A/N- "The OC" is not mine, nor will it ever be. I just get these silly ideas in my head.
Two Weeks to Flatten the Curve
March 15th, 2020
"Hey man, did you see this?" Seth asked Ryan, handing over his phone, "' The OC Register' just tweeted out that all of California is going into a lockdown next week because of this whole Corona thing."
"Wow." Ryan scrolled through the article, "So, what exactly is a 'lockdown'?"
"I'm not sure. The article says that a two-week lockdown will 'flatten the curve.'" Seth shrugged, "Apparently, they're pretty worried because, like, thousands of people have died in China."
"COHEN!" Summer shouted, running down the hall, "Did you guys see this!? A TWO-WEEK lockdown!"
"Yeah, two weeks of solitude." He smirked, "I'm already brainstorming all of the things I can do without schoolwork getting in the way."
"I get that two weeks of playing video games and organizing your comic books sounds like heaven, but they also threaten the possibility of having a prom." She huffed.
"Geeze, Roberts, show a little sympathy for all the people dying in China." Ryan shook his head.
"I know, I know." She signed, "I'm just worried the last semester of our senior year is about to be trashed."
"Hey now, cheer up. I'm sure we'll find ways to enjoy an impromptu break." Seth smirked, pulling her in close, "Now come on, we have English to get to."
"Alright, class, before we leave for the day, I wanted to discuss the news about the impending two-week lockdown'." Mr. Schmidt said, raising his voice, "I know it's the last semester of your senior year, and you're more focused on prom than grades, but I will have a packet over work for you by the end of the week."
Seth glanced at Summer and rolled his eyes, "Seriously? He can't expect us to complete work when there are countless more entertaining things to do."
"Mr. Cohen, I will also be sending out a mass email to parents this evening, so don't try to pull any stunts." Schmidt grinned, right as the bell rang.
"Hey Atwood, did Mrs. Elliot mention work packets in calculus?" Summer asked as they caught up to him by his locker.
"Yeah." He responded, closing his locker, "But it's just going to be a few review worksheets. Why? Did Schmidt say anything about work during your English class?"
"YES!" Seth scoffed, "and not just some 'review' assignment. An actual packet of assignments! I already have a list of things I need to work on during these two weeks."
"I'm sure it will be fine, Seth." Ryan chuckled, "We're literally going to be prisoners in our homes."
"Mother… Father…" Seth greeted his parents as he shuffled into the kitchen, "Did you see the news?"
"It's been all over the news, Seth." Kirsten responded, looking up from a recipe, "Two weeks to flatten the curve doesn't sound so bad."
"Yeah, it sounded GREAT until Mr. Schmidt said he's putting together a packet of assignments." He scoffed.
"What did you expect, Seth?" Sandy asked, "This is a lockdown, not Spring Break."
"BUT IT'S SENIOR YEAR!" Seth slumped down onto a stool, "I mean, what is he going to do if we don't finish the assignment?"
"Yeah, about that," Kirsten said, "Dr. Kim sent an email to the parents informing us that they are setting up 'Google Classrooms' so that students can digitally submit work." She said, scrolling through her emails.
"WHAT?" Ryan and Seth asked slack-jawed.
"Sorry, boys, looks like these 'two weeks to flatten the curve' won't be the extra spring break you were expected." Sandy shrugged, "Who's ready for dinner?"