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“Like I’ve got something stuck in between my teeth.”

“No, no. I wasn’t. You don’t. I promise.”

Eden rolls her eyes, smiling to herself. “You know, with all this literature stuff rubbing off on me, I’m going to have to take you to the lab one day.”

I groan, rubbing my face. I ignore the way it heats up, trying to cover my blush from her eyes. The fact that I could have any effect on a woman like her makes me want to smile. Having her undivided attention is slowly turning into my favourite thing, and I’m craving more time with her even when we’re still together. “What? And use me like a lab rat?”

“You’d be the cutest lab rat, I promise.” Her bottom lip juts out as she pouts, drawing attention to its fullness. With lips like that I’d do anything she told me to.

“Fine. I’ll visit.”

She squeals – a very un-Eden-like noise – and picks up her bag before I can even process what’s happening. “Now?” I ask, shocked.

“You coming?” Her hand reaches for mine, and I take it.

“Okay, I may have lied just a little bit.” Eden’s face glows as she looks over her shoulder at me, smiling. “I don’t have the clearance to let you into an actual lab. And there’s also the nightmare of decontaminating you.”

“Are you saying I smell?”

She waves my comment away. “No. Simply too many particulates.”

Right. Of course.

The walk across campus is peaceful. Semester is in full swing and the campus swarms with activity. There are students making their way to class, sitting around in groups, having picnics on the grassy area. The trees are just starting to turn orange, showering the paths with golden leaves. Autumn is one of my favourite seasons and looking down at Eden all nestled in an oversized sweater, mini-skirt, stockings, and boots reconfirms my love.

We reached the chemistry building sooner than I would have liked. It’s nice to just be next to her, in a place where time seems to be suspended. The walk from the cafe here was quiet, and the chill from the wind forced Eden to tuck herself into my side. My hand twitches, begging to grab hers. But I don’t. She’s hard to get a read on sometimes.

Mid-semester break may have been the highlight of my year, but I don’t know where I stand with her. There’s definitely something there, but I’m conscious of not pushing her too hard. Let her deal with her own thoughts and feelings without the pressure of mine.

The building itself is unassuming from the outside, looking very similar to the rest of the ones on campus. Built in the gold rush of the 1850’s and 60’s, its ornate architecture does not hint at the scientific discoveries going on inside. Eden scans us through the old wooden door and up four flights of stairs.

“Just a little further, I promise,” she says. I nod, afraid to open my mouth in case she hears the pants coming from it. I swear I’m not this unfit. I just can’t handle stairs.

Stopping in front of yet another door, Eden smiles. “You ready?” The door beeps in response and we step through.

“Wow.” I don’t know what else to say. I know nothing about science, but this room really seems top-notch. Long windows overlook the quadrangle, giving us a bird eye’s view of the path that we just walked. There are dozens of desks lined up perpendicular to the windows, rows of monitors staring back at us. Eden leads us deeper, masterfully weaving her way through boxes and filing cabinets alike.

“We’ve just received a grant for new equipment, so everything is still a bit hectic. Come on! It’s through here.” She grabs my hand and I pretend to ignore the jolt of electricity that shoots through me at the physical contact. Another door, another card scan. Until we finally walk into…another room? Eden must notice my hesitation, because she rolls her eyes.

“They’re around here.”

Turning the corner, we’re met with a whole bunch of machines. There are three huge ones that dominate the room, and a few smaller ones. A bench wraps its way around the rest of the outside of the room, covered in microscopes and other scientific objects that I can’t name.

Some things stir up vague memories from high school. A pipette, test tubes, beakers. I’m half expecting to see a Bunsen burner here, but I know if I say that to Eden she’ll only laugh.

Eden has disappeared, leaving me alone in this unfamiliar space. I find myself wandering towards one of the big machines. My hand reaches up to touch the screen and–

“Don’t you dare.” Eden’s voice cuts through the room, making me flinch. “Those things are worth like half a million dollars. Each.”

I raise my hands in surrender, grinning back at her. “Noted. What are you doing?”

In the time it has taken me to almost break a very expensive piece of equipment, Eden has put on a white lab coat. I won’t admit how good she looks in it. Like a sexy professor. She adjusts her glasses after she puts what she was carrying onto a nearby bench, only leaning further into my fantasies.

“I’ve got some experiments to set up for my research project. Want to watch?”

“How could I say no?”

She seems to glow at that, giving herself a secret little smile that warms my heart. This science stuff seems to come so easily to her. I’m starting to see why she was so frustrated at having to repeat a Literature class. I would be too if my talents were wasted.