TheCakeIsAlive Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Strange Days at Blake Holsey High (M, Cold)This fic is based on the 3rd episode of the 1st season. When reading the request from Zane I decided to look up the series on Youtube to get a better idea of what it was again and watched the first couple of episodes (remembering I indeed did see a couple of episodes years and years ago). The start of this third chapter/episode looked too perfect not to use as I was completely lost for a setting. The dialogue and events at the start are the ones used in the episode.I own nothing. Oh, and for the curious amongst you.... this is what prof. Zachary looks like. Cute, enthusiastic science teacher with glasses. Hope you'll enjoy reading!Cold Days At Black Hole High Professor Zachary hadn't felt up to par all day. Woke up with a scratchy throat and a head that felt about to hurt. The nagging feeling had plagued him all through the morning. Even his morning coffee had done nothing to clear his head. He hated feeling this slow and dull, but trusted it would wear off during the day. Slightly less energetic than usual, he started his afternoon lesson, demonstrating the Van de Graaff generator two of his students had built...He started the machine and heard the power building up, the air crackling slightly with the static. Putting his hand on top of the metal bulb, he felt his hair slowly pointing to the ceiling. Unfortunately, that wasn't the only effect the static energy had. It set off a slight prickle in the back of his nose.“Excellent” he announced, “and why does the Van de Graaff generator make my hair stand on end?” Marshall answered immediately. “Easy, by touching the generator your body receives a charge and your hair follicles also get charged...” “and they repel each other” Lucas finished, “it's like a giant hair war” he added excitedly. All the while the prickling sensation grew stronger until he couldn't help but notice it, the feeling distracting him from the lesson. “Great project guys” he said, his voice slower than usual, “I give it an A.” His voice lingered on the A for a moment as his breath caught in his throat. He closed his eyes for a moment and pinched the bridge of his nose as his students high-fived each other and returned to their seats. This stopped the feeling for now but the small pause in his breathing gave his nose an excellent chance to fill with a slight congestion.The next student to present his project was Vaughn. He had little hope of the student to have actually done this project, but it was required so he couldn't ignore it, especially as it also wouldn't be fair to the other students. He walked up to Vaughns table and leaned forward with his hands resting on the edge. Trying for a jovial tone he said “And Vaughn, your project is the invisible...” Pronouncing the V brought back the pins and needles in his nose and he had to snuffle to keep from embarrassing himself. “It's nothing” Vaughn said annoyedly. “It iis an excellent nothing” Zachary continued, his tone as if he were talking to someone even younger than his student, drawing out the second word. Changing to his normal voice, he said quietly. “You know this assignment was worth 10 percent of your final mark, right?” Vaughns voice was nonchalant. “I know. I didn't do the assignment. I uhm... I don't get science...” At these words he looked straight at his professor, his tone still carefully controlled but with an undercurrent of desperation. Zachary knew he shouldn't push further right then so straightened up, put his hand on his student's shoulder for a second and sighed. “Give it a chance Vaughn", before moving on. At the next table Josie and Corrine were working on something that looked vaguely familiar but it had additions he'd never seen. “Safety goggles... down, girls.” They flashed him an indulgent smile and obeyed, but he didn't see. The pins and needles had finally proceeded into the overwhelming urge to sneeze. Knowing the congestion could make things messy, he desperately fumbled for the handkerchief he knew was stored in his jacket pocket. Having lost the sheet of fabric he was supposed to clean his glasses with, he was never found without one, using it instead. His eyes fluttered shut, breath hitching violently. “Sohh... huhh.... hehh...” He stammered as he turned on his heels towards the wall. He had no luck. The sneeze burst out of him before he could do anything about it and he caught it in his hands. Obeying the school's hygiene rules (on top of giving the good example), he tried again. “Sorry girls, I'll be right with you” and quickly made his way to the teacher's restroom to wash his hands and clear out the congestion that had only become worse.As he looked into the mirror, he found his eyes had dark circles under them, his nose a pink tinge in an otherwise slightly blanched face. His head felt hot and stuffy. That one sneeze had unleashed the full force of his blossoming cold on him apparently. And it was to be soon followed by more... Zachary blew his nose, causing this nostrils to tremble and the itch to flare up with irresistible force. “Ahhh.... hahh.... hachoo... hehh... hehhchoo ahh.... hahheshoo” He groaned as his throat painfully protested. Great, he was sick. Knowing the pattern his colds invariably followed, he decided to head back to the class and give his students the rest of the period off. Knowing the past few minutes had brought on a transformation in his appearance – he looked like death warmed over – he wasn't surprised some of his students looked at him with concern as he returned to his desk. “Are you okay Sir?” Corrine asked politely. Debating the answer 'fine' for a moment, he sighed and instead announced. “Not quite I'm afraid. I'm sorry Corrine, Josie, you'll have to demonstrate your project next time. On the bright side, you will have the rest of the period off” he winked.Most of the students cheered at this news, a few looked disappointed. The members of the science club gathered at his desk. He appreciated their concern, but his nose started tickling again and he knew all too well what that meant. “Does that mean science club gets cancelled too?” Lucas asked, sounding disappointed. Zachary's breath hitched once but he managed to hold it together for now. “Yes, I'm sorry. Don't worry though, I'll be back as soon as possible.” Feeling the sensation intensify, he hastened to add. “Now go, enjoy your free tihh... time.”Slightly reluctantly, they left the room, talking amongst themselves. He let out a relieved sigh before pitching forward with a volley of sneezes. “Hehh... hehhchoo... ahhh... hahh... hachoo... ahh.... hahheshoo... heshoo.” Sighing deeply in the knowledge this was only the beginning, soon he would go into longer, ticklier fits that would bring on a pounding headache, he wiped his hands on his now retrieved handkerchief and went to the principal's office to report sick, sneezing off and on... Link to comment
Butch Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Sigrith - Aww.. I'm not familiar with this.. whatever..show? But I like what you've written so far. Keep up the good work. Link to comment
Zane Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 I cannot believe you did this!! you have no idea how happy I am right now! I think I squeeled a little when I first saw this! Thank you so much for writing this! Professor Z sneezing. I love it! I so hope you continue! Link to comment
count tiszula Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 A fine story and it seems a portal to lots of future sneezing. I was quite unaware of this programme, so thanks for introducing me. A couple of episodes leapt out at me on YouTube, viz Pheramones [as mentioned elsewhere] in which Zachary does sneeze allergically, and Cold, in which the whole school buildings catch cold!Sadly, I must counsel against linking to any YouTube vids of these episodes, as there are also sneezes from the teenagers involved, and the stern law of the forum is that no sneezes acted by minors may be linked to [even though I understand that they are Canadians, the programme takes place in Canada, and at the time it was made all were well over the age of consent]. Sadly even in Pheramones the sneezily-named Emma Taylor-Isherwood also sneezes.However...I believe we can still discuss it and write about it.... Link to comment
sneezytwilight Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Awww This is so cute and kinda depressing. Professor L seemes nice. I never watched the show, if it is even from one. Link to comment
obsessed Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 Oh your writing is just lovely. Link to comment
TheCakeIsAlive Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share Posted July 3, 2011 Sigrith - Aww.. I'm not familiar with this.. whatever..show? But I like what you've written so far. Keep up the good work. It's a kids show from... about 10 years ago if I'm not mistaken. Thank you. Not sure whether I'll continue this though, but I'll consider it.I cannot believe you did this!! you have no idea how happy I am right now! I think I squeeled a little when I first saw this! Thank you so much for writing this! Professor Z sneezing. I love it! I so hope you continue! So very glad you like it. You're welcome. It was my pleasure. ^^ Am glad you reminded me about this series. Hmmm... it was supposed to be a one-shot but have been thinking about possibly (if I have time and inspiration ) writing something that takes place a bit later in the day where the normal (or well, black hole-related) plot-bit of the episode kicks in at the worst of his symptoms and he has to help the kids... A fine story and it seems a portal to lots of future sneezing. I was quite unaware of this programme, so thanks for introducing me. A couple of episodes leapt out at me on YouTube, viz Pheramones [as mentioned elsewhere] in which Zachary does sneeze allergically, and Cold, in which the whole school buildings catch cold! Thank you. You're welcome. Until I saw the request I had all but forgotten about it myself. Ah, yes, I've seen those episodes now, though I'm still quite uncertain why exactly the anti-histamines blocked the working of the pheromones.. *giggles* Yes, Cold was very amusing. Never before saw a building with a cold. Awww This is so cute and kinda depressing. Professor L seemes nice. I never watched the show, if it is even from one. Thanks. Aww, why depressing? Hmmm, yes, Z is nice. It's a show that ran from 2002 to 2006 according to wiki.Oh your writing is just lovely. Thanks Obby. ^^ Link to comment
Chanel_no5 Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 As always, love your writing! Especially the part about pronouncing the V bringing back the pins and needles in his nose... lovely description! Link to comment
Zane Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Just thought I'd bring this back! I love this! I miss Strange Days At Blake Holsey High. Link to comment
TheCakeIsAlive Posted October 9, 2011 Author Share Posted October 9, 2011 Thank you for the awesome comments. @Chanel: Ever so glad you like it. Thank you. @Zane: Thank you lots. So very glad you like what I did with it. Well... I've finally managed to write some more. I hope you'll like it Zane (and of course everyone else who might read it ).I'll try and write a 3rd part but I can't promise anything I'm afraid. Cold Days At Blake Holsey High - part 2:On the way to his quarters, Zachary picked up a tissue box from supplies. He was going to need it. A deep sigh escaped his lips. The first two days of a cold were invariably spent on the edge of the next sneeze. The first tissue was immediately put to good use, pressed against his nose to stem the flow (from the tap formerly described as his nose) while he retreated to his room. Quickly putting on the kettle and gathering bin, book, nasal spray and painkillers, he prepared himself for getting back in bed.'Hehh... etchoo... ehh-tchoo! ...Ugh....' he moaned as the harsh sneezes hurt is throat. It didn't do anything to relieve the throbbing itch that had made itself master of his nose and put a near-painful pressure on his sinuses. It did however start the flow again. He pressed another tissue to his nose and blew the worst of the congestion away.. for the moment. Even before he removed the tissue he could feel it worsening again. The creeping fluid tickled his nose into submission again. 'Hehh-chuh.' Giving his nose a quick swipe he decided to not bother with trying to fix the constantly renewing stream. He picked up his book, curled his fingers around the bookmark and... sneezed again. 'Yuck', he made his disapproval audible. He felt – in a word – gross. Deciding it would be no use if he kept having to interrupt his reading, he simply pressed the tissue against his nostrils and opened the book with his free hand. The bookmark fell out and slowly drifted towards the floor, out of his reach. Zachary gave an irritated sigh as he made a clumsy grasp for it but couldn't be bothered to move. He made it through all of one page before the itching in his nose reached the point where he couldn't possibly ignore it any more. Quickly turning the book around, resting on the open pages, he gave in. 'Hehh... ehhh.... eh-h-h...' His eyes filled with tears as the tickle played with his breath. 'Ehhhh.... ' He now willed it to come out, pleading with the virus even though he knew that was ridiculous. 'Ehchuh... heh... ehhh... eehhchuh.... hehtchoo... heh-etchih...' A sigh of relief followed the explosions. As he was sneezing already, nasal spray couldn't do much harm and he was really getting fed up with his nose being completely blocked. He put his book away properly (meaning he moved it to the night stand) and sniffed the relief-bringing liquid deep into his nostrils. The effect was immediate. 'Ehh... huhehhh.... huhh-etchoo... etchoo... huhh... ehh... ehhtchoo... ehhchuh... guh...' The soggy tissue was quickly discarded and he blew his nose in the next one, feeling the pressure subside a bit and found he could draw careful breaths through his nose again. Picking up his book again, he was granted a few uninterrupted minutes of reading...The afternoon carried on in a similar manner. Fits of sneezing alternated by minutes of snuffling and relative rest, and the bin slowly filling up with tissues, both his watering eyes and runny nose demanding frequent attention, his head starting to pound as time carried on.He wasn't allowed the day off... He should have known there wasn't such a thing as a “day off” at Blake Holsey. With a black hole within the premises of the school, there was hardly a day when the students didn't get into trouble. Today being no exception to that. Around the time lessons normally ended, he heard a knock on his door. 'Enter', he tried to yell but his voice came out as merely a hoarse croak. After a second he started to worry he would be perceived as rude as his voice couldn't have travelled as far as it needed to go, but his concerns proved unfounded as some of his students came bustling in without needing the audible invitation.'Professor Z', Corrine blurted out. 'It's Josie. She's gone missing! She went down to the cellar to get a broom or so because she got into trouble and had to do chores, but she never returned...' The words came out very fast, stumbling over the other and reaching his ears in a blur of high-pitched, panicked sounds. 'C.. hehh... calm down. What's the matter?' He pushed his glasses farther up his nose and tried to look at least a little presentable and teacher-like, which was a bit of a challenge in his pyjamas and ill state. As she tried to catch her breath and try again, the little group of students – the science club, minus Vaughn and Josie – gave their professor a second look. 'Blimey, you look awful', Marshall blurted out. Zachary laughed once, a short, sarcastic laugh that nearly sent him into a coughing fit. 'Thank you for pointing that out Marshall.' The student in question blushed. 'I'm quite aware of how I look. Now, if any of you would like to explain what is the matter and h- hehhh – how I can help?' His nose tickled so very badly but he refused to give in to it. Lucas took it on himself to take the lead. 'Josie had to get something from the basement she said, for cleaning duty. That was three hours ago. We've gone down to try and find her but she's all but disappeared. We think it's something to do with the black hole.' Zachary mentally groaned. This was going to involve him getting up wasn't it? Ah well, it couldn't be helped. Knowing that much movement would most likely displace the congestion a bit, leading inevitably to more sneezing, he was eager to send his students out before attempting that. Putting on a voice that was as near to his normal, eager personality as possible, he encouraged the students to not undertake any further action and that he'd be with them shortly... a couple of floors down.As soon as he managed to get them all out of his room, he allowed the tickle that had been plaguing his nose all that time to take over. His eyes immediately overflowed with liquid and his breath hitched wildly. He buried his nose into the so-many-eth tissue and gave in. 'Ehchoo... heh... ehhh... eehhchuh.... hehtchoo... heh-etchih...' A liquid snuffle and another groan, this time out loud, as it increased the pounding in his head. Painkillers it was. Otherwise he really wouldn't survive going into the cold, damp hallways that spread out under the school...Fifteen minutes later he was dressed again and armed with a box of tissues he left his safe room to find his missing student... TBC (possibly) Link to comment
Zane Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 I can not believe you continued it!!! You have no idea how happy I am right now! I mean seriously. I missed this story. This new chapter or part 2 was just soooooooo :drool: I love it!!!! THANK you soooooooooooooooooooo much for writing this! and you should totally write part 3 if you can/ still want too. If you decide to/ have time to I'd totally read it! Poor Professor Z Link to comment
TheCakeIsAlive Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 I can not believe you continued it!!! You have no idea how happy I am right now! I mean seriously. I missed this story. This new chapter or part 2 was just soooooooo I love it!!!! THANK you soooooooooooooooooooo much for writing this! and you should totally write part 3 if you can/ still want too. If you decide to/ have time to I'd totally read it! Poor Professor Z Thank you so much. So glad you like it. *nods* Poor Professor Z... and how the basement might play havoc with his sinuses. I certainly want to finish this but unfortunately time & inspiration are scarce lately (and shared with so many other unfinished stories) so if I do manage to finish it will probably take ages, I'm sorry. Link to comment
High on Lullabies Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Wow, that is an achingly beautifully described cold I'm not a fan of make fiction but a few more stories like this and I may just be converted! Thank you lots for continuing and am curious to see what happens next! Link to comment
count tiszula Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Excellent! I do hope that there will be more ...and perhaps something a bit paranormal, like some strange power causing the cold to become instantly contagious, or even shock horror....making Zachary stop being shy about sneezing openly in front of his adoring fan club...... Link to comment
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