When Penguins Fly

Chapter 8

I'm pretty sure today is the day Drew is going to make penguins fly. I'm excited to see what he has planned for me. I trust Drew now, and I feel that I'm falling for him fast. 

I complete my usual morning routine, washing my hair with my mango scented shampoo, getting dressed, and brushing my teeth. I walk downstairs to see Mom has prepared breakfast, per usual. But this time, it's a different breakfast. In fact, it isn't breakfast at all. My mom had mozzarella sticks on the table with marinara sauce, something we would never eat for breakfast in this house. I look up at Mom with a questioning look on my face, and she just shrugs. 

"I guess I just wanted to change things up in the house. Ever since your father walked out, everything has been the same. I guess just seeing you move on and make an effort to overcome your fear of trusting people made me realize that I should move on, too, and start a fresh new me." My mom says. I am overwhelmed by this sudden change. It's true that I developed this fear of trusting people after my father left, but I never realized that meeting Drew was changing me for the better. 

I walk over to give my mom a hug, just us two in the kitchen enjoying each others' presence. As the only child, we have a tight bond between us, and I'm sometimes worried about what Mom would do after I leave for college. 

"Come on, let's eat, yeah?" My mom gives me a tight smile and we sit down to eat mozzarella sticks together. 

We're halfway through the plate of mozzarella sticks when Mel walks into the kitchen. 

"How did you get in?" I asked her, bewildered that she just entered so casually. 

"Oh, I gave her a set of keys since she comes here so often. I should've done it sooner." My mom answers in the place of Mel. 

"Yep. What your mom said. Anyways, I need to take Zoey away from you, because I have some important places to bring her today." Melanie tells my mom, stressing the word "important." Where did Mel want to go today? Last time I was dragged out of the house by her, I ended up at a beauty convention. It was the worse 3 hours of my life. 

"Woah woah woah. I refuse to go anywhere until you tell me where we are going." I demand. 

"Nope. It's a surprise. Now come with me. I forgot how stubborn you are." Mel sighs. My mom seems to understand what Mel is doing, and she starts pushing me to go outside, too. 

"Honey, go with Mel. If you don't go outside today, you will be very bored at home. Plus, she has somewhere fun to bring you." Mom winks. I shudder. This is all so creepy. 

When I still don't budge, Mel starts pulling my arm, trying to drag me out of the house. Before I get my arm pulled out of my socket, I begrudgingly agree and walk upstairs to get changed. I slip on my favorite pair of jeans and put on a t-shirt that says "Why be human when you can be a penguin?" I put my converse on and walk downstairs. 

I see Mel impatiently tapping her foot while typing furiously on her phone. Hm... I wonder what is going on. 

"I'm ready." I tell her, but she is still focused on her phone. I snap my fingers in front of her eyes for a few times before she jumps, scared. 

"Oh phew, you scared me Zoey. Let's go." Mel chirps. We jump into her small convertible which she has parked in front of my house with the roof down. 

She brings me to school, which I'm really curious as to why. We walk into the building, which is quiet because no one is there. Mel drags me to my locker, and tells me to open it, which I do. When I turn around, she's gone. What the heck? 

I look around in my locker, bored and wondering where Mel is when I see it. A small envelope tucked under my history textbook. I grab it and open it.