C.L. Lynch - Chemistry

chemistry

Copyright 2016 C. L. Lynch

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors' imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or undead, is entirely coincidental.

Unless you feel flattered, in which case, sure, maybe it's you.

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Lynch, C. L., author

Chemistry / C.L. Lynch.First edition.

Issued in print and electronic formats.

ISBN 978-0-9953070-0-1 (paperback).ISBN 978-0-9953070-1-8 (ebook)

I. Title.

PS8623.Y63C44 2016 C813'.6 C2016-906297-X

C2016-906298-8

onetalltreepress.com

DEDICATION

To my mother, who always believed that I would publish a book... but never dreamed it would contain so many swear words.

Preface

I used to fear the imaginary: monsters, ghosts, mummies, things that go bump in the night. These days I focused on more realistic threats, like car accidents, social humiliation, or conservative world leaders. But here I was, facing attack from the kind of horror that I long ago relegated to childish nightmares. Except I was awake, and this was real, and I was probably going to be killed in a painful and gory way.

Maybe I shouldve gained some comfort from the fact that I was loved. When youre in love, youre supposed to hold hands and face death with serene acceptance. We could share a dramatic kiss as we died in the tradition of star-crossed lovers everywhere.

Fuck that shit, I said as my chainsaw sputtered to life and began to roar. Let's slice off some heads.

1

T he world was ending .

At least, thats how it felt at the time.

Im not moving to a whole new school! Ill be eaten alive!

Theyre human beings, not ravening wolves, Stella, said Dad. You will adjust.

Adjust! It took me over a decade to adjust here! Do you remember my first day at kindergarten? They said I looked like a Weeble! They kept trying to push me over in the playground to see if Id fall down!

But now you know kung fu, Dad pointed out.

Besides, we arent sending you back to kindergarten, my mother said. Although youre certainly acting like a five-year-old.

I have a right to be ANGRY when you pluck me out of school in the middle of the school year with VIRTUALLY NO WARNING.

This could end up being a good thing, Stella. When you move to a new place, you get to start out fresh! You can start with a whole new look, a whole new attitude! said Mom.

Whats wrong with my FUCKING ATTITUDE?

Do you want the short list or the unexpurgated version? snapped Dad.

Listen, I said with folded arms, I dont care if they offered you a golden Cadillac and a mansion on a hill. Im NOT going. Im not starting over. Im not going through ALL OF THAT AGAIN. You were there! Dont pretend I had it easy! And now, when Im FINALLY starting to fit in...

My mother started to cry and my father pointed up the stairs. I stomped up to my room and slammed my door. Feeling unsatisfied, I slammed it several more times. For some reason, that didnt make my parents reverse their carefully-thought-out decision.

I sat on my bed and hyperventilated with anger and fear. School had been a nightmare for so many years, but lately, I felt like I finally had it under control. I took martial arts classes and no one pushed me around anymore. People started to tolerate me in class projects because I actually understood the material. They started wanting me on their team in gym because I could blast a volleyball across the room.

Most kids still didnt like me, and I didnt like them, but they left me alone. I even had friends now. Only two, but how many does a person really need, anyway?

Now my parents wanted me to start all over. Friendless again, fresh fodder for bullies, back to having to be paired up with the teacher because no one wanted to partner with me, back to being the only person not invited to so-and-sos birthday. I couldnt do it all over again. I just couldnt.

I had to talk to my friends right now. I sat at my laptop and started a video call with both of them.

Oh my God, they will eat you alive, said Liz when I filled them in.

You cant go! said Jeremy, panicking. Who will I complain to about Liz? And who will she complain to about me? It doesnt work with just two!

No, seriously, said Liz. Jeremy, she is doomed!

What am I going to do, guys? I covered my face. Can I come live with one of you?

Liz rolled her eyes. Youre kidding, right? You dont want to live with my parents, or with Jeremys. Youre the one with the cool parents. Tell them to adopt us and take us with you!

Oh yeah, theyre so cool, I said. My mother thinks it is totally possible that I could just remake my image and attitude and everythingd be just fine. I sat scowling while I waited for them to stop laughing.

Seriously, though, said Liz when she calmed down. You are going to have to try and change a bit if you want to have the slightest hope of making people like you.

Like her? said Jeremy, How about just not hate ?

You two are so good for my self-esteem.

We love you, Stella, but youre about as friendly as a hungry cobra. Do us a favour and try not to beat anyone up on your first day, okay? Jeremy folded his hands together pleadingly.

I dont start fights. I finish them. Besides this is all moot because I AM NOT GOING.

There was a knock at my door.

Go away! Im busy trying to figure out how to become an emancipated minor!

Let me in, Stella. Dads voice had an uncharacteristically ominous tone.

Call us again later, said Jeremy hastily, and my friends ended the call.

I dragged my feet to the door and yanked it open. I dont want to talk about it anymore, Dad.

Good, he said in a sharp tone, Maybe that means that youll listen. He sat on my bed and studied me for a moment. His lean face was creased with smile lines, but he wasn't smiling now. Your mother getting this job... its a really big deal.