The halls were flooded with students as the first period ended. Joey and Zay said their goodbyes as they headed to their next class, meanwhile on the other side of campus Roni and Sophie had just split off from each other at their lockers, small smiles and waves goodbye as they left for their next classes.
Now separated, the group of teenagers made their way to their own second and third periods, Joey and Roni having to face these both on their own while their minds dwelled on the situation at hand.
It didn’t take Joey long to get to his AP Calculus class after PE. It was one of his favorite subjects, after all. Where most students shied away from math, Joey was drawn to it—comforted by the way numbers followed logic and rules, always leading to clear answers. That same order was part of what fueled his interest in engineering, where every formula could be built into something real.
But that wasn’t what drove him today. Instead, Joey was trying to build off the momentum of his talk with Zay earlier, pushing himself to focus on what he could control rather than everything happening around him.
This was easier said than done, of course. Joey always sat in the front row, where it was easiest for him to focus. But today felt different. Even as he filled his notebook with calculations and kept his eyes fixed on the board, he couldn’t shake the sense that people were sneaking glances at him, or whispering his name in connection with rumors about other underbreds. The longer it went on, the more it felt like every pair of eyes in the room was on him.
That tension didn’t fade when he left for third period Biology. No matter how hard he tried to stay locked on the teacher’s lesson or how furiously he scribbled notes, the thought pressed in on him, relentless: everyone knew. Everyone already saw him as an invalid, a soon-to-be Little.
And as if that weren’t enough, Joey was starting to feel like he was coming down with a cold. His throat itched, his head was starting to ache, and even though the classroom air was comfortably cool, he felt like he was burning up inside his school uniform.
On the other side of school, Roni was having a similar, yet somehow different experience. She didn’t want to dwell on the potential rumors that she thought she was hearing on her way to her second period. Roni knew it wouldn’t help, but still, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. She could picture the looks Joey was probably getting, the surprise that someone of his status could be an invalid, the pity that his future was subjected to whomever would be his guardian, in this case herself.
Roni was still trying to tell herself that things wouldn’t change. That despite Joey being her little, he would still be able to have a life of his own. Part of her even believed it, but the other part of her knew that it was wishful thinking. While Roni had no intentions of forcing Joey into things once he belonged to her, she couldn’t deny that his experiences and social outings would all flow through her. It was a hard idea to come to terms with for Roni, as even though she tended to drag him out of his comfort zone already, Joey at least still had autonomy and choices in the matter. Once he was hers though, she wondered if he would still feel he could say no to her. What’s worse, is that she wasn’t certain if she’d let him as she didn’t want him to just sit on the sidelines.
Thankfully, though, Cam was also in 2nd period Algebra with Roni, and could sense that Roni was feeling off. She did her usual pragmatic thing—asking Roni for help on their assignment, reviewing last week’s lesson, even joking about mistakes they’d gotten back on their quizzes. It wasn’t much, but it was grounding, pulling Roni away from her spiraling thoughts about Joey during the second period, if only for a little while.
Biology passed just as quickly, but without the comfort of a close friend to help keep Roni focused. This time, she had to do it on her own, taking notes, answering every question the teacher asked, and even rereading the chapter from today’s lesson. This helped, but it never stopped Roni from worrying about the future, or about Joey.
By the time the bell rang at the end of third period, she was already halfway out of her seat. Shuffling into the crowded hallway, she pulled out her phone, checking for texts or any hint that rumors had hit social media. There were plenty of posts speculating about who might be an underbred, but nothing that outright mentioned Joey or any of his traits. It was a small relief—but not enough to quiet the unease gnawing at her.
As they made their way down their respective hallways towards the meeting spot, neither Roni nor Joey could stop passively listening to the chatter of the other students. Some were still talking about their previous weekends, others talking about up and coming tests and projects for their classes. However, there was always what sounded like talks regarding who the next bunch of people would be to get smallara. Most were hoping for teachers or other faculty members. Some of the older students that worked part time jobs were hoping their bosses would catch it, or the random annoying customer they had to deal with recently.
What would really suck them in, though, were the speculations of what students were vulnerable. Some popular kids would hope rivals would catch it, forever cementing their place in society. Others were hoping someone at the top of the social hierarchy like Sabrina Ellison, Zoey Tran, or Taylor Robionson would get it as a means of karmic retribution. Nerdier looking students would laugh at the idea of jocks and bullies catching it, wanting to register the biggest threats as their own and give them a taste of their own medicine. There were even groups that worried about their own friends, wanting to make sure they were safe and taken care of should they catch smallara.
For Joey and Roni, walking alone through the crowded halls, every scrap of it seemed sharper, heavier—like the gossip was pressing too close, too personal.
Roni would round the corner of the final hallway, and her body would let out a sigh of relief seeing Joey leaning against the wall, looking up at the ceiling in thought. It was just like always, Roni would have a moment of high anxiety, but the moment she saw her best friend, it would all go away, soothed by his presence.
“Hey Joey. How’d your morning go?” she asked, trying to sound more relaxed than she actually was.
To her surprise, Joey’s attention snapped in her direction, not in a calm and reassuring way, but in a way that told her he was feeling the strain just as much as she was. His presence still gave her strength though, but this wasn’t something she was used to seeing from her best friend.
Joey shot her a forced smile after a second. “Oh, you know. Caught a few passes from Zay, some math. Same old same old.”
Roni nodded along and smiled warmly, “That’s good. Things go easier when we’re in our comfort zones.”
Roni looked at Joey closer though, and her expression went from warm support to concern.
“Hey, are you feeling okay? You look a little pale. And you’re eyes are bloodshot.” Without missing a beat, she put her hand on his forehead, frowning. “I think you might be getting sick, Joey.”
He sighed and nodded. “Yeah, I noticed it a little at the house, and it’s just gotten worse. I asked your–” Joey grimaced in annoyance before correcting himself, “I asked mom and dad if we could cut school early before the last period. They’re fine with it, but said it’s up to you. Something about a ‘perfect attendance record’. I didn’t even know those were a thing” he finished with a self-deprecating laugh, having given up on the idea of perfect attendance the moment Mr. Calhoun started making him work at the company when he came of age.
“Hardy har har” Roni laughed sarcastically, “Some of us do take attendance seriously you know” she added with mock chastisement.
“But seriously, if we need to leave early, that’s fine. I’d just be missing an elective, I’m sure I can make a plea that it shouldn’t affect my attendance.” Roni said firmly.
“Good,” Joey said with a smile, “Cause you need the driving practice. Dad and I agree you’re somewhere between tank driver and bradley assault vehicle”
Joey’s joke and laugh was met with a firm punch to the arm from Roni.
“Hey! Come on, it was a joke, and I’m sick. Go easy on me, Roni” he said with dramatic pout.
“God you’re so annoying sometimes,” Roni said with a laugh, rubbing his arm. “Come on, I’m hungry, and I’m sure the others have grabbed a seat already.”
The two began heading to the cafeteria, before Roni looked up at Joey and added, “I know this sucks, I can see it in your face you’re having a hard time with it. I am too, but–we’re going to get through together. I promise, Joey.”
Joey looked at her and met her eyes, his expression showing vulnerability that neither were accustomed to before he nodded.
“Thanks Roni. I….needed to hear that more than I thought. You’re right. We’ll figure this out. One step at a time.”
Hoping to have the image finish by tonight. I made a change to the chapter idea i had and the image i made for it will be used in the next one i get around to posting
I like it but when will he shrink is been 36 chapter now?
I’ll say it’s soon. He’s showing signs of it already.
my main goal for the first half of the story was to introduce as many character and build relationships and world view points the best i can before he actually is reduced so we can see before and after type of things.
the other thing is i’m not as efficient or good a writer as Asuka so while i’m trying to get through things faster to get to the part of the story most people probably want at this point, i can’t really do it as well as Asuka does just because i lack the experience. so I’d look at these preshrinking chapters as my attempt at world building in Asuka’s world, learning to write efficiently and effectively, introduce all the characters I want to be featured in the story and building their personalities and everything, building up plot points, and giving my take on how someone would go about their life knowing they’re going to shrink as it’s not a perspective we have really seen in the main storyline.
edit: it is meant to be a bit of a slow burn too. most my inspiration comes from wanting to see how Gavin and Sara were like before Gavin’s mistake, and we don’t really get to see that in Smallara Proper, so this is kind of how i envisioned it. plus once I get to where I can do a time skip, it helps with the future story ideas i have. I do appreciate anyone that reads it though. i know most people want to see the shrunken person giant person dynamic and that this story takes a long time to get to it, so it’s understandable if it’s not everyones cup of tea, but it’s a route I think is worth exploring for the Smallara universe as a whole. Similar to Lethals fanfic in Australia as that’s the only story that is actually set in a different country in this world.
I think you are doing a great job all around (pacing, prose, etc..)
If you are doubting yourself, don’t. 😀
thank you! i appreciate anyone that reads it and comments, and enjoy writing it and everything, just also understand that some people aren’t fans of the slow burn 😀 hard to not be self-conscious on your first story though
1) “Where most students shied away from math, Joey was drawn to it—comforted by the way numbers followed logic and rules, always leading to clear answers” NNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDD! (Me too, lol)
2) “And as if that weren’t enough, Joey was starting to feel like he was coming down with a cold” yeah, a cold… that’s what it is.
3) “Everyone already saw him as an invalid, a soon-to-be Little.” that’s rough buddy.
4) “Once he was hers though, she wondered if he would still feel he could say no to her. What’s worse, is that she wasn’t certain if she’d let him as she didn’t want him to just sit on the sidelines” Definitely some red flags here, she’s already thinking about removing his autonomy.
5) “Most were hoping for teachers or other faculty members. Some of the older students that worked part time jobs were hoping their bosses would catch it, or the random annoying customer they had to deal with recently.” that’s the kind of casual cruelty I’d expect from teens
6) “There were even groups that worried about their own friends, wanting to make sure they were safe and taken care of should they catch smallara.” hey, that’s what Roni’s doing.
7) “in a way that told her he was feeling the strain just as much as she was” he’s almost definitely feeling it more.
8) “Hey! Come on, it was a joke, and I’m sick. Go easy on me, Roni” it’s coming, isn’t it?
1) lol Joey’s a big nerd to be fair, i just haven’t had enough opprotunity to display it
2) just the common cold…
3) his girlfriend did turn into the moon….
4) True, but she kinda does that to him to begin with. plus if it were up to him, he might pick to stay home alone more often than going out with her to places or hanging with their friends. I look at it like if Kelli was the gaurdian and Kayla was the little. it wouldn’t be a good thing to keep one at home all the time, or if one stayed home multiple days in a row and when offered, turned down a chance to get out. I think there’s some give and take, just that Roni is worried about the boundaries
5) lol same
6)yeah, i kinda thought it would make sense others want to make sure their friends are okay if they caught smallara. in the school there are known vulnerable people too, just haven’t decided how many, if they’ll come up in the story, etc.
7) absolutely
8) it? it what? he’s just under the weather ;D
A) i am thinking joey will have a better time being a little then most because all his new sisters will shower him with love and affection and with fight to have him sleep with them so at least he wont be lacking affection and cuddles like many littles forgotten in a cage.
B) he is also a little smart enough to create stuff to really help littles live better. I think its fair for her to be thinking of how she can keep little Joey safe, littles like Kelli forget they cant do what they used to when they where big.
C) I think Joey should stay home because he is going to transform soon and should be safe at home.
D) If other of there friends become littles, maybe they can make there own little community that treats little well and may even have little dating lol.
E) I Cant wait for him to transform and see how he reacts to all the girls being giants and how the girls treat him.
1) he’ll definetly be in a loving home
2) I think that’s going to be true for all littles that were formally big. Mexico may be cruel in comparison to the US in this world, but there is a benefit of acceptance and not beating around the bush with their method. that’s probably the only positive i have for their system though haha
3) I agree on the one hand, but on the other it’s kinda like Tonya had told him, he’d miss out on a lot if he just stayed home fearing what’s coming up. I took a lot of inspiration from my dad on that one as he never let his cancer dictate how he lived his life until he just phsyically couldn’t do it anymore
4) I still need to figure that out. I know lethal was wondering if anyone would be gaurdian trained in the friend group, but financially Cam is the only one that could really afford all of it. Maybe Lauren too. I will say I do intend for littles and other gaurdians to be in the story, cause it’d be boring\unrealistic without it
5) they could treat him poorly, or not acknowledge him at all haha could also be guys interested in him too. anythings possible. i’ve been bouncing ideas around on that sort of thing to see how i feel about it since they’re under age. just weird for me personally to write.
3) I am sorry to hear about your dad having to go through cancer. I got hit on my motorcycle and I’m paralyzed and it ended my successful aerospace career so I understand the little plight of losing the ability to do stuff and having to rely on people for I have learned to eat my pride and ask for help when I never needed to.
A)I think Sara and Jordan have a great little/guardian relation ship because he is always with her, hugging her neck and having her hair around him for support giving him skin contact and being part of her life in a real time way to the point he was in her locker room and shower with many giant naked young woman because he was just a little and it didn’t matter that he was there. Many of the girls liked that he was there and made fun of the situation which I think is realistic of most people of that world based on the society norms.
4) The cost to be guardian trained isn’t that high that some high schoolers couldn’t work and save for the training lol. I think a lot of kids would want to save to be little trained if they were in the smallara world just to be ready to help a friend or a family member. I would think there would be a lot of online pre training help that when you start the training you could breeze through the training because you have done the work already through personal website training.
5) underage writing is hard but remember once they are littles age doesn’t matter per the law so per the laws of the smallara world, once you are little seeing and helping your naked guardian is fine based on Saras take in Samara prime. But I still understand having to make sure not to get too creepy. But you can still be realistic what would happen with out getting too weird I think based on other smallara chapter lol.
A) please keep writing. I love when people put there own experiences in there writing. I cant wait till your next chapter. I think your story has hundreds of possible chapters with him possibly going from sister to sister as time goes on as they get older and I think you will do a great job telling it. 🙂