure how exactly the brunette cheerleader managed that- the blonde isn't surprised when their chemistry teacher Ms. Zander moves Alyssa back near Emma for the rest of class and asks the blonde to help redo the peanut brittle experiment seeing how Emma was probably the best student in Chemistry.
Alyssa didn't hate school, but sometimes there were plenty of other places she would rather be. She made good grades, but because she had to, science and math were her favorite subjects but that didn't mean she was good at them. It did, however, make it easier for her to spend more time on that work than for other subjects.
But this year, the best part of science class was Emma Nolan. There was just something about that girl the brunette couldn't quite put into words. Especially not to anyone else except Emma herself. The distraction was probably the biggest reason she blew up that peanut brittle, something clearly went wrong there. Her grades weren't slipping much but, enough that once her mother found out she would not be happy.
At least her crush was an honors student. On the downside, she was also hated by pretty much everyone in the school and all of the parents feared her which was the true reason she had no friends - from Alyssa's perspective. If her mom knew she was even talking to Emma she would be scolded. Her heart was racing so fast knowing Emma was beside her. Ever since she had seen that youtube video Emma had made Alyssa couldn’t help but hope that girl Emma was in love with was her. Despite all the chaos and confusion a romantic relationship with another girl, an out girl for that matter, might bring.
"I really don't want to do this experiment again." Alyssa mumbles softly.
Emma looks up from checking the worksheet that needed to be completed with this experiment by the end of class and looks at the brunette sitting next to her. She honestly can't believe her crush is seated next to her when it suddenly dawns on her that Alyssa has no place to do her work since Emma’s book, notebook and binder were scattered across the lab table seeing how she usually sat alone.
Ever since it was confirmed she was, in fact, gay no one ever wanted to sit next to her so having Alyssa Greene one of the if not the most popular girls in their grade not to mention once more Emma’s crush sitting next to her had the poor blonde in a panic. ”I’m so so sorry” she rambles as she is scooping up her book and binder and putting them in front of her on the edge of the table.
”Usually, no one sits next to me so–” Emma starts explaining but stops feeling like Alyssa probably doesn't care, and she's only sitting next to her because Ms. Zander made her.
”The experiment isn't too bad and it's rather quick compared to others we will be doing.” Emma explains,” But if you don't wanna do it, I can do it for you and you can just take the credit Ms. Z will never know. Because I'm sure, you don't want to be paired up with me longer than you need to be,” Emma mumbles her eyes, returning towards the worksheet in front of her.
Emma was clearly a flustered mess it was a little funny, but of course out of politeness Alyssa wasn't actually laughing at the blonde. There was nothing wrong with Emma in her mind, but she would be lying if she said she didn't want to get this partner thing over as quickly as possible. Did she like Emma? Yes, a lot. But, it was not going to end well if anyone knew she was even around Emma. Even if it was because of a teacher. In fact, if her mother knew she would probably be all over their teacher for it.
"It's fine." She mumbles, and as much as Alyssa didn't want to do the experiment over or be publicly around the blonde for too long, she also didn't want to take credit for someone else's work. That wasn't right and not how she rolled. "No, no. I don't want you to do it for me, I'll never learn anything..." She sighs.
Emma bit her lower lip as she looked back up at Alyssa. ”It doesn't bother me. I know you don't want to be anywhere near me longer than you need to be,” she mumbles, looking down at her worksheet again.
”But you’re probably right you won't learn anything if I do it for you. So we can always meet here at lunch? We can knock the experiment out in twenty minutes, and you would still have enough time to eat with your friends.” she explains softly, eyes still not looking at the brunette cheerleader.
“Mm... I guess lunch should be okay.” Hopefully the teacher or... someone else would be in the room. As nice as it actually sounded to spend one on one time with the girl she liked, she also couldn’t let anyone see her slip up or being with Emma and making assumptions or starting rumors. It would take a lot for her friends to believe she was forced to have Emma help her, even if it was the truth. “Lunch period it is.” She adds before pulling out her assignment notebook to scribble down a few things.
”Okay, I’ll let Ms.Z know on my way out that we are going to be in here working during lunch.” Emma states as she is starting to pack up her belongings, seeing how the bell is about to ring. No sooner did Emma finish packing up her things; the bell rang. The blonde teen made her way towards Ms. Zander’s desk and told her about lunch before she made her way to her next class.
Sadly Emma wasn't as invisible as she would have liked to be making her way to class. No sooner did she step out of the Chem lab she was knocked into a row of lockers by the several football players Nick Boomer being the leader standing in front of her while Kevin Shields and her cousin Greg Nolan stood on either side of her ready to start shit like they usually did. Well, more so, Nick than Kevin. While Greg went along with whatever his friends said, but would later apologize profusely for his actions.
”Watch where you're going, freak!” Nick spat before turning towards Kevin and Greg.”Four eyes can't see very well, so I guess she doesn't need this,” he laughed, ripping her glasses off her face. Emma knew what was coming as she watched Nick break them before tossing them back at her. ”Have fun seeing dyke” Nick howled with laughter turning and walking down the hallway. While Kevin and Greg stood there for a moment, looking like they wanted to apologize or something but decided against it as Shelby, Kaylee and Alyssa approach them on their way to their next period.
”Why are you standing by that freak? You shouldn't be standing so close she might turn you gay” Kaylee warns the two football players. ”She better not turn Kevin gay, or I’ll have to beat her ass” Shelby threatens glaring at the blonde teen who just wanted to get to class or to the band closet where her extra pair of glasses were.
[some time later]
With her glasses taped to the best of her ability. Emma kept her head down and stayed out of her classmates' way. She didn't want a repeat happening. Finally, it was lunch, and she makes her way down to the Chemistry lab. As nice, kind and sweet as Alyssa seemed to be not to mention the huge crush the blonde had on the cheerleader, Emma wasn't looking forward to helping her anymore.
She didn't need to get jumped again by Alyssa’s friends, and if she could she’d flake and not show up but she couldn't so here Emma was walking into the classroom surprised to see Alyssa gathering the materials they needed.
”I didn't expect you to show. Not after this morning with your friends,” Emma hums, making her way over to the cheerleader.
Seeing her so called friends bully anyone was difficult. She hated to just stand by and do nothing. It felt almost as bad as joining in on the torment. But what could she do? Alyssa has learned from experience that sadly, standing up for someone being bullied only puts you in the crossfires of the bullies as well. And who would she be without these friends? She needed to be who her mother needed her to be.
All Alyssa could do was give Emma a small sad look and walk right on past Shelby and Kaylee. Praying they didn’t cause too much damage to poor Emma.
“I’m sorry about them.” Alyssa comments, sitting some of the equipment on the lab table. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything I just— could be a scapegoat too. You’re so strong, I couldn’t handle that.”
”Eh, I appreciate the apology, but you have nothing to be sorry for, and I don't expect you to say anything I know how brutal they can be, and I would never wish that on anyone.” Emma smiles softly, setting her things down on a nearby chair.
”So I was giving it some thought about what went wrong in class on why you blew up the peanut brittle. It looked to me that maybe the heat was a tad too high.”
“Oh, so you’re one of those people.” Alyssa mumbles, pulling out her pencil to write up a new lab sheet.
“Okay okay, don’t let the Bunsen burner get too hot. I get it.” Alyssa laughs softly.
Emma furrows her brows together in confusion at Alyssa’s comment. ”Excuse me? One of what people?” she asks with genuine confusion laced in her voice.
”Also, you have to keep an eye on it at all times. I know it's tricky when you’re also suppose to be filling out the worksheet but trust me on this” she chuckles
“Just, someone that can’t accept an apology. Probably can’t accept a compliment either.” She didn’t mean an offense by her words, it was just an observation and assumption that might not even be accurate.
“I’ll trust you because I have no other options.” She teases, then wishes she hadn’t said anything to the blonde at all. She didn’t want to come off mean or destroy their relationship before they even had one. “Let’s just hope it works this time.”
”No, I can accept an apology when the person apologizing is the one in the wrong. You didn't do anything wrong, so therefore you have nothing to apologize for,” she hums.
”You’re right, you have no other options, but even if you did, I would guarantee no one else would help you get an A without wanting something in return,” she chuckles. ”Oh, it's going to work because I'm not about to let my reputation in chemistry class get ruined,” she teases nudging Alyssa slightly.
Agree to disagree.
“Oh good this isn’t one of those Veronica Sawyer craves a boon things then.” She laughs softly. Boy, if her mother knew she had seen that movie at a sleepover at Kaylee’s, she would probably never get invited back. Her mom, well the PTA really, restricted school from showing any rated R movies even with parental permission at the school.
“Anyway, lets get to this! I’ve got an apple I’ve been, like, dying to eat all day.”
”An apple?” Emma questions with a raised eyebrow. ”If you forgot your lunch, I don't mind sharing with you. My Gran packed more than enough food.” Emma offers walking over to her backpack and pulling out her lunch box.
”It's going to take a minute for things to get warmed up, so here you should eat,” Emma insists.”I mean only if you want to,” she mumbles slightly embarrassed.
“I didn’t forget.” Alyssa mutters, watching Emma pull her lunch out. Despite everything the other kids at school did to her, the blonde was still being incredible nice to her.
Alyssa glances at the box of food Emma’s offering her, releasing a deep breath before reaching over to take something to nibble on. “Thanks.”
”The least I could do. And just for the record, if you are watching your weight because of cheerleading, you don't need to. I mean you are beautiful the way you are.—oh God, I’m sorry that was entirely out of line,” Emma quickly apologizes as her face turns a million shades of pink.
”I wouldn't blame you if you hate me now or if you left here and told everyone the gay girl tried to make a move on you or something,” she mumbles, looking down at her hands, picking at her nails nervously.
“No you’re not, you didn’t make a pass at me, you we’re just being nice.” Alyssa hums. “It sucks that you have to think like that tho... that you can’t be yourself and give compliments without people taking them the wrong way.” The brunette sighs.
“Anyway, it’s not me that cares. It’s my mom.”
”It does suck, but what can you do, right?” The blonde asks. ”Oh, I’m sorry your mom is like that. I can't imagine all the pressure you must be under.” Emma hums, grabbing a cookie from her lunch before offering Alyssa the other one.
”I love my Gran, and I know she means well, but lately, every day she keeps packing raspberry lemonade, and well, it's not my favorite,” she chuckles, pulling out the bottle of lemonade.
“It’s alright, I’m used to it but... yah... trying to be perfect, it’s hard.” Alyssa shrugs, taking the cookie from Emma. Her face soon lit up at the mention of the blonde girls drink.
“Are you kidding? Raspberry lemonade is my all time favorite! Any lemonade really, but raspberry is the best. How is that not your favorite?” She giggles.
”Well, I know this may not mean much, but I think you’re pretty perfect already, Alyssa. And if you ever feel like not wanting to keep up that perfect appearance you can always find me in the band closet when I'm not in class” She smiles before she is instantly regretting telling Alyssa one of the if not the most popular girl in school where the resident loser hides out at.
”Eh I’m more of a strawberry girl if we are talking lemonade or peach if we're taking tea. But then again, you can't go wrong with a Diet Coke,” she chuckles. ”Here, you should have it, so I don't have to figure out a way to sneak it back in the house.” she laughs, handing the bottle to Alyssa.
“Being perfect and staying perfect are two completely different things. I mean, one little mistake,” like this bonding session with Emma, “could destroy everything.” Alyssa adds, taking the drink from the blonde. “Thanks now, we should probably focus on the experiment.”
”I can see what you mean, and I'm sure the pressure is a lot to deal with. But I'm serious Lyssa you ever just want an escape the band closet is an excellent place to go,” she hums, turning her attention towards the experiment. ”So here you want to stir while you add that into the pot slowly,” Emma instructs, pointing to the various ingredients.
“Okay.” Alyssa mumbles with a nod, grateful to now have a change in the conversation. She quietly follows Emmas instructions.
For the next ten minutes or so, Emma helps Alyssa with the experiment until it was done. ”See you made peanut brittle, and nothing exploded this time,” Emma lightly teases. ”I think it may be even better than mine” she grins
“Well, I dont know about that but... thanks.” Alyssa smiles at the blonde, soon starting to pack up her things - including the bottle of lemonade she had yet to drink. “I uh, should probably get back to ... I’ll see you in class?” She hums, tossing her backpack over she shoulder. “Thanks for the food.”
”It probably would be best before they start to wonder where you are and uh–yea see you in class” Emma hums ”Don’t mention it. I hope you enjoy the lemonade” she nods watching Alyssa leave the room before she focused on cleaning up since she didn't have anything else to do.
