"As far as modern inventors go, Nikola Tesla is arguably one of the more over looked, yet talented inventors. Cindy?"
Cindy nodded her agreement. She and Jimmy were in front of the class, having basically commandeered the class away from Miss Fowl for yet another extra credit report. "Admittedly, it was a shame that Thomas Edison, though brilliant in his own right, worked so hard to keep Tesla from the fame he deserved. I may have to recant on my recent report this year that claimed Marconi invented radio. Jimmy?"
"To expand on Cindy's point, Tesla had an unfortunate lab fire which resulted in the loss of his equipment. It happened in the same year as Marconi released his own research on radio waves, 1895."
"You have got to be kidding me," Nick was about a second away from banging his head on the desk in his boredom.
Cindy and Jimmy exchanged looks. "No, really, it happened. It seems really unfair, doesn't it?" Jimmy nodded, thinking that Nick was agreeing with his point.
"No, I mean this is what the ….twentieth time this month you two eggheads have given extra credit reports. Do either one of you even need the credit?! You must have, like, a 130 average in this class by now."
"Watch it," Cindy growled. "One of these 'eggheads' knows several different forms of martial arts!"
"We're just trying to help you guys get the most of your education. Miss Fowl doesn't seem to mind. Do you, Miss-" Jimmy finally realized the teacher was gently snoring, her head on her desk. He scanned the class only to notice that most of the class looked much the same, including his two best friends. Libby was one of the few who was still awake, but she looked just as bored as Nick did.
"Um, Cindy, maybe we should give the floor back to our appointed educator?"
"Yeah, looks about time." She gave a loud whistle, enough to wake all but Carl from their naps. "We're done now, Miss Fowl."
"It's aaa-booou-tt time. Bawk! What I mean to say, Cindy and Jimmy, is that as informative as these reports are, perhaps we should focus on the rest of the class for the day? Besides, we have an extra special project we'll be starting for today. It's very important. It will account for about 20% of your grades. BAWK! CARL, WAKE UP!"
Carl gave a snort and sat up straight. He looked embarrassed, but said nothing.
Nick seemed to be considering something in the back of the room. Last week, Miss Fowl had pointed out to him that he was dangerously close to failing this year, and for once being smooth talking and cool had not convinced her to float the few extra points he needed to pass. Partnering with Cindy or Jimmy should guarantee him an A on the project, with minimal work on his part. His hand shot into the air.
"Nick...are you feeling all right?" Miss Fowl had never in the entire year with Nick seen the young man raise his hand for anything. He either just left the room or spoke up when he felt the need or wish to.
"Yeah, I just wanted to point out – it wouldn't really be fair for Neutron and Cindy to partner on this project, right? I mean, how would that be fair to the rest of us?"
"Well, I had actually already considered that, Nick." Miss Fowl allowed herself a small smile. "While it is a partnered project, I will be choosing the pairings at complete random by use of this coffee can!" She grabbed the can off the desk and shook it dramatically.
"Cool!" Sheen leaned on the edge of his chair. "Does that coffee can tell the future?"
Miss Fowl resisted the temptation to roll her eyes. "No, Sheen. I have everyone's names here in the can and will be drawing the names completely at random."
"Ok, before we find out who exactly we're doomed to have to either carry or be dragged down, don't we have a right to know what this project is?" Cindy crossed her arms. "I mean, sure, I understand me and Neutron not partnering, but what's the big deal with me and Libby teaming up?"
"Now, now, Cindy, I have to give everyone a fighting chance. This will be at complete random. But I suppose it -bawk! - is only fair to let you know what the project is." Miss Fowl reached behind her desk and produced a box of what looked like plastic baby dolls.
"Look, Sheen, maybe you can pretend your Ultra Lord doll had babies!" Nick called.
"He's not a doll, he's an action figure! ...But he would also make an excellent dad."
"You will be partnered at random," Miss Fowl had chosen to ignore the interruption. "and will be taking care of the dolls together, including filling out questionnaires regarding how you've chosen to raise the baby and a time log to prove on person isn't doing all of the work."
Libby eyed the dolls with suspicion. "And what exactly is going to be so hard about this?"
"This!" Miss Fowl pressed a button on the back of one of the dolls. It immediately started crying. "Once activated, they can only be turned off by figuring out why the doll is crying. Food, changing or comfort. And don't even think of turning the doll off, the internal system tracks everything. And Jimmy, that includes tampering with it."
"Gas planets," Jimmy muttered under his breath.
"This assignment will last from after I finish partnering you to 10 AM next Monday. So, be prepared to give a paper on your experiences exactly one week from today. Now, for the pairings," Miss Fowl once again shook the can before grabbing the first two slips of paper. "Jimmy and...Libby!"
Jimmy let out a sigh of relief. While Libby wouldn't be his first choice, she was definitely preferable to many of the other options in class.
"Cindy and Sheen,"
Sheen and Cindy both let out groans. "Miss Fowl, I have to object! I mean...my partner probably doesn't agree with the system of attachment parenting!" Cindy complained.
"You want to attach what to what?!" Sheen look of incense matched Cindy's. "I demand a switch! A trade! Cruel and unusual punishment was banned in this country a long time ago!"
"Sheen, working with Cindy is basically a guaranteed A," Jimmy pointed out. "You kind of need that sort of grade to make sure you don't repeat a grade. Again." He was trying to think of a bright point for Cindy working with Sheen, but he was having a hard time figuring out one that would convince Cindy. "And Cindy he uh...he tries."
"I'll trade with Sheen," Nick offered.
"No trades!" Miss Fowl snapped. "Now...Nick and ...Carl!"
"C—Carl?!" Nick sputtered. "But he's a dude! Can't I at least partner with a chick?"
"This is 2015, Nick, get with the times," Sheen snickered.
"Plus, I did tell you that this was completely at random," Miss Fowl pointed out. "I'm sorry, but as I said previously there will no be trades. Brittany, you're with Bolbi. Emily, you're with Emma. Oleander, you're with Butch."
"This is going to be one long week." Sheen muttered, as most of the class voiced their agreement.
Author's Note: I think it's very important for friends to be ok with your relationship. This story mainly came from me wondering what would happen if you forced Sheen and Cindy to work together. And the idea of Carl and Nick having to work together just seemed like fun to me.