and he found what looked like the answer in a small magazine ad. 'Kids! Are you underdeveloped? Overdeveloped? Tired of being the class Giant or Shrimp? Our special Averaging formula will make you just right - join the happy average - be like most of the others, not the exception!'
It sounded pretty hopeless, not even saying what the stuff was or how it worked. But it was really cheap, and Jordon was desperate enough to try anything. So he sent off the money and waited.
It was a week later when a small package arrived - he'd actually forgotten about sending off for the Averaging junk. Lucky for him, nobody else was home. Heading to his room, he opened the package. Huh? He stared at what was revealed. It looked like some ancient coin, so worn that he could barely make out anything. There seemed to be some sort of tree stamped on the back, and an hourglass on the other.
He held it in his hand, frowning. What a ripoff! Sighing, he tossed the coin in the air and caught it - and suddenly felt dizzy. When the sensation passed, he shook his head, then stared. What the Hell had happened to his room? All of his posters and stuff on his shelves had been changed, and his new computer was gone - replaced by the hand-me-down that was supposed to be in Jackson's room.
Angry, he stormed down the hall to Jackson's room, and met his brother coming in from outside. "What did you do to my room? And why did you take my computer?"
Jackson looked at him, obviously confused. "What are you talking about, Jordan? Why would I want your computer? I have the new one, remember?"
"You admit it! You took the new computer!" Jordan yelled. "You take everything! It's not fair! You look like you're a senior, and I look like a little kid! Now you want to take all my stuff, too! Well, here!" He threw the coin at Jackson, who caught it automatically, still looking confused. "Take everything!"
Jackson shook his head, then stared down at Jordon. "Are you on drugs or something? What's the matter with you? I got the new computer because I needed it for classes. You just play games on yours! Maybe you forgot, but I AM a high school senior. That's the grade I should be in as a 17 year-old. And you don't look like a little kid. Twelve is not little - you look like all the other kids in your class. So what's the big deal?"
Jordan stared at his brother in confusion. When had his brother started dressing like that? He looked like.. one of the older kids. Jackson shook his head and went into his room, tossing some keys on the bed. "I gotta get gas for the car - Mom freaks if I leave it empty when I use it."
Jordan looked around - Jackson's room had changes as well, with different posters and decorations. And all the sports trophies he'd won were missing! There were a few small ones, but none of the first place awards he'd gotten. It looked like the room of an average high school senior, just like his room... Jordan gasped and looked at the coin. Just like his room looked like it belonged to an average 12 year-old!