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“You two,” the gym coach pointed his thick finger at the two tall and skinny boys. Odd that a man who instructed on how to be fit, was so un-fit himself. Dave, the boy with the short and curly orange hair grinned the message: I'm not going to lose. The other boy, Dan, hopped on his feet, paying no heed to Dave. Placing their feet apart, bending down, and then supporting themselves on their hands, they readied for a hundred meter dash. With anxiousness, Dave stroked his upper lip, with his tounge. A quick wind kicked up Dan's hair.
“Go!” The coach yelled. Both bolted forward and the rushing air drowned out all other sounds. Two orange pylons, representing the finish line, grew larger, as the field grew smaller. Both were side by side. With only a few meters left, Dave would have to charge, and that he did. Dave pushed his legs against the ground even harder. His speedy steps became gigantic leaps, propelling him forward even faster then before. Dan's legs couldn't couldn't keep up.
“Yeah!” Dave cheered his own victory, after passing the pylons.
“Heh, good run,” Dan panted.
“I'll always be faster!” Dave boasted; the response by Dan was only a shrug of the shoulders.
“Good run, boys,” the coach said, only because he had to, “Class is over. Now go and clean the stink from yourselves!” Everyone obeyed, and headed inside the school doors, faster then most classes, considering that lunch was next. Dave was pleased to be in his casual clothing; a simple Hawaii shirt, blue jeans, and sandals. It was what he wore every-day.
At lunch, Dan and Dave headed to the cafeteria to met up with Julie. There they would suffer under the horrible smells that drifted its way from the kitchen. Food, a term used loosely by the students, was prepared there by the culinary arts classes. A set schedule, set by the head of the operation, allowed students to plan when to purchase their lunches or bring their own. Dave saved the trouble and brought his own. Everyday he made cooked something different to bring with him for lunch. That lead to many students nagging him to work in the kitchen.
The lunch rooms was always busy. Students spent their full hour eating and throwing food around like wild monkeys would. However, Dave and his friends did not. The three of them sat quietly in the back corner of the noisy area. Dan stared at Julie's beauty, while she wasn't looking. It was her silky brown hair that he admired the most. Dave repeatedly bumped his head on the table.
“Narf,” Dave spoke quietly.
“What?” Dan asked, pulling out a meat sub, from a paper bag.
“It's that damned Aaron. He keeps getting near hundreds on, everything.” Dave whined. Julie rolled her eyes.
“So, beat him. I think you can do it. You're pretty smart you know. You're pretty much a perfect human being, you know. What about the science fair? He wins that every year and if you were to beat him at his own game. You'd be renowned!” Dan said. Dave and Julie looked at each other, thinking the same thing: was that English or just a bunch of funny noises coming from his mouth?
“Science fair,” Dave said to himself, “Yes! That is what I'll do!” Julie rolled her eyes again.
“Why do you care?” She asked.
“Because. I am best in every single class, but science. That is not right. It defies the cosmos.”
“Dave, you'll just lose and be crushed. Aaron is a super-nerd. And, he is making a robot this year.” Julie pointed out.
“He is making a toy? I win already!”
“I believe in ya, Dave!” Dan said with a mouth full of food. A few wet pieces of sandwich flew from his mouth, onto the table.
“Ew,” Julie ended the lunch conversation.
It had taken Dave a little longer to walk to his home that day. Since that was one of the few times his mom was not there nagging at him, he decided it was best to contemplate on what his project should be. When Dave had arrived at his house, his winning idea was still absent. He left his shoes and school-pack at the front door and, like a slug, made his way upstairs to his bedroom. A warning sign was needed, cautioning any patrons entering his room. Even a waiver form, explaining that if death occurs while in his premises, you had known the risks. However, Dave was acclimated to his room and knew of the best routes, through heaps of clothing, to his desk and computer. Also, Dave was able to balance him self properly in the desk, so that he was not in danger of falling pop cans and bottles. One could wonder how he survived in such an environment.
At this desk, staring at a monitor, Dave licked his upper lip.
“Narf,” he spoke in the silence of his room. In his head, Dave analyzed every possible project he could take on. Maybe he could compare the intelligence of a rodent to Dan. Perhaps he could explore the life cycle of an exotic fish. Dave could research the effects of global warming on the environment.
“Narf,” Dave steamed with frustration. It had been a long time since he had his brain in such a knot. He leaned back in his chair and stretched out his arms. To his dismay, a blue screen appeared on the monitor, followed by a random assortment of ones and zeros.
“Stupid computer.” Dave kicked the tower underneath his desk, thereafter, the machine shut off. That would be the apple that fell of the tree, hitting him on the head and giving him the idea.


“Artificial Intelligence,” Dave said to Julie and Dan. The three strolled through the hallways of the school, burning time until classes started.
“What?” Julie questioned.
“A program that talks to you, basically. I am going to make it mimic a human. That beats a toy, any day,” Dave explained.
“Dave, how do you expect to mimic intelligence if you do not have any intelligence?” Julie asked. Dan stepped back, hoping to avoid any flying bullets.
“What's that supposed to mean?” Dave inquired.
“You're up against Aaron. He will beat you and I don't want to have to face your downfall. Your head is so big, it'll probably crush us when it does,” Julie explained.
“What are you talking about? I'll kick his a**. My idea is perfect. I'll win!” Julie just rolled her eyes, a common gesture she started to use when dealing with Dave.
“I'm not going to argue with you, Dave. I know how it goes, I'm wrong and you're right.” Julie stormed off, leaving both Dan and Dave in the dust.
“I think you pissed her off,” Dan said, “And not just little this time. Hopefully she will forgive you, probably not though. Oh well. English is next. I don't like English.”
“Shut up!” Dave snarled.


Sitting in his cramped desk, Dave stared at his new enemy: Aaron. He was a boy who dressed classy and neat. His black hair was gelled to perfection and looked to have an oil finish. Dave always thought of him as a mama's boy; the opposite of Dave, who fought for everything he had. Licking his upper lip, Dave looked at the clock.
“Dude! Check this out,” Dan butted into Dave's thinking.
“Not now. I have to talk to Aaron.”
“Why?” Dan was surprised, “Him over me?” Dave got up from his seat and walked down the isle of desks to Aaron, who was finishing up extra math assignments.
“Hey,” Dave said while poking Aaron in the shoulder.
“What is it?” Aaron was bewildered, because who would come and talk to him?
“I hear that you are entering the science fair.”
“That's common sense,” Aaron replied before going back to his assignment. After a pause, Dave leaned forward.
“I am going to enter. And I am going to win.” Aaron looked up at Dave, with a raised eyebrow.
“What makes you think that?” Asked Aaron.
“I am perfect at every thing I do. I never lose.” Dave moved in a little closer, as well as Aaron. Dan could swear that sparks were flying between the two. Aaron's eyes narrowed and his eyebrows collapsed.
“You can't beat what I am creating.”
“You are creating a toy, I can beat that.”
“Think what you want. I have one for the past three years and this year won't be different,” Aaron chuckled a little, “Plus, you have to enter by the end of this week, with a full written report on what you are doing. And, oh, that's tomorrow.” More then just sparks were flying, balls of fury were blazing.
Dave walked back to his desk as the bell rang.