Sorry it took so long to update. Here's "The University"
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"Suzie, I'm sorry I always cared about you so much more than Moze," Ned hugged the brown-eyed brunette close as he whispered the words she had desired to hear all along. "Hey guys, how's it going?" Moze passed by the couple. Both their jaws dropped.
"Jennifer, how did you find us? This is the farthest beach from the city, in fact most people don't even know it exists," Suzie's arms still encircled Ned's neck as his grasp on her waist had actually tightened. "I just sort of found it, I should go. I'll see you guys later," she began to leave.
"Wait, I'm coming with you," Ned practically dropped Suzie and ran toward the taller brunette. "You are?" her voice coated in shock and excitement. He nodded and they ran away from Suzie wrapping his arms around Moze instead.
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Suzie's breathing came in huffed breaths as she found herself shivering under her numerous blankets. "What a dream or maybe more of a nightmare, I guess?" she whispered to herself realizing her fellow roommates were still sleeping soundly. The events of the day were scattered through her mind, but she really didn't want to focus on any of them.
She'd dumped her boyfriend and lost her best friend in only a matter of hours. She knew they were happier without her; this hurt more than anything she could imagine. Suzie Crabgrass had lost her popular notation as she had changed into a better person, at least mostly.
"I didn't get my way, this is definitely going to take some time to get used to," she had made her way to the bathroom and stared into the jagged mirror. She realized she was shallower than she'd ever thought. She'd only stayed with Ned because he was cute, that wasn't a reason to date someone.
"It's better this way," she told her reflection clicking off the light switch and returning to her bed. She didn't dream anymore that night, mental exhaustion was enough to prevent her imagination from drifting off again.
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"Ned, dude, we seriously need to be on the bus in like ten minutes," Cookie stood on the floor shaking Ned's bed with enough force to awaken his friend. "Five more minutes," he mumbled as Cookie managed to yank the pillow from beneath his head.
"Hey, I was using that," Ned tiredly growled as he finally sat up. He stretched and yawned before getting down from bed. Within eight minutes, he, Cookie, Seth, and Jeff were on their way to the main lobby to meet the rest of the group for breakfast.
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"Hi, Moze," Ned nervously approached his friend, wondering how much he'd actually dreamed up about the previous night. "Hey Ned, Cookie, you guys almost missed the buses, what took so long?" Moze stood beside Lisa who greeted Cookie with a hug when the boys approached.
"Ned is what took so long," Cookie replied with his most sarcastic tone as he took Lisa's hand in his own. "Just be glad you don't have to room with Missy. I swear that girl took an hour just to apply her make-up," Lisa sighed.
"I wonder what she really looks like," Moze gave Ned a friendly punch. "What girls look like without make-up is not something you need to concern yourself with," she smiled.
"You four, buses, let's go," Crubbs had been giving instructions the entire time the four teens had been talking. They quickly scrambled out of the hotel and onto the buses.
"Does anyone remember where we're going today?" Ned sat beside Moze across from Cookie and Lisa. "The university, then that old rich guy's estate," Cookie responded taking out a brochure. "Peach Grove was more than just a rich man's estate, Simon. It was home to the first governor of Iowa and countless other famous people," Lisa didn't really talk to many people in her social studies class so it was hard not to pay attention.
"Well whatever it is, it helps keep us out of school an extra two hours," Ned excitedly replied. The rest of the trip to the university was relatively quiet, as least between Ned and Moze.
"So, did you sleep well?" Ned stared at his hands in a bored manner. "Um, yeah, how'd you sleep?" Moze glanced toward Ned and began playing with her hair. "Good," he glanced at her smiling. Is she actually as nervous around me as I am around her? Should I bring up the kiss or just keep my mouth shut?
"Uh, Moze, about last night…" her brown eyes locked with his blue, Ned had no idea what he was going to say. "Are you going to tell me it was your evil twin Tad again, or was last night intentional," Ned chuckled as he remembered how he had thought he could convince Suzie that his evil twin Tad was the one who had kissed Jennifer at the "Around the World" dance.
"It was more spur of the moment, but I'm glad it happened, I…" teachers always seemed to make announcements when Ned had something important to say. "Alright class, we will watching a demonstration, no it is not a graded assignment, but if you participate in any way, I may be willing to give some extra credit," Sweeney's voice echoed across the PA system as the students filed out.
"I guess we'll talk later, Ned," Moze smiled as she quickly followed the large mass of her classmates.
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As the group entered the university, they were led into a large assembly hall where a long wooden table sat in the front of the room.
"Ah, James K. Polk Middle School, welcome!" an elderly man waved his arms motioning for everyone to come farther into the room. Cookie and Lisa took seats in the third row, Ned, Moze, Jeff, and Martin followed taking seats beside them.
"What are they supposed to be demonstrating?" Lisa whispered to Cookie. He just smiled all-knowingly. "You'll see."
A younger man of about 23 looked up from beside the old man. He whispered something to the elder before looking at the large gathering of 8th graders. "Well, as Dr. Pines said, I'd also like to welcome you all to the University of Iowa. My name is Chris and I'm a graduate student here at the university. I've been majoring in biochemical engineering, but my demonstration today is just a few chemistry tricks I've learned throughout my years here."
Chris straightened the white lab coat on his shoulders and lined the flasks before him. (AN: my chemistry wasn't that great, so I'm not going into detail about what chemicals are being mixed or stuff like that). Chris grabbed two partially full flasks and slowly poured the contents into an empty flask. The mixing liquids steamed and bubbled as they changed colors upon combining.
The young man performed several other experiments, mostly boring to Cookie since he could perform them in his own home and likely had at some point. Finally, Chris addressed the class asking for a volunteer. "The final thing I'd like to demonstrate to you is actually from a student among you, Simon Nelson Cook," everyone began to pay closer attention. Cookie blushed slightly, but Moze tapped his arm. "So, is your plan still in action?" Cookie shook his head.
"I don't need to follow that plan. We've already decided to go to the dance together, I have no use for that little robot," Cookie nodded toward the small metal creature Dr. Pine brought to the table. "Where is Mr. Cook and would you like to demonstrate your creation for us?" the old professor scanned the hall as Cookie stood.
"Actually sir, I'd like one of my friends to demonstrate, I'm quite sure he'll be glad to help," Cookie called back to the professor as Moze stared at the boy on her other side. Ned was completely confused. Why does he want me to demonstrate his experiment?
"Cook, what're you doing?" the blue-eyed boy sent a confused glare at Cookie. "It won't hurt, promise. And I have my reasons," Cookie replied sitting back down. Dr. Pine and Chris anxiously waited for someone to step to the front, Ned groaned as he made short journey.
"I'll…demonstrate his project, if he tells how on earth I'm supposed to that," Ned shot another more irritated glare toward his manically smiling friend. "Just shake the robot's hand, he does everything from that."
Ned stepped to the front of the room and stood before the table. He shook hands with the 2 and a half foot robot, expecting it to explode. He quickly inched back when the small machine began beeping wildly as a short strip of paper tumbled out of its mouth. "What's this?" he glanced to Cookie as he ripped the sheet from the robot's mouth, but Dr. Pine grabbed from his out-stretched hand.
"It seems this can tell me a lot about you Mr.?" Ned realized he hadn't introduced himself to the professor and student. "Bigby, sir, Ned Bigby," he returned his hand to his side once the professor briefly shook it.
"Well Mr. Bigby, from this small strip of paper, I have found out that you are 5'8", you weigh 130lbs, which your BMI tells me is fine, and I'm quite confused what the final word is on this slip." Ned yanked the sheet back and scanned the list of traits. Height, weight, whatever that number is, and …why is Moze's name on this thing?
Ned stared over at Cookie, again confused. "Cookie?" the dark-skinned boy showed only a trace of threat in his eyes. Tell her, he silently barked at Ned with his dark brown eyes. I can't, was the silent reply. Moze glanced between her best friends trying to figure out why no one besides Dr. Pine was talking. The old man seemed very upset that no one was answering his now non-stop questions.
"Mr. Cook, what all does this robot tell you once you make contact with it?" Cookie didn't have a chance to answer though as several flasks began to bubble from Chris's experiments earlier. "Oh no, someone messed with the chemicals!" Chris yelled across the hall as he jerked Dr. Pine to "duck and cover," silently telling Ned and the rest of the room to do the same.
With everyone behind at least something, the room overflowed with a thick smoke and the fire-alarm quickly shot off as well as the sprinklers. I've got to get to Moze; Cookie's right I need to tell her and today seems just a good a time as any. From his scrunched position under the table, Ned tried to make out where the third row might be and crawled towards it. The sprinklers cleared a small amount of the smoke, giving him a slightly better but wet view of the assembly hall.
He finally managed to see Moze ducking her way out of the still-quite-smoky room. He caught her arm and pulled her into an empty row. "I need to tell you something, Moze. I lo-," he was cut off as Dr. Pine and Chris grabbed him and pushed him out of the room. "Move son, this is no time for speeches," the elder pulled Ned by his forearm as Chris kindly instructed Moze to follow. God I hate teachers, Ned muttered to himself as he exited the now soaked assembly hall.
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Writer's block keeps me from knowing where the next chapter will lead, enjoy a shorter chapter, and thanks to everyone who reviewed last time (Seriously, you are all amazing) please do the same here.