The Serpent Queen

Flipping Out

The gymnast opened her apartment door with her elbow while using her fingers to slide open an envelope addressed to her and pulled out the contents. In her hand were eight pink tickets for the championships, one of which Phoebe quickly hid in her back pocket as that ticket was reserved for someone that she wanted to come, but her parents wouldn't approve.

"Mum! Dad! The tickets are here!" She shouted as she left two of them on the kitchen table for them.

Her dad came out of the bedroom that he shared with Sophie, dressed ready for work and to take her to school. "Ready for school?"

She had her backpack slung over one shoulder and a gym back in the other for her workout change of clothes for karate after school. "I guess so. I've got everything."

He nodded to the remaining tickets, "Who else are you bringing?"

"Miguel-"

"I like that boy. You two are just friends, right?" He asked fixing his tie in the reflection of a mirror that hung off the wall in the hallway.

His daughter rolled his eyes, "Yes, Dad. We are."

"Because if you became more than friends, I would approve of him and happy for you to date him, your mother too."

"Dad! Miguel is my best friend. Besides he has his eyes set on someone else. I think...maybe. You know what? Just take me to school. This conversation is over." Phoebe headed to walk out the door as she heard her dad grab the car keys, "Oh, don't forget I have practice at the gym later."

"One of these days, I'd like to see you practice."

"No. Trust me. I want you all to be surprised in the arena." She lied.

While watching her father search for his wallet and other essential objects he would need for work, the girl quickly slipped out the door and went where to where his car along with her Sensei's was parked. She lifted Johnny's front windscreen wiper up a little and slipped his pink ticket under it, so whenever he went to use his car he would immediately see it, but not so obvious enough that her dad would see it from his car. She also hand wrote a note in blue ink on the back, reading:

If you want to see what I'm capable of. Come to this on Friday at 4pm~ Phoebe

She leaned against her dad's car when he came out, she absentmindedly and impatiently pulled slightly on the door handle to indicate to him to hurry up. The car lights soon flashed and the sound of the locks clicking was heard by her and she pulled on the door and it opened this time. She tossed her bags on the floor and got in herself. It had been a few weeks already since she started school, why couldn't she and Miguel walk or get the bus, or even ride in the same car. It was nearing the start of October now, but in California that didn't mean cold weather, it just meant a tiny bit less humid.

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Setting her red lunch tray down on the grey circular table, pulling out a chair and sitting in it, Phoebe grinned. It was vacant except for three other students.

The three boys looked at her weirdly, especially her cousin, "Why are you so happy? Are you having the most perfect hair day?"

"For the record, yes. But that's not the reason." She reached into her bag and brought out the rest of the tickets. "What are you three doing on Friday after school?"

"Debate club." Miguel replied, giving his friend a knowing look. It was code of karate. They both knew that.

"Doing homework and then playing Dungeon Lord with Eli here." Demetri nudged him.