Turning Red: Changed

Chapter 13 - Robaire Jr. (Mei's Tamagotchi)

This was a nightmare. It was Saturday, May 18th, 2002.

I was crying on my bed. Man, I don't get Mei at all. She wants to be her own self. Then, Mei will always be Mrs. Lee's younger self. I think that's what she's trying to do with Mei. To be someone who isn't.

Her pink tamagotchi beeps at me. I checked Robaire Junior out. I was talking to it. "It's okay, RJ." I added. I was trying give him plenty of food and comfort as I could. "Your mommy's busy. I am here for you. Don't worry." I reassured. There are only two buttons for Robaire Junior. Was it left button for food and the right button for love? Or is it left button for love and the right button for food? What the heck! I groaned. I took a deep breath.

What am I gonna do now? The 4-Town concert is a week away. We have no money for the tickets. This is a tragedy for me, Abby and Priya. I glanced at the pink tamagotchi. Robaire Junior got happy with love. That's good, I guess. I put the pink tamagotchi on my nightstand. I couldn't stop staring at Robaire Junior. Looking at it makes me think of Mei. Oh the times I have with her. I can't pick one that I liked to remember by. The Red Panda Hustle? Then, it was actually the only time I get to see her. She was something. Everything else was always about grades and temple duties and family first. What's the reason for cleaning days and math homework from school for? Scratch that question. It was a high-pathetically topic.

Anyway, was it really what's going to happen with Mei? Is she not going to keep her panda? I think Mei looks cool to be a red panda. But at Tyler's house last night. I have just don't know. I don't know.

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It was two days later. May 20th, 2002.

I walked around in the empty streets. I haven't bothered to use my skateboard yet. I had my backpack and some food with me. I do not think about middle school. I do not have time to talk with Abby and Priya. Or even ask my parents what's bugging me. I was too scared to move on without Mei. I can't take Mrs. Lee's accusations again on me. I don't understand why she didn't like me. I wasn't hurting Mei. I have been scrolling so far away. I don't know how far my home was. The pink tamagotchi beeps at me again. I recognized and sighed. Oh come on! I groaned. I checked out Robaire Junior again. I'm not sure if he needs love or food. I have tried both. That works! I made Robaire Junior happy. I resumed moving forward. I was only thirteen. I can't stay any longer with my mom and dad in my house. I don't know if I was hurt, scared or even emotional. Maybe all of the above. Just before I crossed to the next sidewalk, I have been detected by my dad in his car.

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I was sobbing in my bedroom. My dad was holding me in his arms. My dad was just worried about me. "Miriam, you know running away isn't going to make your troubles disappear." My dad said. I was too sad to learn about right and wrong. "No, dad! That's not why I left!" I added, exclaiming. My feelings are hurt badly. "I didn't do anything with Mei! Mrs. Lee thinks I took advantage of her! But I don't! I'm too scared to see Mei and her mom! I don't know why Mrs. Lee doesn't like me! And the 4-Town concert is the same night as the red moon ritual!" I exclaimed pitifully. I hidden my face on my dad's chest. I couldn't stop crying. I can feel my dad stroking my head. My dad cares for me. "I'm sorry about what happened, Mir. It's going to be okay. And..." my dad added. My dad sounded bewildered. "When is that 4-Town concert you're suppose to go?" My dad wondered. I moved my head back. I have tears all over my face. I sighed. "May 25th. The radio announcer confirmed it." I replied. My dad wasn't surprised. "So you have only got a week until that day then." My dad mentioned. I shook my head. "Abby, Priya and I can't go..." I said sadly. My dad was quizzical. "Why not?" My dad asked. I sighed again. "We don't have the money for the tickets. We have some once. Then, we got nothing again. It's a long story." I answered. My dad keeps stroking my head. My dad has a thought. "Tonight, I'm going to need you to invite your friends over here." My dad suggested. I was befuddled. "What?" I wondered. My dad efforts again. "Call Abby and Priya after school. We're going to have a talk about this." My dad declared. I blinked twice at him in puzzlement.

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Me, Abby and Priya are encountering my parents. We are in the kitchen. Man, we appeared to be perplexed. My mom attempts to clarify about our past few weeks. My mom was baffled. "So, you girls and Mei have been hustling for the magical red bear in school?" My mom inquired.

"Red panda." The three of us and my dad stated in unison.

My mom glimpsed at my dad. My dad shrugged. "Miriam told me that Mei got the red panda from her mother. She said it was some inconvenient genetic thing-y or something." My dad clarified. My mom tilted her head. "Did Mir mentioned Mei's last name was Lee?" My mom inquires. My dad was sure. "She mentions Mrs. Lee in her bedroom hours ago." My dad added. My dad became befuddled. "Wait, why did you ask?" My dad asked. My mom seems definite of herself. "I have met Mr. Gao today. He told me the name Lee was Meilin Lee's ancestor. Her name was Sun Yee. She has something to do with the red panda which it happens now." My mom replies. I encountered my mom fiercely. "But what about the red moon?" I wondered. My mom and dad faced me. They seemed to be giving me question-marks. "Mei told me the way to get the red panda out of herself. She said there was the ritual on the red moon." I added. I frowned at them. "Did Mr. Gao really did take the red panda spirit out of Mrs. Lee? By THAT ritual on the red moon?" I wondered still. My mom sighs. "I asked him the same question just what you wondered." My mom added. "Mr. Gao has experienced with the red moon ritual. He successfully took the red panda out of Mrs. Lee." My mom answers.

I sighed. I clings my right arm. My mom efforts asking us. "Care to share what got you three to hustle in middle school with the RED PANDA?" My mom inquired again. It was Priya who replied. She was stern. "We've only done so we can get tickets to see 4-Town." Priya answered. Abby frowns. "Yeah." She said. My mom crisscrossed her arms. "Who's idea was it to hustle the red panda?" My mom asks. I did not say anything. Abby and Priya are mad. "Mei." They replied in unison. My mom was angry. "Who's idea was it to go to Tyler's for a birthday party?" My mom asks again. "Mei." They replied in unison again. The pink tamagotchi beeps at me again. I perturbed. I was groaning. They all halted. Everyone noticed my annoyance. I hurried to my bedroom. My dad got mystified. "Miriam?" My dad wondered. "I'm sorry. I have to take care of Robaire Junior." I replied hastily.

In my bedroom, I checked the pink tamagotchi again. I go left button and right button. I was hoping it will plenty of love like Mei has done for her cutie.

I was having a tough time today. I sat on my bed. I sing to Robaire Junior to sleep. I was solemn. "I've never met nobody like you...Had friends and I've had buddies...it's true...But they don't turn my tummy...the way you do...I've never met nobody like you...You're never not on my mind...oh my...oh my...I'm never not by your side...your side...your side...I'm never gonna let you cry...oh cry...don't...cry..." I sobbed. I put the pink tamagotchi on my nightstand. My tears will come out like raindrops. I can't stop sobbing. I hear rushing footsteps. I have no clue it was Abby and Priya. Abby felt bad for me. "Aw, girl. We'll get over Mei soon." She reassures me. Priya held my left shoulder. I glimpses at her. "It's not the end of the world, Mir." Priya comforts me. I sighed again. I don't know if I was glad to have Abby and Priya. Or it's just I needed some company to ease my pain. I was actually satisfied to get both. The three of us embraced each other. "Aww, thanks, guys." I said emotionally. Abby was happy. "You're part of our lives, dude." She said. Priya seemed confident. "You have some sweetness like some churros." She stated. I made a sad smile at them. "I knew I could depend on two of you." I said.

Something in my mind comes to our biggest question yet. Did we ever go to the SkyDome for 4-Town concert on May 25th?