The Misadventures of Sebastian Allen

The Science Project

PART 1 - PROLOGUE

Central City

Loud footsteps echoed through the house from the stomping of a ten year old boy in the Allen house. Sebastian Allen excitedly ran down the stairs with a mound of clay, paper, and paint on a wooden board.

"Whoa, there Happy Feet!" Henry kept both the project and Sebastian from toppling over as he reached the bottom of the staircase. "What's with the stampede?"

"I finished it!" Sebastian exclaimed. "My Science Fair Project!"

He placed the hand crafted project on the living room table visible to Nora and Barry who were just setting up the table for breakfast. "Presenting Krakatoa!"

Sebastian proudly waved at his project. "I stayed up all night painting it! I even added extra colorings inside to make the baking soda lava come out almost exactly like the eruption photos!"

"Looks great, Mumble!" Henry said, wrapping his arm around his son and ruffled his hair. "I'm sure you're going to place. This looks way better than the other volcanoes those other kids will do."

"Dad!" Sebastian complained half heartedly as he giggled at his father's antics.

"That looks great, Bassy!" Barry said, placing the plate down on the table.

"Where's your project?"

"I brought it to school yesterday." Barry shrugged and gave his brother a teasing smile. "We don't all do things last minute."

"I had to make it perfect!" Sebastian complained. "The others are only going to do some random volcano. I have a whole board with the history of Krakatoa with pictures and even those geological predictions."

"Now, boys. Don't fight" Nora chided gently. "You both did a good job. Now, let's eat and we can head on over to the school."

"Yes, mom" the boys chorused as they headed to their seats both playfully pushing each other before finding their seats.

The Allens were a small family living in Central City. In a four bedroom home lived a married couple, Dr. Henry and Nora Allen, with their twin sons. Most had thought that with two prepubescent boys living in their neighborhood that there would be more chaos and destruction. But Barry and Sebastian Allen were both sweet boys both highly clever and caused little to no trouble in their little neighborhood.

After breakfast, the small family headed to the boys' elementary school. The entire gymnasium was buzzing with activity. Parents helping their kids set up their projects, teachers judging and looking at each of the students' work along with some visitors appreciating the hard work of the ten year olds.

Barry went off with Nora to one end of the gym to start setting up his project while Henry helped Sebastian set up his volcano in his assigned spot in the gym.

"I don't understand why both you and Barry are not in the same area." Henry commented as he helped Sebastian set up. "Shouldn't this be in alphabetical order?"

"The school set it up per class, dad." Sebastian said, rolling his eyes. "Besides, I think the teachers purposefully put me and Barry on opposite ends of the gym so they won't confuse us with one another."

"As if you and Barry don't play the ol' switcheroo." Henry teased, packing up the last of his cover. "Looks like you're all set."

"And right on time." Sebastian mumbled as he put on a smile. "Mr. Connors.."

()

Sebastian angrily threw his third place ribbon on his desk. He kicked the empty paint containers he had scattered on the floor before throwing himself on to his bed.

A robot! Barry had made a robot for his Science fair! Of course Barry won first place.

Not only that, Barry ended up getting some fancy scholarship in this science strand high school in Central City.

Sebastian was frustrated. No matter how hard he tried, Barry was always better. He was smarter than him. And it made Sebastian feel like he was not enough. Not enough to impress his parents.

There was a knock on his door before it slowly opened. "Bassy?"

Barry entered Sebastian's room holding his Volcano. "You left this downstairs."

"Just throw it away!" Sebastian whined into his pillow. "IIt's garbage!"

"No it's not!" Barry gently put the project on his desk. He sat at the corner of his bed as he patted Sebastian's leg. "It was way better than all the other Science Fair projects that it placed!"

Sebastian turned and looked at him incredulously. "You've got to be kidding me. Barry you made a robot! It had wheels and moved around the gym. And had a flamethrower."

"Actually that one is an accident." Barry sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "I almost got Mrs. Damas. And burned the whole school down."

"Your Science fair project got you into one of the prestigious Science based schools in Central City." Sebastian continued looking at Barry with a hurt look on his face. "I made a stupid baking Soda Volcano. How am I supposed to compete with that"

"It's not a competition, Sebastian!" Barry said exasperated. "I'm not trying to show you up."

"Then why didn't you tell me?" Sebastian asked. "If I'd known, I wouldn't have made this stupid project."

"Because I know you, Bassy." Barry said calmly. "You're too competitive, but if you see the competition is too steep, you act out or you just give up."

Sitting up on the head of his bed, Sebastian humped, crossing his arms. "I don't."

Barry sat beside him and wrapped his arms around Sebastian. "Yes, you do. I am not competing with you, Bassy. Mom and Dad love us just the same even if neither of us get into some prestigious high school program."

Sebastian reluctantly relaxed Barry's arms. "I'm still mad, you didn't tell me about Wall-E."

"Well, if it makes you feel better, Mr. Connors confiscated and quarantined him to keep him from causing more damage."

Sebastian chuckled. "When did you get so smart?"

"Well I am older." Barry teased.

"By fifteen minutes." Sebastian scoffed. "We won't be in Middle School together."

Barry sighed. "I don't even know if I'm going to go."

"You have to! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"But you, and my friends."

"Please Barry, we both know I'm your best friend."

"Yes, but..."

"If you're doing it because of me, don't." Sebastian said seriously. "I don't want to be the one to hold you back."

Barry couldn't look at Sebastian. "I don't know if I can."

"You can and you will." Sebastian wrapped his arm around Barry's shoulders. "You go show them what you're made of Bartholomew Henry Allen."

Barry snorted. "I was supposed to be cheering you up."

"I told you. Those fifteen minutes mean nothing."

Barry slapped Sebastian's leg and they both laughed. Sebastian stared at the ceiling with his arm around his brother and his brother's arm around him, comforted by the warmth of his twin by his side. He was determined now more than ever. This was just a setback.