Meant to Be

Chapter Nine

"Class, listen up!" Mr. Walters announced, clapping his hands to get our attention. Eventually, the chatter died down enough that Mr. Walters could begin talking.

"As you know, we have been discussing research. You know which sources are reliable, how to give them credit, and how to make a bibliography. Now, it's time to apply your knowledge of researching." He paused for emphasis. I looked around. Zoey was yawning. Zoey's boyfriend, James, was hiding his phone in his lap and was playing Candy Crush. Collin was looking at me... wait, Collin was looking at me? I blushed, and trained my eyes on Mr. Walters, careful not to let them slip back to Collin's face.

"You will work with a partner and together, you will make a research project. You will pick your topic, but it has to follow the theme of 'problems in today's world.' You could do hunger, war, high gas prices," he looked at James, "cell phones, Mr. Greer."

James looked up. "Oh," he said, and slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"Any problem you want, as I was saying. Then, once you have chosen your partner and your project, you will need to research it. Include why it's a problem, what is it, who it affects, when it started, why did it start, and a solution to it that you and your partner come up with. You will put that information into a PowerPoint presentation. Make sure it looks nice, with good use of color and fonts, and feel free to use pictures. Also, you will turn in a bibliography of all the sources you used."

"Should we cite our pictures, too?" Bridget asked as she frantically took notes on Mr. Walter's every word.

"Yes, please. Now, the second part of the research project is individual. You will each write a one page essay on your topic. Do not turn in the same essay your partner is turning in; I will compare the two. Just turn your PowerPoint into an essay. It's as simple as that."

Yeah, a PowerPoint, bibliography, and a one page essay are all really simple, I thought.

"This will be due in January, January 27, so you have time, but don't save it to do at the last minute. The reason I'm giving you so much time is because I want you to do a good job on your project. We will be presenting these the week of the 27th, so make sure you'reready. You will be graded on your presentation. You'll also need a prop or two."

Mr. Walters glanced at the clock. "We have about ten to fifteen minutes until the period ends. I'll pass out the rubric, and then you can partner yourselves up and discuss your projects until the bell rings."

He began passing papers out. I had just got one when a note landed on my desk. I unfolded it.

Be my partner?

I immediately recognized Collin's handwriting. I looked at him, and nodded. His face lit up.

"So, I have a great idea for our topic. I'm thinking siblings. They affect almost everyone in the world. Older, younger, or even same age, they are always a problem." Collin said to me.

"And what's the solution?" I asked teasingly.

"I haven't gotten that far yet. Do you have any ideas for a topic?"

"Well, according to Brynn, we can pick any topic, color a picture of it, and get a good grade. Plus, Mr. Walters will love it," I informed him.

"Hmm..." Collin said, stroking his chin, a mischievous sparkle in his eye. "I do possess excellent art skills."

"Then we're all set," I replied.

The bell signaled the end of the period.

"Text me," I said to Collin. "We'll have a topic-brainstorming session."

"Okay. Bye!" he answered.

"Bye," I said.

I had no idea what we were going to do for our project.