This choice: Her class is doing a group science fair... how boring. • Go Back...Chapter #4Science Fair by: Derpus   Jacqueline sat at her group table with her friends as Miss Scarlet had put on another video while she gossiped on her social pages. Part of the deal Jacqueline had made with Mayor April in exchange for allowing her to live on her own and operate her company was she had to finish a full year of public school. The young genius could have easily passed the senior year of high school, but she specifically chose this first grade class because the teacher was extremely hand off, which gave her more time to work on her personal projects. It was also fortunate that she had managed to make some friends, and was actually looking forward to school for once. As Jacqueline worked on the circuits of some sort of badge, Nattie and Zelina suddenly caught her attention. "Are you making that for the science fair, Jacqui?", Zelina asked as she leaned over and took a close look.
"Science fair?", Jacqueline asked. "Oh right. That's this weekend, isn't it."
"Yeah, it's supposed to be really important", Nattie said, sitting back. "Lucky for us, we're gonna get first place easy with you on our team", she said confidently.
"I'm not doing it", the chubby young genius quickly replied.
"WHAT?!", Nat and Zelina cried in unison.
"HEY!", Miss Scarlet snapped as she paused the movie without lifting her face from her laptop. "You two quiet down over there!"
"Sorry..." Zelina and Nattie looked at Jacqueline and pouted. "How come you don't wanna be on our team?", Zelina asked.
Suddenly, Vicki popped her head up between Nattie and Zelina, who both had to cover their mouths to avoid yelping in surprise. "I am quite curious as well, Miss Jacqui", the tiny purple servant stated. "It is very important to the class's grades, and your friends would surely benefit from your assistance."
"This city is thriving because of my inventions", Jacqueline responded as she looked up from her project, a soldering iron still in her hand. "If I entered, then any team I'm on is guaranteed a victory, and nothing would be learned. I'm sorry, but when it comes to science, I refuse to do things unfairly."
Zelina and Nattie looked upset, but they could see that their friend wasn't going to change her mind. "I guess you're right..."
Vicki looked up at the two of them and placed her finger on her chin as she thought to herself. "Then... perhaps I can assist the two of you."
"Huh?"
"While my own intelligence is nowhere near as advanced as Miss Jacqui, I have still picked up considerable knowledge of engineering and chemistry. It will do well to improve my own overall grades, as well as provide me with an opportunity to become more independent... that is to say, if you will allow me, Miss Jacqui."
Jacqueline had to think for a moment. She viewed everyone but herself and Vicki as barely competent, including her friends, which is why she occasionally tried to give them opportunities to learn from her. She would have said no, but Vicki needed to improve her grades, and maybe they could learn from her servant better than from her. "That's fine. You're allowed access to my equipment, but try to be careful with it."
A v-shaped smile formed on the small purple-haired girl's face. "Thank you Miss Jacqui."
"Yeah, thanks, Jacqueline", Nat said.
"We're gonna make real neat gizmo, watch!", Zelina said excitedly.
It brought a smile to Jacqueline's face seeing her friends interested in science. As the movie ended, it was time to head to recess. Jacqueline was about to leave with her friends, but a thick slimy tendril wrapped itself around her waist and squeezed her pudgy tummy as it dragged her back to the classroom. Jacqui pouted and crossed her arms as she was pulled back inside. "Not so fast there, chubs", Miss Scarlet said. "I notice you didn't enter the science fair."
"That's correct", Jacqueline responded with a smug tone in her voice. "I've already proven my intellectual superiority, so I don't see the need to entering a competition just to humiliate the other students. I think it would be best to give these imbeciles a chance to learn."
"Yeah, well it's mandatory for the whole school, so either you enter, or you fail the school year", the red slime teacher snapped.
"What?!", Jacqueline cried. "That's ridiculous!"
"Yeah, I know. It's kind of a new rule. I didn't even notice until I overheard the other teachers talking about it. Guess it was supposed to be a secret."
Jacqueline was livid. Mayor April must have enforced this new rule because she knew she wouldn't want to enter the science fair. Jacqueline and April had worked out a deal so she could keep her company and she could continue living on her own. If she completed a single full year of public school without missing a certain amount of days, she would leave her alone to her own business. However, if she failed to do so, then she would not only have to forfeit her company, but she would have to be moved into a foster home and wouldn't regain her assets until she was 17. She outsmarted the mayor by pointing out that it didn't specify which grade she had to complete, so she chose the class she could pass the easiest. Jacqui folded her arms and pouted. "Fine. I'll enter with Vicki, Nattie, and Zelina."
"Can't."
"What?! Why?!"
"Can't be more than three people to a group. You're gonna have to join someone else's group. Since you got special privileges, though, you can enter one of the higher grades' science fairs", Scarlet said as she dangled Jacqueline off the ground.
"Hmph. Fine. What are my choices for this class?", Jacqui asked.
"Lessee... There's Isabella and Misty's group, Lilian and Amelia are another, or you can sign up with Bryan, Rowan, and Russel."
"I thought you said it was three to a group..."
"Yeah, well there's only one working brain between the three of them, so they need all the help they can get. You got til the end of recess to decide."
Jacqui thought for a moment as she was set down. None of them sounded like ideal choices. Isabella was an obnoxious and self-important brat with no respect for science (even if she was Nattie's cousin), and Misty keeps trying to eat her. Bryan and Rowan are two of the dumbest kids in the school, and Russel was only moderately intelligent. Amelia and Lilian were both goody-goodies and the latter was a complete suckup to the former.
Maybe she could get lucky with one of the higher grades. Being allowed to work on her own project or working with an older student might be favorable.
Then again... this whole thing sounded made up. Miss Scarlet sometimes messed with her students, including herself. She once had Bryan search the whole school looking for the tail to a computer mouse. He was gone for three days before she finally had to go find him. Jacqueline wasn't nearly that gullible, but it was sometimes hard to tell when she was being serious.
What is her decision?   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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