Chapter 6
I wake up at 09:00, and my parents are already at work. I'm still on cloud nine. Jay and I are back together!
My phone vibrates, and I sigh when I see Kit's name flashing on the screen. I almost thought I was getting a good morning text from my boyfriend.
*Hi sleepyhead. You have to get to the lab. I'm need to show you something exciting!*
I reply with an emoji of a running man. I prepare myself, and I wear my summer dress with sneakers. Then, I take a cab to the botanical gardens.
The place bustles with students on a school trip. The smell of pollen and greenery still invigorates me. I think I was probably a bee in my previous life.
I find Kit alone in lab 26. His attention is on the microscope, and I wonder what is on the slide.
"Kit."
"Harriet!" He says excitedly. "I think I finally got it!" He gets up from his seat and motions for me to sit.
His enthusiasm brings a smile to my face. He is so in love with plants and research. He probably missed this when he was away.
He is supposed to be a scientist. If it wasn't for his dad, he probably would've studied to become a scientist.
"You are glowing. How was your date?" He smiles.
"Let me focus this slide." I try to deflect the conversation.
"Come on, I just want to know." He coaxes.
My phone rings and my phone announces 'Jay calling'.
Damn the iPhone!
"Are you not going to answer that?" He glances at the phone on the table.
No, I say. Ignoring the phone and praying that it stops ringing.
He pours droplets of chemicals on a petri dish. I know that when he heard Jay's name, he probably figured out the situation, and he also knows that I know.
"Kit," I say. I get up, and I stand next to him.
"Huh?" He doesn't look up from the petri dish.
"Jay, Jay. Uhm...Jay and I got back together." I fidget with an empty beaker. Why do I feel guilty?
"I thought you were smart, Harriet." He closes the petri dish and puts it in the incubator. Then he turns and looks at me. "How could you let him do that to you?"
"You can't dictate every part of my life. Come on now." I roll my eyes.
"I'm not dictating anything. You know I'm right. I can't believe you." He takes off his gloves and throws them in the bin.
"Why are you trying to stand in the way of my happiness?"
"I'm trying to protect you!" He takes off his lab coat and hangs it up. Then he takes his bag.
"Protect me from what?" I ask.
"Clearly, from yourself. Since you cannot do it!" He heads to the door.
I follow him. "I don't understand why you are mad. He didn't do anything wrong."
Kit turns back and puts the bag on the table. "He broke up with you out of the blue. He broke your heart. You don't do that to the person you love."
"He needed to be away from me in order to see that we needed to be together."
"Wow! Doctor love." He holds his hands up. "I know nothing anyway."
He takes his bag again, and he storms out. I occupy his seat and examine his slide. His chemical is doing well. It is eating the bacteria that has been affecting roses and changing the shape of its petals. He has been working on it since we were in high school. This might have been the best moment for him. My shoulders drop.
Deborah walks in with a faint smile. "How is my scientist?"
"Hi Deborah." I try to return the smile.
"Are you okay? Kit seems upset, but he says that he is fine. Is he having problems with his research?"
I shake my head.
"You are sad too. Do you know why he is upset?"
"I got back together with Jay." I exhale.
She grins.
"Why are you smiling? Do you also think that I'm an idiot?" I try by all means to sound calm.
"No, honey. You are following your heart. It takes a brave person to tell the truth. Even if they fear getting judged."
"Thank you."
"Kit will come around. You'll see."
I tell her about what I saw on his slide under the microscope.
"He is very brilliant. I wish he studied science."
"I always told him the same thing."
We bump into Kit on our way out. He doesn't say a word.
"Don't worry. He really cares about you." Deborah whispers.
"I wish he would just support me."
"It's difficult. He was mad at Jay, then the next moment you tell him that you are back together."
"I suppose. He has always been very protective. Oh no! I have to call Jay."
"I'll leave you to it, then. Give Kit time."
"Babe," Jay says, and my heart leaps with joy.
"Hi babe. Sorry I missed your call. I was in the lab."
"I miss you." He says.
"Me too. I can't wait to see you again."
My phone vibrates, and the text that appears on screen makes me freeze.
*Harriet Xena Marner. I knocked off early because of what I heard about you. You better come home and explain yourself.*
I stare at the text from my mom. Trying to reflect on the past few days. I can't think of anything I did wrong. When I can't remember what I did, I'm usually in a lot more trouble.