After Childhood

I'm Back

"Nobody recognizes me, mother. Not even my wings give me away. Not even Chris recognized me."
"He did after you told him it was you."
"I've only been gone for four years."
"But honey, in fairy school, you've matured and shaped out. You aren't the pink little pixie sized fairy you were when you left. You've grown about two feet, you've grown to a size C in bra size and-"
"Mother! Really?"
"Oh, sorry, but... you've grown up so much and I am so glad you're back from the fairy academy. Now you left your wand at home, right?"
"Yeah. Why did I not start until today, mother. School started two months ago here."
"Well I wanted to go visit our family back in fairy land before that."
"Well... yeah. I guess that's fair. I missed Fairy grand mother."
"Alright. Here's your shoulder bag. Remember to keep your wings closed, okay?"
"I'll try."
"Have a good day, Abby."
"You too, Mother."
No wing boners. I didn't even know that was a thing until last year at school. Nobody ever said that was a thing.
"Here we go. Time to go to school."
After fifth grade my mother wanted to send me to fairy academy because I excelled everything in fairy kindergarten and grade school. But no fairy middle school. Only academy.
And I excelled there too so now I'm back with my mother on Sesame Street.
I haven't seen any of my old friends since before I left for the academy... or heard from Elmo since my first year... which is weird because he promised me that he would write to me. My roommate might have thrown his letter away. She's done it before.
"Oh a new face. Excuse me!"
huh?
Spinning around I saw a turquoise furred monster in belbottoms and a black crop top.
"Rosita."
"Hola. Sí that is.... wait, how do you know who I am?"
"It's me. It's Abby Cadabbi."
"Abby? Oh my, I didn't recognize you. You've grown up so much."
"You have too. Look at your hips."
"Look at your hourglass figure. Nice purple dress."
"Thanks."
"And your wings are beautiful."
"Thanks."
"What are you doing back here, amiga? What happened with the academy."
"I learned everything I could there. Now I'm going to regular high school. I've missed it here so much. I've missed you and Baby Bear and Telly and Zoey and... oh i've missed you."
I wrapped my arms around her and and she quickly returned the hug.
"I'm actually about to meet up with Telly and BB at the bus stop."
"BB? Baby Bear? Why BB?"
"He doesn't like to be called Baby. Oh I should warn you before we get to the bus stop. Telly and BB are a couple."
"What?"
"Sí, mi amiga, sí. It's so cute. You have to see them together."
"Oh I'm so excited... uh... does Elmo still live here?"
"Sí. But he goes early with Zoey. They like walking there."
"Are they... ya know, dating?"
"No. Just friends."
"Oh, okay."
"Señorita Abby, he's not exactly the same Elmo you remember."
"Really?"
"We'll see. There they are. BB! Telly!"
"Whoa!"
She grabbed my arm and took off. Dragging me with her. Ahead of us were a bunch of kids of all kinds. Bears, monster, animal, and humans. No fairies. Though.
Telly and Baby Bear were standing there at the edge of the crowd.
Telly was in a black v-neck and cargo black pants. Black skater shoes and a beanie to boot. Baby Bear had some blue jeans on and a baseball shirt on. Besides getting taller and holding Telly's hand, nothing much changed.
"Hey Rosita."
"Hey Telly. BB, you alright?"
"Curly's doing it again."
"She'll get over it Poo Bear."
"I hope so. Who's this?"
"You guys know her. I didn't recognize her at first either."
"Uh... well... Pink skin with slight fur so she's not a monster... long purple hair."
"Look at her wings, Honey Pot."
"I recognize those... wait. Laugh."
"Yeah."
"Uh... huh?"
"I got a joke, amiga. Yesterday I saw a baby in a brown cub suit."
"Awe."
"So it's a baby bear."
"Haha. That's an-"
"Abby!"
"Abby!"
Hugs. Baby Bear and Telly both wrapped me in a hug at the same time and I felt like I was back in time for a moment. Just finishing a game and ending it in a hug. I miss the good old days.
"I heard you two are a thing now. That is so cool. How long have you been together."
"A year and a half as of last week. Right, Tell?"
"Yeah. Who told you? Rosita?"
"Sí. I did."
"You guys were always pretty close. It doesn't surprise me."
"Yeah."
"But hey, you look good. I may be gay but I know a good looking fairy when I see one."
"Thanks, BB."
"You told her that too?"
"Sí."
"what else has she told you?"
"Nothing. How has everything been for you guys."
"Good."
"Eh. My sister doesn't like that I'm gay and no longer likes to be around me."
"Well then she doesn't deserve a brother like you, BB."
"Thanks, Abby."
"How have the others been. Like Big bird and Snuffy?"
"Big bird is... married."
"No way."
"Sí. Oh amiga, it was beautiful. She's a little smaller and a golden color. Her name is Golden Bird."
"Oh she sounds beautiful.
"She is."
"And Snuffy?"
"He moved away after high school. He's attending snuffy university."
"Ah. Well good on him. Gosh, I've missed it here. Did Allan retire from Hooper's store?"
"He did. Last year."
He still lives here on Sesame street, though."
"Sí, I'll take you over to see him after school today, if you like."
"Thanks Rosita. That would be awesome."
"De nada, amiga. So what's happened in your life since you've been gone?"
"She's grown up."
"A lot. And we thought you and Zoey shaped out well but she's got you beat."
"No, I think Rosita looks good... are you guys still friends with Zoey?"
"Sí. It's just señor Elmo that we no longer get along with."
"Yeah, he's... a jerk to say the least."
"Yeah. Telly and I have actually gotten the bulk of his abuse."
"Oh, well that's not fair."
"Right?"
"I wonder what he's gonna say when he sees Abby."
"Well, Telly, if it's anything mean then he's got another thing coming. I'm not putting up with anything anymore."
"Different Abby."
"BB, señor, just because she stands up for herself doesn't mean she's different. And I got your back, señorita."
"Hey, the bus. Come on, Honey Pot."
"Right behind you Tell."
"You can sit with me, amiga."
"Thanks Rosita."
What kind of changes has Elmo gone through? What happened to him that made him not be liked by his childhood friends?