Welcome to Gaia! ::

Chapter 1
Monotonicity

Sameness or dull repetition in sound, style, manner, or color.

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Chell

"Alright, gentlemen, prepare to be virtually re-educated on test rooms. Everything you know - or thought you knew you knew - has to be destroyed, overwritten, formatted, and then reformatted. Aperture Science has once again outdone itself.

Does that mean our term papers will need different material on them...? That means I have to rewrite mine...

I raised my hand in an attempt to get the teacher's attention. Maybe he didn't see me, or he was just ignoring me purposely. Even though he hadn't acknowledged me, I still kept my hand in the air. I'd be damned if I was going to fail because he ignored me.

...

Five minutes passed and I was beginning to get pissed. I didn't take to kindly to being ignored.

I have a question, dammit!

I slammed my hand down on my desk angrily, earning a few surprised looks from some students.

Fine. If he isn't going to acknowledge me, I'll just write a new one with this material and turn them both in.

It's a funny thing being mute. It doesn't feel like a disability... but people still treat me as though it were. I'm not frail or weak. I'm just like any other teenager. Yet people act as if I need help; they step around me and take extra care not to hurt "The Mute Girl's" feelings.

It's infuriating, but there isn't much I can do, since I can't necessarily "speak up". I don't feel like being mute would impair me. I'm not incapable of helping myself... Despite popular belief, I prefer to accomplish things on my own.

Of course, there are things I can't accomplish; but for those things I have C.C.; one time I got placed in a Spanish class that was mostly speaking and listening. I had to text C.C. to save me from a long- and very one sided- argument about how I need to grow up and stop giving the teacher the silent treatment and do the work. She had to come in and explain to him that I couldn't in fact do the work because I was mute. After that, she had to go to see Principle Johnson to help me get my classes switched to something... more suitable.

Needless to say, C.C. thought that was hilarious.

" I don't hate you... " My phone singsonged from my pocket breaking my train of thought and effectively silencing the teachers ranting.

I really have to remember to silence this thing in the morning...

"I thought I had made it clear that ALL cell phones should be silenced during my class," the teacher said, combing over the students as he searched for the culprit.

I waited for him to stop eyeballing the classroom before reading the text message.

✉Hey Chell! I decided not to stay after so I can walk home with you! smile ✉

She couldn't have waited until we got out of class to tell me...? Jeez C.C...

.

..

...

It had only been twelve minutes since I got C.C.'s text and I was already beginning to dose off during the teacher's lesson. I had just gotten out of gym and they had the most athletic students demonstrate the best way to avoid turret fire during testing. I'm glad they filled the turrets with pellets and not bullets, or this welt on my arm would be slightly more serious.

After about thirty minutes, I had grown tired of listening to the teacher drag on about the easiest way to navigate a test room with Aperture Science's new invention: Panels.

Hoorah...

The day dragged on endlessly. I thought the bell was never going to ring. I swear I was seconds away from looking down the barrel of an Aperture Science Enrichment Center Dual Portal Gun... and pulling the trigger. I'm not suicidal or anything; I'd just prefer getting my head sucked off into a quantum space hole than this lecture.

"Obviously, you all know what the standard test room is: four walls and a ceiling. Good enough for science, right? Wrong! It's not good enough for Aperture Science. Throw everything you know about test rooms away, because Aperture has revolutionized the way Aperture Science Test Subjects take tests. They are... the planks of tomorrow! They're fully configurable and infinitely variable! They're safe and they help the test subject every step of the way."

I began to ignore the godforsaken lecture and instead doodled in my notebook. After a few doodles I wasn't pleased with I gave up and looked out the window.

I scanned the ground and sky hoping for something interesting but nothing outside caught my attention long enough to curb my boredom. My eyes began to feel heavy despite my obvious conviction to stay awake and allowed them to flutter shut.

I got B+ on my last test...I think I can afford a nap.

...

...

...

Something tells me I would have been sleeping at that desk all night if C.C. hadn't come and found me. You would think that for someone who can't speak, I would be harder to find.

"So, were you planning on spending the night here, or are you coming home?" a familiar voice called as an all-too-annoying finger jabbed me in the rib cage. I would have groaned for her to go away, but being mute, it was more of an angry sigh.

"Come on, Chell, my mom is going to worry if we don't get home soon," she said, poking me in the ribs again.

If looks could kill C.C. would have burst... twice, but instead she only flashed her trademark smile. It was always hard to be angry with her. It was just impossible. So, I just smiled back at her and yawned.

I looked around the now-empty room and my smile slowly lowered to a slightly annoyed frown. C.C. must have immediately guessed why my expression changed so suddenly, because she began to laugh. Her laugh was smooth and soft. Like the pitter patter of a river.

"No one wanted to wake you up, you seemed tired," she said, sitting in the desk next to mine.

In rebuttal, I rubbed my eyes and began to stand. I must have been sleeping for longer than I thought, however, and ended up tripping over my own feet. I would've ended up eating the dust on the glazed tile floor if C.C. hadn't caught me.

"Seriously Chell...you are such a klutz," she giggled, pulling me into an upright position.

I know anybody could have easily made that mistake, but for some reason I turned at least five shades of red. I didn't want C.C. to see, so I pretended to rub more sleep out of my eyes.

"Aww, Chell's embarrassed!" C.C. teased, clearly seeing through my attempt at hiding my face.

I ignored her and turned away, hoping to at least hide the new blush that crept on to my face.

"As much as I like seeing you embarrassed, we really should go" C.C. said grabbing our bags and walking towards the classroom door.

I could only smile as I watched her leave the room.

"Come on!" I heard her shout from the hallway.

I love that girl.

Chapter 2

Solitary

living alone; avoiding the society of others

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Glados

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I'll never understand people... No matter how many times I try to analyze their irrational behavior, I always come up with a blank. It gives me headaches. Honestly, thinking about the complexity - or lack thereof- of the human brain is just nauseating.

"Father, where is the aspirin?" I called from my room.

...

Nothing.

"Father! I need an aspirin! Or two..." I yelled a little louder.

...

Still nothing.

"Dammit...I don't know why I bother. If he isn't tinkering with random inventions in the basement, he's in a meeting somewhere. I'll have to remember to cripple him one day so he'll stay home more." I cringed at the bitterness in my own joke.

Who am I talking to again...?

After searching all four of the bathroom's cabinets and failing in my search for the aspirin, I walked down the grand staircase and into the kitchen, where the basement door is located.

"Father!" I yelled down the stairs after opening the door... cautiously; one time, our maid haphazardly opened the door and a fireball singed off her eyebrows. That was the last time Father experimented with napalm... and the last time our maid showed up for work.

I let out an exasperated sigh and slowly descended the stairs, half expecting to see my father... or at least pieces of him scattered along the floor.

I'm pretty sure I would have favored that over what I actually did see.

"Hello, Daughter Unit... Please insert greeting card," My father - dressed in a plastic robot suit dangling from the ceiling by his feet - said in his best robot impression.

Yup. I would prefer him in pieces.

"I'll find the aspirin myself," I said bluntly and began to head back up the stairs.

"Hey! Don't just leave me stuck here!" He yelled after me.

.

..

...

It took at least twenty minutes to get him untangled from the cables he was hanging from, and another fifteen to get him out of the robot suit.

"Can I go back to my homework now?" I asked, exhausted.

"You know, Glados... You were a lot more fun before your mother passed" He said, looking concerned.

"Caroline died eight years ago, Father. I can hardly remember what I was like back then," I replied, annoyed. I narrowed my eyes and took another step up the stairs, warning him that he was in dangerous territory.

"And you never used to call her Caroline... Is there something wrong? You know you can-" He continued but I cut him off.

"I'm not in the mood, Father," I said flatly.

"Glados, you know you can tell me anything, right?" He said, his deep blue eyes boring into my own golden ones.

"I have to go finish my homework ..." I said, walking the rest of the way up the stairs.

.

..

...

I stood staring at the trembling box that was on the countertop.

How had I missed that?

I took a step closer, and the box mewed at me.

Boxes don't do that. I snatched off the lid and glared at the little kitten inside. It was mostly grey and white with piercing blue eyes.

I reached in and grabbed its collar, reading the name inscribed on it.

"Wheatley."

"Father...What the hell is this?" I yelled, still staring at the little ball of fur, who flinched at my outburst.

"Happy Birthday, Dear," was his simple response.

"I don't like you," I said to the kitten, placing the lid back on and heading up to my room.

I could hear Wheatley whine in annoyance.

Father will take care of that. I have homework to do.

I walked up to my room, stepped inside and closed the door.

...

"Perfect... I still don't know where the damn aspirin is..." I muttered, slumping into the rolling chair that came with my desk.

"Whatever... right now I need to finish this homework," I said, turning to face my laptop.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a small white bottle.

.

..

...

...

...

It was the aspirin...

Letting out an exasperated sigh, I dropped my head onto my desk and just sat there for a bit.

"I'm going to sleep..." I mumbled, and cut off the light.


Chapter 3

Seductivity

A further measurement of one's ability to entice another by physical, logical, or other unregistered means.

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Chell

Hey no fair! I was nowhere near those bullets!

"HA!" C.C. cheered as I watched the 'Game Ending Kill-cam'

You cheated! I quit!

"Psh! Don't give me that 'I cheated' crap! I beat you fair and square!" she said, sticking her tongue out.

I stood up and put the PS3 control on the top of the T.V. And sat back down on our bed.

...Don't have to be an a*****e about it...

"Aw, don't be a sore loser Chell! I'm just the best at Call of Duty" C.C. teased, poking me in the stomach.

You are not!

"I am too!" C.C. singsonged, shoving me lightly.

C.C.'s ability to read me like a book never fails. No matter what it was, it was as if C.C. knew what I was thinking.

Huff...

"Awww, is someone being grouchy?" she said after I shoved her back.

I wasn't actually angry with her; that would have been childish. I just wanted her to think I was.

I let out an over-dramatic sigh and turned my head away from her, crossing my arms in the process.

I figured if I made a big enough scene, she might let me win for once.

"Hey, you're not mad are you?" C.C. said, trying to get a look at my face.

I turned more to avoid her eyes; if she saw my face, my cover would be blown.

"Come on Chell, don't be that way. I'll tickle you if you don't cheer up" She said, inching closer to me and wiggling her fingers.

Crap!

"I knew it!" C.C. yelled, pouncing on me.

No! No! No! Stop it! Please!

"NEVAH!" She screamed, tickling me harder.

I was extremely ticklish and C.C. knew it. Using it against me was so up her alley.

I tried to fight her off, but she was much stronger than I was.

This isn't fair!

"Stop squirming, you're making this difficult," She said continuing to tickle me.

I can't! You're tickling me! Hahahah, nooooooo!

I struggled desperately to escape but only managed to make us both fall off the bed, onto the floor with a thud. Allowing her to pin me to the floor. I squirmed and writhed, trying to escape the onslaught of C.C.'s merciless fingers, but to no avail.

"Girls! Stop thrashing around up there! I don't want the ceiling to cave in on dinner!" C.C.'s mom yelled up to us.

You heard her! Stop it!

"She said 'stop thrashing around' not 'stop tickling Chell'" C.C. said matter-of-factually and went right on ahead tickling me again.

You're evil!

"Okay, okay. I'll stop." She said, giggling.

"Hey Chell, I know you're enjoying the view and all, but you can get from between my legs now." C.C. purred, flashing a toothy grin.

You're a pervert!

My face turned at least fifteen shades of red. C.C. teased me like this all the time. I don't know why.

It was kind of frustrating.

"Oh, don't be such a prude, Chell. I was only kidding," she said, standing up.

"Chell! C.C.! Your food is going to get cold if you don't eat it!" I heard C.C.'s father call from the bottom of the stairs.

"Well, you coming to eat or did I traumatize you?" C.C. said, leaving the room.

Seriously... she's going to be the death of me.

.

..

…

"So girls, how were your days?" C.C.'s Father asked taking a huge bite out of his steak.

I shrugged and took a sip of my Caribbean Punch. C.C.'s parents knew what that meant full well; "Same old, same old." C.C.'s family had an easy time understanding my gestures and mannerisms.

"It was pretty good, I got an A on my Thinking with Portals test. Oh, and I brought my Propulsion Gel Maneuvering grade up from a D to a B," C.C. said, beaming.

"That's great honey! Anything else?" C.C.'s mother said after wiping her mouth and placing the napkin on her plate.

"Well, a boy named Atlas asked me to go to the Aperture Science Party Escort Submission Position Ball," C.C. started, finishing her roll. "Why they call it that, I'll never know," she finished.

I wasn't sure what it was I was feeling, but it wasn't very pleasant. I ignored it and continued eating.

"Well, did you say yes?" C.C.'s father said, finishing up the last of his steak.

"I told him I would tell him tomorrow, but I think I might say yes," she announced.

"Well girls, It is nine 'o clock and we are going to see a movie." C.C.'s mother said, getting up from the table.

"Don't wait up," C.C.'s father said, doing the same and leaving the room.

"Hey! You're not going to stick us with the clean up, are you?" C.C. griped.

"Yes, we are, and if we don't hurry, we're going to be late." C.C.'s father said, returning from the foyer with his and his wife's coats.

"You girls don't stay up too late. And remember to set the alarm before you go upstairs," C.C.'s mom said, putting on her jacket and heading for the door.

"Slackers!" C.C. called before they said their goodbyes and left.

As soon as they shut the door, C.C. spun on her heels, turning toward me.

"House party!" she yelled.

You're planning on having a house party in the time it takes to watch a movie?

"No. I was kidding, I just wanted to get your attention to tell you: 'not it!'" she said, turning and running up the stairs.

NO FAIR!

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..

…

I can't believe she made me do all these dishes by myself...

I had been washing dishes for at least an hour. I had finally cleaned them all and just had to dry the last bit of dishes and put them away. The alarm was set, the lights were off, and I was ready to go to bed. I even thought C.C. had gone to sleep... I was wrong. Dead wrong.

"Hey babe..." an all-too-familiar voice purred into my ear. I felt a blush crawl onto my cheeks.

"When are you coming to bed? It's awful lonely up there without you." C.C. whispered, wrapping her arms around my waist.

Ummm...

"Come on Chell... leave those dishes alone and pay me some attention," she breathed, nuzzling her nose into the back of my neck.

Her breath was hot, leaving the hair on my neck standing up. I swear I was about to have a meltdown, but her presence on my back disappeared. I whirled around, completely flustered and bewildered.

C.C., what the hell!

"Relax Chell, I was only kidding... mostly," C.C. giggled.

I stood there gawking at her for at least a minute.

That didn't happen... I imagined it. And what the hell did she mean by mostly?

My heart was racing just as fast as the thoughts through my head were.

"Chell seriously, relax, I only meant that you should leave those dishes alone before you fall asleep in them. Besides, I was only apologizing for leaving you down here," C.C. said, putting her hand on her hip.

I... I... I...

"Come on, let's go to sleep," she said, yawning.


Chapter 4

Adorability

Adorableness.

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Glados

I had to wake up early to finish my homework, which of course was no problem for me at all; I do what I must because I can; except today was different. I got no sleep because Wheatley kept meowing all night. Did you know cats can retract their claws at will? I didn't.

"I don't like you..." I said using my free hand to stop him from chewing on the lamp's power cord.

I could just let him chew it...one less problem on my hands. But then I'd need to get a new lamp...

Instead of continuing to attack the defenseless lamp cord, he latched on to my headphones and knocked over my cup; earning him a face full of water.

"Moron..." I said looking back at my laptop.

Instead of refraining from doing the thing that caused him discomfort, he ran around the room and did it again; Yelping in fear when cup fell over and hit him.

"Somehow...I don't feel sorry for you." I told Wheatley and saved my homework.

I stood up and closed the laptop, pulling out the ties that held my hair in place.

"I'm going to take a shower...don't do anything stupid. I know that will be hard for you but at least try." I said to Wheatley slipping off my pajama bottoms. Wheatley only stared at me as if I was some sort of alien.

"Pervert." I muttered stepping into the bathroom.

.

..

…

I loved showers, long hot showers always made me happy. As if I had an emotion that showers appealed to directly. But I don't. That would be weird. I had just turned off the water and stepped out of the bath tub, reaching for my towel. After drying myself off and wrapping the towel around myself, I looked at myself in the mirror.

"One day...I think I may wear my hair down." I said grabbing my hair ties and putting my hair up into what Atlas calls my "trademark hairstyle".

Exiting the bathroom my smile ran away. Probably for fear of what my frown would do to it.

"I...hate...you..." I said kicking Wheatley away from the shattered picture of my mother. I mean Caroline. I didn't kick him hard enough to hurt him; just hard enough to let him know I wanted to. He angrily meowed at me.

"I don't care. Now go away before I decide to put you in the blender." I growled kneeling down to pick up the pieces of glass from my mot- Caroline's picture.

"Mom..." I sighed staring at her picture.

Wheatley let out a soft meow as if to apologize.

"Shut up. I'm not talking to you..." I said setting the picture on my dresser and throwing the shattered frame in the trash can beside my desk.

...

I snatched the charger from the wall and my computer pacing in one of the empty pouches on my messenger bag.I then grabbed my computer and the notes next to it and slipped in the largest pouch on my bag. I would have left then and there but Wheatley wouldn't get off my bag.

"I don't have time for this...Go. Away." I told him trying to swat him away from the bag.

He jumped off the bed sprinting towards my headphones. Failing to stop himself in time he slammed face first into my desk.

"Moron..." I said walking out of my room after grabbing my headphones.

I trudged down the stairs and sighed heavily.

Stupid cat...

Out of habit I waved to the spot where our maid usually wishes me a good day.

It's highly unprofessional to abandon your job...even if your eyebrows did get burned off by a rouge fireball.

I turned to inspect the house before leaving. I didn't see anything and decided I should leave before I did. I began the boring walk to school, pulling out my Aperture Science Enrichment Center Music Emitter. I personally hate the name. It's such a mouthful. Imagine putting that on your Christmas list. I plugged in the headphones and pressed the play button letting the music soothe my irritated nerves.

"Hey! Glados!" I heard a vaguely familiar voice call to me. I looked over my shoulder and saw P. Body running towards me. I began to walk faster. It wasn't that I disliked P. Body; I just didn't want to talk to her, or anyone else for that matter.

"Hey hold on!" She said running faster to catch up to me. I pretended not to hear her and made the turn onto the road that led to the front of the school running straight into Atlas.

Perfect...

"Hello Glados!" Atlas said waving rather frantically. His display of 'affection' was ignored.

Pulling myself up off the ground I tried to walk away and leave it as that. I don't think that it worked though.

"Yes, Blue...I see you. And no, I do not care." I said stepping around him. He hated it when I called him "Blue" He said it was stupid. I didn't think so; I only called him that because his eyes were a stunning blue. Not that it was all that impressive to me, they were just bright. I could hear P. Body run up behind me.

I need to start taking a different route to school...

"Glados! I'm glad I caught you!" P. Body – who I officially refer to as Orange because of her orange hair- began.

"Was that some kind of pun...?" I interrupted.

"No, your guidance counselor wanted me to tell you that one of your classes had been switched. Instead of going to Investment Opportunities Class in sixth period you go to Spike Panel Evasion." She finished.

"And I was switched because...?" I asked the annoyance in my voice more present than I had intended.

"The guidance counselor said something about you being way too far ahead of the class, and that you were squandering your talents.

This day can't get any more annoying can it...

"Thank you Orange...If there was a contest for my friendship you would be winning. But there isn't. So you aren't." I said walking by, mentally taking a note of each of their expressions.

Interesting...

.

..

…

The day was moving by slowly, it was only 2nd period and I was already to go home and sleep. Not that I'd be getting any because of that damned cat. I honestly hated that cat. It was as if he set out to do any and every thing that was stupid. He was an imbecile!

"Glados can you tell me the easiest way to navigate to the top of a test room with out using portals would be? Assuming the object is in the room." The teacher asked interrupting my thoughts.

"...An Aperture Science Enrichment Center Aerial Faith Plate..." I said not even looking in the teacher's direction.

"Excellent!" He said moving on to his next question. "You all could learn something from Glados."

"Hooray...Five Science Collaboration Points for me..." I said under my breath.

The day pretty much continued like that, In the days defense it's always like that; Me running into people I really had no intention of acknowledging, then me answering questions from teachers who swear I'm a prodigy. It's tedious really. I would rather be locked in a giant room somewhere in one of my father's labs; listening to myself think about nothing and everything. A room in which the silence is deafening and the people are non-existent.

Please don't get me wrong I'm not anti-social, or one of those emo things...I just don't like Human Beings. They disgust me, I can't stand them; they're the selfish, self-centered, self-serving, egotistical, vindictive, cruel, things to ever exist. If it were up to me I would put them all up to doing something useful; something extremely dangerous and most of them would probably die, but useful nonetheless. Now People; them, I can stand. It's rare to find an honest to goodness Person, someone who isn't superficial and all-around repulsive. I think there is maybe a handful of them around here. People really are a dying breed. Did you know People are fifteen percent less likely to betray you under intense pressure than Humans?

.

..

...

"Glados! Do you want to eat lunch with us?" Orange called to me as I entered the cafeteria after fifth period.

Honestly I would have rather eaten with Wheatley. But she saved me the confusion of my unexpected class transfer, and for that I suppose I owe her.

"Fine," I responded making my way over to their table.

Both Orange and Blue glanced at each other with questioning looks, most likely because I have never sat with them before today.

I hope they don't get used to this. I don't plan on making it a trend.

As I sat down next to them something, or more accurately someone caught my attention. It was a girl. I could faintly here Orange and Blue's conversation about something but I couldn't bring myself to pay attention to them; the girl had completely fascinated me, and the worst part was I had no idea why. I hated this feeling, I was acting completely irrational and I was helpless to stop it. I studied this girl examined her. Noted ever detail; from how soft and flawless her skin looked, to how her beautiful black hair framed her face, to the way her bright blue eyes lit up when she smiled. No matter how I tried to ignore this girl more and more she stood out to me. It was driving me insane. She was in essence adorable.

I don't like people. What makes her special that she gets to penetrate my thoughts and inhabit them as if they were her own?

I almost left the cafeteria. It was that frustrating. But I noticed something about her. Something I hadn't before. The girl hadn't said anything since she -To my dismay- captivated me. She was absolutely silent the whole time. The girl In front of her had been doing all the talking. How could someone talk to someone else for that long and not receive a response? Even more so not care that she hadn't received one. It was so peculiar.

I swear I will never understand people…

"Glados," Orange called breaking into my thoughts. "Glados are you okay? You haven't said anything to either of us since you sat down?

"I'm fine. I was just thinking about something," I said looking back over to where that odd girl had been sitting. She was gone.

Good. Now she will get out of my head…


She didn't. She stayed in my thoughts all throughout the rest of lunch, and during my next class.

Who was this girl and why had I suddenly become so transfixed on her?

I tried to consider who it was she might be, tried to think of if I knew her. I tried to se if my brain had become so fixated on her because I had met or seen her before, but I hadn't so logically there was no reason for me to care who she was. I had just drooled over a girl that I didn't even know. And what's more; I wasn't homosexual…at least I didn't think I was. I had never been on a date with anyone so it's hard to say.

"Glados, we have to go soon," Blue said his voice clearly exhibiting his worry.

"The bell will ring in a couple of minutes," Orange said finishing the sandwich she had bought.

In all honesty I just wanted this day to end; but I would have settled for being able to go home and sleep.

"Are you sure you're okay? You haven't even touched your lunch," Blue called as I began to stand up to empty my Grey Aperture Science Enrichment Center Human Food Consumption Carrier. A rather stupid name if you ask me.

"I'm. Fine." I started, rolling my eyes in obvious annoyance. "It wasn't very good anyway," I finished heading out of the cafeteria.

"Glados, wait!" I could hear Orange yell faintly. I ignored her. It felt like the safest thing to do…or at least the least annoying of my list of options.

.

..

…

I had made all the way to my sixth period class without being so much as spoken to; and for that I was grateful. However karma must have thought no such miracle should be given, and decided that my final class would be shared with none other than that odd girl from lunch.

No it's okay…I didn't want my sanity anyway…

"Alight, Test Subjects! Welcome to Spike Panel Evasion Class. Where the spikes are real and the dangers are fake. Or was it: the danger is real and the spikes are fake? Who cares? Just line up!" said the husky teacher who had sauntered in from the office beside the entrance. After a few seconds the other students went back to minding their business, and ignoring the teacher.

"HEY! I said line up!" The man yelled; Authority lining his words. The students instantly fell in line. The teachers booming voice immediately establishing dominance.

"Today we are going to do our Mid-term Test, so-"

"Um…excuse me?" A soft voice called from the entrance, interrupting the teacher's announcements.

"What!" The teacher growled, obviously annoyed at the unwanted intrusion.

"I um...The principle wanted me to give you your updated roster." The girl squeaked, jumping at the teacher's unhappy response.

"Then give it here," he boomed stalking towards the now slightly frightened girl.

He snatched the piece of paper from her and shut the door in her face. Rather rude in my opinion.

"Anyway, Pick a partner and stand next to them while I put this in my office. And make it snappy." He said grumbling things under his breath as he walked.

All the other students – or test subjects, as the teacher called them – began to choose partners and eventually all the others had paired up and wandered off besides two; me…and the mystery girl.

Jeez…

I figured if I was going to survive this onslaught of cruelty life was supplying I would attack it head on.

I walked over to introducing myself.

"Hello…I'm Glados. It's a pleasure to meet you." I said extending my hand.

…

"This is the part where you tell me your name." I said slowly lowering my hand after she shook. I assumed she was just being ditzy and wasn't paying attention; however I was wrong, she didn't even attempt to respond.

"So are you planning to give me the silent treatment? Or does a cat have your tongue?" I asked, slowly becoming annoyed. She only smiled and shook her head.

"Then why don't you speak? Are you defective? I replied confused. If neither were the case why wouldn't she talk? She was really becoming annoying. Before I could ask her another question she pulled out her phone and began clicking away.

How rude…


She showed me the screen which read: "I'm sorry, I'm mute . My name is Chell, and It's nice to meet you ^^". I half expected her to burst out laughing, reveling in her triumph in successfully fooling her new classmate; but she didn't…she just smiled an apologetic smile and put her phone away.

That explains everything. That explained why she didn't speak a word to her friend at lunch, why she hasn't said anything to me.

A wave of relief washed over me. That's why she caught my attention, that's why I couldn't get her out of my head. She was a splash of color in this dull mundane school. I understand now, and can erase this from my memory.

"Alright prepare yourselves for the most intense testing experience you, young test subjects will ever encounter!" The teacher called walking over to a very ominous looking switch and flipping it effortlessly.

The sound of gears grinding together filled the room as the panels around the room began to move and shift causing the ground beneath us to vibrate softly. I studied the worried expressions around us and noticed that Chell didn't look perturbed.

Interesting…

"Alright, hop to it! These spike panels won't evade themselves!" The teacher boomed over the noise of the panels that were changing positions around the room. "Don't be afraid of them test subjects~ the spikes are made of rubber and there are safety nets below you to ensure your safety when – I mean if- you fail." The teacher continued.

It was amazing to see Chell navigate the spike panels as the danced around her. Her movements were so fluid and graceful yet at the same time, deliberate and precise. I found my eyes wandering to her whilst I was navigating the spike panels that moved around me, which is why it was my own fault when I slipped off the current panel I was avoiding.

That's just my luck…

I grabbed onto the edge of a panel that didn't have spikes and tried to pull my self up but soon realized I had no energy or strength to do so. In fact I was running on the nutrients I hadn't lost from yesterday…

Looks like I should've eaten after all…I blame that god forsaken cat for not allowing me to get any sleep...

I struggled and struggled but I just couldn't pull my self up.

"Just let go test subject!" I could hear the teacher calling to me.

"I'm not failing the first test my first day in this class! It would be illogical!" I yelled back.

I was using up all the energy and strength and could feel my arms giving out. The strain on my arms was becoming excruciating. I squirmed and pulled as hard as I could but I just couldn't do it…

I really wish I would have eaten today…or at least gotten some sleep…that damn Wheatley…

I began to feel my fingers slipping; the movement of the panel I was currently clinging to wasn't helping the situation at all.

Great…I'm going to fail my first test in this class, and there's nothing I can do about it…

The last thing I remember before falling into darkness under the panels was Chell leaping toward me.

.

..

…


Chapter 5


Becuase of Gaia's Rules and Guidlines i'm not allowed to post this chapter here.

It contains mild sexual content.

If you don't wish to read such content then by all means don't.
If you do wish to read the link is below.


https://www.fanfiction.net/story/story_preview.php?storyid=7236410&chapter=5/



Chapter 6

Coming Soon!