[Report This]Date: May 17 2025 8:13 AM Title: Chapter 3 - Insecurity
I'm also wondering how Ben is going to manage balancing his new work schedule with the debate team. If only someone on the team accidentally found out his little secret and could help him out ...
But man, you weren't kidding when you said Ben's doubts and fears would take center stage in this chapter. I think the timing of it came at a perfect time, too. It's easy to embrace doing something like this when it's not about to happen and you can see how much the people you're trying to help need it, but when it comes time to actually do the thing, it can be a struggle. So it makes sense to me that he came off so determined in the last chapter yet so terrified at the prospect of actually shrinking in this one. Both were perfectly natural reactions to the situation at the appropriate time.
It was nice to see his mom step in and talk him out of going to orientation right away. She was firm about it, but she didn't try to make the decision for him. She knew he didn't want to do this, and she gave him an excuse to delay doing it. She handled it perfectly, and it's easy to see how Ben turned out as well as has!
I continue to love Maggie, though. She's such a great big sister (based on her infinite wisdom, I'm assuming she was the first twin to spring free!). I like her continued teasing, getting away with saying things that might normally be considered a bit harsh because of Ben's familiarity with her and the tone she uses.
But she also keeps Ben grounded, letting him know that their mom's solution was anything but a permanent one and that he needs to figure something out. Yet she does this in a way that doesn't come off as pushy or desperate, despite being overworked and dead tired from her own double shift.
Then she talks him off the ledge, letting him know his weakness (overthinking things) and giving him some phenomenal advice (to not let fear decide things for him), all while building him up and making it clear that she has faith in him.
And, of course, there's that humorous last line, slipping back into that casual sarcasm to reestablish their status quo. The last segment is kind of short, but it makes up for it in power and engagement. I know someone else said they'd like to see Maggie somehow get some time with her tiny brother, and honestly, I wouldn't mind that, either. Given her attitude and their dynamic, it could be pretty fun, in a wholesome kind of way.
We also got a bit of information about Ben's feelings toward Angie. Not directly, of course, but that bit about Ben always "complaining" about her but always finding a way to talk about her is pretty telling. He's terrified that she'll find out his secret and destroy him socially, but honestly? I think he's more afraid of her judging him if she finds out. I mean, anyone from school finding out could potentially spread the word, but she's the only one he's worried about? He's afraid of being embarrassed in front of her specifically because he likes her, but he thinks she doesn't feel the same. That's probably what fuels their rivalry on his (and I imagine her) end. I wonder how much of that concern is borne out of his familiarity with her and how much of it is just his own insecurity holding him back.
Finding out that Ben is winning debates against people who have had private tutors their whole lives is interesting for a couple reasons. First, this line makes it sound like Angie isn't the only well-off kid at that school. It implies that both his teammates and opponents from other schools also come from wealthy backgrounds, which means Ben has earned his place there the hard way most likely and proven that he belongs. After all, if the kids he's debating from other schools are like that, it seems to indicate that they're all elite private schools, right? Maybe that's part of the reason why he's so worried about everyone finding out about his new job. Not only is having to work while his peers are living comfortably, but that he would "debase" himself by shrinking down and caring for feet and hands is the kind of work we all stereotypically expect a rich kid to look down on and make fun of.
Second, and perhaps way more obviously, Ben is pretty damn smart! He's out-talking people who have been prepared for this sort of thing their entire lives, despite growing up in a poorer, single-parent household, which clearly wasn't able to provide him with the advantages enjoyed by his peers. That means he had to outwork them to get to where he is, and it couldn't have been easy to earn his place. The fact that he's such a good dude who's willing to work even harder for the sake of his family makes me want him to succeed even more!
Finally, I just want to say that I really appreciate the effort you've put into setting this scenario up. I know it can be tempting to jump right into the "good stuff" and that you might worry that some people might expect you to hurry up and get to the size-y stuff, but I love the way you're approaching this! You've built so much anticipation already for the shrinking (and the inevitable encounter with Angie when he's tiny). It's awesome! SO yeah, thanks for doing things this way!
Author's Response:
I thought it was kind of realistic (as far as plausible stories with shrinking goes) to let him make a decision on something that wasn't fully thought through yet. And then, when it came down to it, he couldn't do it. Not right away at least, it took a bit of encouraging and motivational lines to get there.
I'm very much fond of the big sister type that's sassy/sarcastic and can say some harsh lines, but really cares a lot and has wisdom to share in spades. Generic or overdone? Maybe, but it's one of my happy places.
I haven't really made plans for quite some time to involve Maggie in any shenanigans since the story is pretty centered around Angie at first, and Morgan will get some time as well. But I'd love to make it happen.
I didn't really want to hold off on the shrinking so I decided to make that happen a day sooner. Of course, since it's a slow burn story, it'll still be setting up quite a lot either way!