This is a long one. I think the slow build up helps the story, but if you grow impatient with it, or simply don't have a lot of time, feel free to skip to part ten.

Pep

1 - Push

"Elizabeth, would you stay after class please?"

Titters and a couple of giggling laughs from several of the students filing out of his classroom followed this announcement, but Mr. Riggs ignored them. Elizabeth, however, blushed and ducked her head, hiding her face behind her long hair.

"Y-yes, Mr. Riggs." she answered, a bit timidly.

Mr. Riggs intimidated Elizabeth a little bit, but then, so did almost everyone. She waited until the last of her classmates had left the room, then approached Mr. Riggs' desk.

Mr. Riggs was erasing the whiteboard, his long arms sweeping away the arcane, to Elizabeth, formulas and drawings of chemical bonds that had dominated that day's lesson. He finished, then turned around to look at her with a little disappointed frown creasing his forehead. Elizabeth gulped, her eyes flickering down from his for a moment, then she looked back up at him hesitantly.

She did have to look up, too. Although Mr. Riggs was quite thin, with a bald, shaved head, a large, hawkish nose, and prominent adam's apple, he was saved from being scrawny by the fact that he was several inches over six feet in height. He was at least a foot taller than she was. Several of the boys in her class were as tall or nearly as tall as Mr. Riggs, and probably much broader, but the fact that he was a mature adult, her teacher, seemed to make him much more intimidating than her peers.

"Elizabeth." Mr. Riggs said, looking down at her, "You're falling behind. Quite far behind. You're in danger of failing this class, in fact."

Elizabeth inhaled sharply at his statement. She had known that she wasn't doing well, but to be in danger of failing completely?

"But, Mr. Riggs, I read all the chapters in the text book you assign, and I try to do my homework." She replied, hurriedly. "I'm really trying, but none of it makes any sense."

"You're really reading everything I assign?" Mr. Riggs asked, quirking one eyebrow up interrogatively.

"Er, well, most of them." Elizabeth hedged, looking a little sheepish. "I try to read them all, but sometimes I just can't finish some, uh, most chapters. They, uh.. they make me fall asleep."

Elizabeth's face flushed slightly as she admitted that last part, and she averted her eyes from him again.

"I see. Elizabeth, pardon my asking, but are you having any trouble at home? Anything that might disturb your studies, or distract you? I ask only because I'm concerned for you." Mr. Riggs said, a serious edge to his voice.

"Oh no, nothing like that, Mr. Riggs." Elizabeth answered, hastily. "It's just me and mom, and we get along fine. She actually tries to help me with my homework, but I think she's even more lost than I am when it comes to your class."

"Hmm, I see." replied Mr. Riggs, cupping his chin in his hand and looking thoughtful. "Are you getting enough rest? Are you finding it difficult to get up in the morning?"

"Er, yeah. Wow, how did you know?" Elizabeth answered, surprised.

"Because you are a teenager, my dear. I've yet to know a student of mine that wouldn't rather sleep an extra hour or five than come to school on time." Mr. Riggs thought to himself, amused. He then said aloud, "I suspected as much. I might be able to help with that, if you'll allow me."

"Wow, that'd be great. But, um.. how?" Elizabeth eagerly replied.

"A special formula that I've created. A tonic, for pep. I use it myself." Mr. Riggs answered. "It's a special powder that you dissolve in water. It tastes quite bitter, but works wonders. You'll have more energy than you know what to do with."

"I could definitely use some pep." Elizabeth said, "Mom can hardly get me up some mornings, I'm so tired."

"Would you like to try some, then?" Mr. Riggs asked, with a pleased smile.

"Oh, yes please." Elizabeth said.

"Very well. Wait a moment please."

Mr. Riggs fished into his pocket as he turned around, pulling out the keys to the door to the classroom's back room. The room contained Mr. Riggs' office, space for the storage of the various chemicals and lab equipment necessary for his class, as well as a work bench and lab station with fume hood. Mr. Riggs entered the door, which was to the left of the whiteboard, then returned a few moments later carrying several unmarked chemical bottles, one large and one much smaller.

Mr. Riggs set both bottles down on his desk, then sat down himself in his chair. He carefully opened both bottles while Elizabeth watched on with interest. The large bottle was full nearly to the brim with a fine powder so white it was almost colorless, and the small bottle was completely empty. Mr. Riggs fished a small scoop out of the powder, then slowly spooned several measures of the stuff from the larger bottle into the smaller. He spoke as he did this.

"Simply mix, hmm, about a quarter of a teaspoon of this powder into a glass of water. It will take a moment to dissolve, so stir well. Like I said before, it will be bitter, but if you can overcome the taste you will soon be rewarded with an influx of energy and vigor."

Mr. Riggs finished his task, replaced the scoop, then capped both bottles. He took a permanent marker out of his desk, then wrote briefly on the smaller bottle. He then turned the bottle around, which now read "Pep Powder, courtesy Mr. Riggs" on its label, and presented it to Elizabeth.

"Try not to let your classmates know about this," Mr Riggs said, tapping the small bottle with his index finger, "or they'll all be wanting it. If one of your teachers asks you about it, just tell them you got it from me. They'll understand."

"Wow, thanks Mr. Riggs." Elizabeth breathed, as she took up the bottle and peered at it.

"It's my pleasure, Elizabeth. Anything to help a student of mine." Mr. Riggs replied, watching her stuff the bottle into a pocket on her backpack. "Try it out this weekend. See if it helps you concentrate better on your studies."

"Oh, and one more thing." he cautioned. "Don't take too much at once, keep to a just a quarter teaspoon or so."

"Why's that, Mr. Riggs?" Elizabeth asked, looking back down at the pocket she had just placed the bottle into. "Is it dangerous?"

"No, no. It's just that if you take more than that, you'll be bouncing off the walls, possibly literally. All things in moderation." Mr. Riggs intoned, piously. "Have a nice weekend, Elizabeth."

"Okay. Thanks again, Mr. Riggs. See you Monday."

Mr. Riggs watched as Elizabeth gathered the rest of her things, then exited the classroom. His eyes followed her plump form as she passed along the large windows of his room. She wasn't obese, not quite, but she was certainly a bit overweight. Mr. Riggs contemplated his student for a few moments after she had left, resting his chin on his thumbs behind his steepled fingers. He hadn't been completely honest with her. While it was incontrovertibly true that the chemical cocktail he had just provided her would give her more energy, and how, it was definitely untrue that he had ever touched the stuff himself. No, it wasn't for him. But Elizabeth, he thought, could certainly benefit from the powder's properties. If all went according to design, it might even help her lose the extra weight that he knew any teenage girl would angst over.

Yes, things were going well. As well as could be hoped for, Mr. Riggs thought, and smiled a cheshire smile behind his fingers.