After Childhood

Not Expecting That

     "There. I think that's all the places on your schedule. And you have a class with me first hour. That is so cool."
     "Thanks for showing me around, BB."
     "Gladly. Today Telly has his triangle lover's meeting and Rosita meets up with the Spanish teacher to talk about the lesson."
     "So you're normally alone?"
     "No but... yeah. I get along with others but I don't fit the group."
     "Well now you got your fairytale friend by your side."
     "Right. I do. And I've missed my fairytale friend."
     "Awe. I've missed you too."
     "So, going to art with me? You can sit at my table."
     "Yeah. Can't wait. Believe it or not, I still want to learn everything that I can before I take over for mother."
     "Glad to hear it. But I think Curly will have to take over the story. I don't think I can."
     "Because of you and Telly, right?"
     "Right."
     "Well then become an artist. I remember how much you loved to draw."
     "I fiddled with the idea before."
     "In fact, I can't wait to see you at work in the room."
     "Hey faggot, what's up?"
     "Go away, Elmo."
     Hmm?
     I spun around and in front of me was a furry red monster with orange curls on top of his head. He stood in blue jeans and a white T-shirt... he seemed... bigger.
     "Define faggot, stupid."
     "Oh, talking to the new girl. How you doing?"
     "I was doing good. Then I saw your face. Go away. Come on BB."
     "I'm not done talking to you."
     "But I am."
     I shoved him back away from me before snapping my fingers and using my magic to make him slam his head into the lockers and then fall on the floor.
     "Wow, do that again."
     "Shh. You didn't see anything. Come on. Hurry."
     "Right behind you."
     We walked quickly through the crowded halls until we got to the art class. Then we stopped.
     "You guys were right. Not the Elmo I remember."
     "Believe it or not, Abby. But he wasn't like that at the beginning of the year. Suddenly, something changed. Like a switch of some kind was flipped."
     "Hmm. Well, he's gotten more stupid instead of intelligent."
     "Amen. Although Faggot is a new one, I must say."
     "It's not even what that word originally meant. The insult became well popular in the early 1900 but before that it just meant a bundle of twigs and branches used for warmth and burning."
     "You weren't kidding when you said you wanted to know everything... hey what's that?"
     "Huh?"
     The valentine day card that Elmo gave me was sticking out of my art folder... I thought of it as a good luck charm. the first one. The one that started it all.
     "Just... a memory."
     "Right. You had a thing for Elmo before you moved away."
     "I did."
     "And you've kept that feeling up until today."
     "Uh... Yeah. I've missed all of you, including him."
     "Have you never dated anyone because of it?"
     "I actually haven't. Been single my whole life. I have been asked out but nothing that... Ya know. I didn't take action."
     "Ah... Well, you can do better."
    "BB!"
     "Zoey!"
     "Zoey?"
     An orange blur flashed passed me and stopped at Baby Bear and embraced him. she had on a pink shirt and blue jeans. Her shoes were flipflops that were the same color of her shirt but her hair, never changed.
     "Are you okay? What happened? I found Elmo on the ground and he was so mad."
     "She happened. Did I want to hit the guy? Yes. Did I? No. And she didn't either."
     "Who are you?"
     "Uh..."
     "Guess. You know her."
     "I only know one person with wings like that and she... She's at the fairy academy."
     "Are you sure about that? Try calling her cell number."
     "Is that the 678 number or the... Wait the wand number is only four digits... Okay. Here I go."
     She had her phone in her hand and pressed to her ear seconds later. I must have been on her speed dial for some reason.
     🎵He's the best best pet best best pet best peeeeeet. In the whole wide world🎵
     "I recognize that...ringtone... Abby?"
     "Yeah. Hey Zoey."
     "Oh my gosh, I'm so happy to see you!"
     Awe. I love her hugs too. Almost like a bear hug from Baby Bear.
     "You didn't tell me you were coming back to Sesame Street. You are looking so beautiful and you've really grown into your wings. Still have your freckles? They didn't fall off?"
     "No. Well they did, but My roommate there helped me out after one of the freckles got in her cereal."
     "Ah."
     "Are you still dancing?"
     "Yeah. I actually signed up for dance class this semester."
     "That's a class I signed into. What hour do you have?"
     "Fourth hour."
     "Dang it. I have it seventh hour."
     "Oh. Well dang it."
     "You've shaped out well, Zoey. And you sure are a sight for sore eyes."
     "I've missed you so much. But why did you do that to Elmo? I thought you liked him."
     "I did. I liked the old Elmo but I don't like the Elmo that just randomly walked up to BB and called him a Nasty name. The old Elmo I remember would never have done that."
     "That is true. Why did you not stay connected with all of us."
     "I tried. But my roommate started hiding all my things so I never got my letters until the day I graduated."
     "None of them?"
     "Nope. Funny thing is, I got more letters from you and Rosita than Elmo. And I'm sorry I never got back to you. No, I didn't find any guys that were attractive there. I know a guy that you might like though."
     "Really?"
     "He's a klutz but he's a sweetheart. I don't know if he's looking though."
     "Well maybe sometime we could meet up."
     "Sure, I'll set it up."
     "Thanks. So BB, you okay?"
     "Yeah."
     "Abby? You okay?"
     "Yeah."
     "H-Hey, don't tell Elmo that she's back. He needs to figure it out for himself. And she needs to see what he's become."
     "I've seen enough. I don't want to talk with him anyways."
     "Well alright. But I have to go now. Before he comes hunting for me. Later BB. Later Abby."
     "Bye Zoey."
     "Later Zoe."
     "BB... Why does she continue to be his friend?"
     "I'll tell you later."
     "Well alright. Then tell me what you've been doing all these years."