Sorry it took such a long time to get back to this story! I've been having such a hard time coming up with something to write! But now I have a story! I will be redoing several chapters. In time of course, to make it more true to the storylines off the movies, and because when I first updated, the first chapters are really undeveloped. So keep your eyes peeled for those! Now to drive into how Randall is starting to feel more like he's second best!

Bonus tip: Title was inspired by the Aladdin 2 song Second Rate


Chapter 24: Always Second Rate

Sulley was strolling through town. He had just gotten down shopping and wanted to take a leisurely stroll to and from the store. Mike, who has with them, was complaining about them not taking the car. He was claiming it would've made the trip so much easier on them and not really taking notice of the beautiful warm day.

"I'm just telling ya Sul! It would make this trip so much easier!"

"Oh wah, wha, wha," the larger monster teased, "It's a beautiful day! Some fresh air isn't going to kill us."

"I'm just saying is all…"

The two didn't notice that they were heading towards two bickering women, a tall ten foot, brown furred monster with blue eyes, and a thin purple monster with two tentacle arms with hazel eyes wearing blue glasses. The two was arguing about what they should do with their son. Before the four could realize what was going to happen, they slammed into each other.

"Oh sorry-" Sulley and the brown furred woman started.

"Watch where you're going!" The purple one snapped.

"Cheryal!" The brown furred scowled. She turned around, picking up the fallen groceries. "I'm sorry about her. She's been having a bad day."

"Oh it's not a problem." Sulley replied.

"Think nothing of it," Mike waved it off, then muttered under his breath, "But she didn't have to have her tentacles in a knot."

"I'm Emilia, and this rude mon is Cheryal."

"Nice to meet you." Sulley smiled.

"We better get going, we're going to visit our son. Sorry about that."

The two walked off, going about their business. Mike and Sulley thought nothing of it as they too went about their business.

At work, during lunch, Randall and Fungus were nowhere to be see… again. Since Randall has given them permission to continue reading the book, they moved onto the next chapter. George had taken the book.

"Alright, Chapter 24: Always Second Rate.

Growing up, my parents always put me as their first priority. Which wasn't a surprise to me because I was an only child and extremely sick as I grew. But I was never the type to seek attention for attention. If anything I avoided it. I was so sick most of the time I didn't even get to leave the house eighty percent of the time. And even when I tried to play with my cousins, I learned that I wasn't wanted. I never understood why. Until high school.

I learned that due to my extent of knowledge, that I was treated differently because of it. I worked really hard and got straight A's. Even though I was the youngest in the classroom, I didn't want to stop getting the best grades. If I was going to continue going to spelling bees getting into college and get a job, I had to keep my grades up. After several months in my senior year of high school, I learned that my name was being botched from Honor society. I couldn't understand why. I was the top of the class. I had multiple offers of scholarships from prestige colleges. When Fungus went digging into the school's database (he was a world-class mathematician hack), Cheyenne, Fungus and I learned that they were kicking me off the list because I was "out performing" the older and more experienced kids. I felt hurt. All my hard work and I was being booted off because I was "too smart." It hurt. The one thing I was good for and I was being punished for it.

With more digging, we discovered that Spencer's dad was paying the principle off by having my name take off and his name to be in my spot along with the kids of famous Scarers' kids. I couldn't believe that this was happening to me. My intelligence was considered second rate to their money. It was disgusting. I went home feeling horrible. My whole life I felt so small and worthless compared to others.

Sometimes I felt it more in my family. My cousins always made sure to make me feel like I didn't belong. Even my aunts and uncles sometimes acted like I was an unwanted being. When times got so bad, I always ended up running to my parents or even Papouli because they were the only ones that would make me feel that I was a member of the family.

College it really hit me. When I started my freshman year, I was really hoping for a new beginning. I was tired of being known as the sickly, geeky, too-smart and too-young kid in the class. No more pain from bullies, no more being an outcast. A chance to make new friends. To prove to my parents that I was able to do things on my own. To show everyone that has ever degraded me and said I would never measure about to anything to eat their own words. And just as the last half of my freshman year began, everything came crashing down. My roommate and friend had turned against me, against my offers to try and salvage our friendship. I learned that the fraternity I joined was just using me to get back at him. When I finally tried to prove myself, I was sabotaged and shun for a mistake that wasn't even my fault. My only friend was taken away from me. I was still second rate. It wasn't fair.

When I finally graduated, I was sure I would find a way to demonstrate what I learned in college to let the world know that I had what it take to be a Scarer! I was going to everyone that I had what it takes! Everyone in my high school, my teachers, my family, my only two friends, everyone who ever doubted me! When I walked in Monsters Inc., the factory I always dreamed to work at, the place that Papouli used to work at, I was determined to walk out with a job! I looked around the factory in awe as I stepped in. I only visited this place once, when my Papouli took me out for a field trip. I was never allowed to come because my parents forbid me from ever learning or even associating with scaring when I was being homeschooled, which was a large part of my education. Of course Papouli, Cheyenne and Fungus taught me while my parents were busy at work. And when I finally went to college, I did as much catching up so I would be ahead in my classes. I didn't want to be ridicule from my lack of knowledge because my parents had a huge grudge against Scaring.

After getting instructions from the secretary, I made my way to the stimulator room. I swallowed my nervousness as I walked into the room. I looked at the clock. I was half an hour early for my appointment. Good. My parents always told me that I should arrive fifteen minutes early for a job interview. I decided to take extra caution and do thirty.

I blinked in surprise when I saw Mike and Sullivan there. I frowned. Great. Just perfect. My ex-friend and the cheater who stole my friend and ruin my scare in the Scare games was here. What were they doing here?

"What are you doing here?"

I couldn't help but ask, my voice containing more venom than I meant. I was still upset at Mike and Sullivan for what they did in college. Especially Sullivan. He was everything my Papouli told me not to be and he was already something that I wasn't. A Scarer's kid, a slacker, a liar, a cheater, thinking everything was to be handed to him on a silver platter.

"Scaring Try-outs. What about you?" Sullivan asked.

"Same."

I didn't really want to associate with him. Monsters like him are the reason why my parents hate Scaring.

"I'm surprised you're trying out, Randy." Mike spat with such malicious.

I frowned. Why was he being so cold to me? I did nothing to him in college. I snorted.

"Why wouldn't I? I graduated scara cum laude at Monsters University. I was the top of the class. I know I'll make a Scarer here."

Whoa… that was some confidence I never expected coming from me. I normally don't say something like that. Before I could get a chance to ponder my unexpected proclamation, Sullivan cut in.

"I hope you make it, it would be great if we could work together."

I snorted. I didn't want to work with someone who didn't take hard work serious. Today I was going to prove people like me were more valuable than kids born to famous Scarers. I worked harder than anyone for this. I overcame my weak immune system and pushed myself physically and mentally to get myself here.

"We shall see." I muttered.

"Randall Boggs, please report to the Scare Stimulator room," I heard the intercom.

"Good luck!" Sullivan called to me.

"Yea, good luck Boggs," Mike sneered at me. "Hope those hearts will help you."

I glared at him and turned away. Clenching my fist angrily. "I won't need luck."

As I went in, I suddenly felt my stomach turn into butterflies. I kept myself standing straight, trying to keep the new confidence techniques Cheyenne taught me last time I saw her. I was going to shake his hand and introduce myself when he cut me off the moment I stepped in.

"You ready Boggs?" He clipped, preventing me from doing anything further.

"Yes sir, Mr. Waternoose."

"You may begin."

I made my way over to the door and pulled out the file and read it. Five year old girl, afraid of snakes and dogs. I got this. Putting the file in, I slithered my way into room, shutting the door behind me and climbed onto the walls, blending in. I made my way over to the girl. I started with a Doberman snarl, causing the child dummy to sit up. I then jumped out, unblending myself and hissed at the child like a snake. The dummy screamed. I turned and fled the room, shutting the door.

"You've been the best I've seen so far Boggs." Mr. Waternoose said, but with no enthusiasm. "We'll contact to you after we gathered the results. Thank you."

I didn't take notice, but I was pleased. I was the best! Only my parents told me I was the best and it usually over something stupid like being the best son, or something like that. I nodded and walked out. I couldn't believe it! Me, considered the best of the try-outs so far! I haven't felt this proud of myself since my last spelling bee when I was fifteen! As I walked out, Sullivan was called in. Curious, I decided to wait to see how well he would do.

I could barely make out what Waternoose said after I left, but I could hear that he was excited to learn that Sullivan was auditioning, because he was Bill Sullivan's kid. I growled. He was already being favorited because he was a Scarer's kid! I flinched after hearing his roar from out the door, shortly after I could hear Mr. Waternoose proudly praising him.

"He's better than that Boggs kid!" I heard him shout from the other side.

I felt my heart break. I growled, furious. I couldn't believe it. I was outdone again! I always being outdone and push aside like I was nothing! I growled. Once again he was getting special treatment because he was a Scarer's kid! If everyone was going to treat him like he some sort of prince, then let them! But I'm not going to! I know what he really is and I'd be disgusted if they expected me to kiss his tail. No! He doesn't deserve my respect until he earned it! And I highly doubt he ever will!"

Sulley blinked in surprise. That's how Randall thought about him? He didn't think Randall disliked him that much. He knew he was unfriendly and indifferent towards him, but to really view him in that way? He shocked him. He thought of him as a cheater, a slacker, privileged, something he was in college, but wasn't anything like that now. How was he going to show him that really changed?


Sad news everyone. This is the second to last chapter. Next up the big finale!

Thank you all for reading and I'll see you for the last time in the next chapter!