DOPPELGANGER

Doppelganger: Chapter One

CHAPTER ONE

I stared out the classroom window and watched the grey clouds shifting, heavy rain pouring in the middle of November. I couldn't help but think that the vibe of the day was a little bit off. I shrugged the thought away, thinking that maybe I was just coming down with something. Or maybe it was the fact that it was a Monday and I was extremely bored.

"Maybe the heavens are crying because of this never-ending lecture."

I shifted in my seat to face my friend, Torrie, who sat to my right. She chuckled under her breath as I smiled.

"You look so enthused," I said.

"Oh, do I really?" she retorted. "Because you know, I'm so fascinated by senior history class. It's so riveting."

"Tell me again why we have to take this class? I mean, how is any of this going to—" I was interrupted by our teacher, Dale Williams.

"Torrie Brooks, Ava Enderson, would you two like to share something with the class?" Mr. Williams rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. He looked very annoyed by our side conversation.

The scene turned into one of those cliché awkward high school moments where everyone turned around to look at us. It didn't help that we were seated in the back of the classroom, right in the corner. Corner seats were the most visible, much to our dismay. Everyone had a good view of us, the chatters who cut off the lecture.

"No, we don't," Torrie chirped. I stayed silent.

Mr. Williams walked down the aisle in between the desks and approached us. He was holding a small leather bound book, titled "Being Doubled."

"Have you two paid any attention since the start of class?"

"Is that a trick question?" I uttered. The look on his face made me realize that my inquiry was not the best response.

"Ava, did you even hear about the new assignment I have for all of you?"

"What assignment?" Torrie asked.

A few of our classmates snickered, and some groaned, clearly displeased with our behavior.

"This book," Mr. Williams explained, flashing us the leather cover with red and gold letters, "Is your gateway to an A in this class. As I said at the beginning of the school year, if you can recall, I plan on assigning a project in which all of you will answer the main question: Can you change history?"

"Absolutely not," Torrie answered instantly.

"Why is that?" Mr. Williams asked.

"Because history has already happened, and last time I checked, we're not capable of time travel. As a result, if we don't have the ability to go back in time, we can't change history. We can only change today and tomorrow."

"Is that so?"

"Yes," Torrie said. She crossed her arms and grinned, clearly pleased with her statement.

"What if I told you that this book is the reason why so many people believe that the answer is yes to that question?"

"I'd say that those people are easily influenced and have highly active imaginations. More power to them, but I don't believe in any of that."

"Ava, what's your take on the question?" Mr. Williams asked.

"I have to go with Torrie on this one; I don't think you can change history. What does that book have to do with the question anyway?"