The Math Curse: Part Two

"We prepare," answered Callum. And just like that, they were off to the store.

"Hey, you two," said the shopkeeper

"Hey, Mr. Teller. We need supplies for a... trip...." said Kate.

"Your total is going to come out to $22," said Mr. Teller. Callum handed Mr. Teller the money. He handed the two their bags as they headed over to the car.

"Okay," said Callum "we're ready for the journey."

"Callum... where is the protractor of power?" Asked Kate.

"Math Gods?! Can you hear me?!" Callum asked while waving his arms in the sky. A portal opened from under him.

"Callum, you have requested the presence of PEMDAS." Said the main member of the council. "We will grant you the coordinates of the protractor of power."

They all began to speak in unison as they said the coordinates.

"AHHHHH" Callum yelled as he hit the grass. He looked up as he heard laughter from Kate. He began to laugh along.

"Okay," said Callum "the Math Gods gave me the coordinates of the Protractor of Power."

After saying this, Callum felt something bonk his head. He looked over and saw that it was a... meter stick? A note began to flutter down from the sky.

'This might help you’

- PEMDAS

"So, what are the coordinates?"

"35.3606° N, 138.7274° E" answered Callum. Kate pulled out a map of the state.

"Looks like... the Algebraic Alps! I've always wanted to go there!" Exclaimed Kate.

"Let's get going then." Said Callum. The two piled into the car along with their backpacks.

"It's a five-hour drive so we can take turns. I'll drive first. You read these in the meantime." Said Kate as she handed him some flashcards. The two buckled their seatbelts and set off to the Alps.

"I can see the flashcards are getting boring," Kate said, only to get a mumbled response.

"Let's practice some math so that we're prepared." Said Kate.

"Okay, ask me some questions." Responded Callum.

Susy proceeded to ask Callum a few math questions. After a few questions, she noticed he went quiet.

"Callum, what's the answer?" Kate asked. To her dismay, she received no response. She looked over to see him fast asleep. 

"Always sleeping..." She mumbled. She checked the time and saw it was his turn to drive.

"Wake up sleepy head." She said as she, lightly, hit him with the set of flashcards.

"Huh?!" He said as he darted awake "I'm not sleeping!"

"Sure..." said Kate, sarcastically.

Four hours and a couple of pit stops later, they finally reached the Alps. Callum checked his watch.

"We have five hours left before the curse is irreversible."

"Let's get climbing then." Responded Kate.

Callum began to use the meter stick as a walking stick. He felt a weird sensation in his hand as if the meter stick was vibrating. Probably just nerves. He thought to himself.

Callum looked up, noticing the glowing top of the mountain.

"That must be where it is," he spoke, "we have a long way to go."

30 minutes later

"This is way too much climbing," said Kate.

"Yeah, I'm getting tired." Responded Callum. He looked at his watch. Four hours left. He thought to himself. We'll never make it in time. He saw something glittery in the corner of his eye.

"Uh... Kate? The meter stick is glowing. There are runes! No- wait! It's Pi?!" Callum said.

"What?!" She exclaimed.

"The meter stick is floating!" Yelled Callum as he started to float up with it, "AHHHH" he screamed.

"Callum stay calm!" Yelled Kate.

"How can I stay calm when I am ascending at 10 meters per second!" Callum yelled back. "AHH!" he screamed as he dodged a bird.

"Use it to get to the top!" Kate said. Callum began to reach the top before swiftly hopping off the meter stick...

He was now at the peak. 

Callum saw the Protractor of Power. At full speed, 20m/s to be exact, he ran towards it. 

As he grabbed it, everything went white...

"Callum," said an ominous voice, "you must prove your worthiness by answering math problems without the powers. You have three minutes" A test and a desk appeared in front of him.

"What?! But I'm bad at math." He yelled into the void.

"May the odds be in your favor."

Three minutes later

“Callum,” said the ominous voice, “you completed each question correctly. The curse will be lifted.”

“Yes!” Exclaimed Callum “I guess I really can be good at math if I try.”

The next thing he knew, a portal was opened underneath him to the part of the mountain where Kate was waiting.

“Did you do it?” She asked.

“Yes.” Answered Callum. They both celebrated.

Two weeks later

“Okay class… does anyone have the answer to this question​?" asked Mr. Wilson. Callum raised his hand.

"I believe I know the answer, sir," he said.

The board read; “A line is pointing upward with dots near each other. What correlation is this?”

“I believe that would be a strong, positive correlation, sir.”

“Correct! Great job! Now that we've gotten through our main lesson. I'm going to announce our field trip coming up." Said Mr. Wilson. The whole class became quiet with excitement.

"The Algebraic Alps!" He exclaimed.

Uh oh...

The End.