Andy Delling dropped Makenna and Tracey off at school first since Makenna’s school was closer than Caleb’s.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfalRXbh4PG
Soon after dropping them off, he said, “Good luck,” to the two fairies, and then, to Tracey, “Rock in Gym class today, Trace. I want to hear all about it tonight.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8coj5WOVS
“Thank you, sir.” Tracey politely spoke, although he didn’t know what Gym class was. He was trying his best to blend in.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cNCyTvLWL
Mr. Delling soon left the two teens, and while he was driving away, he called, “Give me a shout if you need a quick getaway, Trace my man!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsmlsGTcwf
“Fine.” Tracey said, and he watched as Mr. Delling’s car vanished from sight.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInBIPAdI1B
Makenna soon tugged on his arm, and she said, “Well, here we are, Tracey,” and she pointed at her school building, “Welcome to human school, not fairy school.” Tracey could hear the laughing of kids, other teenagers! Nervously gulping, he turned, and his eyes widened at what he saw. Other teenagers were all around him and Makenna, and they were all dressed as either mathletes or athletes! Tracey was one of very few students not wearing either a mathlete or athlete costume. Immediately, he became very shy. None of these teenagers had wings. Currently, Tracey was the only person at Makenna’s school who had wings. Makenna noticed his shyness. “Don’t be shy, Tracey,” she said, and she took his shoulder, “I’m going to make sure you’re taken really good care of today. You’re older than me, so you’d be in a higher-grade level than me. Since you’re seventeen and your birthday is in November, you’d be a junior.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruY1FFQ1VP
“Right.” Tracey said, and he nodded, “A junior. Do you know another junior who can help me out today, Makenn?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3hBkMo3wo
Makenna nodded. “I do, Trace. Here, follow me, and try to blend in.”
She and Tracey stepped forward, toward the school building, and stumbling Tracey shyly searched the area and examined other teens. He didn’t notice this, but Makenna was smirking in a somewhat mean way.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueFvXKrEzG
Tracey soon asked her, “Makenna, do you have any advice for me about the first day of human school?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE4bP9i8C8
“I sure do!” Makenna laughed. She smacked Tracey’s back and knocked the breaths clean out of him. Gasping, he reached into the left cut of his tunic-like shirt and grabbed his side. He tried to catch his breath. Why had Makenna hit him like that? “First things first!” she added. She lifted her finger and closed one eye, “You have to be a pusher!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9zD3a9sBl
“A pusher?” asked Tracey. Could he do that? He was Tracey.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXf4Q1pOhb
“Yeah,” said Makenna, “If you want to blend in, Trace, then you have to let go of being a nudger. You must be firm and tough.” Tracey gulped. He didn’t know if he could do that. Were human schools always this aggressive?274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9KhAcUKE1
He chuckled nervously. “Yeah,” he said, “All right, Makenna. I can be firm and tough.” He wasn’t sure though. His voice had some doubt in it.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLYduTGYbV
“That’s my boy!” Makenna spoke.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9qKvroQ46
She smacked Tracey’s back again, and he flinched, for she had smacked his wings. “Ow,” he whispered, “Watch the wings, Makenna. I still have them you know.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYvUtHQJRY
“Oh, sorry, Tracey.” Makenna uttered, although she didn’t sound sorry at all. Tracey slightly glared at her. Their love-hate relationship was booting up again.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR69COv6Xht
Tracey asked Makenna, “Who’s the person who’s going to help me out today?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHxO6LAp5C
Makenna smiled. “You’ll see,” she chuckled, “You’ll like him.” Tracey narrowed his eyebrows to a suspicious position. He had a feeling inside him that wasn’t exactly fuzzy. He didn’t like this.
Makenna led Tracey closer to the school, and she waved to a few students.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdNSbmLt5r
“Why’s everybody dressed up?” Tracey asked the Metamorphic Fairy.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7TLiYY0zY
Makenna glanced at him. “It’s because it’s Spirit Week,” she explained, “Today is Mathlete vs. Athlete Day.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrHr4WXMhe
“Spirit Week?” inquired Tracey, “What’s Spirit Week?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPjCyCDdJA
“It’s a week when we show off our school spirit,” explained Makenna, “It’s run by the student government. During Spirit Week, we’re allowed to dress out according to the theme for that day and attend school activities. At the end of the week, on Friday, there is a huge formal dance known as the Spirit Week Dance.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9Y5PNQ702
“Hm,” thoughtfully spoke Tracey. He nodded, “Interesting.” He and Makenna carried on with their walk for just a little longer.
However, then the two stopped and peered forward to the school. Not far from them, reading from a Kindle, dressed as a mathlete, was a blonde-headed girl who was also a freshman. She looked up from her Kindle, to give her eyes a break, and they landed on Tracey and Makenna. Her big, green eyes landed on Tracey.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RfH1I02rC
At the sight of him, she gasped, “OMG!” and immediately fell in love, “I have found Romeo!” Hearts appeared on her eyes, and she slipped her Kindle into her book bag. Then, she put her hands together and hurried to Makenna and Tracey.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCskgVG6Wyz
Makenna smiled when she recognized her. “Hey, Natalie,” she said.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEzOLdWleG
Natalie pushed her off to the side so she could get to Tracey and said, “Let’s lose this accessory.” She approached Tracey, and with hearts still on her eyes, she put her hands together and leaned toward him, “Hi. Are you a new student? I’d be glad to show you around.” Tracey stared at her. He blinked. He appeared to be very bewildered. What was up with this girl?274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjZJ3yYE1Y
Jealous Makenna soon came in for him, and she took Tracey’s wrist, saying, “Sorry, Natalie, but he’s with me. Come along, Tracey.” With that, she pulled Tracey toward the school’s entrance and left Natalie behind.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhMt2msSYY
Behind, she fell to her knees and yelled, “No!” into the sky, “Romeo! Romeo! Wherefore art though, Romeo?! Come back!”
Makenna stopped Tracey right at the front door of the school.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq937dkVupO
“I apologize about her,” she told him, “That was Natalie. She…well, she…” She headed toward the front door but stopped suddenly, “Ugh,” and covered her cheeks.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpG3JSuH0CV
“What is it?” Tracey asked her. He stopped next to Makenna.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzkppTrL1G
Groaning, she mumbled, “Why is he always here before me?” In front of her, standing further away with his gang surrounding him, was Jimmy Carter. His eyes landed on Makenna, and he smirked, crossing his arms. Then, he and his gang started to approach her. Tracey shivered. “Who’s that?” he asked.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy5YJqscco
“Jimmy Carter.” Makenna explained, “He’s nothing but a royal pain in the butt.” Jimmy, like Tracey, wasn’t dressed as either a mathlete or athlete. He continued to approach the two fairies. Tracey immediately stepped in front of Makenna to protect her, and his big, golden-brown eyes stared Jimmy down.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXRzBQqo8g
He stopped in front of them and chuckled at the sight of Tracey. “Oh, what do you know?” he asked in a mean tone, “Fairy Girl now has a bodyguard. So, you must be the ninja she mentioned yesterday. Are you a fairy too? Can I call you Fairy Boy?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXChtWXahe
“Well actually.” Tracey chuckled, “I am a…” However, Makenna quickly stomped on his foot. Tracey flinched. “Ow!” he added, “I mean, who are you supposed to be? My name is Tracey, and I’m new here.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWFsCvDYqV
“Seriously?” Jimmy chuckled, “Tracey? That’s a girl’s name.” Tracey’s cheeks flushed. Jimmy continued, “My name is Jimmy Carter, and Makenna and I are very good friends.” He smirked at Makenna, “Aren’t we, Fairy Girl?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCLFoXgLUS
He took a step closer to Makenna, but Tracey pushed his chest back. “Scram,” he calmly told him, “You’re not friends. I can sense it. I suggest you leave us be, you saucy boy.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufRbWd4Fl5
“Saucy?” asked Jimmy. His cheeks flushed, “Why? I’m having so much fun. Here, why don’t we do a trade, Ninja Boy?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTje8f56Et4
“Trade?” Tracey inquired.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUtoCM9ib3
Jimmy Carter shrugged, “Yeah,” and gestured at Makenna, “Fairy Girl for…” Here, he slipped his hand into his backpack’s side pocket and pulled out a bag of nuts, “this bag of nuts.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya6HLqHlX0
He held the nuts up to Tracey’s face. “Nuts?” he asked, “Really? That’s it?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTmGFTNjWu
“Yeah,” answered Jimmy. He smirked, “What’s wrong? Too much? Makenna, what do you say?” Heading toward Makenna, he shoved Tracey off to the side and almost knocked him to the ground. However, he managed to regain balance, but just barely. Jimmy stopped in front of Makenna, and he showed her the bag of nuts. Makenna stared at them.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBIeJHW9lO
Suddenly, a flash of fear washed across her face. “Wait,” she nervously spoke, and she took a step back, “Are those nuts?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdbGj1Glo6
Jimmy nodded. “They are.” Tracey peered into Makenna’s fearful face. Why did she look so scared all of a sudden? The Metamorphic Fairy gasped,274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzbg1BAsOz
“Nuts!” She quickly leaped back from the bag and held her hand out to Jimmy, “Get them away from me, Jimmy! Get those nuts out of my sight! Now!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBMjNZovpg
“Huh?” Jimmy and Tracey asked at the same time.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjltvW22jW
“Why?” Jimmy questioned.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLSpeyBDPE
“Get them away from me!” Makenna repeated. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and sobbing, she sunk to her knees, “Please, Jimmy! Please! I’m begging you! Nuts are my worst enemy!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtvmyqK55g
“What do you mean, Fairy Girl?” was Jimmy’s next question. He dropped the bag of nuts and took a step back, “Are you allergic to nuts?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWsQyTWTfV
“Yes!” Makenna shouted, and more tears streamed down her cheeks, “I am highly allergic to nuts, Jimmy! I’ve had an anaphylactic reaction to nuts before, and I don’t want to have another one! It was not fun! Get them away from me!” Jimmy quickly slipped the bag of nuts back into his backpack. “Sheesh, Delling,” he spoke, and he shook his head, “You’re so dramatic. They’re just nuts.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo75laQQvK5
“I don’t care!” Makenna choked out, “They’re still nuts! Get out of here, Jimmy! Get out of here now!” Her tears fell like fountains now. She was cowering like a baby on the ground. Tracey noticed her distress, and he stumbled to her.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuG67PNt0H
Grabbing Makenna’s arms, he lugged her to her feet and pulled her into a hug. “Shh, Makenna,” he comfortably spoke to her, “Shh. I promise he won’t do that again. If he does, I’ll stop him. I promise. I don’t want you to have an anaphylactic reaction.” Jimmy gagged at the sight of them hugging.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8DtZ4D5SC
Placing his hands on his hips, he shook his head and said, “You two disgust me. You better disconnect before Peter Nelson sees you.” He turned to walk away, “See you later, Fairy Girl.”
Makenna and Tracey watched as he waved and walked away with his hands in his pockets and rejoined his gang. Makenna continued to hug Tracey. She was still crying. It was true. It was 100% true. Makenna Delling was highly allergic to nuts. When she was eleven years old, in 6th Grade, a couple of days after the incident at the crab dock when she fell from the observation deck, she accidentally ate nuts in a dessert and had to be rushed to the ER for a severe anaphylactic reaction. If she didn’t get to the hospital as fast as the paramedics got her there, she wouldn’t be here today. She would be dead. Since that experience, Makenna didn’t want to do anything that had to do with nuts. She was scared of nuts. It sounded dumb, but it was true.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5juMVg7GFh
While she hugged Tracey, she felt his hand comfortably rubbing the back of her head, and she whispered, “Thank God. Thank God. Thank God. That was way too close. Sorry, Tracey.” She had calmed down a bit. Tears stopped falling from her sockets.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNYDq3ik1r
Tracey soon removed his hand from the back of her head, and with it, he rubbed tears from her cheeks, saying, “I didn’t know you were allergic to nuts, Makenna. Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve stopped him and sent him flying off the face of the Earth.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sdBHrTX0t
“I don’t like to talk about it.” Makenna whimpered, and disconnecting, she took his hand, “I find it to be really stupid to be allergic to and scared of nuts.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQTc2F0JTc
“You’re not the only one, Makenna.” Tracey told her, and he rubbed the top of her hand with his thumb, “There are plenty of people out there allergic to nuts. You’re not alone.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2WqU7lcAJ
“Are you allergic to anything?” Makenna asked him.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S2DrjbsD6
Tracey hesitated. “Well,” he said, and he rubbed his nose, “No, but I know what people are like when they have allergies. I’ve done lots of research about the two. Allergies were a main lesson Sensei Merlin taught me back on Merlin’s Island. He said it was crucial to know about them and their effects on both fairies and people.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN65GPcimNv
“Oh, Tracey.” Makenna spoke in a flirty, somewhat jealous voice, “I wish Merlin was my teacher.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPT52BGD6J
Tracey smiled, “Maybe one day he will be. It’s all right, Makenna. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. It’s kind of my job.” He and Makenna closed their eyes and hugged again.
However, before they knew it though, a familiar figure stepped into the scene and witnessed the hugging. Guess who it was? It was Peter Nelson! Yes, Peter Nelson! He was dressed up as an athlete today. He wore tennis shoes, running shorts, and a blue t-shirt that had a Clemson paw on it. His book bag was slung over his shoulder, and he froze at the sight of Makenna and Tracey hugging. They did not see him. They continued to hug. Peter Nelson finally couldn’t take it anymore. However, he remained calm. He rolled his eyes, sighed, and started to count, “One. Two.” Here, Makenna and Tracey heard him. Still hugging each other, they turned their heads, and their eyes landed on Peter. He glared, “Two and a half.” Quickly, Makenna and Tracey disconnected, and Tracey cleared his throat. “Thank you.” Peter said. He approached Makenna and grabbed her arm, pulling her away from Merlin’s apprentice.
The two boys met eyes, and immediately, when they recognized each other, they gagged and glared.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSRZXdBxIR
“Ugh!” said Tracey.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEerVKWlfwS
Peter glared harder, “You!” He and Tracey threatened each other with their fists.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT82gbrTLlz
“Peter Nelson!” Makenna yelled when she too recognized Peter. She blushed and immediately started to work on her hair.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS48XZzMJ3Z
While she was working, Peter asked Tracey, “What are you doing here, Ninja Boy?!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIbzrVDUCn
“What are you doing here?” Tracey asked back, and he could feel his wings tingling with anger in his ninja-style, green and purple, tunic-like shirt, “How did you find us?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUL5UyS8yb
“I saw you hugging each other.” Peter explained in an angry voice, “And, Ninja Boy, if I see that again, then you’re going to take a trip to the ER! What are you doing at mine’s and Makenna’s school?!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ4f20Qd0a
Tracey opened his mouth to speak, but Makenna beat him to it because she was afraid he would give away their secret if he spoke up, “Peter, he’s a transfer student. He came from another high school. This is his first time at this school.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvKTS3bN84
“What grade is he?” asked Peter, and he continued to glare at Tracey.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEiMITtdlt
“11th.” Makenna explained, “Just like you. I’m glad I found you or you found us. Tracey needs to spend the day with you, go to all your classes, and see what 11th Grade is all about.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumDqv3NSpc
“WHOA, WHAT?!” the two boys shouted at the same time.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JkyeRGgZq
“No way!” said Peter.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGJooEBLqY
“You’re crazy, Makenna!” Tracey uttered back, and he glanced at Makenna, “He’ll kill me!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5Xo50M08C
Peter cracked his knuckles. “You bet I will!” he snapped at Tracey, and he and Tracey met eyes again, “And when I do kill you, Ninja Boy, I’m going to drop you off a cliff and into the ocean!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5WGRIxKRN
“Boys,” Makenna calmly spoke, and she put her hands together, “can you try not to kill each other? I mean, just for today. After today, you can chase each other around the world to your heart’s content. Okay?” She put her hands behind her back, “Okay.” She nervously smiled at each boy.
Both Peter Nelson and Tracey dramatically sighed. They shook hands, to say they had a deal, but while they were shaking, they gave each other the evil death glare. More lightning flashed behind each boy. Tracey tightened his grip on Peter’s hand, and with his magic, he gave it a small burn.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReme4hpcHU
Peter flinched, “Ow!” and pulled his hand away from the ninja-like fairy, “What was that?! Something just burned my hand!” He dropped his book bag and examined his hand. Not speaking, Tracey huffed, closed his eyes, and turned away. He crossed his arms. Then, opening one eye, it glowed up green, and one of his magic ninja stars appeared in midair. Tracey quickly grabbed it and threw it behind Peter who was still examining his hand. His star sunk into the courtyard’s concrete, and suddenly, from the concrete, appeared a vine! It crept toward Peter and wrapped around his ankle, pulling him to the ground! Luckily, he landed on his book bag, so he wasn’t harmed by the fall. However, he was beyond confused. “What in the name of?!” he asked, and he peered back to the vine wrapped around his ankle, “Where did this vine come from?!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VzPvfYLGM
Makenna glared at Tracey. “Tracey!” she whispered.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha7wquF2hS
Tracey glanced at her. “You told me to be a pusher,” he whispered back.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW6GXZk9fk
“Release him!” Makenna demanded, and she pointed at Peter who was tugging on the vine.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhtNMsKxtm
Tracey rolled his eyes. “As you wish,” he mumbled, and he waved his hand. The vine wrapped around Peter’s ankle soon loosened and fell to the ground.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB137z9aLNG
Quickly, Peter pulled the vine off, freaking out, and jumped to his feet. “What the?” he whispered, “That was so weird!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wtc4MusVL
“Are we all ready now?” asked Makenna. She crossed her arms, “You guys aren’t going to kill each other yet, right?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbPWdXpD6q
Peter dramatically sighed. “Not yet,” he growled, and he glared at Tracey who had his body turned to him, and his arms were still crossed.
Suddenly, the bell for homeroom rang.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3EcVJeG7c
Tracey jumped and peered into the air. “What was that?” he asked.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuMBeMBaK2
“That was the bell for homeroom.” Makenna explained, “It means the new school day is beginning. After homeroom, you go to 1st Period. Peter will take you to his homeroom, Tracey. He’ll take care of you today. I promise.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF7cVZh41T
“Yeah,” growled Peter, and he cracked his knuckles again, “I’m going to take really good care of you, Ninja Boy. You can count on it.” Tracey gulped. He shivered.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrchOhhYXpm
Makenna next told him, “One more thing, Tracey, please, try your best to blend in. Remember, you must be a pusher, not a nudger.” She waved, “I’ll see you later at lunch. You can count on it.” She started to walk away.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjXavWi5CL
“Makenna, wait!” Tracey called from behind. He held his hand out to her. Makenna stopped and turned back to him and Peter.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnKhhGSiNh
She cupped her hands around her mouth, calling, “Just follow Peter, Trace! I promise he’s going to take good care of you!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9zvNaR6bz
“But, Makenna!” Tracey protested. However, Makenna again waved and turned on her heel. She sauntered into her school’s front building, and Tracey, Merlin’s apprentice, was left all alone with Peter Nelson. They met eyes, and Tracey saw that Peter was still glaring at him and cracking his knuckles. Again, he gulped, “Oh help me,” and he could feel his wings freezing from fear.
Inside the school building, Makenna was heading toward homeroom, but she stopped momentarily and peered back to the front door. Was Tracey going to be all right without her? She hoped and prayed that he wouldn’t give away their secret.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr5ZL6Q7fZ
Makenna soon heard the voice of Jessica, “Hey, Makenna!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3oF82FZ32
“Jessica?” Makenna asked. She turned her head and smiled when she saw Jessica leaning up against some lockers in front of her, and she was waving. She also was dressed up as a mathlete. Her outfit was very similar to Makenna’s; she just wore khaki pants instead of shorts.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PEPxFuPca
She and Makenna approached one another, and Jessica pulled her friend into a hug. “It’s great to see you, Makenna!” she laughed. She let go and held her shoulders, “I’ve been waiting for you in here for fifteen minutes now!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡterGB3YhJa
“Sorry, Jessica.” Makenna said. She cleared her throat, “I was distracted.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSW18JO76w
“With what?” Jessica wanted to know.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym0honpyEB
She let Makenna’s shoulders go. “Jessica,” she spoke, “How would you react if I told you that…,” She hesitated, “I don’t know. I brought a fairy to school?” She peered into Jessica’s eyes. She stared at her friend for a very long time.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lRxNfACOH
Then, she burst out laughing and said, “Oh, Makenna, you never cease to make me laugh! Oh, that’s a good one! Who would the fairy be? Would she be Tinkerbell?” She laughed again. Makenna sighed. That was enough to make her feel a little humiliated. Lowering her head, she stared at the floor and slowly blinked. This was going to be a very long day.
Peter Nelson’s 1st Period class after homeroom was Spanish 3 with Mr. Fernando Gheesling, the man who had broken up the fight he, Makenna, and Jessica almost got into with Jimmy Carter and his gang the day before. Mr. Gheesling’s classroom was located on the second story of the school building. Peter Nelson managed to get up the staircase with his friend, Bruce, next to him with no problem, but Tracey had some difficulty since he wasn’t used to walking and climbing up stairs.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGRZ8UvFQR
Bruce and Peter waited for him at the top of the staircase, and Peter crossed his arms, shaking his head. “He’s pathetic,” he whispered to Bruce, “I’m going to KO him in Spanish class.” He nudged his friend, “Watch this, Bruce. I have a little treat for him.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfresrykgNe
“Hee, hee.” Bruce chuckled, and evil flashed across his face. Peter Nelson reached into his backpack and pulled out an apple. Rubbing the apple on his shirt, he blew on it and focused his attention on Tracey who was still struggling up the stairs. Both his hands gripped the railing, and he took one step at a time. Peter Nelson blew on the apple one last time. Then, he aimed at Tracey’s feet and let the apple slip from his grip. It hit the top stair and started to bounce down the staircase, right toward Tracey. He lifted his foot and prepared to put it down, but suddenly, the apple came under his foot, and Tracey gasped as he tripped, fell, and went rolling down the staircase! Peter and Bruce started to laugh from the top of it. Tracey landed in a heap at the bottom of the staircase, and he groaned. Students passed him, not even bothering to help him up. They were in a rush to get to 1st Period. Peter and Bruce continued to laugh. Tracey soon pushed himself to his elbows, and he glared at them. He was sore all over. Peter, who had managed to control his laughing, sarcastically called, “Oops. Sorry, Ninja Boy,” down to him. Tracey clenched his fist, and it glowed up green. He was ready to send those two bullies flying off the face of the Earth, but then he remembered that he was trying to blend in. Tracey took a deep breath and calmed down. His fist stopped glowing and he lowered it. He struggled to hands and knees, and once on hands and knees, he painfully clenched his teeth together and reached for his tummy.
In a couple more minutes, Merlin’s apprentice was sitting in Mr. Gheesling’s 1st Period classroom. He was surrounded by about fifteen more kids, including Peter and Bruce, and he was sitting in the middle row of desks. Peter and Bruce were sitting behind him. His binder and coloring book were resting on the desk’s face, and while the students waited for Mr. Gheesling to come, Tracey colored in his coloring book. Coloring calmed his soul down. It was very soothing. A few kids were staring at him, but Tracey was too shy to speak to them. Suddenly, he felt something hit him in the back of the head and land on the face of the desk. Dropping his colored pencil, the young ninja saw that a paper airplane had landed in front of him. It was a note. Tracey shyly picked up the airplane and unfolded it. He read the note, and sadness flashed across his face. Still holding the note, he slowly turned his head and peered back at Peter and Bruce. Peter was the one who had given him the note. He smiled evilly and lifted his eyebrows. Tracey peered back down on the note, and he sighed, looking very depressed. On the note, Peter had written something very mean to him. Peter was trying to pull the ninja into a fight so he could beat him up and stop him from coming between him and Makenna. Tracey crumpled up the note and threw it into the waste basket near the door of the classroom. It landed right in the waste basket. It didn’t miss it or anything. Next, Tracey came up with a plan to get his revenge against Peter Nelson in a non-fighting way. An idea clicked in his brain. The ninja smirked.
The late bell for 1st Period soon rang.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U5u0y5spD
Right after it did, Mr. Fernando Gheesling entered the room, carrying a stack of papers, and he said, “Hola, estudiantes (Hello, students!)!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLacx2wtHIi
“Hola, Señor Gheesling (Hello, Señor Gheesling.),” all the students, except Tracey, spoke back. Señor Gheesling, after closing the door, stumbled over to his desk and put the stacks of papers down.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1s6Fz9EeH
While he was adjusting his glasses and going through the papers, he next said, “Tenemos mucho que hacer esta mañana (We have much to do this morning.).” Tracey soon recognized the language he was speaking in.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYZLSAtZq9
He smiled, and still bewildered by all this human school stuff, he asked Mr. Gheesling, “¿Qué estamos aprendiendo hoy (What are we learning today?)?” 274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDNBZMbyNR
Mr. Gheesling and the students heard him. “Huh?” Peter Nelson asked, and his eyes landed on Tracey. Everybody else soon looked at him, even Mr. Gheesling.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl4PzKFirP
At the sight of Tracey, he said, “Hm,” and took his hands off the stacks of papers. Curiously, he approached Tracey and added, “Hola. ¿Eres un nuevo estudiante (Hello. Are you a new student?)?” 274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsVEcmnZU1
Tracey nodded, totally understanding him. “Si (Yes.),” he said in his calm, ninja-like voice, “Mi nombre Tracey (My name is Tracey.).” The students’ eyes widened, including Peter Nelson’s and Bruce’s. Peter glared and continued to stare Tracey down.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBdIQahYL8
Mr. Gheesling soon asked the fairy, “¿Cuantos años tienes, Tracey (How old are you, Tracey?)?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnLRpx0FHH
“Tengo diecisiete años, señor (I’m seventeen, sir.).” Mr. Gheesling was impressed. This new student was fluent in Spanish! Absolutely fluent! He wanted to learn more about him.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcNJmvcEv8
Therefore, this was his next question, “¿De donde eras (Where are you from?)?” This class was already super easy for Tracey. For the time being, he forgot that he was supposed to be “blending in”.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sf8hvM30m
He answered, “Crecí en la isla de Merlin (I grew up on Merlin’s Island.). Esta es mi primera vez en la escuela (This is my first time at school.).” Already, he liked Mr. Gheesling.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfm4Gsq6n9s
However, he of course didn’t believe him when he said he grew up on Merlin’s Island. ¿De verdad (Really?)?” he asked the ninja-like fairy, “¿Han sido educaos en el hogar todo su vida (Have you been homeschooled all your life?)?” 274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTMdfYMyJQ
Tracey shook his head no, “No, señor (No, sir.). Mi sensei, Sensei Merlin, me educó (My sensei, Sensei Merlin, educated me.). El enseño mi ninjustu, gimnasia, y el sigilo (He taught me ninjustu, gymnastics, and stealth.).” Tracey was really starting to make Peter jealous now. He clenched his fists and growled deep in his throat. Mr. Gheesling was fascinated but at the same time, concerned for the new student’s health. To him, he sounded crazy.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyqXY8RYLh
Scoffing, he again asked him, “¿De verdad (Really?)?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71i8QLwpYw
“Si, si (Yes, yes.),” spoke Merlin’s apprentice. He was having a lot of fun. Mr. Gheesling kept the conversation rolling.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxsXDGYK2r
This time, he asked Tracey a complicated question, to test if he really did know what he was asking him, “¿Puedes hablar otros idiomas (Can you speak any other languages?)?” 274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6TweoYWDG
This time, Tracey grinned, “Si (Yes.). Hablo francés y alemán (I speak French and German.). Y un poco de italiano (And some Italian.).” 274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE8N73cn7G
Mr. Gheesling nodded. “Hm,” he said, “Impresionante (Impressive.). ¿Puede hablar un poco de italiano para mí (Can you speak some Italian for me?)?” 274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvGGZPqQvg
Tracey rubbed his nose and asked, “¿Qué hay de eso canto una canción (How about I sing a song?)?” Peter Nelson was now rubbing his face down with a handkerchief. Both he and Bruce were sweating. How much longer was this going to last?274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6024Q7wJct
Mr. Gheesling gave Tracey a funny look, “¿Cantar una canción (Sing a song?)?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XzXASXmDD
“Si (Yes.),” Tracey replied. He had the urge to sing a song in Italian, “Me encanta cantar, señor (I love to sing, sir.).” He was telling the truth too. Tracey loved singing just as much as Makenna loved ballet and surfing. Mr. Gheesling rubbed his chin. He was curious. Could this boy really sing in Italian?274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5Op60r9M8
He nodded, “Todo bien (All right.). Adelante (Go ahead.).” Tracey continued to grin. He was ready to sing.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CjiIpAWf3
He told Mr. Gheesling, “Esta es mi canción favorito (This is my favorite song.). Es ‘Ninja Ir!’ de The Fold (It’s ‘Ninja Go!’ by The Fold.).” He opened his mouth to start singing, but before he could, Mr. Gheesling held his hand up to him to tell him to hold it for a bit.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsPSa0Zua8
Then, he turned to the rest of the class, clapped his hands together, and in English, announced, “Attention, students! May I have your attention please?” He gestured at Tracey, “Tracey, our new friend here, is doing the great honors of sharing a song with us in Italian!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAgvXBhsYn
“What?!” the students asked at the same time, “Italian?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7bWyVxbaU
Peter Nelson sneered and glanced at Bruce, saying, “I doubt he can sing in Italian. Even if he could, I’m sure his voice is terrible.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYEDFuF9Ww
“Well,” said Bruce, and he shrugged, “We’ll just have to wait and see.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdXHpHawq1
He and Peter, as well as the students and Mr. Gheesling, focused their attention back on Tracey, and returning to Spanish, Mr. Gheesling waved his hand and told the ninja, “Golpeanos (Hit us.).” Tracey cleared his throat. He sat up straight in his seat and took a deep breath. The music to “Ninja Go!” by The Fold started to play in his head. He opened his mouth and started to sing, in Italian! Tracey had an incredible voice! It was amazing!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU7hwrVr2C
He sung:
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRCSQ9IAEl
“Ninja Vai, Vai! Tutti con me (Ninja Go, Go! Everybody with me!)!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2RHDZ1GCf
Vai, vai (Go, go!)!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAnPLrEvs3
Mai intenzione di smettere (Never gonna stop!)!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvJ1cgoaHm
No no-nessuno sta andando a rallentarci (No-nobody’s gonna slow us down!)!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FGrwyOCKC
Eccoci vai! Vai (Here we go! Go!)!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU0wrt0p2Y
Scuotilo con me (Shake it up with me!)!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWirGpHRCs
Vai, vai (Go, go!)!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdZuXS4pkr
Prendere al superiore (Take it to the top!)!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXfSQw2iUh
No no-nessuno ha intenzione di fermarci ora (No-nobody’s gonna stop us now!)!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegrdSMJUEp
Andiamo in tondo e rotando (We go round and round and round!) (“Ninja Go!”)!”
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOig7YpFUk
Tracey stopped singing right there. Ah, that felt so good. Everybody had frozen, including Mr. Gheesling and Peter Nelson. They couldn’t believe it! He did it! Tracey sang an entire verse of a song in Italian! He was amazing! Whoever it was who had educated him before he came to this school was a really good educator. Mr. Gheesling was lost for words.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFIamDvc70
Finally, when he found them, he said, “Vaya, eso fue impresionante (Whoa, that was impressive!)! ¡Santo cielo (Holy smokes!)!” Tracey blushed. “Gracias (Thank you.),” he spoke.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyxUjgL4pw
Mr. Gheesling’s final question for him was, “¿Puedes hablar ingles? (Can you speak English?)?” 274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68QTMLA9L5
Understanding, Tracey quickly returned to English. “Oh yes!” he said, “English is my main language. Sensei just taught me Spanish, French, German, and Italian because he said they could really come in handy in the future, if I ever traveled to a Spanish-speaking country, Germany, Italy, or France.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUp0acib9e
“Whoa.” Mr. Gheesling spoke. He took a deep breath, adding with, “That, that was very impressive, Tracey! Welcome to Spanish 3!”
Where Bruce and Peter Nelson were sitting, Peter was beyond jealous.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgehcT9RzE
He was also furious. “Wow, Peter.” Bruce told him, “Looks like you’ve got some competition now.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGp9r171Sh
From the heels up, Peter turned red. “Ugh!” he shouted, and he forcibly pushed his chair away from his desk. Its legs scratched the ground and screeched. Peter quickly stood up, and with clenched fists, he marched out of the room and slammed the door shut.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi87CXHa1CS
The students, Tracey, and Mr. Gheesling jumped. “What’s with him?” asked the ninja-like fairy.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVLj21HapN
Mr. Gheesling sighed. “Well, Tracey,” he explained, “It appears to me that Peter, who has always been the top student in the class, thinks that you’re taking his place.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmDsoNSVTL
“Me?” asked Tracey, and he pointed at himself, “But I’m just here. This is my first day at this school.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sXx2HJd89
“Mr. Nelson tends to get jealous very easily,” said Mr. Gheesling, “I’m going to step out in the hallway and talk to him.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbutKDp483
“And I’ll just sit here.” Tracey uttered.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8xfdDay61
Mr. Gheesling smiled and shrugged, “Sounds good to me.” Lifting his hand, he patted Tracey’s shoulder. Then, he rubbed his nose and told the students, “I’ll be right back, kids. If any of you have questions about Spanish, you should probably ask our new friend here.” He gestured at Tracey. Then, taking a deep breath, he left Tracey’s desk and stepped into the hallway.
Merlin’s young apprentice sighed.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI15NLQRrdJ
Suddenly, he heard a, “Psst,” behind him. Tracey turned his head and peered over his shoulder. His eyes landed on Bruce. He was the one who had whispered, “Psst,” at him. He was glaring at the fairy, and Tracey saw that he was drawing something in his notebook. Soon, he finished the drawing, and he held the finished product up so Tracey could see it. He examined the drawing, and immediately, he felt a lump in his throat. Bruce was holding up to him, a drawing of Tracey being hanged. He pointed his pencil at the limp body in the photo and nodded meanly at the fairy.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBvwrD4sU3
To him, he mouthed, “This is going to be you, Ninja Boy.” The lump in Tracey’s throat grew. He almost felt like crying. He didn’t understand. Why were people so mean to him? Exhaling, he turned his back to Bruce and tightly clenched his fists. Tears appeared in his eyes. Tracey closed his coloring book and placed his face on the face of his desk. He covered himself with his arms and started to shake, for he was silently crying. Where was Makenna? He wanted Makenna. He wanted Gina. He wanted Merlin. He wanted to be back at Merlin’s Island. He didn’t want to be here. Tracey was slipping into a depression. However, his depression was not only being caused by being bullied though, it was also being caused by the Octopus Man’s spell. It was starting to take a toll on him again.
Tracey didn’t know this and nor did Makenna, but the Octopus Man was killing him. Tracey was dying. Makenna had to become a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy so she could help Merlin regain control of his powers and help Tracey against his fight with the Octopus Man. Currently, he couldn’t fight the Octopus Man on his own. If Makenna became a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy, she could put up somewhat of a decent fight against him. Where she was now though, he would kill her in two seconds flat. Makenna was way too weak. She had to get to work. Selene would soon visit her in her dreams, and if Makenna was still stuck as a Level 1 Metamorphic Fairy when she did, then that would just be embarrassing. If Tracey was the Metamorphic Fairy, no doubt about it, he would already be a Crystal Metamorphic Fairy. However, he wasn’t. Makenna was the Metamorphic Fairy. This was her journey, not his. Tracey was there just to assist her. For pretty much the rest of his time in Mr. Gheesling’s Spanish class, he didn’t speak and kept his head buried in his arms. However, his day only got worse from there.
Peter Nelson was beyond jealous. How dare Tracey replace his position as the top student in Mr. Gheesling’s Spanish class! His entire world was crumbling before his eyes, and it was all because of this ninja!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZvg6VNMhT
That day, on their way to 2nd Period, Geometry, they were walking down the junior hallway, toward Mrs. Rita’s Geometry class, and Peter asked Tracey in an angry voice, “Where did you learn to speak like that, Ninja Boy?! Talk or I’ll make you talk!” Bruce wasn’t with him. His class was on the other side of the building. Both Peter Nelson and Tracey stopped, and nodding, Tracey slightly smiled.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeYyfOZRG1
Then, he answered, “Sensei Merlin. He taught me Spanish, French, German, and Italian. He says that it’s crucial for a fairy to learn numerous languages.” Peter stared at him. He obviously didn’t believe him when he openly told him right there, that he was a fairy. Peter Nelson finally had had it! Glaring, he lifted his hands and snatched Tracey’s shirt collar!274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOrV0avCJU
He shoved him up against some lockers and yelled, “I have had it with you! Are you just trying to prove that you’re better than me?!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYoIZka1z1
“No.” Tracey whimpered. He looked very scared.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQGudmEMtH
“You’re supposed to be blending in!” yelled Peter, and he shook the fairy’s shirt collar.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaSAt8fHMC
“I am blending in,” he said.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklb3nBNnj4
“By speaking fluent Spanish and singing a song in Italian?!” asked Peter. Tracey gulped.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fB5FNFOrH
He could feel another lump in his throat. “Sorry, Peter,” he choked out, “But that was just the way Merlin taught me.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ofmSaJAjP
“You’re a disgrace to this world!” Peter Nelson shouted at him, and he shook his shirt collar again, “Say it! Say it straight to my face! ‘I am a disgrace to this world!’” Tracey slightly glared. He remained calm.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiOuEk5aJ0
Taking a deep breath, he looked Peter in the eyes, shook his head, and said, “No I’m not. I am a miracle. You can pick on me all you want, Peter, but you will always fail to get rid of me. I’m going to get Makenna away from you, and you can’t stop me. I’m not a saucy boy. You are.” Fire burned in Peter’s eyes. He jerked Tracey off the lockers and shoved him into another line of lockers, the lockers on the other side of the hallway! Tracey slammed up against the lockers, and he fell to the ground. “Ow!” he whispered. He rubbed his head and glanced up at Peter Nelson. He was shivering, from head to toe, with fear, and he was taking deep breaths. He had been left in a slight state of shock. He tried getting up, but Peter Nelson next stomped down on his hand.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQCrKlL4Um
Tracey yelled and fell to the ground again. “I’m warning you, Ninja Boy!” Pete shouted, and he rubbed his shoe up against Tracey’s knuckles, “If you embarrass me like that again, then you will be dead! I can assure you! So, if you want to live, then I would suggest you shut that big mouth of yours and keep it shut! You will not come between Makenna and me! Go find another girl, but she is mine!” With that, he removed his shoe from Tracey’s hand and turned on his heel. He marched forward and just left him lying on the ground. He didn’t bother to pick him up, how surprising. While Peter was walking away, 2nd Period’s late bell rang. Tracey jumped. The bells still frightened him. They were just so loud. However, he remained on the ground for a few more moments and tried to recover from his fall.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6PeTDWlOi
Then, massaging the hand Peter had stepped on, he struggled to his feet and watched as he became smaller and smaller. “I don’t like him.” Tracey mumbled, and he dropped his hand from his other one. Under his shirt, he pulled his wings apart and tried to flap them, but they hit the wall of it, and Tracey failed to lift himself into the air. He groaned and reached for his hand again. He wanted to fly, but he couldn’t! Tracey inhaled, then exhaled. Then he marched forward after Peter Nelson and made another failed attempt at flying. Ugh, could this school day be over already?
2nd Period for Makenna Delling was Gym. She had Gym class with Jessica. Today they were going to play basketball. Makenna liked basketball. She was always the one who ran down the court, took the rebound, and dribbled the ball to her team’s basket. However, today in Gym class, Makenna didn’t feel like participating. There was too much swirling around in her brain right now. All Makenna could think about that day was Tracey. She was under a lot of stress. She felt like a terrible friend just leaving him with Peter Nelson when she knew he hated him. She just hoped that Peter wasn’t bullying Merlin’s apprentice. Tracey didn’t deserve to be bullied. Another thing that was on her mind that day during gym class was herself. Since Makenna was now a full-fledged fairy, she didn’t know if school would ever be the same. Like Tracey, she was having a pretty rotten day. To make her day worse though, surprise, Jimmy Carter was also in her Gym class. Even better, Makenna had been put on the same team as him. The coach, Coach Lulu, had broken the class up into four teams, and while two teams went against each other, the other two teams sat on the sideline and waited for their turn to play. Yep, they were playing basketball today. However, during her team’s game, Makenna was a zombie. She basically just stood there and didn’t move a muscle. She wore a red penny, as well as her team members, and all of them, except Makenna, hurried down the court and tried to steal the ball away from the other team. Jessica, who had also been put on her team, succeeded in stealing the ball, and she started to dribble.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLBi0XIAJa
“Yeah, Jessica!” Coach Lulu cheered from the sideline, “Take it down!”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYByZEkBPNo
Jessica dribbled the ball down the court, toward her team’s basket, and she yelled, “Makenna!” She passed the ball to Makenna who was standing in an area where she had an open shot. However, she didn’t bother to catch the ball. She just sighed and let it brush off her fingertips and go out. Now, this made Jessica upset. Coach Lulu blew her whistle and pointed her hand down the court, at the other team’s basket.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuChdfaivDl
She announced, “White ball!” and the opposing team high-fived with each other.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfS1gmp7ql
Jessica glared at her friend, “Makenna!” and she placed her hands on her hips. Makenna again sighed.
Throughout the rest of the game, she just continued to stand. While she stood, she thought about Tracey, Merlin, Merlin’s Island, and the Octopus Man.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcegE8XOeb
However though, toward the end of the game, suddenly, once again, she heard a wise, female voice in her head! “Makenna,” she spoke.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3PpYkDMPM
Makenna gasped, “It’s you,” and she searched the gym for the source of the voice, “Where are you?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Uuie7foNU
“Makenna,” repeated the voice, “Tonight is the night. Tonight, you will meet me in your dreams.” 274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGerJuWPMz
Again, Makenna gasped. “My dreams?” she asked, and she clenched her fists.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIXqlUkmuK
“Yes,” spoke the voice.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM3chpsAYo
“Hold on a second!” Makenna yelped, “Wait, are you…Selene?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrPWotxY8v
“I am,” answered the voice.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PFjYpo4QS
“Selene?” Makenna again yelped, “You mean Selene as in the wisest, oldest fairy in the world?!” She was totally spaced out. She paid no attention to her surroundings.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQnOdzA4i5
She just listened to the wise voice communicating with her through telepathy. “Well.” Selene’s voice spoke, “I wouldn’t exactly call me wise, but I am very, very old.”
Unfortunately, just before she could tell Makenna something more, suddenly, a, “Look out!” was heard in front of her.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr48jFbfRW
“Huh?” Makenna asked. She snapped out of her doze and yelped when she saw that the basketball was coming straight toward her! It hit her in the tummy, and Makenna went flying into the ground! “Ooof!” she yelled, and she landed on her back, closing her eyes. Her fake glasses were knocked right off of her face, and they landed next to her. The basketball bounced out.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D2PYMle2E
Gasps came from all around the Metamorphic Fairy, and she could hear Coach Lulu and Jessica shouting, “Makenna!” Sudden strong stomping hurried toward her. Makenna soon sat up, – she was okay – and opening her eyes, she rubbed the back of her head. However, she tensed up when she saw that in front of her, hovered a young hand. A hand! Whose hand was it though? Makenna moved her eyes away from the hand, and she peered up to its owner. She gasped. In front of her, leaning over her and offering his hand to her…was Jimmy Carter! Jimmy Carter! What? He was smiling, and he continued to hold his hand out to the fairy. For a moment, Makenna stared at him. She couldn’t believe this. Was Jimmy Carter seriously offering to help her up? Him? Jimmy continued to smile, but he said not a word. After a bit, Makenna herself cracked a small smile, and she took Jimmy’s hand. He pulled her up, and soon, the two Ninth Graders were facing one another. Makenna rubbed her hip, and afterward, she crossed her arms.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTxqflZs6W
Still smiling, Jimmy saluted at her. “Hi,” he spoke, “You all right?” Makenna saw that he actually had really nice teeth. Every tooth was white, and each one seemed to sparkle. Jimmy actually had a beautiful smile.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx12hi9iQd
Makenna nodded at him. “Yeah,” she said back, “Thank you, Jimmy.”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHpRwrh87X
“No problem,” he chuckled. His voice cracked, “I don’t like it when girls get hurt. Especially,” Here, he gave another chortle, “ones allergic to nuts. Are you sure you’re okay?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxSjUTGDuG
Nodding, Makenna again said, “Yeah.” She still couldn’t believe this was Jimmy Carter she was looking at.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ6GfJxbJx
“Cool,” he uttered, and he flashed his beautiful teeth, “Let’s rock the rest of the game, shall we?”274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEpNKZlVMz
“Yeah,” chuckled Makenna, “Let’s.” Jimmy soon left her, and Makenna watched him leave. She was in shock. Jessica was too. Both she and Makenna watched as Jimmy Carter headed up the court and stopped at the other end of it.274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdxIf6usmG
Then, they exchanged glances and mouthed to one another, “Was that Jimmy Carter?”
