10 Chapter 10 First Steps

We wasted no time after we got confirmation from May as we discussed who would be in charge of what. Which didn't take too long with me taking the lead on program design with both Peter and Ned as my support for some of the larger Programs.

Peter also volunteered to be the one who double checks all the coding to make sure everything runs smoothly. While Ned decided to research company development, taxes, and laws we should be aware of.

Surprisingly even uncle Ben got involved offering to represent us and even sign for us since we were still minors.

With that settled I began thinking on how I could rake in some quick cash to get a decent computer setup and internet. I thought about using the Libraries computer one more time but decided against it. Too many cameras there and I wasn't even sure if you could do something like that in the public library.

Leaving me with two other options. The first would be by going to the computer lab at school and using their computers which should at least be a bit safer then the ones at a library.

The second and obviously best would be to just borrow Peters for now since it already has a very basic and bare version of what I wanted for the AD blocker.

"Peter, mind if I borrow your laptop for the night? I'll bring it back to you at ask tomorrow."

"Yea, I don't mind here you go"

Well that's one thing handled.

"Hey Kol, instead of selling the AD blocker, why don't we just make it an app?" Ned added

I took a moment to think about what Ned said and it definitely had long term benefits. I also realized that I was doing exactly what Ben said I would and that was rushing things.

Money was important but I didn't need to make it all in one week. I could also use some of the knowledge from my world for this business.

Like the subscription strategy employed by various companies and even add tiers for the subscription with multiple levels of added blocking. The first level would do the bare minimum like the one I put on Peters laptop. It would also be free to help draw in consumers.

However just like my old world this would actually be a sort of trap to get others with the financial means to upgrade tiers for not just black pop ups. It would also stop websites from rerouting you to other sites with malicious intent.

A premium tier however would take this all a step further by blocking people trying to track your location and get your information. It would even alert you when it successfully blocks an attempt so the users could be aware of what sites to avoid if they can.

With all this in mind I quickly passed on my idea to the guys and thanked Ned for his input.

The rest of the day was filled with similar experiences as we traded ideas back and forth. This did end eventually once May noticed it was beginning to get dark out.

I made my way home as fast as I could before heading straight to my room as I set everything up and even got access to my neighbors Wi-Fi even if it sucked.

Free was free

Haha I don't think I'm gonna sleep tonight I thought as I felt my fingers already twitching in excitement.

…

[Midtown High]

Peter and Ned were sitting next to one another as usual except they each had a worried expression. Even more so when they saw a grumpy Gwen making her way to them.

"Peter, you're always with Kol. Do you have any idea where he is?" Gwen wasn't particularly close to Kol but after he began to get bullied by Flash she soon got herself involved. Even more so when he started ditching his classes and hid at home.

She understood where he was coming from at the time but she felt responsible as well for not doing more and continued making sure he was alright. Now it felt like a force of habit and she continued nagging him when he was late or missed a class.

Especially when she discovered his grades were all F's. At some point in time this all began to feel normal to her and their relationship seemed to have changed. They weren't exactly strangers but she couldn't confidently say they were friends. She at least thought they were but Gwen wasn't sure of Kol's point of view on the matter.

"He came over to my house a couple of days ago but I haven't seen him either. Not since he went home." Peter said in an awkward tone. He also was wondering the same thing as Gwen and even imagined the worst.

They might have understood if he was gonna for a day but a whole week was a bit much. Kol didn't even have a phone so they had no way to contact him.

At the same time the trio all thought the same thing.

'Could something have happened to him on his way home?'x3

After that the trio just sat together waiting for class to end. Luckily enough this was their final class of the day and couldn't wait to leave and check if he was home.

Brrr Brrr

"Alright class you're free to go and remember your chemistry papers are due tomorrow and not a day later."

Sadly no one got to hear everything Mrs Crawford had to say with how quickly the class left. Leaving her with a tick in her eyebrow.

…

"Hey Gwen you sure that this is where Kol lives?" Peter asked but honestly all three were wondering the same thing

The apartment building was small and shabby needing multiple repairs. Even the way here seemed to be filled with litter and homeless.

It obviously wasn't as bad as a place like Hell's Kitchen but that didn't mean it didn't have its problems.

"Yea this it? At least this is where I would come to bring his homework but he never answered his door so I'm not too sure"

This response didn't exactly give them reassurance but it's not like they were left with other options and decided to just knock on the door. If they were wrong then they would just apologize.

Knock Knock Knock

The trio stood anxiously at the door as they heard someone walking inside the house as the sound of footsteps drew closer and closer.

Eventually the steps reached the door and was soon followed by the sound of the doors lock being removed as it swung open.

"Ah"x3

In front of them stood a very familiar person except he looked more like a dead fish then the friend they knew.

Deep dark rings rested underneath his eyes and his fingers looked clammy especially as they twitched every now and then.

"Kol what happened to you are you alright!"

Without hesitation Gwen ran up to him as she began to check his temperature in worry.

"Ah you are sick your running a fever"

Kol just slightly brushed her hand aside wondering what's up with these guys and why are they here so early?