Zoophobia Next Generation Book 1 : The Adventure Begins

Chapter 7: Making Plans for the Dance

Fall has filled the air. Trees bright and vibrant green leaves turning beautiful shades of ruby red, pumpkin orange, golden yellow and maple brown. Halloween was fast approaching which meant that Zoo Phoenix Academy was having a masquerade dance where boys and girls dress in costumes of their choice with cute, scary and gorgeous mask. The group sat in Elizabeth's living room watching TV, drinking soda and telling each other jokes. Valentine had a Halloween costume magazine in her hands and was looking through it.

"So what are you guys planning on being for the dance and trick-or-treating," Valentine looked up from the magazine, "I'm being Little Red Riding Hood."

"My mom suggested for me to be The Phantom of the Opera, so I'm being that." Jake smiled.

"I'm being a black cat." Sophia smiled.

"Race car driver right here." Gabe said pointing to himself.

"I'm being a cute little witch." Cece said striking a pose.

"I'm gonna be thr guy that's a going as a superhero." Gavin took a drink of his soda.

"I'm going as a gypsy." Zoe giggled.

"Ya'll better watch out cause this fox is going as a cowboy." Oliver said is a country accent.

"I'm being a monarch butterfly." Brooklynn said looking at the magazine with Valentine.

"I guess I'll go as a pirate." Corbin shrugged.

"I was thinking about being a wizard but I think a musketeer would be awesome." Maxwell said.

Everyone turned to Elizabeth and waited for her to say what she was going to be for the dance and for trick-or-treating, but she just sat there sipping her soda not even noticing that they were looking at her. Elizabeth looked up at her friends and stop sipping her drink.

"So what are you going as?" Valentine asked as she batted her eyelashes.

"I don't know," Elizabeth shrugged, "I might not even go to the dance I'll wear last years costume and go trick-or-treating with you guys."

"WHAT," Valentine shouted, "NO LIZZIE YOU CAN'T DO THAT YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE DANCE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!"

"How about we lower the level of your voice from rock concert to inside voice." Elizabeth said unplugging her ears.

Valentine covered her mouth a blushed with embarrassment. Penelope walked into the living room holding a glass bottle with a orange liquid in it.

"What's with all of the commotion?" Penelope said shaking the bottle.

"Sorry Mrs. Lopez we didn't mean to bother or disturb you." Maxwell smiled nervously while rubbing the back of his neck.

"Oh Maxwell, you didn't disturb me and please don't call me 'Mrs. Lopez' it makes me feel old." Penelope smiled.

"Alright sweet-thang." Oliver winked at her.

"No Oliver," Penelope frowned, " I meant you can call me by my first name not 'sweet-thang' it's weird when my husband calls me that."

"Could we call you 'Penny' or no?" Gabe asked raising is hand.

"No, I've actually hated that nickname 'Penelope' is what I want you to call me by." Penelope said as she poured the orange liquid into a small cup.

"What's that for Mom?" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.

"Your brother has a 24 hour bug, and all he's been doing is sniffling and coughing and this medicine should knock him right out and hopefully let him sleep through this fever." Penelope groaned.