Reviewer: TomSpeedy Signed [Report This]
Date: September 18 2015 2:22 PM Title: Chapter 7: Unexcused Absence

Well, since this whole story takes place in this one day, we have no idea what happened last night that makes Tom so nervous about telling his teacher.

He also said it couldn't be made known, does he not want to let her know that he was just a few inches tall or something? That doesn't sound that bad to tell her. Much better than lying and shrinking in front of her.

He could also say he was spending time with his family. Then again, I don't know what happened last night, but that could be the case.

When I began reading this chapter, I thought I skipped something. I was surprised to seem Tom full sized again. I thought the growth process took a lot longer than that and since you mentioned that this story will happen in one day, I thought that meant that Tom won't be full sized in this story because there is too little time.

If my teacher saw me chewing gum, I would have to spit it out. These kids are lucky. Just do your homework, and you're good.

He panicked and swallowed the gum before she yelled "Baker"? Shouldn't that be switched? It seemed like he panicked from something else instead.

What's more important than the work in this course? Um, survival, obeying parents, doing the right thing, spending time with friends and family, making sure everyone is safe, working on a job, helping parents out. I felt like Tom could've made some shit up and it doesn't have to be a lie. I don't know why this question is so difficult.

Then Tom blew his chance by asking "what do you mean?" and then his teacher asked him about last night which now makes it personal. Therefore the 2nd question became harder, but the first question wasnt that bad.

I totally agree with your racecar crash analogy. I too find the crashes a pleasure to watch even though it's downright awful to hope for. In any car race, I find the crashes the most entertaining. Guilty pleasures.

Hmm. I guess we will find out what happened last night soon.

I can't wait for the next chapter!

Author's Response:

We'll learn later why it's so important for Tom not to explain himself. The growth process speed changes depending on the speed at which the shrinking happened; try not to think about it too hard, it's not really something the story will address closely enough to make it worth analyzing. He panicked because he suddenly realized he still had the gum in his mouth, which grossed him out. And yeah, he may have dug his own grave with that question. He's an awkward kid.