Chapter 1 - I Shrunk Myself!

- Hurry Nick! You will miss your bus!
- I'm coming Mom!

Nick closed his suitcase, and checked that he was not forgetting anything. It was a Saturday morning and it was 10:20 am. The 11 years old boy was going to spend the weekend at the Science Fair with his father, who was already there at the Fair to present his machine able to shrink things. Nick, meanwhile, brought a pocket sized model of his dad's machine on which he had worked for several months while reproducing the process of his father's machine. He took it from his desk and put it in pocket of his jeans before grabbing his suitcase and running down the stairs.

- Have you forgotten anything? - asked Natalie, his mother.
- No, I think I have everything.
- Did you remember to take your prototype?
- Yes. It is here. - Nick replied, taking it out of his pocket.
- Perfect ! Can you give that to the neighbour when you leave? - said Natalie, showing with a gesture of her head, a plastic bag containing a lettuce inside.
- Lettuce?
- From the garden. Freshly picked this morning! You know, it's to thank her for taking care of the garden while we were on vacation.
- But why a lettuce?
- Well, I give her regularly a little of whatever we have. It depends on what grows.
- Why can't you do it yourself? - Nick asked with a groan.
- You pass right in front of her house! And she told me that she wanted to make a salad this afternoon, and she does not have any more left.
- Yeah ... - said Nick with a sigh.
- I'm going to make the most of you not being here and make a thorough cleaning of the house. - said his mother, looking motivated.

Flore, Nick's big sister, appeared on the stairs.

- Come on, you have to go if you do not want to miss your bus. - said Natalie clapping her hands.

Nick took the plastic bag containing the salad. His mother kissed him, saying:

- Have fun, and give a hug to your father from us. And do not forget to send us a text message to tell us that you have caught your train.
- See you on Sunday Nick! - says Flore.
- Bye! He replied.

Nick went through the door of the house, feeling a bit cranky. He was going to the Science Fair, an event he had been waiting for a long time, and he was sent to deliver a lettuce! He crossed the street to go to the house opposite continuing to grumble. As he got closer, he became a little nervous. Their neighbour's name was Alizée. She was a pretty girl, 27 years old, and Nick had always been a little uncomfortable around her. What would it look like bringing her some salad? And what would he be able to say to her? "Look, I bring you some salad."? He was going to sound ridiculous. Once in front of the door, he hesitated a little and knocked on the door reluctantly. Seconds later, the young woman opened.

- Hi Nick! - she said smiling. Did your mother send you?
- Yes, she wants to give you that.  - he said, holding out the plastic bag.
- Yes, she warned me. Thank you! - said the young woman taking the bag. So you're going to join your father at the Science Fair, is that it?
- Yeah. - Nick replied more enthusiastically.
- It's cool! Have fun. - she said, offering Nick a hug.
- Thank you. - stammered Nick and hugged her. Goodbye.
- Goodbye. - said Alizée, still smiling, before closing the door.

Nick returned to the pavement, wishing he didn't sound so shy. He began to walk to his bus stop, wondering what she really thought of him. Did she really think he was ridiculous? As his thoughts mingled in his head, he remembered he had forgotten to take new batteries for his prototype. He took it out of his pocket and lifted it to check the battery level. They were almost dead.

- I'm such an idiot!

The boy ran back as he retraced his steps. He had to hurry if he did not want to miss his bus! As he reached the front door, he tried to open the hood of his machine to remove the old batteries. But in a hurry, as he turned the device over, he accidentally pressed the power button. The machine sent out a beam that hit Nick right on the right foot. Then all of a sudden, everything started to change around him ...

To Be Continued …



Translated from French to English by jdragondawn