Queen Of Science

The school's main cafeteria is bustling as people wait in lines and club booths try to entice passerby's with candy. Fern and Emily are sat down at a table with their lunch. Because the space is so noisy, Fern and Emily have to raise their voices as they talk to each other. Once Fern has finished filling Emily in on how the meeting went, Emily cheerfully says, "Yay! I'm glad it went well. Hopefully, Sarah Martin is nice."

"Yeah," playing with the food in front of her Fern says, "There isn't a lot of information about her online. I've heard that younger faculty tend to be pickier."

"Really? That might just be people making up conspiracy theories. Maybe she's really nice."

"Mmh I guess."

"When are you gonna go talk to her?"

Looking at the big clock on the wall, Fern says, "After lunch? I want to go before I talk myself out of it. I doubt she'll be in her office during lunch though"

Nodding her head, Emily says, "Makes sense. You can do it!"

Shifting the conversation, Fern asks, "How is the club stuff going? Did you figure anything out?"

"Ah, that reminds me." Reaching into her bag, Emily pulls out a binder with a bunch of folders in it and says, "I need you to sign a couple of things."

After showing Fern what she needs to sign, Emily continues to say, "I made a Facebook account for the club. I'm thinking of finding a graphic arts student to make a logo and everything. What name do you think the club should have?"

"Ehm- something sciencey? Maybe something like, 'The Science Club', or 'Researchers Unite'."

After acting like she seriously considered those names for a couple of seconds, Emily smiles and says, "Well we'll work on it. On a side note, I texted that guy from the gardening store."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah." With a grin, Emily looks proud and says, "He said he would join the club."

In mock disappointment, Fern sags her shoulders and says, "Weren't you supposed to be the cool, social person in this friendship? Why didn't you invite the boy out on a date or something?"

"Hey," With the flip of her hair Emily says, "I'm just being business-minded. He's in a different year than us. He can bring in a whole different group of people to join the club."

"Well- fine." Looking at the clock, Fern says, "Looks like I gotta go! See ya soon."

---

Knocking on the door to Dr. Sarah Martin's office, Fern can't help but feel a little nervous.

From inside the room comes a firm, somewhat raspy voice, "yes?"

Opening the door and walking in, Fern sees the professor sitting at her desk with excellent posture. Although the office is on the bottom floor of the building, it has almost the same set-up as Jamesons'. Sarah Martin is wearing a sleek, conservative burgundy dress, tights, and moderately high heels. Her dark brown hair is pulled up into a bun with a couple of loose strands framing her face. Dr. Martin has relatively simple makeup with the exception of dark red lipstick that is slightly worn off.

Expecting for Martin to be dressed more casually like most biology professors, Fern is intimidated by Dr. Martin's put together appearance. Wearing an awkward smile, Fern says, "Hi, Mike Jameson told me to come and ask about working on a research project with you."

"Oh- I got an email from Mike about that earlier today. What's your name again."

"Fern- Fern White."

"Nice to meet you, Fern. Do you want to tour the lab and tell me about your research interests?"

Like a puppy whose owner just pulled out their favourite toy, Fern eyes light up at the idea of touring an actual lab. "Yeah!- I mean, yes, please. I would love to."

Getting out of her chair, Sarah Martin begins to click-clack down the building halls with Fern in tow.