Six of the ten students in Janie’s Chem. 2 class are female. She doesn’t know any of them well, although they’re friendly enough with one another. None of them are going to the chem fair.
When Desiree Jackson suggests a study group night at her house before an upcoming test, Janie jumps at it. Maybe she can get some information that way. Several others like the study group idea too.
They agree to meet Thursday night at seven at Desiree’s.
Mr. Durbin hands out the flyers for the March 4 party, and Janie raises a question. “What do you think about inviting the first semester group to join us? More people, more fun, I’m thinking. Or maybe you don’t have room for so many in your house, Mr. Durbin.”
Janie has driven by Mr. Durbin’s house. Cabel managed to snag the floor plan from the township office. She’s got it memorized. It’s a three-bedroom home with a large kitchen that overlooks the spacious great room. With its finished basement, the house is easily large enough for twenty or more.
Mr. Durbin scratches his chin. “I like that idea. Class, what do you think? You guys good with that?”
The class wants to know who those people would be. Mr. Durbin flips through the eight names by memory, and the consensus is affirmative.
“Cool,” Janie says. “I’ll make some more flyers. We should get a head count on how many are planning on coming.”
“Good idea. Sheesh, eighteen kids. You guys are gonna break my bank account,” Mr. Durbin jokes.
Several girls offer to bring appetizers, and Mr. Durbin gratefully accepts the offer. Janie’s puzzled now. She thought he might balk at the idea. But he’s giving no indication of this being anything other than a cool party for science geeks.
“Don’t let me see you bringing any alcohol,” Mr. Durbin says lightly, and grins like he’s young enough to be hip with the thoughts of seniors and wants to nip it in the bud. But the mere acknowledgment sets several students exchanging mischievous glances.
He said that on purpose, Janie thinks. To get the students thinking about it.
After class Mr. Durbin stops Janie. “Good idea for the party, Janie.
Maybe a few of you girls could come early to help set it up?” He’s giving her a helpless bachelor look.
The back of Janie’s neck is prickling, but she smiles excitedly.
“Awesome. This is going to be a blast! You are such a cool teacher.
You’re just like one of us, you know?”
Mr. Durbin grins. “I try. It’s only been eight years since I was a senior in high school. I’m not some old geezer, you know.” He’s languid, leaning against the side of his desk, arms crossed in front of him.
And then he’s reaching out his hand. “Hold still,” he says. “You’ve got an eyelash.” He brushes lightly across Janie’s cheek with his thumb, and his fingers linger at her hairline just a second longer than necessary.
Janie lowers her eyes demurely, then looks back up into his. “Thanks,” she says softly.
He gives her a smoldering look that is unmistakable. Janie hesitates a moment, then waves her fingers lightly as she turns and hurries out the door to her next class.
In study hall, Janie finds Stacey and slides into the chair across from her. Janie wants to be the first to announce the invitation to the party at
Mr. Durbin’s, so she can gauge Stacey’s reaction. “Hi,” she says with a grin.
Stacey looks up from her book with surprise. “Oh, hey, Janie. What’s up?” Janie notes with a creepy shudder that she’s reading Margaret
Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.
“You were in Durbin’s Chem. 2 class last term, right?”
“Yesss…” Stacey looks suspicious.
“And you’re going to the chemistry fair, right?”
“Oh, that. Yeah—you are too?”
“Yep. Sounds like fun. I’ll be at the meeting next week to create our display.”
“Cool. It should be easy enough.”
“Anyway, I’m actually here to ask you about Durbin.”
Stacey’s eyes narrow. “What about him?”
“Well, he’s having his Chem. 2 party at his house, and our class decided to invite your class to come too.”
Stacey gets a goofy smile on her lips. “Oh cool! He didn’t, by chance, tell you guys what happened last semester, did he?”
Janie cocks her head. “No, not really. Just said everybody had a great time.”
Stacey’s grin grows wider. She leans forward across the table, and whispers, “Everybody got completely plastered. Even Durbin and
Wang.”
Janie’s heart jumps. She controls her surprise, and speaks softly.
“Wang was there too?”
“Yeah. Durbin and Wang are buddies. I think they play a lot of rec basketball together or something. Durbin said something about Wang being there for entertainment and crowd control.” She laughs, and then grows serious. “Don’t tell anybody about the alcohol, ’kay? Durbin and Wang could both get canned for it. But we chem geeks are a loyal bunch. And we know how to keep our mouths closed,” she adds.
She’s chuckling to herself.
“Of course,” Janie says seriously. “I’d never rat on him—He’s the best.”
“Yeah.” Stacey sighs. “He’s sooo hot. Wang’s not bad either, for a snooty guy who lives up on the Hill.” The girls giggle softly, and Janie pulls out an extra copy of the party flyer. “Here’s the info. Do you think you can make it? We’re getting a head count so we know how much food to make.”
“Hell yes, I’ll be there. I could use a break from this crazy pace. You want me to spread the word? Most of the others are in my physics class.”
“Sure. I’ll get you some more flyers tomorrow.”
“Sweet. And that was real cool of your class to invite us,” she adds with a grin.
Janie grins back. “So, you think most of them will want to be there?”
Stacey thinks a moment. “I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t jump at the chance.”