Portal D

In the pale classroom filled with exactly twenty-eight desks and a dirty white board, my Algebra 2 teacher, Mrs. Hansberry, dressed in black pants with a red jacket too small for her slightly overweight body, handed us back our math test we had taken the previous day. She had black hair and wore a bit of makeup on her dark brown skin. There was an even mixture of smiles and frowns around the room. My test fluttered onto my desk. An A. As expected.

"Nice job Sofia “said Mrs. Hansberry.

I smiled. Behind me, my best friend Adrian received her test along with yet another pamphlet for summer school. The grade on her test was a D.

"You must take more time to study Ms. Lancaster." said Mrs. Hansberry.

"Sorry. I've been super busy with softball."

"You won't be for long. You’re on the verge of failing this class and your extracurricular activities will be put on hold if you don’t get your grade up."

"But my team needs me!" Adrian exclaimed. "They suck without me!"

Two of the girls on the softball team in the room glared at Adrian. She looked over at them and said,

"No offense girls."

"Well then I guess you'll just have to get your grade up now won't you?” Mrs. Hansberry asked with wide eyes and walked away to deliver the next test.

Adrian sighed and put her head in her hands. I turned around to face Adrian.

"Maybe we can text Shannon and see if she can help you..." I said.

Then Adrian interrupted. "It's no use Sofia. I'm a hopeless cause. How is this so easy for you?"

"It's not" I said. "But I kind of have a lot to live up to."

My older brother Lance, who was now in college, was basically good at everything. In high school he had all A's, was extremely popular, and was the captain of the football team. This meant I was expected to be just like him or better. And if I wasn't I'd be a disgrace to the Decathlon name.

"Good grades don't just come from watching you know what all day" I said.

You know what meant My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Adrian, our other 4 friends, Eric, Lina, Jessline, Shannon, and I had an addiction to this show. Targeted towards little girls supposedly, this fan base consisted of mostly men in their twenties called Bronys. Though many women enjoyed the show as well. My friends and I sort of kept our liking of the show to ourselves in fear of persecution from our fellow peers. But seeing as our friendships were so close we found out one way or another. It started with Adrian and I. We had a sleep over on the last day of summer vacation before entering high school a couple years ago. We were watching videos on YouTube and an episode from season one came up in the suggestions. We both remembered the G3's from when we were kids and thought why not humor ourselves with what they had come up with for the new show. Going in thinking it would be the same old little girl kiddy show we grew up with, well let's just say we were in for a bit of a surprise. We stayed up all night watching almost all of season one. We had no idea in our minds as to why we enjoyed this show targeted towards little girls so much. Especially right before entering high school. With anyone but Adrian I would have been embarrassed to watch this show. But we continued to watch it every weekend in secret. Sooner or later throughout our ninth grade year, our other friend grew knowledgeable of Adrian and my love of the show. And soon after, one by one, they all became fans. Now with season four coming out in two weeks from Saturday, Adrian and I had decided to re-watch all of the episodes from seasons one through three. But Adrian seemed to be letting it take control of her life.

Adrian sighed and looked up.

"Fine, text Shannon. But it will be cutting into precious you know what time."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure you'll survive."

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When Adrian and I arrived at Shannon's in my bright green VW Bug, we were greeted by her mom at the front door of her plain white house with a black roof and blue shutters. Shannon's mom wore a mask like doctors wear and a doctor’s coat. She removed the mask and showed off her bright smile.

"Hi girls." she said in her cheery voice that reminded me of the character Mrs. Cake from My Little Pony.

"I wish I could stay and chat but I'm currently with a patient. Shannon's in the back. Have fun."

Then she closed the blue door that read, "Heesemann Family Practice".  Shannon's parents were dentists. But not just any old dentists. Their office was in their home. Pretty weird if you ask me. But they were nice people and made a good amount of money which allowed them to give their only child Shannon whatever her heart desired. Which mostly meant old car parts or tools only made in Jamaica. Shannon loved to invent things. All failures. But her parents, my friends and I all supported her. Even if half the time you couldn't understand a thing she was talking about. Shannon knew she wanted to be an inventor ever since her first day of middle school when she came up with the idea that we should all have floating back packs to carry around our books for us. Expectantly, Shannon was unable to defy the laws of gravity and her first failed invention was born. But that didn't stop Shannon. I'd lost count of how many times she had attempted to invent something, but she always kept trying and never gave up. What I was scared of was that her determination might one day ruin her sanity. Her ideas were starting to become crazier and crazier. I was afraid to find out what her current project was.

We walk through the back gate towards a small wooden shed that reminded me of the shed Jimmy Neutron made all his inventions in. The inside wasn't much to look at either. In the shed was a lawn mower, some gardening tools and a small welcome mat. I bent down to remove the mat. Underneath was a small trap door only big enough for one body to slip through at a time. I opened the door to reveal  a ladder and two voices I knew too well. One was yelling and one was cowering in fear. I climbed down the ladder and Adrian followed. In the small concrete room was a desk against the opposite wall to the ladder with three computer monitors on it and numerous papers. In a dark corner to the right of me was a contraption I was afraid to ask about. To the left of me was a green old lumpy couch, a mini fridge, a small table, and a big screen TV that presented the science channel mounted on the wall. In the middle of the room stood Shannon and Vanessa.

"I didn't touch your boyfriend Vanessa!" exclaimed Shannon.

She was practically in tears.

"That's not what Selena Talino said you dirty slut!" exclaimed Vanessa. "She said you were all over him in second hour!"

"I swear to you I wasn't! Eric and I are just friends!" cried Shannon.

"Leave her alone Vanessa!" yelled Adrian.

"No one asked you bitch!" Vanessa exclaimed snapping her head towards Adrian.

She had a crazed look on her tanned, makeup plastered face. She had black long wavy hair and wore a scrappy red dress. She always had to make a scene at school with her loud fashion statements.

"Oh hell no!" exclaimed Adrian. "You did not just say that. Cause you’re the only bitch here you dirty whore!!"

Vanessa stomped over to Adrian and grabbed her by her shirt collar.

"You know dam well not to get in my way Adrian. Remember what happened last time" Vanessa said with an almost evil looking smile on her face.

Adrian was never one to back down from a fight, but Vanessa had a much different style of fighting then Adrian. Being as popular as Vanessa was, with one dishonest horrible sentence, she could single handedly make a person’s life miserable. Through all of this I was comforting Shannon on the other side of the room. She wiped her glasses that were covered in tears with her plain blue t-shirt. Adrian gritted her teeth.

"It's not worth it Adrian. Just let it go!" I yelled.

"Not this time Sofie. I won't take this shit anymore!"

Just as Adrian was about to strike, the door opened. A Nike shoe appeared through the opening. Vanessa immediately let go of Adrian and began to twirl her hair like nothing had happened. Adrian, who had been thrown to the floor by Vanessa, sat on the concrete floor and quickly got to her feet. Shannon quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and went over to her computer. I stood there emotionless. The Nike shoe belonged to my good friend, also Vanessa's boyfriend, Eric. Eric was an average height. He had dark brown hair and a scruffy face. He also had the most amazing blue eyes you'd ever see. I loved everything about Eric. But I wouldn't dare tell a soul. Not even Adrian. If word got out that I had a crush on Eric, I'd be dead meat to Vanessa. So my feelings remained a secret. Eric carried with him a plastic grocery bag reading THANK YOU repeatedly on it.

"Oh baby your back!" exclaimed Vanessa who walked over to Eric and greeted him with a kiss and then put her arms around him. "I missed you."

"I missed you too babe" said Eric in his manly voice. "I got the candy you wanted" he said showing her the contents of the bag.

"That's nice dear. But we should really get going if we're going to make that movie." said Vanessa.

"What movie?" he asked.

"I told you we were going to see Love is to Love tonight babe." she complained.

"I don't remember saying..." he started to say and then was interrupted by Vanessa.

"Can we pleeeeeease just go Eric?"

Eric threw her his keys.

"Go wait in the car if you’re so anxious to leave."

Vanessa huffed and climbed up the ladder. Slamming the door shut behind her.

Eric walked over to me, and Shannon and Adrian joined me at my side.

"Sorry I can't stick around guys. I was really looking forward to hanging out with you." Eric said with a sympathetic voice.

He turned to Shannon. "Thanks for letting Vanessa hang with you when I went to the store.”

"Oh it was no problem at all." Shannon said not making eye contact.

Adrian looked as if she was going to explode but kept her mouth shut. Unknowingly, I was looking at Eric's gorgeous blue eyes with a rather dumbstruck look on my face. Eric was about to leave when he turned to me with a bewildered look on his face.

"You okay Sofie?" he asked.

I snapped out of my trance, realizing what I was doing.

"What wait what oh sorry yeah I'm fine." I said as awkwardly as humanly possible.

In my head I kept repeating, stupid stupid stupid.

"Okay then" he said.

A car horn outside hooked that we could only assume was Vanessa.

"I better get going." he said. "I'll talk to you girls later."

Then he walked towards the door, exited and it slammed shut.

"What the fuck was she talking about?" asked Adrian with an angry tone.

She walked over to the mini fridge by the TV and grabbed an orange soda.

"I don't know" said Shannon. "Eric and Vanessa came over after school as usual. Then Vanessa said she wanted some girl time I guess with me and told Eric to go to the store and get Air Heads and Pixie Stix. I don't know why anyone would just want to eat pure sugar. Do you know what that will do to your..."

Shannon was interrupted by Adrian.

"Get on with the story I didn't come here for a science lesson."

"I know." stated Shannon with a smile. "You came here for a math lesson."

Adrian rolled her eyes. "Just get on with it Shannon."

Shannon continued.

"Anyway, when Eric left she just went off on me. I was so relieved you showed up."

"One of these days I'm won't worry about the consequence of her daddy's wrath or her shitty gossip. I'll just beat the shit out of her. When she messes with my friends, she messes with me." Adrian said punching her hand repeatedly.

"She's not worth it Adrian" I said. "I hate her guts too. But we can't stoop to her level. That's just what she wants.”

“This has gone on too long Sofie. Someone's got to do something." said Adrian assertively.

"But if we say anything Eric will probably hate us." said Shannon. "Remember what happened the last time someone snitched to Eric how much of a bitch Vanessa is? She had to switch schools she was teased so relentlessly."

Just then the door opened. Shannon cringed with the thought that Vanessa was back. A black stiletto heal came through the opening. But this heal did not belong to Vanessa.

"Anyone here?" An extremely fake British accent said.

I knew the voice well. It belonged to our friend Jessline. Jessline wore tight white skinny jeans.

Just as the bottom of her shirt came through the opening into view, I heard another familiar voice from above say, "CANNONBALL!"

"Lina no..." Jessline started to say and then the two plopped down on the cushions strategically placed at the bottom of the ladder for that very reason.

Lina landed on top of Jessline who I could now see was wearing a pink tank top with sequins. Her long dark hair covered her face from the fall. Lina was sporting a pink t-shirt with a picture of the mane six from mlp (My Little Pony) on the front. She also wore yellow leggings and bright blue converse. She had an unusual style. Her medium long dyed red hair still in place. Unlike the rest of us, Lina was open about her love of the show. I gave her credit, as she did get called names and made fun of, she always had a smile on her face. I envy her for how much she doesn't care what others think of her. Her only care was if her friends liked her.  Jessline on the other hand was the most secretive about her liking of the show. Jessline was the only one of us who was reasonably popular. She wouldn't risk her popularity for practically anything. Especially not a show about ponies. She hardly would talk to anyone of us at school. But we knew social status meant a lot to her so we leave her be at school. Lina jumped to her feet off the dis-shuffled Jessline who got to her feet with a huff.

"Must you do that every time Lina?" asked Jessline who looked quite annoyed.

"OF COURSE I HAVE TO!!" exclaimed Lina. "It's no fun otherwise. Why climb when you can jump?!" She asked jumping in the air when she said the word jump.

Jessline groaned and got to her feet.

"Shannon why is everyone here? I thought you were going to help me study?" Adrian asked.

"Don't worry. We'll get to that." Shannon insisted. "I've called you all here to show you my current project!"

"Oh here we go again." Jessline complained.

“But this time it'll actually work!" exclaimed Shannon.

"You say that every time Shannon!" Adrian said.

"I mean it!" Shannon said discouraged.

"I'm sure it will be great Shannon." I said with a smile.

Although I wasn't sure if I believed my own words.

"Thanks Sofia." Shannon said.

She went over to the corner where the strange metal contraption was and pulled a string to turn on a single light bulb. The contraption was the shape of a circle constructed of mostly small metal slates. It also had a three unlit light bulbs on top. It stood on a small metal base.

"I call it, Portal D." she said holding her hands out presenting her project.

"What about portal A, or B, or C?!" asked Lina with wide eyes. Jumping around the room.

"D stands for dimension Lina." Shannon said with her hands on her hips.

Dimension? I thought to myself. Shannon had officially gone crazy.

"I've devised a theorem that says that on this day we will be able to travel to a different dimension." explained Shannon.

"Whoo Whoo Whoo."Adrian said with a very confused face. "So you’re saying we can travel into a different dimension? Like in Equestria girls."

"Precisely. “said Shannon happy to see we had understood her for once.

Adrian broke into laughter. "That's... That's the craziest... Idea I've ever heard!" she said between laughs.

Shannon had learned to ignore Adrian's comments. As they were usually negative.

"So we’re going to be ponies?!"exclaimed Lina. "OMG! This will be so awesome! I call being Pinkie Pie!!! No Colgate!!! No Lyra!!!" She said all at once.

Shannon covered Lina's mouth to shut her up.

"Well if we did to by the slightest chance end up in the pony world, we would be a completely non-excitant ponies who no one would know. Just like as if we were going to a place with humans, we would be ourselves because we wouldn't exist in that world." Shannon explained.

No one had understood a word she had said.

"Um so are you saying the My Little Pony dimension actually exists?" I asked.

"According to my calculations. Yes. The moment anyone, anywhere thinks up the idea of a different world, it becomes a dimension. Even if a little girl thinks up a dimension where everyone is a crayon, it becomes a reality" said Shannon.

Adrian began to laugh harder.

"That's it." she said. "Shannon your one of my best friends but this idea that a crayon world, let alone the pony world exists is absolutely ludicrous. I'm getting out of here."

Adrian started to walk towards the door but Shannon stopped her in her tracks.

"Wait! At least let’s see if it works!" Shannon pleaded.

Adrian rolled her eyes.

"Make it quick. I have some MLP to watch."

Just then the door on the ceiling opened. A short, thin, boy, most likely in eighth or ninth grade jumped down. He wore Dockers and a green polo. He had shinny silver braces on his crocked teeth and wore large, taped in the middle, glasses on his pasty face.

"I'm here my love!" said the boy hold his arms out as if he was expecting someone to run into his embrace.

Then Shannon spoke up. "Simon, first of all don't call me that. Second, for the last time were not dating!" she yelled.

"Now my dear, don't get snappy with me." he said waving his finger at her. "You’re the one who needs my help remember."

Shannon sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine." she mumbled.

"Who's this nerd and why is he here." asked Adrian arms crossed.

"Hey!" said Simon in his nasally voice.

"He's my extremely creepy neighbor Simon, and he's here because he the only one besides me smart enough to work the machine." Shannon explained.

"Hey!" I scoffed partially hurt that she thought of a puny nerd before me.

"Well don't you want to come?" Shannon asked with a smile.

"Oh yeah." I said feeling stupid.

But at the same time I wondered if it would actually work.

"Ok can we please just get this over with?" Adrian said as she looked at the time on her phone.

"Ok ok. said Shannon. "Simon get the accelerator. I'll take care of the Arithmetic logic unit.

"Anything for you my love." said Simon.

Shannon rolled her eyes.

"There she goes again." said Jessline.

"Hurry hurry HURRY!” exclaimed Lina.

"And that should do it." said Shannon as she pushed down a lever. "Anyone want to do the honors?"

Jessline, Adrian, Lina, and I looked at Shannon in confusion.

But unknowing what she was signing herself up for, Lina let out a reluctant, "ME ME ME!"

"Alright" Shannon said.

Lina hopped over to Shannon.

"Turn it on Lina." said Shannon pointing at a small switch on the back of Portal D.

Lina flipped the switch. Nothing happened.

"Yeah, that's what I though." said Adrian walking towards the ladder.

Shannon frowned.

"Well I guess you can all go home...again."

She began to make her way over to the mini fridge so she could drown her sorrows in pudding cups when suddenly the machine began to sputter. We all turned our heads towards the machine. Smoke began to fill the room. The sputtering noises became louder and the machine was violently shaking. We all stood there in awe. One of Shannon's inventions...was working! Even Shannon watch contently as Portal D came to life. Then, a purple swirl began to form inside the larger circle. It started at a microscopic size, and got bigger and bigger as the seconds passed.

"It's working!" exclaimed Lina.

For some reason, the underground room was windy. My hair kept blowing in my face. The room was so filled with smoke we could hardly see the lights from the portal. Lina began to walk towards the portal. She reached out to touch the hypnotic swirl. But just as her hand was about to make contact, it stopped. The portal had stopped making noises. It stopped lighting up. The purple swirl had disappeared. The smoke was starting to clear. The room was silent. Absolutely silent. We all turn to Shannon who looked the most disappointed I had ever seen her. Her mouth was open a bit. A single tear ran down her face.

“Do not worry my dear.” said Simon. Simon will make it all better.

He began to walk over to Shannon when Adrian stepped in front of him.

“Get the fuck away from her.” she yelled.

“Who’s gonna make me?” he replied.

“I am you dochbag!.” Adrian yelled pushing his frail body to the floor.

Simon struggled to get up and then ran as fast as his skinny legs could carry him up the ladder and out the door.

“Yeah, you better run you creepy asshole.” Adrian yelled after him.

As quickly as it came the disappointment left her face, turning into anger. She removed her lab coat she had had since middle school and threw it to the ground.

"I AM DONE!" she exclaimed.

We all gasped. Shannon had failed many a times on her inventions. But never had she thrown a tantrum like this. She would usually be upset, but always get right back to inventing the next day. She walked over to the mini fridge, grabbed a four pack of pudding cups and collapsed on the green, beat up couch. She grabbed her "pudding spoon" from the table next to her, opened a cup and forcefully thrust the spoon into the pudding cup and then into her mouth.

“Whoo, sorry I didn’t realize you actually liked the little creep.” said Adrian.

“I don’t!” Shannon said louder than her usual soft voice.

We all walked over to Shannon who lay on the couch. I lifted up her legs, sat down, and replaced her legs on my lap. Adrian squeezed in behind Shannon's head and Shannon set her head on Adrian's lap. Jessline stood behind the couch and Lina jumped on top of Shannon's stomach. We all groaned. Lina just smiled.

"So then what do you mean you’re done?" I asked looking over at Shannon.

"And after you've gotten so far." Jessline continued.

"Like this one actually almost worked." Adrian said.

I looked at her and rolled my eyes.

"You can't give up just like that Shannon. You've worked so hard to get where you are." I explained.

"I don't care anymore. Everything I've ever done is a failure." Shannon said.

She had begun to cry again.

"What about meeting us?" asked Jessline. "The friends that have stuck by your side through your trails and your triumphs?"

Shannon wiped away her tears and smiled a bit. "Yeah, I guess you’re right. But I'm still done with inventing. It's become...a lost cause I think..."

"But what about the cool swirly thing?" asked Lina.

"I don't know what that was. And I don't intend to find out.”

"Awwwwww" Lina said very disappointed.

"Sorry Lina. But I'm tired of this strange, invisible force screwing with me. My persistence has run out."

"I think you should keep trying." said Jessline.

"I think she finally come to her scenes." said Adrian to no particular person.

I tried to reach over and hit Adrian but Jessline did it for me.

"Ow!" exclaimed Adrian.

No one paid any attention to her. I put my hand on Shannon's knee.

"Shannon, were here for you no matter what you choose." I said with a friendly smile.

Lina and Jessline nodded their heads in agreement. Adrian crossed her arms and huffed which was her way of saying that she agreed too. Shannon smiled.

"Thanks guys. I don't know if I'll quit forever. I think I just need a nice long break."

"That's fine by us dear." Jessline said.

We all smiled except for Adrian who just looked bored.

"Well if were done here, I'll be going." she said as she got off the couch and headed towards the ladder.

We all stood up.

"But what about your math lesson?" asked Shannon.

Adrian was half way up the ladder.

"Forget it. When am I gonna use math anyway?" she said and finish climbing up the ladder.

"Um, like every single day?!" Shannon yelled up the ladder.

"I better get going too." I said. "I have some homework I need to finish.

"And I need to make a quick stop at the mall." said Jessline.

"And I have to finish planning my super dupperific party for Bear!" exclaimed Lina.

Bear was Lina's pet turtle. She calls him bear because turtles of his type don't have teeth. But he does. At least that's what she says. We all climbed up the ladder and went our separate ways. Leaving Shannon in solitary with the dead remains of Portal D. Or at least that's what we thought...

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