2:50PM—Westchester High School—10th Period Biology
"...And that, class, is how the reproductive cycle works," finished the teacher.
"Now, for Monday, I want a short paragraph outlining the differences between
placental mammals, marsupials, and monotremes."
The final bell rang out signaling the students that it was time to go.
"Have a good weekend, class, and don't be stupid!" he warned the teenagers.
"Fenrir, could I talk with you for a moment?"
"Sure, Mr. Gordon," answered a tall, muscular youth with short brown hair and
dark blue eyes, "I have to stay late for swimming practice anyway. What's
wrong?"
"Actually, Fen, that's what I wanted to talk with you about. Your grades in this
class have been slipping and I've heard from the other teachers that your work
in their classes has been slipping as well. Now I know you've been doing a lot
of working out lately so that you could make captain of the swim team; but if
your grades get any lower you won't be eligible anyway. You need to learn to
balance your skills and your education."
"Yes, sir," Fen replied, knowing fully well it was his fault.
"If you ever need any help, you know you can come see me, right?"
"Thank you, Mr. Gordon."
"You're welcome, now have a good weekend and—"
"I know, don't be stupid."
"You just remember that and you'll be alright."
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6:00PM—The Thorton Household—Fen's Room
Fen entered the room, shutting the door behind him, and flopped down on the
bed. Today had been a long day and he was worn out. After swimming practice,
he had come home and finished his homework for the weekend before supper.
This was the first time all day he had been able to relax. Now, as he lay on the
bed, he reached behind him on his night stand and grabbed the old leather-
bound book that he had found in an antique store several weeks ago.
Fen opened the book to his marked page and read aloud.
"Forandr meg tilbake," he recited.
Almost instantly, he changed into a shorter yet still muscular boy with long
blonde hair and a golden tan. The swimming medals on the wall above his bed
were replaced with surfing paraphernalia and his clothes changed from jeans
and a polo to black board shorts and a blue tank.
"That's better," he said to himself.
Since discovering the magic book, he'd spent the last few weeks trying out
other types of lives. Now that he had been every type of teenager under the
sun, he was thankful to be back in his own body and life. And now that he had
his own life back, he decided to call one of his own friends. There were still a
few hours of light left and he wanted to spend some time with A.J, his best
friend. Now that he would remember him anyways.
"A.J. what's up?" he asked over the phone.
"Not much, how was your trip?"
"Trip?"
"Yeah, your vacation to Los Angeles for the past three weeks."
That must have been what the spell put into his head so that he wouldn't notice
his friend's absence.
"Oh, alright. Not all it's cracked up to be, though. Waves were the same as ours
and the sun was just as hot. I tell ya, if it weren't for all the hot babes
suntanning, I would've rather been back here surfing with you."
"Well that's just great," he said sarcastically, "You're best friend since preschool
takes a backseat to oiled up LA chicks."
"Hey, you wanna go surfing or what?" Fen asked.
"Yeah, sure, just let me tell my folks."
After hanging up, Fen began leafing through the pages of the magic book. He
wanted to test his powers on other people now. And for everyone at
Westchester Beach, this afternoon was going to be very different.
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PS. The "magic words" are Norwegian.