' someone thinking
"someone talking
Just Another Project
Furinkan High.
Akane sat in the back of the room, she glanced at Ranma who was, of course, sleeping.
'How can he be so carefree? Doesn't he care about his future?' She began to get angry as she reached to wake him. Her hand never reached him. She had been stopped by her teacher's words.
"so you all have to complete a month long project"
'What!! Why?' Akane didn't like projects (who does?).
The teacher continued "The objective of this project is to improve one aspect of your life. You are to choose an area in your life where you are having difficulties and improve upon it. It can be an addiction, losing weight, gaining muscle, spiritual and mental development, or your personality. You have to keep a record to prove your improvement, such as a log, a diary, or journal. There must be also at least three different persons recording and signing your improvement. A simple excellent, good, average or poor will do. At the end of the eight week you will write a paper reflecting the whole project. Remember, as your final project this will be worth 25% of your grade." glares at Ranma, who woke at the word 'project'.
"You now have one hour to write a contract stating your objective, some methods you will use to fulfill it, and how you are to record it. The project begins immediately after I sign your contract." That said, the teacher turned and let the students speak to one another.
Akane was deep in thought. What could she do? She practiced martial arts so she had no need for physical improvement. Spiritual? Mental? She wasn't too sure about that. She already was mentally and spiritually happy (more or less).
Yuka and Sayuri walked towards her. Yuka was the first to speak "so what are you going to do Akane?"
"I don't know yet. What are you two going to do?"
Yuka looked sheepish "I'm going to try and be more optimistic"
Sayuri on the other hand looked pained. "lose weight, I'm going for the 10 pound scenario."
"I don't think you need to lose weight Sayuri."
"sure I do!"
Akane had a 'whatever' look on her face. She shook her head as to clear it. "What should I do?"
"umm... what about not eating junk food anymore?" Yuka suggested.
Akane shook her head again "I don't normally eat junk food"
"Being more spiritual?"
"more? I don't think so Sayuri, I'm not interested in becoming a Shinto Priestess."
"Getting to school on time?"
"How will that help me through my life?"
"I don't know" Yuka shrugged.
"Do better on school?"
"She already does well Sayuri"
Yuka snapped her fingers "I know, what about your temper?"
"My temper?" Akane thought about it. It sounded fruitful. She did get angry easily, maybe it could work.
"Yeah" Sayuri agreed "according to Ranma you can improve on that department"
It was Akane's turn to look sheepish.
"and if nothing else" Sayuri continued "you can show Ranma of how you are capable of working on your weaknesses."
To Akane this was the best reason they had pointed out. She immediately felt her pride rise.
Akane stood in a dramatic-heroic pose (fist in the air an' all).
"That's it, my objective is to learn to control my anger!!!!!"
"Go Akane, Go Akane, You can do it, YAY!!!!!!!!" Yuka and Sayuri cheered (complete with fans and pom poms)
"Ladies?"
All three girls turned to face the teacher.
~0~
On the way home Akane was reviewing her contract. She was mumbling (sort of) to herself.
'keep diary.... sister, friend, and father opinions and signatures.... try one method a day...'
"I think I can do it"
Ranma looked at Akane "so what are you doing your project on?"
"I'mgoingtoworkonmytemper, how about you?"
"Doing my homework, and what was that?" Ranma asked thoroughly confused.
"I said I'mgoingtoworkonmytemper"
"What? I can't hear you"
Akane sighed. I said I'm going to work on my temper."
Ranma burst laughing. "you? temper? this is too much"
Akane got immediately angry "what's so funny????!!!!!" She immediately reached for her mallet from hammer-space.
"see??"
That stopped Akane cold. He was right. That didn't calm her down, in fact he angered her more.
She angrily chanted in her head.
Day 1. Method: count to 10. Oookayyy. sigh. 1. sigh. 2. sigh 3. she kept on counting and reached 10. she was still angry. Change that to 20. This time she was calmer at the end.
Ranma had stopped laughing and was looking expectantly at Akane.
Akane made a mental vow to get through this project. 'I WILL make it. You just wait Ranma.'
Akane turned and resumed walking home "I'm sorry that you think its impossible Ranma"
Ranma looked at Akane surprised and followed her home.
Akane allowed herself a small smile at Ranma's reaction. She WAS going to make it. She just knew it.
~@~
Soooo, what do you think? Should I continue? If I get 3 Email prompting me on I will, if not I'll stop. I actually based this story on a project I had to do. If I do continue, I will write Akane doing all the methods I used. Some were strange, like the one.... nope I won't tell you just yet, I'll let you suffer.
Ciao,
Meztli