As I've been telling you for years
now, sometimes I'm not up for a little caption story. I like things the most
when they're very detailed, and thus I often conceive quite complex ideas that
are too long to make into captions, but can work as fleshed out and lengthy
stories.
There are two
problems about writing those, though. First, my English is still very poor, and
writing something so long would be a painful experience both for me and the
readers. Then there’s the fact that I can take a LONG time before actually
making progress with something, as those who have been following The Reversion should
know.
Thus, I simply write a complete
story outline (which are still quite long and detailed, mind), in the hope that
an author would come that would help me put those ideas in worthy words. After
several failed attempts, such an author finally came in the form of BLZBub.
He has been crafting one of those
ideas into something I’m quite sure you’ll all enjoy. And believe me, what we
have in store for the next chapters is something to behold.
This is a first mouth opener in the
shape of a Prologue. The story is named Class Project and you’ll soon see it’s
quite ambitious. As such, it won’t have many pictures, and when they do, I hope
you’ll excuse me if they don’t always add up with each other. Finding the
proper images for something in such a large scale is quite difficult. But use
your imaginations, and I’ll promise the story itself will make up for all
picture mistakes.
So, without any more preamble, here’s
the Prologue. As I told you, the whole outline was created by me, but all
actual writing was done by BLZBub, and I want all credit to go to him.
If you’re as grateful to him as I
am, then speak up and comment.
And by the way, this is the blog's 400 post. What a better way to celebrate?
And by the way, this is the blog's 400 post. What a better way to celebrate?
That fateful day started like any other day for Natalie Spencer. She woke up bright and early, earlier than most 11-year old girls on a school day. That was because she had a lot to do in the morning before school started. Getting dressed was the easy part, picking out a white shirt and socks to go with her Maryjane’s. Choosing a dress was a bit trickier, but she decided to go an emerald green one that matched her eyes and contrasted with her fiery red hair. Everyone knows that red hair and green eyes went really well together, if only freckles weren’t in the bargain. But Natalie thought she looked pretty enough for people to overlook her freckles.
Once getting dressed was done, Natalie
turned her attention to her schoolwork. Of course, she had already done all
that was due today, but her parents always told her it was best to get ahead of
everything. And parents typically really mean ‘everything’. Natalie was already
at the top of her class, but her parents discouraged her from complacent.
Staying at the top required constant focus they said. Speaking of which, she
better get downstairs or they’ll finish breakfast without her.
As Natalie approached the kitchen, she
could hear her parents talking. That was hardly unusual for them to do at
breakfast, but it quite unusual for them to not be talking in an easy warm
manner.
“You know she’s a bright girl. She could handle this thing better than
the other kids,” said her dad’s voice.
“But she’s still just a girl. She’s too
young to even think about something like this, let alone how the other students
will handle it,” said her mom’s voice.
“There you go again, holding her back,”
said her dad’s voice, “She would have skipped a grade if you didn’t keep
worrying.”
“Well I’m not the one who’s making her
skip her childhood. She only gets one and-” said Mrs. Spencer before Natalie
came into the kitchen. Her parents quickly stopped talking. “Morning, Natalie,
are you ready to school?” she asked as if she hadn’t been arguing with her
husband a moment ago.
“Uh, yeah, is there something you guys
wanted to tell me about?” asked Natalie.
“No, not just yet,” said Mr. Spencer,
“You better get your breakfast while you can.” Natalie frowned. This wasn’t the
first time her parents had been acting odd lately, but this was the closest
she had gotten to finding out why they were acting this way. As soon as she got
back from school, she’ll have to start some serious investigating to find out
what they were hiding.
--
The strangeness didn’t lessen when
Natalie got to school. The teacher for her homeroom class was unusually late, so
the kids were mostly talking to themselves. While a couple were talking about
more mundane things like recent TV episodes or upcoming movies, there was still
the local gossip going around.
“So, how was the movie you and Peter
went to see?” asked Natalie.
“Oh, it was ok, the trailers kinda
embellished it more than it actually was,” said Paige, a blonde girl who was one
of Natalie’s friends.
“Oh, who cares about how the movie was?
What about you and Peter?” asked Miranda, a Hispanic girl who was Paige’s other
friend. Most of the other kids saw Natalie as a prep girl, which she kinda was, actually,
but not as snooty and conceited as most believed. Miranda and Paige knew better than that, though.
“Oh, well, after the end credits started
rolling, we, uh…”
“Come on, out with it,” said Miranda.
“We kissed,” said Paige.
The other two girls squealed.
“Oh, you
are so lucky to have a boyfriend,” said Miranda, “Was it everything that they
said it was?”
“Well, not that big. I mean, our lips
pressed together but that wasn’t a lot,” said Paige.
“Paige, you’re supposed to be kissing
deeper than that,” said Miranda.
“But I think Mom and Dad are starting to
get suspicious. They’ve been acting weird around me,” said Paige.
“Hey, my parents are acting weird too,
but I don’t let that get in the way of me and my boyfriend,” said Miranda.
“You have a boyfriend?” asked Paige.
“No, but if I did, I wouldn’t let them
get in the way,” said Miranda.
“Wait, your parents have been acting
weird too?” asked Natalie, “Have they been acting cagey and secretive and
having conversations that stop the instant they notice you?”
“Well, I guess, I thought they were
talking about me and Peter,” said Paige.
“Well our parents couldn’t be talking
about Peter, right?” asked Natalie.
“Not that likely,” said Miranda.
“Figures you losers wouldn’t know about
what’s going on.” Natalie, Miranda, and Paige groaned with annoyance before turning
to see a girl with blonde hair that was darker than Paige’s and a smug expression
on her face.
“What do you want, Brianna?” asked
Natalie, sounding really irritated.
“You should know better than to speak to
me with that attitude, missy,” said Brianna haughtily.
“Just because my dad works for your dad
doesn’t mean I work for you,” said Natalie.
“Your dad is so far down the line that
I’m not surprised he hasn’t told you what’s going on,” said Brianna smugly.
“Like you would know” retorted Miranda.
“Yeah, I actually do, my daddy tells me
everything about his company because I’ll be running it someday,” said Brianna.
“What does Prescott Industries have to
do with what our parents are talking about?” asked Paige.
“That’s for me to know and you losers to
find out with everyone else,” said Brianna before walking off.
“Ugh, when I have kids, I’m gonna make
sure none of them get spoiled,” said Miranda.
“Mr. Prescott can’t be that bad,” said
Natalie, “If he was so tightly wrapped around Brianna’s finger, she would have
had him fire my dad ages ago.”
“But she gets her way with everything
else,” said Paige, “I don’t think she even does her own homework.”
“That might actually be true, since
Brianna tried to make me do it for her once,” said Natalie, “But I told the
teacher and he took care of Brianna.”
“You do know that’s probably why
everyone thinks you’re such a teacher’s pet,” said Miranda.
“What? Agreeing with the teacher is a
bad thing?” asked Natalie.
“Snitching is,” said Miranda.
“I was not snitching. Everyone should
know the right way to deal with something is to tell an adult about it,” said
Natalie. Miranda and Paige just exchanged a glance at that. “What?”
Just then, the principal’s voice on the
PA system said, “All 5th grade students please report to the
auditorium. There is an important announcement to be had there.” The students
gave each other confused look. Just what was going on here? Their curiosity was
great enough that they all headed towards the auditorium.
--
The kids were soon crammed into their
seats in the auditorium. Up at the podium was the principal, looking somewhat
nervous. As soon as everyone was seated, the principal said, “Good morning,
children. As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, you have been going through some
changes in the last few months. I’m certain your parents have talked to you
about puberty-"
Quite a few kids ended up giggling at
that, partially out of immature humor, partially out of embarrassment. The
principal waited until the giggling stopped before continuing, “Anyways,
normally at your age, we have a Sex Ed. Class-” There was even more giggling at
that and the principal had to wait longer. “We would have a health class to
explain what you’ll be dealing with over the next few years. But for this
class, we’ve been presented with an…interesting alternative to simply teaching
you. And here with us today to explain this new approach is Mr. Prescott of
Prescott Industries.”
The kids gave a small round of applause
as Mr. Prescott walked up to the podium. He shared a few facial features with
Brianna, namely the color of their eyes, but Mr. Prescott’s hair was light
brown. Of course, Natalie had seen his face before, namely from the Prescott
Industries website. He looked a lot more jovial in person, more than she would
have expected from Brianna certainly. He could simply be better at lowering his
ego, but Natalie thought the expression in his eyes looked genuine.
“Hey kids, I’m Mr. Prescott, CEO of
Prescott Industries,” said Mr. Prescott cheerily, “As you probably know,
Prescott Industries is expanding the field of chemistry in every practical
direction. We have developed new fuels, new cleaners, new medicines. That last
division has been working with our makeup division to develop something quite
interesting: the Fountain of Youth.”
There were many surprised and confused
remarks from the students. One student in the back called out, “What’s that got
to do with us?”
“I’m glad someone asked,” said Mr.
Prescott, “As you can probably guess, developing a youth serum is not very
straightforward and there are several failed formulas. But we have had produced
some very interesting byproducts. These byproducts don’t bring us closer to
rejuvenation, but I see the potential in each one of them. And this one in
particular has potential for you all.”
With that, he pulled out a small bottle
from his coat, one that was marked with a logo that was shaped like a W sitting
on top of an upward-pointing arrow. The projection screen behind showed an
image of the logo. “This serum is called Double-Up. Any living creature who
drinks this will become twice as old as they were before for a limited time,”
said Mr. Prescott.
There was a bunch of excited muttering
from the kids. “I thought that would interest you,” said Mr. Prescott. “Of
course, this serum would appeal to a very limited group. Not too many people
older than you would want to add their own age again to themselves. But our
government has come up with a plan to benefit all schoolchildren with
Double-Up. And while I could tell you what it is myself, I think I should leave
it to the brains behind this project, Ms. Forth.”
The students clapped again as a woman
walked up to the podium. She was dressed in a government suit with brown hair
coiled tightly in a bun and wearing glasses. She didn’t look as some government
people do, probably in her thirties. Ms. Forth stood behind the podium and
said,
“Thank you, children. There is a reason we are offering this opportunity
to you at this time. You are on the cusp of puberty, a time of uncertainty.
Many of you are worried you won’t grow up looking pretty enough, being teased
and bullied for not maturing at the same rate as everyone. You worry about what
you could do as an adult, how you’ll be able to confident enough to succeed in
this world. This project you’re going to be a part of was meant for you to
understand what growing up involves by giving you a sneak peak of what you’ll
be like as an adult.
“Your parents have already been informed
about this project and have given their permission to allow you to join it.
After the presentation, you’ll proceed to your lunch period, at the end of
which, you’ll be sent home with a vial containing enough Double-Up to make your
aged state last a week. During the week, you will be excused from school and be
allowed to spend your time as adults. However, there are rules you are to
follow which will be included with your dosage bottles and you are expected to
report daily about what your activities you did. Any breaking of the rules will
result in an instant failing grade for this project. But you will still be able
to enjoy your week without breaking the rules. And if your class is successful,
we shall be introducing this to all 5th grade classes in every
school. Be responsible, be careful, and have fun.”
With that, the principal returned to the
podium and said, “You may now go to the cafeteria for lunch. There shall be a
bus waiting outside for everyone who won’t be picked by their parents. Have a
good day.”
There was a very noticeable buzz of
excitement from the students as they went to the cafeteria. Some were almost
too busy discussing the project with their classmates to notice the free pizza
being provided. But no one is too excited to pass up on pizza. At the end of
lunch, the kids lined up to receive their vials of Double-Up before heading
home for a week of excitement and discovery.
CLASS PROJECT INDEX
CLASS PROJECT INDEX
Nice start, thank you an BLZBub! Hope to see more... ;)
ReplyDeleteSoon! Thanks for the feedback.
DeleteI'm really looking forward to reading more of this story. Keep it coming!
ReplyDeleteMore is already written and will come soon :)
DeleteVery Intriguing beginning. I hope some of the girls mentioned have siblings that will react to their sisters' changes. If not, I'm still very much hooked for the next installment.
ReplyDelete-LM117
There are LOTS of characters in this story. Hopefully you'll see something you like soon.
Deletegreat team effort can't wait to see where the story goes
ReplyDeleteIt goes everywhere, you'll see!
Deletenot bad
ReplyDeleteBut any good? XD
Deletehahaha XD
ReplyDeleteI like stories where it is as if it could really happen! The realer the better!
ReplyDeleteI like to construct universes that sound believable, even when their premises are quite outlandish.
Delete