Jessica on Dangerous Vacation

 In the city of La Paz is a very dangerous road high above the mountains called the “Yungas Road”. With its one-car width, two-way traffic, little to no guardrails, and certain weather patterns, it has been nicknamed the “Road of Death”, and is considered the most dangerous road on the planet. So many accidents have occurred and many lives have been lost as a result of this road, but many still bear the risk. Some have a job to do, while others seek thrills. One day at his mansion, Trekker is watching activity going on at the Yungas Road on surveillance while chuckling menacingly to himself.

“This road could be quite useful for my next diabolical plan. Hey, Jr.! Come here for a minute!” hollered Trekker. Trekker Jr. approaches Trekker and asks, “Yes, dad?”

“I got a job for you…” responds Trekker while leaning in on Trekker Jr.’s ear. Meanwhile, Micah and his friends are finishing up an assignment in their final class for the day at school with only one minute left before they get dismissed for a three-month summer break. After the bell rings, Micah and his classmates excitedly rush out of the school building, cheering as they make their way towards the bus.

“So, guys. What do you all have planned for summer?” asked Micah.

“I don’t know. It’s too soon to tell.” answered Wesley.

“I’m sure something will come to our minds eventually.” said Sarah. As Jessica follows Micah, Wesley, and Sarah out of the building and onto the bus, a strange-looking man in a suit approaches her and asks, “Are you Jessica?”

“Why, yes I am.” answered Jessica.

“Congratulations!!! You’ve just won a free, all-expense paid vacation to La Paz!” responded the man.

“Pinch me! I must be dreaming!” replied Jessica. The man pinches Jessica hard with Jessica responding, “Ow!!!!!”

“This is a dream, all right. A dream come true!” said the man.

“When do I leave?” asked Jessica.

“Immediately!” answered the man.

“Immediately?” asked Jessica.

“You bet! Your dream vacation awaits!” answered the man.

“What about the rest of my family?” asked Jessica.

“The more, the merrier!” answers the man while handing Jessica a brochure and rushing away. Jessica glances at the brochure and catches up to Micah, Wesley, and Sarah while excitingly saying, “Guys! Guys! Guys! You’re not going to believe this, but I just won a free vacation to La Paz!”

“No kidding?” asked Micah.

“I don’t mean to put a damper on the mood, but how did you win this?” asked Wesley.

“Who cares? I’m going on vacation!” answers Jessica while boarding the bus with Micah, Wesley, and Sarah.

“Wesley’s right, you know. Normally, you have to do something in order to win a prize as big as this. Who awarded you this free vacation?” asked Micah.

“Oh, some guy in a suit. He just came up to me and said I won! Can you believe it?” asked Jessica excitedly.

“That’s great, Jessica! I hope you have fun! You deserve it!” responded Sarah.

“No, not great! Did you even know the guy?” asked Micah.

“No, but still! A free, all-expense paid vacation to La Paz! I can hardly wait!” answered Jessica. Jessica continues talking about her vacation to Sarah while Wesley turns to Micah and says, “Something’s definitely off here.” Micah and Wesley discuss their concern towards Jessica while the man in the suit watches them ride off in their bus, subsequently removing his suit and revealing himself to be Trekker Jr. in disguise, who pulls out a walkie-talkie and contacts Trekker.

“Dad? It’s Jr. Jessica has taken the bait! I repeat! Jessica has taken the bait!” said Trekker Jr.

“Excellent! Rally up some of the henchmen! We’re going to give Jessica a permanent vacation…of doom! Ha ha ha ha!” laughed Trekker. After arriving home, Jessica rushes up to her mother and sister, telling them about her vacation to La Paz.

“How exciting! We’d better start packing!” said Jessica’s mother. Jessica begins packing up her suitcase with her mother and sister while Micah arrives home with his mother in the kitchen and stepfather on his computer.

“You guys should come see this. This is a real highway.” said Micah’s stepfather. Micah and his mother approach the computer, in which Micah’s stepfather has pulled up photos of the Yungas Road to Micah’s dismay.

“Where is this highway located?” asked Micah.

“La Paz. Why?” asked Micah’s stepfather.

“Oh no! That’s where Jessica’s headed! I knew something was off about that contest!” responded Micah worriedly.

“Contest? What contest?” asked Micah’s mother.

“A complete stranger awarded Jessica a vacation to La Paz right out of the blue. That’s all I can explain right now! I’d better get there fast!” answers Micah while rushing to his room. Micah enters his laboratory and does some research on La Paz and the Yungas Road, gathering up as much information as possible while Jessica and her mother and sister board a plane departing to La Paz.

“Boy, I can’t wait to get to La Paz!” said Jessica.

“Me too!” responded Jessica’s sister.

“Though I can’t help feeling…something very suspicious is going on here. I mean…why would a complete stranger just come up and give you a free vacation like this? A prize like that is usually complicated. I think we’re making a huge mistake here.” said Jessica’s mother.

“You worry too much, mom. We’re in this as a family, so let’s enjoy it as a family.” responds Jessica while flying off in the plane with her mother and sister. After hours of researching La Paz and the Yungas Road, Micah grows tired and sleepy while Wesley enters his laboratory from Micah’s Warp Machine.

“Micah? You don’t look so good.” said Wesley.

“I’ve been doing a lot of research on La Paz. Turns out…it’s the home of the Yungas Road, the most dangerous road on the planet!” responds Micah while pulling up photos of the Yungas Road on his computer. Wesley looks at the photos in dismay and asks, “A road like that actually exists?”

“I’m afraid so.” answered Micah.

“Looks like we’re going to La Paz ourselves, or Jessica’s a goner! But first…you’d better get some sleep.” says Wesley while walking Micah to his room. Jessica arrives in La Paz with her mother and sister, being escorted to a hotel by a staff member. After arriving in their room, Jessica unpacks her belongings with her mother and sister while Micah and Wesley arrive near the hotel with Micah saying, “This must be where Jessica is.” Micah pulls out a pair of binoculars and looks through them, seeing Jessica spending time with her mother and sister in their hotel suite.

“No danger to report…yet.” said Micah. Later in the day, Jessica goes out sight-seeing with her mother and sister while Micah and Wesley keep an eye on them with Wesley saying, “Well, at least she’s not alone.” Jessica spends her whole day with her mother and sister going on tours, swimming in pools and rivers, hiking, and doing other activities they can find in the city of La Paz while Micah and Wesley continue to keep watchful eyes on them.

“Boy, this is fun! I wish I could stay here forever!” said Jessica.

“I have to admit. This was a fun day, but...still…” said Jessica’s mother.

“Oh, stop it mom! Nothing’s happening!” responded Jessica annoyingly.

“You listen to me, young lady! I am your mother! It’s my job to look after you! I sense that we’re in danger here!” replies Jessica’s mother angrily while Micah and Wesley eavesdrop on the argument that commences.

“Oh, you guys are in danger, all right.” said Micah to himself.

“I’m really glad Jessica’s mom is aware of the pending danger that’s coming their way.” said Wesley. Jessica continues arguing with her mother while her sister tries to break them up.

“Guys, don’t fight! We’re on vacation! We should be spending quality time with one another as a family!” said Jessica’s sister.

“You know what?! I wish I didn’t even have a mom!” said Jessica angrily. Jessica’s mother, Micah, and Wesley all gasp in horror with Micah saying, “This is not going to end well.”

“You take that back right now!” said Jessica’s mother angrily.

“Dream on, you snot! I’m going to enjoy my vacation here, whether you like it or not!” says Jessica while going to bed. Jessica’s mother groans in anger and goes to bed herself with Jessica’s sister following suit. The next day, Jessica and her mother refrain from talking to each other until a staff member approaches them and says, “Come on, you guys! You don’t want to be late for your tour!”

“Another tour? Of what?” asked Jessica excitedly.

“Of the Yungas Road, of course!” answers the staff member while escorting Jessica and her mother and sister to a bus. Micah and Wesley hear the staff member inform them of the tour with Micah saying, “I knew this was going to happen!”

“I think it’s high time we come out of hiding.” says Wesley while approaching another bus. Jessica, her mother, and sister board a bus, which takes off to the Yungas Road while a tour guide talks about it.

“See, Jessica? Thanks to you, we’re now touring the most dangerous road on the planet! None of this would be happening if you would have just listened to me!” said Jessica’s mother angrily.

“Shut up, you snot! I’m still not talking to you!” responded Jessica angrily.

“That’s it! You are so grounded when we get back home! That is…if we ever make it home!” replied Jessica’s mother angrily.

“Jessica, please listen to mom. Even I have second thoughts about this vacation. This Yungas Road is really giving me the heebie-jeebies. What if we fall off?” asked Jessica’s sister.

“We’ll be fine. The bus driver and tour guide know what they’re doing.” responded Jessica annoyingly. The bus driver and tour guide quietly chuckle to each other with the bus driver quietly saying to himself, “Oh, don’t worry. We know exactly what we’re doing.” Micah and Wesley board another bus with Micah pointing out Jessica’s bus while saying to the bus driver, “Follow that bus!” The bus driver takes off quickly and catches up to Jessica’s bus while the tour guide on it says, “We’re reaching the end of the road. But I have one question. Are you Jessica?” The tour guide points at Jessica, who then answers, “Yeah! How did you know my name?”

“Excuse me for a minute.” responds the tour guide while walking to the back of the bus and ducking down behind the seats. The man in the suit pops up in the tour guide’s place and asks, “Hey there, Jessica? Remember me?”

“Yes! You’re the guy that gave me this vacation! What are you doing here?” asked Jessica.

“THAT’S the guy that got us into this?” asked Jessica’s mother dismayed.

“Are you enjoying your vacation?” asked the man.

“You bet! I don’t ever want it to end!” answered Jessica.

“Good. Because you’re in for a surprise…” responds the man while throwing off his suit. The man reveals himself to be Trekker Jr., who laughs manically while Jessica exclaims, “Trekker Jr.???!!!???!!!”

“That’s not all.” replies Trekker Jr. while pointing to the bus driver. After Jessica, her mother, and sister draw their attention to the front, the bus driver gets up out of his seat and throws off his uniform, revealing himself to be Trekker with Jessica, her mother, and sister exclaiming, “TREKKER!!!!!?????!!!!!?????”

“That’s right, and you’ve all fallen right into my trap! You can thank Jessica for making this all possible!” said Trekker menacingly. Jessica’s mother and sister give Jessica a stern look with Jessica nervously responding, “Heh heh heh! Whoops!” The bus approaches the edge with Trekker saying, “Ah, this is where we get off! Enjoy your vacation, you broken bolts! Ha ha ha ha!” Trekker and Trekker Jr. turn themselves into Anti-Super Trekker and Anti-Super Trekker Jr., subsequently flying out of the bus and watching from in the air as the bus inches closer to the edge. Jessica’s mother starts another argument with Jessica while Jessica’s sister pays attention to the road.

“Uh, guys?” asked Jessica’s sister. Jessica and her mother disregard Jessica’s sister and continue arguing while Jessica’s sister asks, “Guys?!” Jessica and her mother still don’t hear Jessica’s sister and keep on arguing to each other back and forth with Jessica’s sister shouting, “Guys!”

“What?!” asks Jessica and her mother angrily while drawing their attention to Jessica’s sister with stern looks on their faces. Jessica’s sister points to the front of the bus, which then drives off the road and begins to fall with Jessica, her mother, and Jessica’s sister all screaming in terror while still inside the bus. As they fall, Jessica, her mother, and Jessica’s sister hug each other and close their eyes while screaming. With the bus just inches above the ground, it stops in the air with Jessica, her mother, and Jessica’s sister opening their eyes.

“Are we dead?” asked Jessica’s mother.

“I don’t think so…” answers Jessica while approaching the front of the bus. Jessica looks out the front window and sees Micah (in his Power Micah form) holding the bus by the front bumper with one hand while smiling.

“Micah?!” shouted Micah excitedly. Micah nods and places the bus back where it departed from while Jessica, her mother, and Jessica’s sister subsequently exit.

“You saved us! Thank you!” says Jessica while embracing Micah tightly.

“Don’t mention it. Wesley and I have been keeping an eye on you guys the whole time.” responds Micah while struggling for air. Wesley, in his Biking Power Wesley form, suddenly shows up next to Micah while Jessica’s mother asks, “So, all this time, you guys have been looking after us?”

“Is that a problem?” asked Wesley.

“No! No problem at all! You guys are like guardian angels! Thank you!” answered Jessica’s mother.

“Well, they do save the world on a regular basis, after all.” said Jessica’s sister. Trekker and Trekker Jr. suddenly show up with Trekker saying, “Well, look who decided to crash the party.”

“Them?! Crashing YOUR party?! You guys are the ones who tried to crash us into the cliff!” responded Jessica angrily.

“I knew you guys were behind this!” said Micah angrily.

“Micah? Wesley? I have something to tell you! That man in the suit I told you about was Trekker Jr. the entire time!” said Jessica.

“You mean the guy that gave you this so-called ‘vacation’?” asked Micah.

“Yes!” answered Jessica.

“And now, it’s time to take care of some unfinished business! Jr., Plan B!” says Trekker while grabbing Jessica. Trekker Jr. grabs Jessica’s mother and sister, who scream and attempt to fight off Trekker Jr. while Jessica does the same with Trekker.

“I’ll meet you there!” says Wesley while taking off to the Yungas Road. Micah takes off into the air and chases after Trekker and Trekker Jr., who eventually stop high above ground and hold Jessica, her mother, and sister over, preparing to drop them.

“Guys, let’s not go this route.” said Micah.

“It’s too late for that, you broken bolt! You must choose who you will rescue, starting…now! Ha ha ha ha!” laughs Trekker while dropping Jessica. Trekker Jr. subsequently drops Jessica’s mother and sister, who all plummet toward Earth while screaming with Jessica doing the same. Wesley watches as Jessica, her mother, and sister fall to their doom with Micah trying to catch up to them, subsequently driving his Biking Power Wesley Bike off the road and onto a very steep edge into the forest below. Micah manages to catch Jessica and her sister while failing to catch her mother, who disappears in the forest with Jessica shouting, “Mom! No!” Micah lands on the ground and releases Jessica and her sister from his grip while Jessica starts mourning the loss of her mother with Micah comforting her. Micah, Jessica, and Jessica’s sister suddenly hear a dirt bike gradually getting louder and draw their attention to the source, seeing Wesley riding towards them with Jessica’s mother safe and sound riding on the Biking Power Wesley Bike.

“Mom!” shouts Jessica excitedly while running up to her mother. Jessica embraces her mother while Micah and Wesley happily watch until Trekker and Trekker Jr. show back up.

“This isn’t the end! We will get you guys!” shouts Trekker while swooping in with Trekker Jr. Micah stops Trekker and Trekker Jr. in their path just inches away from Wesley, Jessica, her mother, and sister, fighting them off and flying them out of distance. A short while later, Micah returns to Wesley, Jessica, her mother, and sister, subsequently returning them to their hotel with Wesley’s help.

“Mom, I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you, and for calling you a snot.” said Jessica remorsefully.

“That’s ok, sweetheart. But, you’re still grounded.” responded Jessica’s mother.

“Fair enough. I deserve that.” replied Jessica. Micah summons his Warp Machine while saying, “Last call for the Warp Machine Express!” Jessica, her mother, and sister head to their suite and pack up their belongings while subsequently heading to Micah’s Warp Machine.

“Micah…Wesley…thanks again for all that you’ve done.” said Jessica’s mother.

“All in a day’s work.” responded Micah.

“You guys take it easy, all right?” asked Wesley. Jessica, her mother, and sister enter Micah’s Warp Machine and warp themselves home, returning to their normal lives while Jessica copes with her grounding. Micah and Wesley both warp back to Micah’s laboratory with Wesley asking, “What happened to Trekker and Trekker Jr.?”

“Let’s just say…they’re smooth sailing.” answered Micah. Back in Bolivia, Trekker and Trekker Jr. gain consciousness and find themselves tied to a makeshift raft floating down a river, which eventually goes down a waterfall with Trekker and Trekker Jr. screaming.

“BLAST YOU, MICAH!!!!!” shouts Trekker while plummeting into the stream.

 

The End

Christopher's Goal

            Micah’s younger brother (Christopher) is quite the athlete. He has played a wide variety of sports including baseball, basketball, bowling, football, golf, soccer, and tennis. Over the course of time, Christopher has grown to favor baseball, basketball, and football as his top sports, playing them as young as kindergarten. Micah and his older brother (Matthew) were never really big on sports, despite playing baseball and soccer (with Micah also playing basketball) a couple of times or so throughout their earlier childhoods. It may have taken a while, but Micah and Matthew finally worked up the courage to tell their mother that sports aren’t for them. Micah has grown to favor golf, tennis, and bowling as his top sports while Matthew only grew to like golf. This, however, hasn’t stopped Micah and Matthew from attending Christopher’s games for whichever sport he was playing, especially football. One day, Micah, Matthew, and the rest of their family watch Christopher play football with Micah’s mother shouting, “Come on, Christopher!” At one point in the game, Christopher’s coach rallies up the team to discuss positions, sending them out onto the field afterwards to continue playing. Not long after the players hike the ball, one of Christopher’s teammates tosses Christopher the football, who catches it and runs to his appropriate goal, scoring a touchdown for his team with Micah, Matthew, and the rest of their family cheering.

“Yeah, Christopher! Keep it up!” shouted Micah. The referees then arrange for a kickoff with one of Christopher’s teammates being assigned to kick. After the players hike the ball, Christopher’s teammate kicks the ball and scores another point with the referee shouting, “It’s good!” Micah, Matthew, and the rest of their family cheer for Christopher’s team with Micah’s mother shouting, “Yes! Let’s keep it that way!” Micah, Matthew, and the rest of their family continue watching Christopher play football with Christopher’s team winning the game later with Micah, Matthew, and their family cheering. Micah, Matthew, and the rest of their family pick up Christopher afterwards with Micah saying, “Good job today, Christopher!”

“You were on fire!” said Matthew.

“Thanks, guys! It was a lot of fun!” responded Christopher.

“I’m so proud of you, Christopher, the way you worked with your team and won the game!” said Micah’s mother.

“Thanks, mom.” responded Christopher.

“It’s always fun watching the three of you play.” said Micah’s father. Micah goes about his life while attending Christopher’s football games whenever they’re scheduled until the end of the season. Fast forward to Micah’s 6^th grade year, there comes a day where Micah attends another one of Christopher’s football games at the ball diamonds in the Arcanum Community Ballpark.

“This is just my opinion, but I think it’s silly for Christopher and his team to have their games here at the ball diamonds. They need to be used for their sole purpose, and so does the football field.” said Micah.

“I know, but Coach Sprada and Coach Schondelmyer are too worried about them tearing it up.” responded Matthew.

“And yet, they let high school play on it.” said Micah’s mother.

“Yeah. I mean, it’s getting worn out anyhow. What difference does it make for Christopher’s team?” asked Micah.

“Let’s just watch the game.” said Micah’s stepfather. Micah watches Christopher’s game with the rest of his family with Christopher’s team losing in the end.

“Tough loss, Christopher.” said Micah.

“Ah, it’s still early in the season. There’s still time to catch up.” responded Christopher. Micah goes on about his life with his family, attending Christopher’s games until the end of the season. After football season ends, Christopher continues playing football with some of his friends and tossing footballs back and forth with his family while occasionally playing football video games. Sometimes by himself and sometimes with his friends when they are over at the house or when Christopher is at their house. Fast forward again to Micah’s freshman year of high school, Christopher (who is now in 7^th grade), has football practice right after the first day of school. During practice, he and his team practice tackles, in which one of his teammates gets injured very badly with the coaches rushing to his aid. Seeing his teammate groaning in pain scares Christopher into wanting to quit the team, but continues practice with his teammates under the direction of his coaches. After practice, Christopher walks home in tears with his mother asking, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m scared.” answered Christopher.

“Of what?” asked Christopher’s mother.

“Getting hurt.” answered Christopher.

“Did someone get hurt during practice?” asked Christopher’s mother.

“Yes.” answered Christopher.

“How serious was it?” asked Christopher’s mother.

“Not too serious, but it could escalate into that. I want to quit the team before it happens to me.” answered Christopher.

“But you just had your first practice. Give it some time, ok? It’s probably just the depression of starting school from summer break.” responded Christopher’s mother. Christopher walks to his room, still in tears, and enters Micah’s laboratory while asking, “Micah, I’m scared of getting hurt in football. Do you have anything that will protect me?”

“I’m afraid I do not.” answered Micah.

“What about your Shield Ball?” asks Christopher while pointing out his Shield Ball.

“You could use that, but here’s the thing…” responds Micah while activating the Shield Ball onto Christopher. Micah then takes a football and throws it at Christopher, in which the Shield Ball deflects the ball with Micah asking, “How will you be able to catch the ball in that state?”

“Point taken. What about your Micah Coin?” asks Christopher while pointing out the Micah Coin.

“The invulnerability only lasts for 16 seconds. You could reactivate it after the effect wears off, but doing it so many times in one day is a major health concern, so I do not advise going that route. Also, the coin makes you run faster and jump higher, which would be cheating.” answers Micah while deactivating the Shield Ball and storing it away.

“Oh.” responded Christopher.

“I’m sorry, Christopher, but there’s really nothing I can do for you. I’m a scientist, not an athlete. I’m afraid your only dilemma would be to continue playing as you already are or quit the team.” said Micah. The next day in school, Christopher gets distracted by thoughts of getting hurt in football while attending football practice later on. As this continues, Christopher’s grades start to decline to the intimidation of his mother, who eventually says to herself, “You know what? It’s not worth it. We’re taking him off the team.” After coming home from football practice in tears one other day, Christopher’s mother approaches Christopher and says, “I’ve decided I’m going to take you off the team. I can clearly see how much it’s stressing you out. Your grades have not been very good lately in school. I’ll talk to Kyle and your coaches about it, ok?” Christopher sighs in relief and hugs his mother, subsequently going to his room and playing video games. On one Sunday, Christopher’s mother brings up Christopher’s situation with football to her husband, who does not take it lightly and begins an argument to the dismay of Micah and Matthew, who are in their rooms working on homework. After the argument ends, Micah and Matthew exit their rooms and enter the hallway to approach their mother, who is in tears and says to them, “I had to get it out.” Their mother then enters her room to get dressed for the day and cleans out her eyes with water from her bathroom sink. After Labor Day, Christopher’s mother approaches Christopher’s coaches during practice and talks with them about Christopher’s situation.

“I don’t blame you. He hasn’t been doing well lately with drills. I had a feeling something was on his mind.” said one of Christopher’s coaches. As Christopher fearfully practices tackles with his teammates, the coach approaches them and says, “Time out!” The coach then escorts Christopher to a more isolated area of the football field and says, “You can leave. I’m sorry this hasn’t worked out for you.” Christopher removes his football gear and gives it to his coach while subsequently approaching his mother, who drives him home. Christopher, now relieved of playing football himself, just enjoys playing it by himself or with some friends, whether if it’s watching games, playing video games, or even tossing a football back and forth. He no longer fears getting hurt, which has made him happier and able to concentrate on his school work, getting better grades and enjoying life for what it is.

 

The End

Jessica's Lovely Experience

Micah only has a month and a half left of his freshman year of high school, and continues to have romantic feelings for Jessica. Jessica, however, only likes him as a friend. But unfortunately, it is not stopping Micah from trying to win her over. Throughout the year, Jessica has dated one classmate named Coty, whom she and he broke up on good terms. Moving on, Jessica has set her eyes on another classmate named Dustin, who occasionally picks on Micah and easily gets offended by his antics and willingness to help out. One day in Science class, Jessica and Dustin work on a project together, struggling to get results and find answers.

“Ugh! This is so frustrating! We’re never going to figure this out!” said Dustin angrily.

“Never say never, Dustin. We just have to keep trying.” responds Jessica while Micah approaches them.

“I’d be happy to oblige.” said Micah.

“Go away, nerd! Nobody asked you!” responded Dustin angrily.

“Now come on, Dustin. It’s the thought that counts. Thank you Micah, but we would like to figure this out ourselves.” said Jessica.

“No problemo!” responds Micah while heading back to his seat. Jessica, Dustin, and Micah continue working on their Science projects and finish out their day at school. The next day at school, Micah sits with Wesley, Sarah, and Jessica (who is sitting next to Dustin) during lunch with Jessica saying, “Guys, I have an announcement: Dustin and I are dating!!!” Astonished, Micah chokes on his food with Jessica worriedly asking, “Micah! Are you all right?” Micah shakes his head “no” and points at this throat, indicating he’s choking.

“Don’t worry, Micah. I got this.” says Wesley while going behind Micah. Wesley performs the Heimlich Maneuver on Micah, who eventually coughs up his food and gasps for air while saying, “Thanks, buddy. You…and Dustin?! You can’t be serious!”

“We’re DEAD serious! You snooze, you loose, chump!” taunted Dustin.

“Micah, how many times do I have to tell you? I only like you as a friend.” said Jessica.

“You can’t date this guy! He’s a jerk!” said Micah.

“You just have to get to know him.” responded Jessica. Jessica carries on with her conversation while Micah reluctantly listens in with Wesley and Sarah bonding with Dustin. After school, Micah, Wesley, and Sarah all hang out with Jessica and Dustin, who both talk and tell jokes, humoring one another. The next day at school, Micah gets up out of his table to throw away some trash and accidentally trips Dustin, who spills his food all over the floor.

“Oh! I am so sorry, Dustin! I didn’t see you coming!” said Micah.

“You’re going to pay for that, chump!” responds Dustin angrily while grabbing Micah’s shirt and lifting him up. Jessica witnesses Micah kick Dustin in the face to break free and subsequently goes to sit with her, Sarah, and Wesley at their table.

“I can’t believe you did that, Micah!” said Jessica angrily.

“It’s not what it looks like. You see…” responded Micah.

“I don’t care what happened! I have never been so angry with you in my whole life! How could you go to great lengths like that?!” asked Jessica angrily.

“All right, look. If it makes you feel any better, I’m sorry.” responded Micah.

“Sorry’s not going to cut it this time, Micah! I’ve had enough with you!” replied Jessica angrily. Heartbroken, Micah pauses for a moment and subsequently lowers his eyebrows while angrily saying, “You want me out of your life? Ok then. Ask and you shall receive.” Micah takes his food to another table while Jessica remorsefully responds, “Micah, wait…” Micah stops in his tracks and looks back at Jessica while angrily replying, “Why should I wait? According to YOUR calculations, this world isn’t big enough for the two of us. Have fun with Mr. Strong, Handsome, and Perfect.”

“But Micah…” said Jessica.

“But nothing! I’ve made my point, I’m not good enough for you…bye!” responds Micah angrily while sitting at his desired table, isolated from everyone else. Jessica bows and shakes her head remorsefully while Dustin looks at her and says, “Forget about him. He’s such a loser, anyway.” Wesley goes and sits with Micah while Sarah remains with Jessica and Dustin.

“Don’t let it get to you, Micah. There’s millions of fish in the sea.” said Wesley.

“I’m not exactly in the mood for pep talk, Wesley. Let’s just enjoy each other’s company, ok?” asked Micah annoyingly,

“Whatever you say.” responded Wesley. Micah and Wesley finish up their lunch and proceed with their day at school. After arriving home, Micah storms into his laboratory with his older brother (Matthew) asking, “Hey, Micah. Want to play video games?”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’ve got more important matters to attend to.” answers Micah annoyingly while entering his laboratory. Micah sets up a machine and steps inside it after making the following configurations:

No emotions

Invincibility (does not feel physical pain)

Knowledge boost (knows everything…literally)

No vocal cords (communicates by having holographic words appear in front of him)

No memory of Jessica (cannot see, hear, or feel physical contact from her, making her invisible to him)

Magical powers (can make things magically happen at will)

Strength boost (the strongest and fastest being in the world)

No interest of anything except for learning and working

No stomach (doesn’t require food or drinks to survive)

No need for sleep

Erased memory of experiment and how the configurations were done

After floating out of the machine, Micah magically disappears and reappears back in his room and picks up a book, reading it until school starts back up. After lunch, Micah and his friends head to the gym with Micah isolating himself from his friends and reading a book with Jessica looking at him remorsefully and approaching him.

“Hey, Micah? Listen, I’m sorry about snapping at you yesterday. I just got a little carried away. That’s all. So, what do you say? Can we let bygones be bygones?” asked Jessica. Micah ignores her due to his machine erasing his entire memory of her and not being able to see, hear, or feel physical contact from her.

“You’re still steamed about it, aren’t you?” asked Jessica annoyingly. Micah continues to ignore her and read his book with Jessica angrily continuing, “Look, Micah! Dustin and I are madly in love with each other, and that’s that! Why can’t you just be happy for us?!” Micah still doesn’t give a response with Jessica angrily continuing, “Whatever! Until you come to your senses, I don’t ever want to see or talk to you again!” Jessica storms away while Micah continues reading.

“Where were you?” asked Sarah.

“Patching things up with Micah.” answered Jessica.

“And?” asked Wesley.

“He wouldn’t even look at me! What is wrong with him?!” asked Jessica angrily.

“Let me try reasoning with him.” responds Wesley while approaching Micah.

“Hi, Micah.” said Wesley. Micah returns Wesley’s greeting with his holographic words with Wesley asking, “How are you feeling today?” Micah responds using words that inform Wesley that he cannot feel anything.

“What do you mean you can’t feeling anything? You don’t feel any physical or emotional pain?” asked Wesley. Micah answers with his holographic words while Wesley subsequently asks, “So, do you feel happy? Do you feel mad? Any of those emotions?” Micah responds once again with his holographic words with Wesley responding, “Ok. I’ll see you around.” Wesley head back to Jessica, who asks, “So?”

“He talked to me.” responded Wesley.

“No surprise there. You are his best friend, after all. How about we go together?” asked Jessica.

“I don’t see why not.” responds Wesley while heading back to Micah with Jessica following.

“Wait for me!” hollers Sarah while catching up. After approaching Micah, Wesley and Sarah both say hi to Micah, who returns both of their greetings with his holographic words. Jessica says hi to him also, but gets no response.

“See? Something’s wrong.” said Jessica.

“Hmm. I don’t know what to tell you.” responded Wesley. The bell rings with Micah, his friends, and the rest of their classmates going to their next class. After arriving home from school, Micah magically clones himself and has them magically appear at different businesses, filling out job applications and demonstrating their work abilities to the impression of their supervisors, who all hire the clones on the spot while Micah floats in his room reading books to no end. Day after day, Micah reads books nonstop at home and school, getting perfect scores on all assignments, projects, quizzes, and tests to the impression of his teachers. On the side, Micah magically resolves issues encountered by his classmates, who thank him while Micah returns the gratitude with his holographic words. To the dismay of his family and friends, Micah does nothing but read and work at home while the clones work their jobs and bring in the income. One day, Jessica observes Micah from a distance reading a book while isolated from everyone in the gym after lunch, turning towards Wesley, Sarah, and Dustin afterwards while saying, “Guys, I’m really beginning to worry about Micah. This is getting out of control.”

“I’ll say. He’s even weirder than before. It kills me to say this, but…I want the old Micah back.” responded Dustin.

“That makes two of us.” replied Jessica. Sarah turns towards Wesley and asks, “You’re real smart, Wesley. Isn’t there something you can do?”

“I’m a scientist, not a counselor. But, I’ll see what I can come up with.” answered Wesley. As Micah continues learning and working, Wesley struggles to research the cause of this behavior to his frustration.

“It’s hopeless! What is causing Micah to act like this?!” asked Wesley to himself angrily.

“I have a suggestion. Use this remote to scan Micah.” responds Wesley’s computer while presenting the remote. Wesley slaps his forehead while asking himself, “Pfft! Duh! I can’t believe I went through all this trouble only to find the answer was right under my nose the whole time. Why does this always happen?”

“Perhaps a little more observation is key.” responded Wesley’s computer.

“Don’t push it, computer.” replies Wesley while taking the remote. Wesley warps to Micah’s house and appears at the front door, ringing the doorbell.

“Hi, Tina. Is Micah home?” asked Wesley.

“He’s in his room, reading again.” answered Micah’s mother. Wesley heads to Micah’s room and subsequently says, “Hey, Micah. I just want to do a quick analysis to see what’s gotten into you.” Wesley points the remote at Micah and presses a button, causing the remote to scan Micah and subsequently print off results. Wesley looks over at the results and astonishingly says, “Micah! You really shouldn’t have!” Wesley heads back to his house while Micah continues reading his book until school the next day, when Wesley shows Jessica the results with Micah not being in their presence. Jessica looks at the results in disbelief while subsequently asking, “How could Micah do this to himself? He doesn’t even know who I am anymore!”

“You don’t even exist in his reality.” responded Wesley.

“I just wanted him and Dustin to get along. Is that too much to ask?” asked Jessica.

“It’s not your fault, Jessica. Micah just didn’t take the time to fully comprehend what your heart desires.” answered Wesley.

“What are we going to do?” asked Jessica.

“I don’t know. We’ll plan as we go.” answered Wesley.

“Please hurry. I can’t live like this. I want my old friend back. At least he cared about me. Always willing to help me with my school work and saving my life whenever I’m in danger.” responded Jessica.

“I’ll try to sort everything out as quickly as I can. But, I can’t promise you anything.” replied Wesley. At lunchtime, Micah once again isolates himself from his friends, reading a book while Wesley and Jessica approach him.

“Now remember, talk to him like you normally would and I’ll tell him everything you said.” said Wesley.

“I sure hope it works.” responded Jessica. Wesley and Jessica arrive in front of Micah with Jessica saying, “I know you can’t see or hear me Micah, but you got to snap out of it. This has gone too far. I want you back...the way you’re supposed to be.” Wesley repeats everything Jessica said to Micah, who uses his holographic words to question their discussion.

“This isn’t like you, Micah. Just tell us how you made yourself like this.” said Wesley. Micah uses his holographic words to inform them that he doesn’t know.

“No games, Micah! We want answers, now!” said Jessica angrily.

“That’s enough, Jessica. I’ll take it from here.” says Wesley while gesturing with his hand.

“Sorry. Getting kind of testy here.” responded Jessica. Jessica heads back to Dustin and Sarah while Wesley talks with Micah until the bell rings. Micah and his friends finish their day out at school with Wesley taking Micah to his laboratory and powering on his computer, searching through it and finding surveillance footage of Micah conducting his experiment. Wesley configures Micah’s machine and places Micah inside it, starting the process and reverting Micah back to his normal state.

“How do you feel, Micah?” asked Wesley.

“A little dizzy, but ok.” answered Micah.

“Micah! You’re back!” shouted Wesley excitedly.

“What do you mean ‘back’? I never left.” asked Micah.

“I mean ‘back’ as in, the way you’re supposed to be.” answered Wesley.

“Why did you change me back? I never asked you to do that.” asked Micah annoyingly.

“Because Micah…you were a really big jerk. And for what? A girl? She’s not worth it. I’m sorry, but if it’s not meant to be…it’s not meant to be. Please don’t try to get others to feel sorry for you by being something you’re not ever again, ok? You are fearfully and wonderfully made! Try to embrace that, and be happy for Jessica and Dustin. True love means letting go, and that includes letting Jessica make her own choices. I know it’s not easy, but you really don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” answered Wesley.

“What are you talking about? Everyone liked me until you changed me back, including Jessica.” asked Micah annoyingly.

“Guess again, Micah. Nobody liked you in that state, not even Jessica. Everybody was just taking advantage of your powers and abilities for their own personal gain. You may not see it, but this was for your own good.” responded Wesley.

“I’m changing myself back.” says Micah annoyingly while heading to his machine. Wesley pulls out and ignites a bomb, throwing it at the machine and destroying it into a million pieces.

“I can’t let you do that, Micah. You’re my best friend. I don’t want to see you get hurt. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” asked Wesley. Micah angrily thinks for a moment with Wesley subsequently saying, “I see you need some time to collect your thoughts. If you ever come to your senses, you know where to find me.” Wesley heads to Micah’s Warp Machine and warps home while Micah continues contemplating with Trekker watching him, Jessica, and Dustin on surveillance from his mansion, chuckling menacingly. With Jessica sound asleep at her house later on, her door opens with a shadow being cast from it. The next day, Micah enters his laboratory and conducts experiments until his computer rings. Micah answers the call with Trekker appearing on screen.

“Well hi there, Micah! I have something to show you!” says Trekker menacingly while subsequently showing Jessica cuffed on a concrete slab at his mansion.

“Oh no. Jessica’s in trouble. What ever shall I do?” asked Micah sarcastically.

“I need your help, Micah! Really!” said Jessica worriedly.

“Why don’t you have your boyfriend save you? It’s his job after all!” responded Micah sarcastically. Micah’s computer suddenly shows Dustin cuffed next to Jessica on the concrete slab at Trekker’s mansion with Micah sarcastically saying, “All right, hot shot! You want to be a hero? Here’s your chance! Make my day!”

“What am I supposed to do?!” asked Dustin angrily.

“She’s your girlfriend! You think of something!” responded Micah sarcastically.

“Knock it off, Micah! We’re in real danger here! Just look at us! We can’t even move for crying out loud!” replies Jessica angrily while wiggling. Micah begins thinking while angrily saying, “Hmm, let me think…nope! Three’s a crowd! I’d just be cramping your style like what I’ve been doing lately!”

“That is so not true, Micah! I only wanted you and Dustin...” responded Jessica.

“Now you’re just toying with me.” replied Micah angrily.

“I’m your friend, Micah! Why would I be toying with you?!” asked Jessica.

“Correction. I WAS your friend! We never should have met!” responded Micah.

“Don’t say that. We came into each other’s lives for a reason, and you still ARE my friend. Just listen to me.” replied Jessica.

“I’ve heard enough! You rusty bolts are no skin off my back! Find some other lame nerd to save your life!” says Micah angrily while walking away and running into his mom, who is giving him a stern look.

“Mom? What are you doing here?” asked Micah.

“Help those two out right now or you’re grounded!” responded Micah’s mother angrily. Micah sighs angrily and turns his attention back to his computer, which has Trekker back into view.

“I’ll be right over.” says Micah angrily while heading to his Warp Machine.

“We’ll be here.” responded Trekker.

“Not that we have any other choice.” said Dustin annoyingly. Micah warps to Trekker’s mansion and approaches Trekker while annoyingly saying, “All right, Trekker. Let’s get this over with.”

“And by that, you mean…” asked Trekker.

“You and me, one-on-one, now.” answered Micah annoyingly.

“Well, if you insist.” responds Trekker while starting to fight Micah. Still angry about his experience with Jessica, Micah intentionally gives Trekker the upper hand and allows himself to be attacked.

“Come on, you broken bolt! You’re not even trying!” said Trekker angrily. Micah carries on the fight with Trekker, but continues giving him the upper hand. The battle goes on for a while without Micah putting up a fight, eventually prompting Trekker to end it while subsequently saying, “I give up. This battle is so pointless. Here, take your friends and get out.” Trekker frees Jessica and Dustin from the concrete slab while Micah stands and observes. Jessica and Dustin approach Micah, who annoyingly says, “Let the insults commence.” To Micah’s surprise, Jessica hugs Micah while saying, “Thank you so much for saving us, Micah. I’m so sorry for being so hard on you.”

“I have to admit, that was some fight you put up there.” said Dustin.

“But I didn’t do anything.” responded Micah.

“That’s the beauty of it. I will never doubt your weirdness ever again. Way to go, dude.” replies Dustin while holding out his fist. Micah fist bumps Dustin, who turns to Jessica and says, “I have a confession to make. I think we should see other people.”

“Are you breaking up with me?” asked Jessica.

“Well…yes. I just don’t feel the same way about you. I never did. I only said ‘yes’ because I was too afraid to say ‘no’.” answered Dustin.

“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? It probably would have disappointed me, but I’d rather you be honest than just pretend to feel something you really don’t.” asked Jessica.

“I was worried it wasn’t going to turn out well.” answered Dustin. Dustin leaves Trekker’s mansion while Jessica watches in heartbreak with Micah putting his hand on her shoulder and saying, “I am so sorry, Jessica.”

“You think you know a guy.” says Jessica while brushing off Micah’s hand. Jessica heads to Trekker’s Warp Machine and warps herself home while Micah does the same. Some time later, Micah approaches Jessica at lunch and asks, “How are you doing? You know, with being dumped and all?”

“Actually…I’m doing great! I just needed some time to adjust.” answered Jessica.

“Well, you know what they say: ‘Time heals all wounds’. See you after bit.” responds Micah while returning to his table.

“Wait, Micah.” said Jessica.

“Yes?” asks Micah while drawing his attention to Jessica. Jessica scoots down the table and presents a seat right next to her while asking, “Care to sit down?” Micah sits down next to Jessica at lunch with Wesley and Sarah later joining them. Micah and his friends proceed with their lives while bonding with Dustin, who remains friends with Jessica. While Micah may still like Jessica more than a friend, he has learned to acknowledge her decision and to take what he can get, never to try and be something he’s not ever again.

 

The End