To a new life... She will get her revenge...

((PM Interest and character ideas BEFORE posting here. "Approved cts post bio here http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=750169 in ooc thread for everyone else to see and all ooc stuff))

Beth Malone

5'5"
Long blondeish brown hair
Slender toned body graced with scattered well healed scars mostly faded the only real visible scars on her wrists and around her neck still fairly young scars though she does what she can to hide them well and only a few people know about them intentionally.


She had grown up in an abusive home but not what you would think... after her mother died her step father figured he would use her to make money. The most perverted and twisted guys he knew paided well for her. She had learned more from the age of 14 than most hookers learn in a lifetime. At 16 she began to run away from home and finally at 18 she managed a few times to suceed but someone always found her and took her back till now.

A kind couple saw her one night after she had run away from home... again and took her in. He was a powerful business man and his wife worked with battered and abused teens. SO with his money and power and her sway in the socially concious circles they adopted her... Only to have her endure one more pain of her past.

Her first summer with the family she had gone back to the shabby apartment where she was living when she ran away. She had gone there to pick up a few things she did not want to lose ... a really run down don't ask don't tell kinda place. On her way home she was grabbed by one of the more twisted "Friends" of her step father only to find herself in a van tied down in restraints that also had barbed wire meshed through them. her ankles wrists and neck were held down tight... without seeing the face she knew who it was as this sick freak always called her "Princess" during her unfortunate encounters with him. Rescued but not before he had attacked her. The van door flew open and a bodyguard of her fathers grabbed the man pulling him out and fought with him but he managed to get away. Not however before the body guard tagged him with a bullet.

Back at home she stayed indoors mostly that last experience having taken its toll on her mind till finally the school year started and she was sent to the best private University money could buy in a city where her new family had businesses and homes. Suprising to even her it didn't take long for men who had used her for one night flings that they didn't want their rich friends and associates to find out about pointed her out to their sons that also went to her school... Older students also and professors who recognized her much to the professors horror nothing suprising there though it could mean them their jobs or scholarships.

She had been keeping to herself and going just to classes and home with a rare time out with what few friends she had here. A couple of girls who's dads worked with her adoptive father or mother. Shayla normally walked with her to her Ancient Studies class since she was across the hall in British history during the same block. Today that was not the case due to unforeseen medical problems on Shayla's part. Walking along her books pulled tight to her chest her head somewhat down and her stride determined as she made her way to class trying to blend in with the bank of lockers she walked past.

Suddenly there was a human wall in her path. She felt a hand move to lift her head as she moved to go around only to find a fist slamming into the locker behind her on the other side of her head forcing her back to the lockers... She looked into eyes that were burned into her memories from so long ago. It was one of the guys who knew her long before she had found her freedom and safe new home and family staring down at her smirking cruelly. With a strength she had tried to gain and maintain forced words from her as she lifted her head up her chin strong and determined looking him dead in the eyes...

I need to get to class so if you will get out of my way... Thank you.


~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: With this one looking for people to play friends for her male and female especially her best friend Shayla who is like an older sister to her though she is straight and a guy who helps her heal and learn to enjoy sex and intimacy. Possibly someone to play some of the guys either students or professors who remember her from her time with her long ago or the man obsessed with her. Wanting this story to be her coming into her own power and getting revenge in time. A twisted srp I tried once before here. I have some pic ideas for the characters if needed.

Ezekiel Johanson

He could see that she was cornered by the brute called Ben, of course he would not let something like that stand. He walked closer, his boots not making a sound, but the students melting away before him as he closed in on Ben like a shark who smelled blood in the water. He came to a quiet stop, his eyes flashing, promising violence and a lot of pain, when he spoke it was in a low, cold voice that wafted from their left hand side

"Leave the girl alone Ben, I'm sure she doesn't like you"

Shayla woke up and was surprised at how bright it was already, the sun light coming in through the window seeming much stronger than it ought to be. She rolled over to check how much time she had left to just lay in bed before her alarm went off...and gasped when she saw it was past the time she should've been awoken. Then her eyes fell on a folded slip of paper sitting atop the alarm clock, and picked it up to investigate. As it turned out, it was a short note from her mother, which Shayla sat up to read.

No classes today, you need to rest. I also want you to call in sick at your job tonight. Written in pen in her mother's smooth, careful script. And then, written in pencil, apparently as an after-thought, We need to talk

Shayla frowned, upset with this set back in her life. She couldn't afford to miss a day of school, nor could she skip a shift at work, but it seemed she had no choice. Dressing in jeans and tank top, she padded downstairs on bare feet, fuming to herself as she looked to see if her mom was there or out on a project. Halfway down the stairs, she was hit with a sudden dizzy spell, and gripped the banister until it passed.

While she stood there, the previous day came back to her. She had come home, weak and a bit nauseous, but trying to keep it hidden. When she refused to touch dinner, her mom had gotten concerned and insisted Shayla be taken to urgent care. From there, it wasn't long before the truth came out; Shayla had been taking caffeine pills for months and keeping quiet about the side effects.

Apparently, mom didn't approve or understand, and Shayla was going to be hearing about it. The only question was when.

Sabrina walked over to the right side of this little situation and smirked.

Ben I know she doesn't like you so lets see here... Why don't you and I head to class and I forget this little display or... I could always talk to Dean Markum... He tends to listen quite intently to what I tell him... Remember that IS how you kept your scholarship.

She moved his arm and reached to Beth... You are right you need to get to class Beth... Pop quiz for all Mrs Blackwinds Ancient studies classes today... She is getting so predictable.

Sabrina then walked Beth towards her class with a veiled nod to her brother who otherwise she would not really pay attention to on campus. She envied him... He was the temper she was no longer able to having become one of the popular girls by an extreme accident.

~~~~~~
Beth

She moved quickly at Sabrina's aid and nodding to them both she still watched Ben biting her lip a little. She whispered a thank you to EJ and Sabrina as she moved around Ben and past EJ. She brushed her hair back from her eyes and tried to smile at Sabrina as she spoke.

I tried not letting him get to me... I think I did pretty good but am still glad you and EJ were there.

Ben snarled at EJ but the reminder that some pompus cheerleader held his scholarship in her hands he backed off. There would be plenty other times to go after Beth.

Ezekiel Johansen

EJ stepped closer, his eyes flashing a clear warning

"Don't snarl at me big boy, why don't you go ahead and see if the stories are just stories...or are you scared I might end that sparkly career of your before it could have begun?"

Suddenly the team's wide receiver pops up next to Ben

"Ben let's get going, class is about to start"

EJ gives Ben a grin, but it looks much more like a shark smiling at his food

"Stay away from her Ben, if you know what is good for you"

With that EJ, turned and walked towards his one class

Sabrina walked past her brother after getting Beth to class a nod to him again stating they needed to talk later. Not in public as she had a rep to keep up and so did he and their chosen circles of friends would never understand.

She walked their usual meeting place when they needed to talk. A rarely used office that had a door in a nearly only locker filled hall and another door that led into the Cheerleader rehearsal space she had managed to convince the Dean to give them.

Ezekiel Johansen

He came sauntering into the office, closing the door behind him; he leaned against the wall with his shoulder.

"You wanted to talk sis?"

It was hard to believe that she was just a year older than him, he was taller and of course stronger, but then again he was the one who had to take the brunt of their stepfather's drunken rages...the thought brought a grin to his face...his ex-stepfather.

Friday morning...

Miranda is in the kitchen, working on her lap top; or trying to. One advantage of her job was that all she needed was her laptop and an internet connection and she can work on her designs anywhere...

She was dressed and ready for the day, a maxi skirt light cream in colour and a red halter neck dress, taking in the warmth of the early spring sun... Under the top, she was bra-less. Her breasts were still firm enough to defy gravity, she enjoyed the risque of being braless in public but also enjoyed the provocative teasing of wearing a bra...


She was though concerned by Shayla's condition, and finding the stash of pro-plus tablets sent a shiver. She glanced at the worktop where the packets she had found were contained in a transparent plastic box

Miranda knew from bitter experience that using caffeine tablets for anything more than a week was detrimental. Se reached for her mug of fresh coffee and cupped it with both hands and inhaled the aroma "mmmmmmm"

Placing the cup down Miranda reached for her mobile and tapped in Esporta and soon the phone was ringing.. Her only real vice was that she was a member of a upmarket health/fitness gym, where she trains 3-4 times a week, as well as indulging in the odd massage, spa therapy, perhaps she should treat Shayla..

"Hi can you put me through to the spa please... sure thank you"

"Oh hi its Miranda.. yes I'm well thanks.. look can you do me a favor and do a double booking today, myself and my daughter?"

"You can, 12 thats great, see you about quarter two..bye.."

Miranda needed to spend time with her daughter this weekend, whilst she goes through 'cold turkey' She will need to talk to her, and give her the usual lecture but more importantly she needs to show compassion, empathy and support....

Miranda returned to her laptop, unable to really concentrate, as she looked, played with the software on a project...

Suddenly she was aware of a shadow at the door of the kitchen and looked up seeing her lovely daughter looking like shit....

Miranda stood and approached her daughter offering her arms.....

Sabrina and Beth

She looked at her brother and sighed.

I don't know where Shayla is, so that means we have to keep a close eye on Beth. That is the most aggressive I have seen that Jackass get with Beth... but that look in his eyes... that cold anger... self centered better than you... mixed with that dark of a hunger...

She actually shuddered a little... We both know I know that look well. To keep their step dad off their mother they had both made sacrifices to their childhood. She might have made a few more than EJ knew but He had suffered the worst at that assholes hands.

I also have noticed a couple others starting to get bold in their stares and words when it comes to Beth. You have Chem with her today right... Sit close by but DON"T SCARE HER!!! I will see what I can do about lunch even if I have to skip Calculus...

She then to put it on a lighter note she laughed a little... I have one last question for you EJ... You like Beth don't you?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ancient Studies went fairly smoothly even with a "pop quiz". Though it normally did due to the Teacher... There were even Defensive Linemen who would back down from Dr Blackwind. Something about her eyes and the way she carried herself seemed to reveal she could be a very deadly person if she had to be. Couple that with her Exotic Native American appearance and her helping Cops take down an armed robber with wolf like cold accuracy. She was also Beths Faculty advisor so that helped too.

Beth was walking out of the classroom last to make sure everyone was long gone half expecting to see Sabrina nearby or EJ... It scared her that she found him kinda cute but still... a different time a different life... She might have liked him more. Low and behold Sabrina was just a few lockers down talking to a couple other cheerleaders. Beth could barely make out one of them say something about her and Sabrina look her dead in the face and very loudly reply to the comment

Really... You REALLY wanna get your second rate ass thrown off the team THAT badly... Keep talking Misty.

The girl looked stunned and very embarrassed and ran from the situation.

Ezekiel Johansen

He just stared at her as she spoke, not that he didn't like his sister, but why did she always have to act like the director of a company? OK well she was the female and she would understand Beth's situation a bit better than he did; he shrugged

"I'll see what I can do, I heard a little birdie tweet that we were going to get starting on team assignments"

He absentmindedly inspected his short fingernails, then looked at the time on his watch, her question kind of caught him by surprise. After having been told about Beth's past, he didn't really think about her as somebody he could like. More like the little sister he had to protect from getting hurt; he scratched the side of his jaw

"No, we don't really talk so I hardly know her"

He flexed his shoulder and stood away from the wall, he knew that the little meet was finished.

"And don't worry about Ben, he touch her and his football career dies in a dark alley...but he might just live through that experience"

His eyes flashed

"I'll make very certain of that"

Turning, he adjusted his backpack, opened the door and walked out, he walked to his next class, stopping at his locker to pick up another sketch pad. As usual the class went deathly quiet when he walked in; he noticed that there was a seat open next to Beth, his usual seat right at the back unoccupied...as usual. A cold smile touched his lips and there was a stir under the other students when he sat down next to Beth. He took out his books and placed them down in front of him, just as the Professor came striding in, with a ledger under one arm and a coffee cup with the words E=MC2 on it.

"Good morning class, today we start working with acids and their effect on different metals. To save time you will take the person to your right as lab partner"

It was then that he noticed EJ not sitting in his normal seat...but right from a new girl...a girl that he knew...no it couldn't be...but the more he looked, the more he remembered her, how the hell did she get here in his class?

EJ saw the flash of recognition in the Professor's eyes and that look just made him clench his teeth. Sick bastard. He studied the Professor closely...yeah...it was there, that sadistic cast to his stance and his face. Well at least he now knew how to look for his enemies and they still have no idea just how much weight his promise of looking after Beth carried.

Beth looked over and smiled softly at EJ... Thanks again about earlier EJ. She was biting her lip a little as she began doodling on her notebook drawing was not something she ever really felt she was good at writing was more her thing. She carried around 2 extra 5 subject notebooks with her for her various writings as they came to her.

She clearly did not recognize the Chemestry teacher which seemed to ease his mind a little but still it was evident to those who caught the look in his eyes he was already plotting. Another flash from her past was in class as well but he had remained way back... for now... unlike Ben he was not stupid enough to act like he knew her at all while on campus but he did live close to where she lived... just had to keep an eye out for her adoptive fathers bodyguards.

Shayla & Miranda

Shayla came into the kitchen with slow, measured steps, making sure her balance wouldn't give out on her. She had to stop once more in the doorway, leaning against the frame while a brief wave of dizziness came over her.

Her mother was across the way, just finishing a call and resumed working on her laptop, her latest project no doubt...and then Shayla's eyes fell on the plastic tub with the pills inside. Or, maybe Mom's reading up on the effects of pro-plus...or trying to figure out what else I might be on, cause she won't believe it's just caffiene tablets, even if it is. Shayla frowned, expecting the worst, but only because she knew how much her mother genuinely cared.

Then Miranda was turning around to face her, standing, and coming towards her with open arms. Shayla forced the frown away, smiling slightly for her Mom's benefit, despite the turmoil she actually felt; Worry about what her mother was going to do about her this weekend, how far she would fall behind in her courses, what story was floating around with her not showing up to school...and, of course, she just plain felt terrible.

She gave her mom a tight hug, her smile growing a shade as she did, and eventually stepped back. "I'm...I'm sorry, Mom; I had to. Thought I had to." Shayla moved to the cabinets for a glass, then to the fridge for orange juice, trying all the while to think what she could say. She came up empty however, and sat down in a chair beside her mother's laptop. She saw the coffee mug there and turned her nose up. Nice as coffee may smell, she'd never liked the taste of it, no matter the amount of cream or sugar or what-not put into it. How much easier it would've been if she had.

Open Arms

Miranda smiles as she sees Shayla approach despite the soft frown upon her daughter's lips and just holds her as long as she can...

"Its alright Shayla, relax....."

"and don't forget I was your age once, at University..."

As Shayla showed signs of pulling away Miranda softly kissed her daughter's cheek before returning to her seat, her Laptop showing a plan of a clients home..

She watches her daughter get some juice from the fridge...

"Shayla there is a bar of your favorite chocolate on the top shelf, and a bottle of water. Trust me on this, over the next couple of days you will need both, lots!"

Shayla took the chocolate not feeling overly hungry but took the water as well and sat next to Miranda at the Kitchen table...

Miranda smiled as her daughter sat next to her and squeezed her daughters hand before cupping the mug in her two hands....

"Shayla, I am not sure who is confused by this the most, yourself or me."

"Please Shayla let me speak!" as Miranda tries to see Shayla say something...

"Firstly it is Friday today I called the school and are aware that you were in hospital last night, and Doctor's orders are for you to relax until you see the Doc again on Monday." Both of us know whilst the beginning was mostly true, the end bit was a blatant lie.

"Now you are still feeling feint? dizzy?"

Shayla, having been told to stay quiet just nods....

Miranda smiles as she sees her daughter nod... "that is where the water and chocolate come in. You are dehydrated, caffeine does that. You need water and energy.. In the fridge are several bars and bottles, before you go to bed please ensure they have been used..."

Miranda looks at her daughter "I have got various qualifications which required me relying on pro-plus for a couple of weeks, what I am telling you was my preferred recovery plan"

Miranda sips her coffee before continuing..

"This weekend, we need to get you off cafiene, to get your normal sleeping patterns..

"Miranda senses Shayla is about to speak but pre-empts her..."

"Shayla, of course I want you to get a good degree and to do well, but I Also want you alive afterwards to enjoy your success! You need sleep, energy and a routine...."

Miranda smiles as Shayla looks at Miranda, her mother shocked, shocked that her Mother hasn't even raised her voice, but calm soft sensual.

Shayla could not retaliate at all!

"Today's plan is for you to have some chocolate, and then we will go for a spa and massage, a late lunch and then do what you want to do....

"Oh and Ive booked us a table at 8pm for tonight...

"Where?"

"Well only last week you said you wanted Sharon to serve you, to see how well you have trained her up!"

"But this weekend the only time I wont see you is when one of us is in the bathroom... "

Shayla really didn't have much of an appetite, but since Miranda wanted her to stay quiet while she talked, Shayla nibbled at the chocolate bar and listened. She was thankful that it seemed her mother wasn't going to come down hard on her, or if she was, it would come after the pills were out of her system.

The idea of spending a day at the spa, followed by an afternoon and dinner with her mom, sounded like a nice change from the heavy regiment of studying she put herself through. She nodded her agreement when Miranda finished talking.

"Okay, Mom. Thank you for...you know, for understanding." She hadn't known her mother ever needed to take caffeine pills...Miranda always seemed to naturally have it together. It was kind of refreshing to know she wasn't the only one to succumb to an easy fix. Shayla sipped at the water and turned her attention to the laptop screen, trying to put the issue of her problem on the back burner for the moment.

"So, what are you working on, Mom?"

Miranda looked up and turned towards her daughter and smiled, slightly surprised. The last couple of years Shayla has hardly asked Miranda how her work was doing, her interior design projects.

Miranda poured herself another coffee, snd refilled Shayla's glass of juice "remember you feel fient in part due to low sugar levels...."

Miranda returned to her laptop..

"do you want to look?

Shayla nodded.

"Sure?"

She then briefed Shayla on her own brief showing the photographs before stopping in mid flow...

Their eldest , she will be 14 soon guess I should get ideas from yourself on how to have a hip and cool room for the client's children..?2

Shayla smiled "sure I help"

With that they chatted briefly before Miranda noted the time...

"Right time to get ready for our day Shayla, " as Miranda smiled "And I'm going to dress up for our date " teasingly suggesting the word date...

We have 45 minutes to get ready, then of to the spa, a swim, then the massage at midday and then what ever you want to do till dinner, the table is booked for eight"

With that Miranda stands and heads upstairs to her room...

Texts and Temptation

Shayla went back up to her room, finishing off her chocolate bar along the way, more because of her mother's insistence than anything else. Not that she was overly hung up about her weight...she knew she was at a healthy weight, possibly even a bit under...but that didn't mean she shouldn't be careful about her figure.

She packed a swimsuit into a bag, since her mom had mentioned they'd be swimming, and considered changing before heading out with her mother; Miranda had said she'd be dressing up for their 'date'. In the end Shayla settled for pulling a blouse on over her tank top (and putting on a white bra, not in the mood to be a show off just then, even if she was from time to time; a trait she shared with her mother whether she realized or not), and of course slipping into a heeled pair of boots. Before heading back downstairs, she opened her cell phone to send a quick message to Beth.

< Doing well, will explain when I see you in person. You're not allowed to worry about me >

She then sent the same text to Sabrina, but this time she added < PLEASE look out for Beth > onto the end. Tucking the phone away in her bag, she went down to the kitchen. Adding several bottles of water and more chocolate into the bag. Then, her eyes fell on the container of pills, momentarily tempting her to sneak a few back...but only for a moment, before a well timed wave of nausea hit her. By the time it passed a few seconds later, the impulse had passed as well.

Sabrina

Sabrina glanced at her phone seeing the text from Shayla and laughed a little at the timing.

Don't worry about Beth...we always do watch over her Girlfriend you take care of whatever you have to do and we will see ya some other time... Maybe you and I can drag Beth shopping or something.

Closing her phone she went back to taking notes and glaring from time to time at Ben thinking how most football players should be fixed just like a dog.

Ezekiel Johansen

"Now before we start, I have a few questions. Can anybody tell me why an acid has a pH less than 7? Daphne?"

"It is because the concentration of hydronium ions is greater than 10−7 moles per liter"

"Yes that is correct, so who can tell me what pH is? EJ?"

"pH is the negative logarithm of the concentration of hydronium ions, acids thus have pHs of less than 7 and that is why the concentration of hydronium ions is negative"

EJ knew that nobody actually expected him to know the answer, that much was clear by the silence after his answer.

"By the Bronsted-Lowry definition, any compound which can easily be deprotonated can be considered an acid. Examples include alcohols and amines which contain Oxygen-Hydrogen or Nitrogen-Hydrogen fragments."

Good let them wonder more about him, he chuckled to himself and just sat there looking at the professor.

"Want me to continue prof? Bronsted-Lowry is one of three definitions about acid. According to the Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius an acid is a substance that increases the concentration of the hydronium ions. Also Gilbert N. Lewis proposed reactions with acid-base characteristics that do not involve a proton transfer. A Lewis acid is a species that accepts a pair of electrons from another species; in other words, it is an electron pair acceptor."

He was only warming up, but he did not want to look like he was showing off

"Although all three definitions of acids may be correct the Bronsted-Lowry definition is the one that is most commonly used"

A gentle swim

Miranda left the kitchen and headed to her bedroom to change. Having showered earlier in the day, she just needed to change. She undressed, placing her clothes over the back of the chair, or hanging them up, before walked over to her wardrobe…

“A date” Miranda muttered a smile on her lips. She knew Shayla needed to be with people whom she knows the next few days, to distract her as her body tries to adjust to the decrease in caffeine as a result of not taking pro-plus as regularly as she had been. Combination of online research and talking to the toxicologist at the hospital, Miranda wasn’t sure what was the best option, cold turkey or a gradual decrease.

Miranda opted for the drastic option, though was prepared to offer Shayla tablets if required. But she wanted to teach Shayla that sleeping is cool, is actually good for her and not a sign of weakness! She reached into her bra draw, and searched through the content looking for inspiration as she looked outside….. “Sunny”

She opts for a silk ivory bra with sheer lace cups, and the accompanying thong. Walking into her wardrobe she flicked through her tops and skirts before setting on a semi sheer white blouse, slightly to tight across her bust, causing tension line sin the blouse, and the lovely embroidery on the bra cups to be pressed against the cotton of her blouse. Miranda completed the outfit with a pair of black slightly heeled knee high leather boots, to contrast against the red pencil style skirt below the knee but with a revealing-ish slit up the back of the skirt. Hair in a pony, she waited in the kitchen for Shayla, her swimming costume already in her shoulder bag…

Shortly afterwards Shayla entered as they greeted, Shayla reaching for a couple of water bottles and placed them in her bag.

“Oh Boots as well Shayla?” Miranda giggled softly as she spoke, before adding “Ready?”

Shayla nodded and soon they headed to the car as Miranda started to drive, asking Shayla ideas on how she could, should design a bedroom for a girl who is about to enter her teen years!

After a brief 10 minute drive, Miranda parked the car offering Shayla her arm, which she took softly. The two walk into reception where Miranda confirmed the massage appointments at midday.

Soon they were in the pool, swimming. Miranda was a keen swimmer and she tried to swim at least every other day, if not every day, and her body glided effortlessly in the water. Despite her age, Miranda was still toned, and liked to wear a one piece Speedo, they type that cling s to the body, exposing so much, yet hides so much…

Allowing Shayla to swim at her own pace, Miranda swam her minimum 20 lengths before she stopped, and just relaxed waiting for Shayla to join her.

Chem droned on and on as Beth still did not remember this man, and it became very clear to him as he spoke standing next to her for a moment as he walked among the students as they answered question. The professor seemed to move back to his stance near Beth a few times smiling looking around the class.

She sat taking notes on the class pushing her hair back behind her ear she smirked over at EJ hearing some of the shocked or worried sounds from other classmates and shook her head a little focusing on her notes or class. Answering question when he asked her she was being the perfect student as best she could wanting to pass this class and get into a better suited class to her.

Ezekiel Johansen

When they got to the practical part, EJ moved over to Beth, as the professor moved over to hand them their metals and acids, EJ gave him a flat stare. The students picked up on the look and they realized that if the professor made one wrong move, he could end up hurt pretty badly. All eyes was on the professor who clearly didn't notice the trouble he was in, his mind only on Beth. EJ intercepted him though, taking the acids and metals from him

"Thanks prof, don't you think this glass is rather fragile for fluorosulfuric acid? It is so highly corrosive"

A veiled threat that only the professor picked up, so it seemed that he had EJ to contend with, not that it mattered, he had the power to do almost anything he wanted. He smirked at EJ

"Not really, you will be using it soon"

He turned away and EJ carefully placed down the acids and metals, grumbling to himself. It was time that the professor found out just how fragile his life really is. This thought brought a smile to his face and he faced Beth

"So...are you going to make the bomb or should I?"

She watched what had just happened between the two of them and raised a brow to EJ but shrugged.

Lets do this...

She laughed trying to keep any edginess at bay she put away her notes to a safe distance and began working with EJ on the "Bomb" as he teased. Testing the time each acid took per metal type and density. She was puzzled about his reaction to the Prof and eventually looked to EJ puzzled.

You really just don't like him do you? What happened to cause that?

~~~~~
Interesting... The professor in his own veiled way acted like he knew Beth well... could he and the prof be "brothers in conquest" when it came to Beth and her past? And the Neanderthal EJ seemed to be able to see through the Profs less than subtle actions... will need to be careful of him though he doubted that even EJ would see the harm in the occasional single white rose magically appearing around Beth. At least until it was too late.

Shayla smiled to her mother when they were leaving together, a genuine smile despite her disappointment over missing her classes. For one, she knew this was being done with her best interests at heart, just as all Miranda did for her was. It was one of the best aspects of their mother-daughter relationship that Miranda would give her as much slack and freedom as she wanted to have her independence, trusting Shayla to make good choices on her own, but stepping in with proper firmness when it was called for. Such as when she discovered her daughter was 'abusing' pills, for example.

When she'd seen her mother's choice of clothes for the day, Shayla had felt a few separate thoughts and emotions pass over her. For one, she had to like her mother's effort to be stylish and professional at all times, even when she wasn't working, and Shayla briefly tried to recall the last time she'd seen Miranda dressed casually in public.

Secondly, Shayla felt a certain pride in knowing she was her mother's daughter, and with luck and proper discipline, she might look that good down the line as well. There was no question at all Miranda had kept her looks wonderfully.

However, close on the heel of that was a slight worry somebody she knew might see them out today. Irrational, of course, since the people she knew were at school just now, and because she wasn't very close with anyone any way, but the fear was still there. Shayla had first noticed the remarks about her mother early in her high school years, about what the hormone ridden young men were thinking about, and it had been more than a little embarrassing. Today's tight blouse and flirty skirt would be just the thing to spark a sexual thought or two in anyone who saw Miranda; The fewer of those people from Shayla's life, the better, but she'd never let on about that.

As they drove, the two chatted easily about ideas for a young girl's room, and Shayla hoped her input would be of use. The massage felt incredible, just what she needed to relax and take her mind off of things for a while; Shayla even managed to not think about her classes as she was changing for the pool. She wore a one piece suit as well, self-conscious about her stomach whether she really should be or not. The suit was a shade of red that approached the color of her hair, and was flattering enough to her shape that what wasn't simply shown to the world was easily imagined.

Shayla was only able to manage ten laps to her mother's twenty, feeling weak and sluggish. No doubt an effect of the caffeine being out of her system. At that point she figured ten was a nice, round number to finish on and climbed out of the pool. Laying a towel out on one of the lounge chairs beside the pool, the chair adjusted to be completely flat, Shayla stretched out on her stomach, resting her chin on her hands, watching her mom, and wondering what she'd be telling everyone when she got back to school; What her friends might be able to handle of the truth.

Ezekiel Johansen

He brushed his hair away from his face and looked at her

"He is just a bit too sure of himself, disrupting his train of thought might just cause to actually pay attention to his class"

He continued with his work, making sure to stay between Beth and the professor at all times. To the casual onlooker it merely looked like he moved from the experiments to his papers to make notes, but the more sharp observer would know just exactly what he was up to. Keeping the professor at bay, making him understand that he was not welcome.

Beth tended to a lot of the experiments until some of the chemical "hit her nose" the wrong way with its stench. Shaking her head she looked to EJ.

You get to work with this one partner. Her wrinkled nose and sickly look on her face was almost comical as she held it out carefully to him. She was almost laughing as well as feeling sick by this one.

~~~~~~
Observing more while his partner tended to most of the project he smirked... Maybe EJ had claimed Dear Beth for himself... He may just let this play out between EJ and the Prof... EJs temper might get him taken out of the picture soon at this protective rate.