UNIVERSE (A Choose your own adventure thriller) - Prologue & Chapter 1 (Feedback/Critique Needed)
---DISCLAIMER---
NO AI WAS USED IN THE MAKING OF THIS POST
Prologue
Something isn’t right.
I sense a being with power that rivals even my own.
Perhaps it’s… the individual reading this?
Yes, that’s it. Welcome, reader. Welcome to this world.
Or should I say, this UNIVERSE?
Now I’m almost certain you have questions.
About me, about you, about this place as a whole.
Nothing can harm you here, so you can rest assured.
Don’t worry. You’ll find out who I am soon enough.
You may discover some things about yourself as well. It’s all up to you.
So make yourself at home. The Universe is your playground.
Yes, that’s right. As you read, as you follow the story, you’ll be able to make... certain decisions.
Decisions that will, for better or for worse, affect how everything plays out.
This story is your blank canvas, so what will you make of it?
I’ll leave you to it.
Good luck.
Chapter 1: Introduction
Another summer vacation has come and gone. And now it’s time for class registration for the next school year at Burlington Jr. High. This year’s gonna be different! Because once this year is over, I’ll be able to go to high school! It’ll be time to say goodbye to junior high and hello to Burlington High School. The next stage of life is almost here, but just barely out of reach. Just like the warm up session of a work out, I have to finish this year before I get to the good stuff. All I need to do is finish this first step. Choosing the classes I want for my 8th grade year.
“Melissa! WAZZAP!!!???”
I hear a familiar voice call my name. It’s Chloe! We’ve been close friends ever since I started junior high! She’s a spunky girl with a fiery personality to match. She can be a bit lazy sometimes, but she’ll always be there for you when you need it most. I envy her sometimes. She’ll be climbing up the ranks to be a high schooler this year, leaving me behind.
“Hey girl! How’d the summer go? Besides the little incident you had on the Slice and Slash at Pounder’s?”
“Oh please, I only threw up because I had some bad sushi. But at least I had the guts to go on a big roller-coaster, Melissy-the-sissy!”
I laugh off the comeback. “Well you got me there. So what classes are you wanting to take? I haven’t given my classes much thought so I wanna know what you chose in your 8th grade year to put me in the right direction.”
“Ah, I see. Coming to your older and wiser friend for guidance in this confusing crossword puzzle we call life? I’m flattered!”
“Your analogy kinda fell flat there. Now come on! This is serious. I want my final year of junior high to be unforgettable!”
“Melissa, I’m sure you’ll be fine. This is you we’re talking about. I don’t think it’s possible to forget anything when you’re involved. And don’t you have that hunk Kayden to keep you company in your classes?”
Ugh, Kayden. He was the first friend I ever had. We met in preschool and we've been super close ever since... until recently. Last school year, it was super obvious that we liked each other, and it was going really well. But when summer vacation started he seemed different. He wouldn’t want to hang out anymore, he’d rarely answer my texts, and on the off chance we would hang out, he’d be a lot more quiet and sad. Both in person and over text. So we haven’t really talked for a while. I really want to go back to where we were before, but I don’t know how to help him. Maybe I should just give him space? Either way, no one really knows about what’s happened between him and me, not even Chloe. So I’ll just keep it under wraps for now. Maybe it’ll all blow over soon.
“Y-yeah! I have Kayden.”
“Uh oh, someone’s turning red! Well anyway, I’ve already registered for all my high school classes, so I’m gonna go. We’ll talk later!”
And just like that, she’s gone. I have a feeling I won’t be able to see her as often. First Kayden, now Chloe, are all my friends slipping away one by one?
---
Class registration is the same every year. Booths are set up all over Burlington Park to get kids’ and parents’ attention for all the classes we can enroll in. It’s always fun to see all the little activities they set up and seeing the attractions are fun too. It’s like a community fair of sorts. The entire town gets into it.
“Attention Burlington Junior High students. Class registration for the next school year is about to close. Those who haven’t registered for their classes, please do so within the hour.”
Most everyone has already registered for classes, so the line isn’t too long. It’s actually pretty nice that there aren’t any crowds, but some of the good classes might be taken already. Here’s hoping I find some I like.
There seems to be some open spots for classes I need to take to graduate. Classes like Math, English, Science and History give you credits that are all required. This is my last year of junior high though. I could just take these required classes next year. This could be my last chance before high school! On the other hand, maybe I should try to be responsible to prepare for high school instead. Well I can least see my other class options before I make a choice.
Yes! I see there’s a couple spots open for an Art class! I always loved art, but I couldn’t get in the class last year because of upperclassmen priority. I’m glad things are different now. Wait, Kayden’s in this class too!? What in the world!? Well I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, seeing that we were so close and had the same interests. Well, now I don’t know what to do. Should I take the class and try to patch things up with him? What if he doesn’t want to talk and I regret it for the whole year? But he’s my friend, and he is important to me. Should I take this Art class with Kayden?
---
Mind if I step in?
Looks like you have a couple choices to make, friend.
Will Melissa take her required classes to get ahead in her studies?
Or will she take it easy for her final year of junior high?
And what about her friend Kayden?
Will she keep holding on to him, or distance herself?
Well, I don’t want to influence your decision, so I’ll leave it up to you.
If you choose NO REQUIRED CLASSES and ART CLASS WITH KAYDEN
Go to CHAPTER 2-1
If you choose NO REQUIRED CLASSES and NO ART CLASS WITH KAYDEN
Go to CHAPTER 2-2
If you choose REQUIRED CLASSES and ART CLASS WITH KAYDEN
Go to CHAPTER 2-3
If you choose REQUIRED CLASSES and NO ART CLASS WITH KAYDEN
Go to CHAPTER 2-4