Sugar in Gas Tanks and Molecular Biology

Story contains adult topics, sexual innuendos, sexual acts, humor.

I heard it then. The ever-growing whispers of two people at the next table. I tried to block it out, needing to focus on studying. Midterms were in a week and I was going to fail my molecular biology test. Mr. Howard was one of the strictest professors I had ever been around

“You’re not seriously going out with him again, are you?” Voice one asks, carrying over to me despite my best efforts.

“You bet your ass I was! It’s not every day you find someone willing to have a threesome with their bestfriend.” The second voice nearly spoke at normal volume, earning a chorus of shushes from a few aisles down. Maybe the Librarian was close by.

And just like that, suddenly my biology test wasn’t important.

No. I needed to study. Ignore them, and study. I needed to keep my scholarship and good grades. Study.

“So, what, he let you have sex with him and his best friend? And what do you mean “was”? ” Voice one was anything but ashamed. I had to admit, I was also curious.

Nope, nope, nope. Study. Molecular Biology. Major test. Forty percent of my grade. I looked down to my book, working on trying to decipher and memorize the Polymerase Chain Reaction. I read further on, forcing myself to focus here. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a lab technique that rapidly makes millions to billions of copies of a specific DNA segment, allowing scientists to study tiny-

“No, he made me watch them together first! And then he got me involved.” Voice two added, more volume sneaking into her voice.

I couldn’t focus on the chain reactions and protein factors of the body when this was going on next to me. Stuffing my phone, highlighter and notebook in my backpack, I went to get up. This would be so much easier back in my dorm room. Maybe some lemon honey tea and light a citrus candle. Grabbing the too heavy study book, I took one step away from the table and-

“And then I found out that apparently, ‘best friend’ has a girlfriend.” Voice two, which I am now naming ‘Two’, admitted quieter than I’d heard her.

And just like that, I sat my snoopy ass back down and opened up my textbook. I can do both. I can totally do both.

Voice one, now called ‘One’, was silent for a moment, allowing me to actually make a few flashcards about proteins, reversals, chain cycles, ect.

The library was quiet, calming. Soft buzzing from the warm toned light fixtures sounded like white noise; there, but not. The smell of the glue and leather, paper and ink, filled my nose, forcing my mind to slow down and focus.

“What are you going to do?” One asked, voice also quiet, my mind immediately spinning again.

No answer yet from Two, prompting me to actually study. DNA Sequencing is the method of deciphering the exact makeup of DNA. This included finding any possible genetic traits, diseases, or mutations. Even studying the relationship between-

“I could just do what I did last time.” Two finally replied, the soft sound of paper rustling coming from their table behind the bookshelf dividing us. Were they studying, too?

One snorted. “Dump them both and tell the girl?”

Two hummed, paper rustling again. “Not quite.”

My chair shifted, drawing the horrifyingly unwanted attention as it squeaked loud in the near silent library. Moments passed, then a minute. Then two. Maybe they had left, worrying someone was eavesdropping on them. I mean, it’s not my fault. You can’t just say something like that and expect someone else not to listen unintentionally at first.

Making more flashcards, I wrote the definition for Centromere when voice two finally answered again.

“I’m going to dump the guys, they can have each other. Then, I’m going to tell the girl.”

My mind flashed through all the people I knew who could be involved in this. Maybe they were in a different program. I had no proof they were in any of my classes.

“And then,” Two paused, amping up my anticipation. “I’m going to ask her if she wants revenge.”

My mind whirled, needing to figure out who these people were. I hated cheaters, and I felt for the girl. Why did people think it was okay to cheat? Looking back to the paragraphs, I continued making flashcards, needing all the study time I could get.

Chromatin refers to a mixture of proteins and DNA that make up the chromosomes found in the cells of humans and other higher organisms. These chromosomes-

“Elena! The last time you went all psycho on some guy you poured sugar in his gas tank, oil in his transmission fluid, and broke the spark plugs . He needed to rebuild the entire engine!” One stage whispered.

“Don’t forget mailing him bags of dog shit.” Two- Elena- added. “She’s in my biology class. The girlfriend.”

I dropped my pen, the soft sound feeling like it echoed through the library against the textbook pages. Could she be in my biology class? There was an Elena three rows down and several chairs to the right in my class. No, it couldn't be. There were thousands of people on campus. Many of them could have that name.

“When are you going to tell her?” One asked again, voice sadder. I could relate. I felt bad for this girl, too.

I remembered I needed to study, turning the page to write down more definitions. I highlighted a few segments that looked important enough to memorize. You never knew with Mr. Howard how hard a test would be.

“I have to tell her before the final next week. I don’t want her to go along thinking everything is fine when it’s not. She deserves to know.”

Trying to focus again, I decided that as much as I wanted to hear what was going to happen, I needed to get a good grade on this test. Packing up again, I moved towards their voices on the way to the exit. I could just walk past and pretend I didn’t hear anything.

Turning the corner of one of the many bookcases, I saw a girl from my biology class, Claire, I think. And across from her was the same blonde hair I knew belonged to the girl in row three, Elena.

Elena’s bright blue eyes looked to me, shock contorting her features. “Taylor…I didn’t know you were in here.”

I gave her a smile, slowing my pace a little. “Yeah, I needed to study for the bio test. Mr. Howard is going to fail me.” I laughed, trying to lighten the suddenly tense mood.

Claire looked between us, understanding dawning on her face. “Oh, God.”

Elena shot her a glare telling her to shut up, then looked back to me, pity in her eyes. “Did you happen to hear anything…?”

I got it then. It was Dustin, my boyfriend. My jaw hit the floor, anger quickly taking over the heartbreak and embarrassment. Elena had sex with my boyfriend. My boyfriend cheated on me. “Every word.”

She gulped, offering me a sad smile. “So, um, revenge?”

Dropping my backpack, I took up the seat on the side between them, feeling the emotions take control of me. “Oh, hell yes. I have something better in mind than sugar in the gas tank. Do you have any idea how expensive detailing is to get out smells?”