Two particles
I spend all of Science
trying to work out how to apologise
to Ella for not sitting beside her on the bus.
Mr Drake drones on about chemical reaction
and the possibility of fusion,
while I think about the chance
of Ella and me coming together,
like two particles
in the test tube
of Balarang Bay High School.
I wonder how long Drake
can balance those glasses
on the bridge of his nose?
Is he defying gravity
or does his nose have an unsightly bump?
I laugh, despite myself.
Everyone looks at me
and Drake asks,
‘What’s so funny about hydrogen sulphide?’
He waits for my answer,
still looking over his glasses.
Manx says, ‘Something that smelly
is no laughing matter.’
Ella wags a finger at me
as if I’ve been caught doing something I shouldn’t.
I’m forgiven.
I hope.