The Legacy of Ooze || MMPR

(9) Matilda

┌─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───┐

"You can let it go

You can throw a party full of everyone you know

You can start a family who will always show you love

You don't have to be sorry for doing it on your own"

☆: *.☽ .* :☆

I can't say that I have done my best to try to avoid running into anyone from the group since finding out the truth about who my mother was. I thought I wanted to stay by myself until I could figure out where to go. I had my mind set on going somewhere I could live out the rest of my life where no one would ever find me.

But when Kimberly and Aisha approached me and asked me to join them on a trip outside of the Command Center, and into the heart of Angel Grove, it was hard to refuse. They pleaded an excellent case about how I should at least give their planet a chance before I went off on my own. I had been very transparent with them about wanting to leave once I knew I could manage on my own.

This is the first place I will have gone since things happened and the idea of being away from the Command Center seemed nice. I had been here while recovering and part of me has always wanted to venture out. I was just too afraid to do things on my own.

Before we left, the girls helped me pick out different clothing that would suit the weather. They had told me the boys would meet us at some place called the Juice Bar. Part of me was afraid to go anywhere, but I knew I would eventually have to face leaving this place.

I felt safe in the little space I had, and going out into their world seemed far scarier than anything else. What if someone recognizes me? What if I scare people? Surely someone will figure out who I am and be terrified that I am going to attack their planet, just like my father had done.

I was terrified that these people were going to be afraid of me.

"It's not as scary as you think it might be." Aisha says.

"What if people know who I am?" I ask, stretching my fingers out and attempting to distract myself.

"Nobody is going to recognize you. You look like you fit right in with us." Kim tries to assure me.

"I don't know...." I shook my head.

"I promise you are going to love the Juice Bar. The atmosphere there is just so welcoming. Nobody that goes in there ever feels unwelcome or out of place. It's where we love to hang out and we really want to share that place with you." Kim says.

"Kim's right. It really is a great place. We really want you to join us." Aisha smiles.

"Are you sure that I am going to fit in?" I ask.

"Absolutely." They agree.

"Fine," I sigh, "I hope you guys are right."

"Let's go. The guys are waiting for us." Kim announces.

☆: *.☽ .* :☆

I stayed behind Kim and Aisha as we approached the Juice Bar. I held my breath as we walked through the doors. I stopped just inside and took a moment to observe all of my surroundings.

The building was filled with laughter and conversation. Kimberly and Aisha hadn't realized I had stopped just inside the doorway until they reached the boys, who were all seated around a table in the middle of the place.