When Penguins Fly

Chapter 6

I jumped around, wiggling and prancing to the beat of the music. I was cleaning my room, and to make it more fun, I was blasting music. Ever since that day by the river of the park, I've been all giddy and excited. It was like I had turned into a different person. Everything made me happy, and I always had a smile on my face. Or as Mel would call it, "a lovesick penguin." I glared at her when she said that, but I couldn't help but smile.

I didn't know how Drew was going to make penguins fly, but I had confidence that he would find a way. He had been taking me on "dates" over the past two weeks, where we would just sit around and chill. I would usually draw while he watched me. If this was how Drew was going to win me over, it was definitely working. Of course I didn't tell him that. 

"Honey, Mel is here!" I heard my mom shout from the kitchen. I turned off my music and ran downstairs to greet her.

"Hi Mel!" I waved excitedly to her.

"I was just talking to your mom about Drew, and your challenge for him, and she thought it was so cute!" Mel said in response.

"What?!? You told my mom?" I exclaimed.

"Uh... I'm right here, you know. And yes, she told me all about it! Now, I want to meet this Drew guy who stole my little girl's heart." My mom made her presence known with a cheesy line.

"Mom, no! It's fine. We're not even dating yet. There's no need to 'meet the parents.'" I responded, trying to stop this subject from continuing on.

"No no no, I have to meet this guy before you start dating him! That's the point of meeting him!" My mom said with so much excitement.

I just sighed, knowing there was no way to argue with her.

"How about tonight, at 6? Go ask him right now!" Mom jumped around frantically, muttering to herself about what to prepare for dinner.

"Mom, calm down. I'll call him and ask. But no promises." I said firmly before dragging Mel upstairs to my room with me.

I take a deep breath. Hopefully he would say no, because I really didn't want him to meet my crazy mother. But at the same time, I wanted to see him again. 

"Hey Zoey! What's up?" I hear his voice over the phone. 

I laugh, before answering. 

"Are you busy tonight?" I ask him. 

"Hmm...depends. What's going on tonight?" He asked back. 

"My mom wants to meet you, and I was wondering if you want to come over and eat dinner at our house around 6 pm?" I asked nervously. 

"I was gonna go to the gym, but since you asked so kindly, I will clear up my schedule just to come see you.  I missed you." I smiled at his cheesiness. 

"But you saw me yesterday." I said back. 

"Well, too bad. I want to see you again. Tell your mom that I'll be there at 6 exactly." He replied. 

"Okay, I'll see you then. Bye!" I hung up the phone without letting him say good bye to me, knowing that it would annoy him. He always made a big deal of saying good bye to me every time we called each other. 

I heard a squeal, reminding me that Mel was still here. I turn to her, a questioning look on my face. 

"Eep! He's coming tonight! So what do you need me to do? I can do your make up, I can pick out your clothes, Oh! Should I help your Mom with dinner? I should do that. See ya later!" And then she was gone. I just stared at the empty space that she left. Well that was weird.