Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

In the lab-

Jen called out, "Hey, Stoddard, you're a human calculator. Crunch these numbers for me, will ya? It's urgent!"

Stoddard was swamped, barely looking up as he said, "Use the computer, I'm tied up right now..."

"Come on, it's really important, and it'll only take a sec!" Jen pleaded.

Stoddard gestured towards the workbench across the room, "Ask Roseanne, she can help."

After the last error-checking session, everyone had seen what Roseanne could do.

Only Liz still thought it was a fluke, like a blind squirrel finding a nut.

"What's up, Jen? Need a hand?" Roseanne offered proactively.

Jen perked up instantly, "Yes, please, can you take a look at this..."

Two minutes later, Roseanne said, "Done. I sent you the results through the intranet."

Jen was stunned. That fast?!

Stoddard paused his work, curiosity piqued. He reached out for the data and said, "Let me see."

Jen rolled her eyes, "A minute ago, you were too busy. Now you want to double-check? Make up your mind!"

But Stoddard ignored the jab, focusing on the calculations.

Sammy, sensing a challenge, started timing him.

"...Done. How long was that?"

Sammy checked his watch, "Two minutes and five seconds."

And Roseanne had taken just over two minutes as well.

Stoddard looked at Roseanne as if she was a newfound treasure. "Have you ever done speed math?"

Roseanne scratched her head awkwardly, "A little."

"When did you learn that?"

"When I was five? Or... six? Sorry, it's been so long, I can't remember."

Stoddard swallowed hard. "That's it?" he asked.

"Umm, was I supposed to do something else?" Roseanne looked puzzled.

Stoddard sighed, feeling outmatched.

Sammy, eager to join in, said, "I've

been learning speed math with Met

Stoddard too. How about wek little contest, Roseanne?" belongs to

All eyes turned to him.

Stoddard nodded in agreement, "Good idea, Sammy's been studying with me for over six months. Let's see how you two measure up. We'll make it ten minutes to solve as many problems as possible, with the least time taken to win. How's that?"

Jen chimed in, excited, "And let's spice it up a bit. Loser buys dinner for everyone. How about it?" Sammy rolled up his sleeves, "Bring it on! There's a free meal on the line. I'm all in."

Roseanne usually so gentle, couldn't help but smile at the challenge. "Sounds good. But it looks like

Sammy might be treating,

tonight."

It was rare to see Roseanne so boldly confident, stirring excitement among the crowd.

Liz, however, scoffed under her breath, "Putting on airs... Thinks she's some kind of genius..."

Her comment was so quiet, only Sammy, standing close, could hear.

Jen rubbed her hands together in anticipation, "Stoddard, let's see those problems. I can't wait."

Stoddard quickly scribbled down five problems, "Ready? And... go!"

Roseanne could tell at a glance, these weren't about applying formulas or special reasoning just straightforward calculation.

It was a race of speed and accuracy.

By the third minute, Roseanne had finished two problems. Sammy was slightly ahead, starting on his third.

Jen and Stoddard exchanged glances, impressed and intrigued.NôvelDrama.Org exclusive content.