The Baby Project [#Wattys2018]

Prologue

A project created for chaos. 

I guess in my case, a project created to bring chaos into our lives. It might seem all black and white to the people outside of Edgar High School but it is far from that. Things that don't add up. Projects never finished. 

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's go back to the beginning.

Years ago, a project was created merely for fun yet responsibility. An elective that everyone wanted part of, but only a handful of students were given the opportunity to partake. And as for most things, the project evolved. You've probably seen students trolling the campus with their pseudo-baby every year or so. Sacks of flour, mechanical babies, virtual baby simulation or even the egg project. Every variation was meant to accomplish the same thing: a certain kind of responsibility at a tender age.

Then the year 1996 happened.

The project took on a life of its own. A more modernized path to say the least. People were lining up at the door to participate in this project. You'd be a fool for not taking part in it. Listen, we all make mistakes. That's something we have to risk going into this project. No one is perfect. High School... it's full of risks, mistakes, and a crap ton of secrets.

However, that's not where it even started.

Welcome to Edgar High School. Home of the Ravens. 

A very prominent school in none other than Rosewood, Florida. The school decides to join in on a riveting, revolutionary, almost breathtaking project. A choice no one would ever be able to take back once it was set in motion. Remember that choices have consequences. You never know when one choice will come back to haunt you.

So the school decided to take on this project to add it to their already lengthy resume. Where do we start? School is infested with highly intelligent students - perhaps one of them is an AI. Getting off topic... EHS also has the number one Lacrosse team in the nation - Go Ravens! We also have the best film production team in the world. Kind of crazy if you ask me. Edgar High School is also listed as one of the top 10 schools in the America.  Any who, every year EHS mandates that its students take on the project.

But something always goes wrong - no matter how hard they try to prevent it.

       "It's over. The project is cancelled. This year is to be voided."

        "Why?"

        "Unforeseen complications."

        "Like?"

         "That's above your pay grade. Just cancel it. We will try it again next year. Maybe a change will happen next year?"

       "Okay, Mr. Jetson."

It's always the same outcome.

It's sort of like a fate that is always supposed to end with bad results year in and year out. So, the project shifted a bit and focused on one group in high school. EHS was determined to get a successful project: one way or another.

Only freshmen will be allowed to take part in The Baby Project 2013.

       "Are you sure? Isn't that a lot of pressure you are putting on the students?"

       "Stop being inquisitive and asking all kinds of questions. You're just like the students. Yes, I am a hundred percent positive to make it strictly for them. Send the emails out. That's an order."

      "As you wish." says the assistant as she clicks the send button.

                                                                          ********

As with any project or assignment, a general set of rules follow. 

- Everyone must be treated equally to avoid any complications.

- Everyone that partakes in TBP gets a child.

- Do not forget to read any and all the fine print labelled at the bottom of this file.

- Click this link to take a small questionnaire. Then submit the results ASAP.

- Choose whether or not you're participating in the project.

- Make sure you're wellness exam and physical exam results have been sent to our office. An email was sent out at the end of May, but we will refresh your memory.

All rising ninth graders received an email labelled: RISING FRESHMEN - IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM EHS - CLASS OF 2017.

Emails were sent out around May 31st, 2013. I'd check your Spam folder in your email, if you're unable to locate it. All ninth graders who are participating will receive a child ranging from 3 months old to six months old. These children are from an orphanage. Upon arriving at school, there will be an assembly to assign your partner and give you the child. The rest of the rules will be handed out on the first day of school. If you're interested in participating in the project, check 'yes' in the box below.

Real babies. Freshman. What could go wrong? Uh we could accidentally kill them without trying to. But you'd be pretty vacuous to not say YES!

I couldn't contain my enthusiasm when I saw the email. Each word electrifying every hair on my arm. "This is crazy! Ninth graders and babies! And we get digitally paired with one of our classmates! Am I dreaming? Did my chance to be around John get delivered to me on a silver platter! No way! No freaking way!" I exclaim louder than expected as I re-read each and every line from the email. Without thinking, I grab my stylus marker to scribble in the box beside the word 'yes'.

Footsteps thunder up the stairs as my mother swings in with a bat. Must have been watching Teen Wolf again. "I heard screaming! What happened? There's no dead bodies up here, right?" questions my mother as the vein woven in her forehead bulges. Listening to the rapid beat of my heart as I settle back into my skin. She stands against the door frame as the bat hugs the floor. It's the same door frame that if you look closely - you'll see my different heights over the years. Man I was short. 

My record player was playing my 80's music in the background as I sat in my chair watching my mother. Slowly shifting my focus from my computer screen to my insane mother. Cocking my head, I flash an alarming look in her direction. " Wha -? What the hell are you talking about?" I begin before it dawned on me. "Oh no, no, no. Mom we finally got an email from EHS. We get to take part in a life changing project. Class of 2017! Each and every one of us gets paired with other freshmen! Understand my excitement?" I finish as my I tap my desk excitedly.

She rubs her temples as she glances over at me. I was getting the are-we-seriously-talking-about-you-know-who-and-do-you-have-any-idea-what-time-it-is-right-now-kind-of-look. With a wicked smile, she slyly states "Oh I see what this is about. It's about John. The John."

Instantly, my cheeks grow warm as I turn a special shade of watermelon pink as my mouth drops open. With a devilish grin emerging on my face, I shift my eyes back to the computer while shaking my head at my mother. "MOM! No! Ew! I have no idea what in gods name you're going on about."

                                 "Mhmm sure. Do I need to jog your memory?"

                                  "Mother what is wrong with you? No! This is not even ..." I start as she folds her arms and waits for me to stop lying to myself. After playing ping pong with my eyes, I finally cave and say "Okay... it is. Is it wrong for me to wish for him to be my partner? Every girl's dream - be project partner's with your crush. It's a chance to be close to him again! I mean c'mon - it's John freaking Manning we're talking about."

Nodding with a huge smile plastered across her face, my mom says, "Yes, John Manning. School heartthrob. Your forever crush."

"Stop it mom. Yes ... that John. "

******

What could go wrong? It should have been their motto behind the project.