The Externals Reloaded - Chapter Three

The Unanticipated

"Quinn...what are you doing here?" Beth found it hard to believe he was going to attend a lab session with her. She assumed he was only going to drop an item she must have forgotten when they were together until her grey eyes saw him putting on a special lab coat. He even handed her a similar pair.

"Yeah, boo", He widened the smile on his lips.

"For real?" Beth's eyes remained bewildered. "How the hell did you manage to convince Mrs. Smith...."

"Well..you know..the looks and all.." He quickly stole a peck from her.

"Are you serious?" Beth faked being angry.

"Have I ever been unserious with you?" He replied.

"Then I'm going to murder her this instant", Beth said amidst gritted teeth, making the other students chuckle. They had never seen her that way. They were used to her quiet and calm self.

"I need you all to focus. This practical requires special attention", Mrs. Smith's voice silenced others in the lab.

The first and last chemistry practical Beth and Quinn attempted was based on distillation. As Mrs. Smith explained, distillation is a simple and inexpensive technique chemists use to separate the homogenous solutions of two or more liquids. She further enlightened the students that in the food industry, the technique is used to concentrate the alcohol in wines and beverages obtained from the natural fermentation of fruits and vegetables. Before the distillation process could begin, the students had to assemble the necessary apparatus, part of which included condenser hoses, vacuum adapters, receiving flasks, thermometer adapters, distilling flasks, and heating adapters.

Quinn poured the liquid Mrs. Smith instructed them to distill in a round-bottomed flask and Beth was beyond impressed that he didn't spill any drop on the joint, even without using a funnel. He was more helpful than her real lab partner who was way too clumsy for her liking. They always ended up having poor marks in practical exams because of him. Asides preventing the liquid from spilling, Quinn ensured the liquid was one-half full so it would be easy to control its boiling. Everyone in the lab was stunned to see Quinn carrying out instructions without any mistakes.

Throughout the lab section, Beth kept trying to find out within herself if she knew about Quinn's scientific potential and still let him join a department that wasn't worthy of him. Still, she didn't put the wrong amount of magnetic stir bar in the solution to prevent bumping as she was heating it. She knew getting distracted would only make Quinn's effort to go down the drain yet his presence was enough distraction for her. Of course, it was hard to stop staring at his lovely green eyes which kept reminding her of the Patriot hosta in her mom's garden. That would have been a clear indication that Beth loved nature but she didn't. The only reason she enjoyed tending to these plants was because her mom greatly admired them during her lifetime so they made her feel like she was around. 

"Quinn dear, it was nice of you to come around", Mrs. Smith said after she was done observing the works of other students in the lab which was gradually becoming empty. "I see how much you've assisted her". Beth was glad her boyfriend got a compliment from someone she least expected. Nevertheless, she felt somehow about a novice in chemistry doing better than her who had been in the field for nearly three years, ignoring the fact that geniuses excel in various fields.

"Oh...it's nothing", Quinn wondered why Mrs. Smith had time to compliment him while her class was still on since there were lots of students who needed her supervision. It was not until he looked around that he realized everyone except the three of them had gone out of the lab. After they finished the distillation experiment earlier than usual, he decided to keep asking Beth endless questions about the subject he suddenly developed interest in. He didn't know time would go by so quickly.

"Beth, why didn't you inform me when everyone was done", Quinn tried so much not to show it, but one could still sense the anger in his voice.

"You're kidding right?", Beth still laughed. "How's that any significant?"

"Nevermind", He sighed. "It's nothing".

"Kids, it's time to leave. I gotta lock up this place", Mrs. Smith pulled out a bunch of keys from her navy blue pants.

"Alright. Thanks for everything, Mrs. Smith", Beth took Quinn's hand and they walked towards the exit but not at the same pace. It was almost as if Beth was dragging him because he was gliding like a snail.

In less than a minute, the chemistry lab became filled up again not only with students who were previously consisting the experiment but the whole of Miller High. All the students couldn't even stay there despite being the biggest lab in the school. To some students' disappointment, the reason everyone was rushing there wasn't to witness a violent display between the cutest couple on campus. Everyone wanted to know how Beth Miller would react to a proposal from her eighteen-year-old lover with an engagement ring made of round diamonds.

Upon discovering Quinn everyone had left the chemistry lab and his dream of proposing to her before them was about to become impossible, he messaged Mart. As the lord of nerds in the school, he could easily access the CCTV installed in the lab and connect it to everyone's phone, which made them witness what Quinn was about to do and rush back. Those who weren't even doing anything on their phone at that moment heard the news from those who saw it and followed them.

Several thoughts crossed Quinn's mind as he was about to go down on one knee and propose to the love of his life. He knew not loving enough would never be a reason for her to reject his proposal. They had even talked about what they wanted their lives to be like after marriage every single day, yet Quinn felt Beth might reject his proposal either because she feels she isn't fully ready for marriage or he's not capable of fulfilling her everyday needs as a high school lad.

"Beth..."Quinn started with a thumping heart yet words kept flowing out of his mouth like a poet pacing a poetic podium. "When we first met, I wasn't sure what I wanted but now all I want is to spend the rest of my life with you. I don't want this chemistry between us to end. Will you join me on this quest to make the rest of our lives adventurous?"

Scenes flashed Beth's mind as she stood amazed by the action of the gentleman kneeling. Her mind pictured the moment they bumped into each other at summer camp, how he asked her to be his girlfriend with his jungle king costume and their first date near the shores of Florida. Then she wondered what would be the appropriate answer to give this extraordinary guy who had made every day special since she laid eyes on him.

"Yes...I want to spend the rest of my life with you Quinn", Beth's hand cupped over her mouth subconsciously to express her shock over the unanticipated question. Bit by bit, her head bobbed up and down in a nod then she locked her lips with her just turned fiance as he slided the ring unto her finger. Immediately, the previously silent lab echoed with excited voices.

It came as a surprise to lots of craning necks but Jane knew all along that her sister would say yes to Quinn's proposal. People usually go through hell to make her stop talking about the kind of suit she wants him to wear for their wedding or her wedding dress. She never lets her eyes let go of the latest wedding costumes. It seemed like she knew about the proposal but Beth had no clue. Even though she was sure he loved her a lot, she didn't expect him to ask her to marry him so soon yet did it in front of the whole school. She was really happy about the proposal.

"Oh, my God! This is so gorgeous! Congratulations, sis", Jane hugged her sis and examined the proposal ring for a while. She was glad not to have missed the most special moment in her life, all thanks to Mart who updated her about what was going on.

"Thanks, sis", Beth smiled. She couldn't help expressing how happy she felt. The thought of becoming Mrs. Taylor soon caused a tingly feeling in her abdominal area.

"I feel married already", Quinn took a deep breath.

"Calm down, buddy. It's only seven days to go!" Mart squeezed his shoulder a little.

"Are you kidding me?" Jane was able to capture the most surprising look on Beth's face.

"I've never been more serious in my entire life", Quinn showed her their their wedding invite. She only couldn't breathe for a moment after seeing it.

Mart organized a party at his parent's penthouse which was thirteen feet tall to celebrate the success of his friend's proposal, and 18th birthday. Its window had a size that reminded Quinn of the storefront of the supermarket his mom loved going grocery shopping and a killer view, as people often say. From there, one could see the variety of lights that made the nighttime beautiful but that wasn't all. The uniqueness of the numerous buildings where some of these lights came from were also visible. Beth had never been to paradise, yet she felt she would have the kind of feeling she had when she got into the penthouse there as well.

Knowing the couple needed to enjoy their time alone and both loved swimming, he prepared the pool only for the both of them. After taking several pictures with their friends people who came to felicitate with them, they retired there, hoping to spend the rest of the night trying out new things. The first thing that caught Beth's eyes at the poolside was a beautiful bird perching on the railing attached to it. She completely forgot how fast birds can be and attempted to stroke its feathers, only to be disappointed by the runaway bird that probably thought she was a predator.

Not wanting anything to disrupt her mood, Quinn promised to get her a parrot as soon as they move to their new home but Beth disagreed so it wouldn't ruin her surprise plans for him and they both laughed about it. Then, they changed their outfits in a nearby bathroom and moved into the pool situated in a cool, calm, and serene environment. They could barely hear the noise hovering from the living room, the location of the main party. And of course, they had glasses of champagne in hand to perfect the moment. It was their first time taking alcohol together because they promised not to take it without the other involved.

"Cheers to forever", Quinn said as they eventually raised their glasses for a toast.

"What if forever can only last six days? What if Jesus has to appear on the seventh day", Beth laughed at her silly joke.

"Then, we'll have our wedding in heaven", He said while picturing a scene of angels bearing witness to their union.

"What if weddings aren't allowed in heaven?" Beth chose not to lose the argument to him.

"Hell is an option", Beth squinted her eyes before Quinn could finish his statement. "I was only joking', He added when he noticed her facial expression didn't change for a while.

"Same here", Beth chuckled and got a smile in return from Quinn.

Apart from the swimming contests they enjoyed, both agreed on the kind of wedding to go to and started making plans for it. At some point, Quinn ordered some pepperoni pizza and orange juice as they could no longer tolerate the dry taste of the wine they brought. It was a wonder to them that weren't fans of alcohol - or maybe because it was their first time taking the drink. They also had fun feeding themselves until the appearance of Beth's Dad interrupted their special moment.

Initially, Beth was scared of her dad's presence because she was doing what a person who hadn't come of age shouldn't do then she remembered how free he told her she had become on her eighteenth birthday a week ago. Thereafter, she assumed something tragic must have happened because he had a gloomy face on but then again, Thomas Miller hardly shares smiles even with his most beloved ones. How could Beth forget that she meant the world to him and he couldn't just let her with some guy who doesn't even have college plans yet?











Here's the link to the next chapter: 

https://talesofeni.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-externals-reloaded-chapter-four.html

In case you missed the previous chapters, here's the link to access it:

https://talesofeni.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-externals-reloaded-chapter-one.html

https://talesofeni.blogspot.com/2023/07/the-externals-reloaded-chapter-two.html

Author's Note
I can't appreciate you enough for reading😬😍 What do you think about Quinn's proposal method and what would you have done if you were in Beth's shoes? Also, what do you about young adult marriages? Please don't forget to drop your comments and share them with friends. Thanks and God bless.

Yours teenfictionly,
Eniola Oluwamuyiwa.