Makenna’s alarm went off. She screamed and fell out of bed, taking the covers with her. She landed in a heap on the floor, and the covers buried her. Makenna groaned. Another day. Ugh. However, while she was resting there, she thought about Peter Nelson. She had to go to school so she could see him! Quickly, Makenna leaped to her feet and threw the covers off. She hurried to her book bag and picked it up, plopping down at her desk. Then, she unzipped her bag and rummaged around for the Spirit Week schedule. However, momentarily, she stopped, and her mind returned to Tracey.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeudmGzuZK2
She sighed and finally said, “No!” She started rummaging again, “Ninja Boy doesn’t need any help! He’s a ninja! Right now, I have to focus on having Peter help me pick out my dress I’m going to wear to the dance! I have to go to school!” The day was Wednesday. Friday would be here before Makenna knew it! She had to go ahead and get ready for the dance!
Makenna pulled out the Spirit Week schedule, and she saw that today was Hero vs. Villain Day. Kids could go to school dressed as either their favorite hero or villain from a book, movie, play, etc. Makenna decided not to dress out today. She didn’t have a good hero or villain costume, and besides, she wasn’t in the mood to dress out after rushing Tracey to basically the ER the previous day and getting attacked by the Octopus Man. She just decided to go to school in her blue and white, striped top and denim skirt. However, she did fix her hair so she could look more “beautiful” in front of Peter Nelson.
Just when Makenna was getting ready to open the door to her room, her mind again returned to Tracey. She was starting to have an internal conflict with herself. Should Makenna dedicate her time today to Peter Nelson or Tracey instead? Makenna thought about this for a moment. Then, she decided on Peter Nelson. She would be taking Tracey back to Merlin’s Island that evening anyway so why not? Taking him back would also stop him from coming between her and Peter. Yep, Makenna decided on the hottest guy at her school, not Merlin’s apprentice. She opened the door to her room and sprinted out in the hallway.
The shipwrecked sailboat was quiet this morning. Selene had fixed up the door to the lower deck the siren broke down with a little magic, and she was making a pot of soup down below. Gina, who was sleeping cuddled up to Tracey, smelled it and stirred. She yawned and opened her eyes. They landed on Selene stirring the pot of soup, mumbling to herself, and the tern’s mouth watered. Mmm, that soup sure smelled good. Gina just realized how hungry she was. With the help of flapping her wings, she went to her feet and lifted off the berth Tracey was resting on. Then, she again looked at Selene. She seemed to be pretty upset. She was angry at Makenna. Selene finished stirring the soup, and she poured some into a bowl and put a spoon in it. Gina soared to her and landed on the countertop, next to the bowl. She folded her wings, and her nostrils again picked up the delicious scent of the soup. She prepared to poke it, but Selene saw this and shooed her away before her beak could touch it, “Shoo, Gina. Soup isn’t for you. Soup is for Tracey.” Gina whimpered and took a step back. She was hungry. “I’ll feed you in just a sec.” Selene told her, “For now though, I have to try to make Tracey eat at least something.” She scratched Gina under the chin, and she chirped, “Sorry, my dear, but I’m not too chipper this morning. Disgrace. Makenna is a disgrace. This entire time, she’s been lying to Tracey. The poor kid is being bullied. I’m sure that’s how he received that arm injury.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMT1P3zmJK
Through tern squawks, Gina told her, “I never really liked Makenna anyway,” and she shook her body which caused her feathers to puff out, “I always knew, from the time I first saw her, she was the snooty kind. Not to mention, she was the one who hurt Tracey in Merlin’s Cave when she forced him into that dark corridor. She’s a pill.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBNCoqX0jV
“Now, now, Gina,” said Selene, and she gently popped the tern on the beak, “Don’t say that. Deep down, Makenna really is a beautiful girl. She just hasn’t figured it out yet. I chose her instead of Caleb because I knew she could become a successful Metamorphic Fairy and queen. She has a great gift. She just hasn’t unwrapped it yet. It’s still tied by a bow.” She sighed, and Gina did too.
Selene picked up the bowl of soup, and she turned toward Tracey. Gina watched as she approached him. Tracey was still in pretty bad shape. His eyes were closed – he was barely awake, and he was still very pale, but he wasn’t as pale as he was when the sirens attacked. Thanks to the mask he wore, he was starting to get his magic back.
Once Selene reached him, she sat down next to him and placed the bowl gently on the ground. Then, she reached forward and took the mask off his nose and mouth. Tracey’s breathing was a little more stable now. He wasn’t breathing as heavily anymore. Selene soon reached down and picked up the bowl of soup. She took the spoon out and tried to make him eat something, but Tracey refused.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqoGSbwk2z
Every time the spoon would come toward his lips, he would moan and turn his head away from it. “Tracey, please,” said Selene, and she brought the spoon toward his lips again, “You need to try to at least eat something.” Again, Tracey refused. Currently, he was more thirsty than hungry. He wanted water. He felt like he was dehydrated. Selene finally just gave up. Tracey had completely lost his appetite. She sighed and put the bowl down again. “Poor dear,” she whimpered, “Oh, I hate to see you so sick.” She reached for the mask and picked it up, but just before she could put it on, Tracey spoke.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eCC3v5ftI
However, he was mumbling so it was hard to understand him. “Water,” he mumbled weakly.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kXMcX8Jsl
“What?” asked Selene, and she lowered the mask.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7MM7Asy1Z
“Water,” repeated Merlin’s apprentice.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wvGCMRVtY
Selene couldn’t understand him, “Sorry, dear, but I don’t know what you’re trying to say.” She patted her ear to make sure her hearing aid was on, which it was, and she leaned in close to Tracey so she could hear him better. However, then she heard Gina. She was squawking silently, and she was calling to Selene. Now, Selene heard her. She pulled her head away from Tracey and turned to her, asking, “Yes, Gina?” Gina was now standing next to a cup of water, and she tapped it with her beak which the cup gave off a small ding when she did. Selene finally understood the message. She gasped and said, “Water! Of course!” She punched her palm with her right fist, “He’s thirsty! Oh, well I don’t blame him. He’s been sweating like a fountain. Thank you, Gina.” Gina nodded.
Selene soon got up and approached her next. While she was picking up the cup of water, Gina opened her wings and soared back over to Tracey.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWXRqNhqxA
She landed next to his head and peered into his face. “I’m right here, Tracey,” she chirped.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSYMw5pL7h
“Gina.” Tracey weakly spoke. He tried to pet her, but he didn’t have enough strength to even lift his hand. Gina rubbed her head up against his own to tell him that yes, she was right there.
Selene soon returned to Merlin’s apprentice, and sitting next to him, she brought the cup of water to his lips.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBuIsmQ5j1
“Here’s some water, Tracey,” she told him, “Drink up.” With his eyes still closed, Tracey feebly lifted his head and took a few sips from the cup. Now, he didn’t refuse to drink, he just refused to eat. Selene managed to crack a small smile, “That’s it, my boy. Drink up. You’re very thirsty.” Tracey was. Who knew sweating would make you this thirsty? He drank the entire cup of water, and once he finished, his head fell back and landed on his pillow again. Selene put the oxygen mask over his nose and mouth again and told him, “Breathe deeply.” Tracey obeyed. Selene tucked him in, and after tucking him in, she saw that he had happened opened his eyes, however they were pretty much just slits. She decided to test something. While Gina continued to rub up against Tracey’s head, Selene held two fingers up to his face and asked, “Tracey, how many fingers am I holding up?” Tracey studied the fingers.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jkXRtc4NV
Finally, he asked, “Six?” and closed his eyes.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7IBh03jxE
“Oh dear.” Selene said in a soft voice. She lowered her hand, “You’re very dizzy, Tracey. Don’t try to get up. Please.” She rubbed his forehead, “Dear, why are humans so mean to you? Tell me. How did you receive that arm injury?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymLAq3ohCo
“He punched me.” Tracey mumbled, and he moaned, turning his head to the right.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHsYBG2xpX
Selene understood what he was saying here but just barely. “Punched you?!” she yelped, “Who punched you?! It wasn’t Makenna was it?!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D2rHOJBZZ
“No. It was him. Bruce. Peter’s friend. He told him to do it.” Tracey almost sounded like he was about to cry. His voice was broken.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUMMdCYqYg
“Peter Nelson and Bruce?” asked Selene, “You mean the boys I saved last night?! Peter Nelson as in Makenna’s so-called boyfriend? They’re the ones bullying you?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRyBhYEiWh
“Yes,” mumbled Tracey. A few tears ran down his cheeks and hit the mask he wore. Gina rubbed other tears away with her beak. Aside from sick, Tracey was also pretty depressed.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FtlMn6uwf
Selene said, “Shh,” and she continued to rub his forehead, “Don’t worry, kid, I’ll talk with Makenna when she comes. You’re going home this evening. I promise. For now, I don’t want you to say anything else. I want you to sleep. You need to sleep. Don’t worry, Gina and I are right here.” Gina plopped down and cuddled up to her friend again. Selene took Tracey’s left hand and rubbed it. While she was rubbing it, she peered out a porthole and sarcastically said, “This just gets better and better.”
Makenna Delling had a very interesting day at school Wednesday.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnzO9rnkEO
She arrived early and tried to hide her face behind her hand, because she knew she was the top witness for the incident the day before, but a few kids recognized her and yelled, “It’s Makenna Delling!” pointing at her. They hurried to her, and a crowd surrounded the fairy.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eTCM1gWyN
She was hammered with questions: “Makenna, what exactly happened yesterday?!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYC0nRvL1O
“Did your friend have a seizure?!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe55LejN6zn
“What was the cause of the collapse?!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1RKfMKgcI
“Shut up!” Makenna shouted at them. Her head was burning. However, the crowd continued to hammer her. Makenna was forced to the ground, and she took deep breaths. The crowd around her was getting bigger. “Is he coming back?” asked another freshman. Stressed out Makenna finally shouted, “HE LEFT ME! HE’S IN THE ER! HE’S VERY SICK! THAT’S THE NEWS, ALL RIGHT?!” She yelled at the tops of her lungs, “HELP!! HELP!! SOMEBODY PLEASE!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhZYSUzzFW
“Hey, hey, hey!” a sudden voice yelled from behind, “Leave her alone!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpLgYFp6fk
“Huh?” asked Makenna. She removed her head from between her legs and looked up and into the crowd. Somebody was pushing their way through it. Believe it or not, but it was Jimmy Carter! Makenna’s eyes widened, “Jimmy Carter.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBp4y8m6hD
Jimmy shooed the crowd away and told them, “Disperse, disperse! Take it easy on her! She’s had a rough week!” The crowd obeyed and started to leave Makenna. She was staring. She was staring at Jimmy. This seriously wasn’t Jimmy Carter, right? It was. It was Jimmy Carter.
Once the crowd was officially gone, he sighed and approached Makenna,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMzXunuFWe
“Sorry, Fairy Girl.” He offered her his hand, “I just saw you cornered, so I came over to help you out.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QAWAesJab
“Thank you, Jimmy,” said Makenna, speechless.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapP77wknP4
She took his hand, and Jimmy pulled her to her feet. “No problem,” he said, “It’s strange, I didn’t think you’d be here today. I thought you would want to spend the day with Tracey.” Now that he mentioned it, Makenna did feel a little bit bad about leaving Tracey behind with an 8,000-year-old fairy.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI0a1xT5Ad
However, she refused to admit that she actually did like him. “The thing is, Jimmy,” she told him, “I have a date to the Sprit Week Dance, and I need to meet with him today and talk about what I should wear.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z2UxGa9Jl
“Ooh la, la,” spoke Jimmy, and he smirked, “Who’s your date?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB44l7S5Wf
Makenna became excited, and she announced, “Peter Nelson!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6G0JiLB8W
Jimmy Carter’s eyes widened, “Peter Nelson?! Are you crazy, Fairy Girl?! You chose to go to the dance with Peter Nelson?!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Zvk8Cds2
Makenna chuckled nervously. “Yeah,” she spoke, “Why? Why do you seem so uncomfortable?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnVZk9Muy0
“Peter Nelson is a jerk!” Jimmy suddenly spat out, “Do you not even know what he does to girls?!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Np4y3lbVa
“What do you mean?” asked Makena. There was a pinch of nervousness in her system. She didn’t understand what Jimmy meant by,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt166YvHyhO
“Peter’s a jerk.” However, he soon told her.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjbZTDXDzF
He explained, “It’s all a game. He chooses a girl to toy with. He makes her think he loves her. Then, when he has the chance, usually during a big event, like a school event, he dumps them and punches them six feet underground!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvJQriRbxS
“Where did you hear that nonsense?!” asked Makenna, “What are you talking about, Jimmy? Peter’s a very sweet boy!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuim2rfE1q
Jimmy shook his head, “No he’s not, Makenna. Trust me, I know. Peter is one of the most, if not the most, nastiest bully in the entire school!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzt5XFTOUZ
“Bully?!” yelled Makenna, and her mind returned to Tracey, “He’s not a bully!” She didn’t want to believe it, but what if Jimmy was telling her the truth? Peter was a little mean to Tracey. However, he couldn’t be bullying him, right? Makenna hesitated. Finally, she shook her head and said, “I don’t believe you, Jimmy. Peter is not who you think he is. You’re the one who’s twisted.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h4XPyCLs9
“No, Makenna.” Jimmy said, “You are. Fine. Go ahead and go to the dance with Peter, but please, watch your back.” With that, he turned on his heel and left her. Right after he did, here came Jessica.
She stopped next to her friend holding a cup of coffee and said, “Hey, Makenna.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBno3C3yKtC
Makenna jumped, “Jessica!” and she snapped out of her doze and turned to her.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyojJlvDNvr
“Was that Jimmy Carter?” Jessica questioned her.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthvFhSJWGM
She took a sip from her cup of coffee, and Makenna told her, “Yeah. He was just telling me a few things about the dance coming up.” She was too shy to tell her the things Jimmy told her about Peter. Now that she thought of it, she really didn’t want to be at school today.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2siTuel5x
Jessica, who was dressed up as Merida from Brave, next asked her, “Where’s Tracey? Is he okay? Is he coming back?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeMubO3uIL
“Not today.” Makenna answered, and she turned her head, “I don’t want to talk about it, Jessica.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIjpPGf2L9
“Hey, Makenna,” another sudden voice spoke from out of nowhere. It was Peter Nelson! Makenna gasped when she saw him. Peter, who was still a little shaken up by the siren attack the previous day, approached her and asked, “Where’s Ninja Boy?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Vimf3rKBx
Makenna glared, “He’s not coming, okay? He’s sick! They took him off to the hospital! And his name is Tracey!” She was still pretty stressed out.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcpOysFuvz
Peter Nelson held up his hands and said, “Excuse me.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJCE1pldEP
“I’m sorry, Pete.” Makenna apologized, and she rested her hand on his shoulder, “I’m just not in a good mood today. I want to be left alone right now.” Without another word, she passed Jessica and Peter and headed toward the school’s front door. However, before she entered it, she stopped and lowered her head. Behind, Jessica gave Peter a little nudge, and he glanced at her. Jessica nodded and pointed in the direction of Makenna. Peter took in the message.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLZuDyzi1e
He said, “All right, Jessica,” and left her. Jessica watched.
Peter Nelson soon approached Makenna, and he stopped behind her.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vo0798Pwg
He opened his mouth to speak, but Makenna, sensing that he was behind her, spoke instead, “I’m not upset.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSIHPpXbOf
“Okay,” uttered Peter. He clenched his fists and turned his head away from Makenna.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡese7AKYodI
She gripped her arm and sighed sadly. Then, turning to her crush, she asked, “Is that a bad thing?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyJjBSHiHg
“Probably.” Peter admitted, “I mean, your friend is in the hospital. He probably screwed up Spirit Week pretty good.” Makenna closed her eyes. She finally couldn’t take it anymore. Bursting into tears, she fell into Peter’s arms, and his eyes widened.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEg0wiEe5l
He let his arms dangle and turned his head to the left.
After a few minutes, he lifted his hands and returned Makenna’s hug. She couldn’t believe he was one of the nastiest bullies at her school. Not Peter Nelson.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulK3IiFQyx
While he was hugging her, he asked, “Hey, Makenna, if it will make you feel better, after school, do you want me to take you to Freshfields and help you pick out a dress for the dance?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7haLiAC2Zw
“A dress?” Makenna whimpered.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf01xc2N5rV
She disconnected and looked Peter in the eyes. “Yeah,” he spoke, and he rubbed tears from her cheeks, “We can spend the entire afternoon together if it will make you feel better. I’ll help you pick out a dress, and once I do, we can have dinner at Bohicket and walk the marina. Since Nin, I mean, Tracey isn’t with us, it will make things much easier.” Makenna chuckled.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqapgTQLmt
She always felt good when she was with Peter Nelson. “Sure, Pete,” she flirtingly told him, “Sure. I’ll spend the afternoon with you.” Of course, she would agree to go with Peter. She finished with, “That will make me much happier. Do you want to meet at the pond again?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLShKDflniF
“Sure. Like last time, would 4:30 work?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaxvkeVm8R
Makenna nodded, “Yeah. Yeah it will. Mom will be at a meeting, Caleb will be at soccer practice, and Dad will be at the field with him, so it’ll be perfect. This will be fun, Pete.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MY6BmCBmn
“Yeah. It will.” Peter Nelson and Makenna hugged again. During the hug though, Peter was performing his same regular evil smile. He had Makenna right where he wanted her.
Makenna’s day at school that day, like the day before, was pretty rough, but what kept her going throughout the day was the thought that Peter Nelson would be taking her out on a date that afternoon. She didn’t focus her attention at all on Tracey. She focused it on Peter instead. Makenna was crazy about him.
That afternoon after school, when Michelle, Mrs. Delling, dropped her off home and got ready for her meeting, she told Makenna, “Now, Makenna, I’ll be back in a few hours. Caleb and your dad should be back in another hour. While I’m gone, I would like you to do your homework.” She was fixing herself a snack in the kitchen with Makenna sitting in front of her at the countertop when she said this. Her fourteen-year-old daughter was rubbing her freaky, blue fingernails with a cuticle pusher and paying her no attention.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mHO2YIgEY
However, she pretended she was listening. “Okay, Mom,” she said, “Sure.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiArat46Qiw
Mrs. Delling slightly glared at her. “I mean it, Makenna,” she spoke, “I know you’re going to take Tracey back to Merlin’s Island later, but before you do, I want you to get your homework done. Be careful going back now okay? Tell Tracey that I hope he gets better soon.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3XrZ8Yntq
“Sure, Mom.” Makenna spoke, still paying her no attention, “Bye, bye. Have fun at your meeting.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgeGKAHlGk
“Very well.” Mrs. Delling sighed. She picked up her bag and headed toward the door, “There’s mac and cheese and soup in the cabinet if you get hungry. I’ll be home in just a little while. Caleb and your dad will be back in an hour okay?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAzTnZA2ZP
“Goodbye, Mom.” Makenna said, “I don’t want you to be late for your meeting.” Michelle again sighed. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. She finally just waved goodbye and turned the knob of the door, opening it. Then, she slipped outside and closed it behind.
Right after she did, Makenna threw down the cuticle pusher and leaped up from the countertop.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8MpQlGev5
“Homework?” she asked. She scoffed, “Yeah right. I’m Makenna Delling, and Makenna Delling doesn’t do homework! She goes on dates with Peter Nelson!” The young fairy quickly rushed into the hallway bathroom and fixed her hair. Afterwards, she went up to her room and pulled out her wallet and a blue purse. She put the strap of the purse over her shoulder and admired herself in the mirror. Makenna blew her reflection a kiss and winked. Then she checked her digital clock and saw that it was 4:20. She should probably go ahead and head out. She didn’t want to be late like last time. Since no one was home, she wasn’t trapped in her room this time. She didn’t have to dive out the window. Makenna was able to exit from merely the front door. Therefore, she did.
Before she knew it, she found herself standing on the top stair of the front staircase, with the door wide open behind her, and she smiled in the direction of the Gator Pond. She actually beat Peter to it this time. Makenna arrived about five minutes before he did. While she waited for him, she sat on the bench and watched the pond, the birds, and the alligators. Makenna sighed. It was so beautiful.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4uo4HwhRU
She soon looked into the sky, and she saw that it was clouding up. “Hm,” she observed, “it appears we may get a storm later.” Makenna shivered. If a storm was coming, she sure hoped it wouldn’t be as crazy as the last one that hit the island when she first became a fairy. After observing the sky for just a little bit longer, young Makenna got up and sauntered over to the edge of the Gator Pond. She peered down on some ripples, a sign that a fish just dove underwater, and when the ripples eased, she saw her reflection. Makenna stared at her reflection. It actually looked a little bit sad. The young Metamorphic Fairy held her breath. “Tracey,” she spoke. Next to her reflection, she thought she saw the reflection of Merlin’s apprentice. To him, Makenna added with, “Sorry, my friend, I guess I’ve been nothing but a giant fairy amateur lately huh?” She reached for Tracey’s reflection, “I’ll try. I’ll try to protect you from the Octopus Man, but I don’t know if I can.” She sniffed, “I hope you forgive me for being such a jerk.”
“Who are you talking to?” asked a sudden voice behind her. Peter Nelson. He had just arrived at the Gator Pond, and he was hovering behind Makenna’s back.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CX68R092V
When she heard his voice, Makenna gasped, and not recognizing that it was Peter’s, she placed her hands to her lips and asked, “Are you the spirit of the lake?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshcShbyd8k
Peter chuckled, “It depends on how you look at it. Are you performing a telepathic conversation with Ninja Boy? You have quite the relationship with him huh?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQBUt6JnuT
“Of course, we’re a little close, Lake Spirit.” Makenna spoke, “Don’t you get it? We’re very alike. Why do you ask?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0SfDkPBWN
Peter rolled his eyes and ordered, “Would you turn around?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrldZmBTMWp
“Sure,” said Makenna. She turned, and her eyes landed on Peter, “Oh hey, Pete.” She turned back to the lake, “One more thing, Lake Spirit, do you know that at sunset, I’ll pop my…!” She gasped, “Peter Nelson!” and she whirled around to Peter who was staring confusingly at her.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolKKZPsewx
“Pop your what?” he asked.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJS0J7SSLn
Makenna chuckled nervously, “Nothing. I have a tendency to go into La La Land every so often, Pete. You understand right? What I meant to say was that, who cares about Ninja Boy when I have you?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G2XUOBqp6
“That’s right,” chuckled Peter, “I thought that was what I heard. Are you prepared to go on our date?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYK2LiTuWd
Makenna grinned, “Heck yeah! I’ve been looking forward to this all day! How are we going to get there? Are we going to take your bicycle?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P3CGrK6pm
“No.” Peter shook his head, “We’re going to take my car, Makenna.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02H9TZzrVI
“Car?” questioned the Metamorphic Fairy, “You mean, you have your own car now?!” She was super jealous.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs3FyN9m5y
She wished she had her own car! “Of course.” Peter answered, “I’m seventeen, Makenna. Well, are we going or not?” Makenna didn’t speak. She just nodded quickly.
Peter Nelson soon took her by the hand, and he pulled her over to the road where his car was waiting. At the sight of it, Makenna’s mouth dropped to the ground. He really did have his own car! It wasn’t exactly fancy; it was a normal, teenage-styled car that was red, but Makenna didn’t mind. Peter opened the door for her, and Makenna thanked him. She climbed into the car and squealed. She couldn’t believe she was actually sitting in Peter Nelson’s car! He soon got in on the driver’s side, and he smiled at the fairy.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8KlyVBuSR
Then, eyes landing on her ears, he checked them and chuckled. “Um,” he said, and he pointed at Makenna’s left ear, “You know you only have one earring, right?” Makenna felt her ear. She did.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZVgpZDyl9
She was missing her left dolphin stud earring. “Right,” she flirtingly said, and grinning, she took out her right earring, “Who cares?” and threw it out the car door which the earring landed on the road, “For now, let’s go to Freshfields and have some fun.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbB5MCM84B
“Sure,” said Peter. He turned on the car, and buckling up, Makenna pulled her door shut. She squealed again, and hearts appeared on her eyes. Before she knew it, Peter Nelson turned onto the main road, and they drove down it and headed toward the club as well as the Seabrook Island Stables, Bohicket, and Freshfields. Peter Nelson and Makenna Delling’s so-called date had officially begun.
Freshfields Village was located on the border of Seabrook and Kiawah Island. It was a stylish, unique town center mix of shopping, dining, and service establishments. Lots of buildings inhabited the town, and a lot of different activities went on there. Freshfields was one of Makenna’s favorite places to go to, aside of North Beach and Bohicket. She was pretty excited. In less than ten minutes, Peter Nelson turned into Freshfields and parked on the side of it, in a parking space next to a large pond.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjqUmjSkKT
He turned off the car and asked, “Are you ready, Makenna?” to the Metamorphic Fairy.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXSHkuCBbb
She quickly nodded yes. Slowly, she opened the door and hopped out of the car. Momentarily, she peered at the pond. Soon though, Peter Nelson approached her, and he offered Makenna his hand.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUFDf8BGnN
She took it, and Peter pulled her forward. “Where do you want to go first?” he asked, “Lots of these stores here have nice dresses in them.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiFdA5MUbq
“I really don’t care.” Makenna told him, “As long as I find the perfect dress.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqKGtxovTc
“You will.” Peter said, “I promise. You can be sure of that, Makenna. As long as you’re with me, you will find the perfect dress.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7rtrM8ivj
“I’m so excited.” Makenna squealed, “I don’t need Ninja Boy. All I need is you, Peter Nelson.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAerrvQurB
“Correct. Ninja Boy is ancient history now. Come on, let’s go.”
The first store Peter took Makenna Delling to was The Resort Shop. In there, they went through the rackets and tried to find a good dress. Makenna tried on three dresses, all of which were blue, since blue was her favorite color. However, none of the three dresses suited her. Peter, who was the one criticizing the dresses, said one was too long, one was too short, and one was way too fancy for a girl her age. Makenna listened to his criticism, of course. The Resort Store was soon scratched off the list. The next place Makenna was taken to was another clothes store known as J. McLaughlin. Peter Nelson had her sit in a chair and try on a few pair of hats and infinity scarves. At a couple points, he actually got so close to her that Makenna even kindly asked him to move further away from her. From J. McLaughlin, she bought a couple hats and scarves, all of which she thought were really cute, but no dress. Peter Nelson was right. Spending the afternoon with him really did lift Makenna’s spirits. At one point, while they were leaving J. McLaughlin, she couldn’t help herself.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3JIeInGc9
She opened her mouth and yelled, “Hello!” to all the people shopping in it. They heard her, and heads turned toward young Makenna and Peter. Peter was blushing. He was embarrassed.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oGJpPnbOs
However, the shoppers smiled at them and said, “Hello,” back. Makenna waved.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFHRhYYr8f
Then, turning to Peter, she asked, “What? Can’t a fourteen-year-old have fun too?” Quickly, embarrassed Peter grabbed her wrist and pulled her out the door. Before long, he was chasing Makenna down the road, who was going toward an ice cream creamery known as Marble Slab Creamery, and she held tons of shopping bags in her hands, and a pair of sunglasses were over her eyes. When she saw the creamery, she stopped and smiled at it.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD7v8PEXmj
Peter Nelson soon joined her, with his hands on his knees, and he said, “Whew, you sure run fast, Makenna.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYctQnTmDW
“Uh huh.” Makenna said. She continued to stare at the creamery.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2NZF2XcFc
Peter soon saw what she was staring at, and he asked her, “Do you want some ice cream?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IdbtfOESG
Makenna glanced at him. “Yes,” she squeaked. That was that. Peter took her inside to the creamery, and after Peter ordered his ice cream, it was Makenna’s turn. He waited for her.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzEh6K4g15
To the lady serving the ice cream, Makenna asked her, “By any chance, do you have any type of ice cream that doesn’t have nuts in it?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpZ4ksGCrm
“Nuts?” asked the lady. Peter turned on a bewildered face. He lifted his eyebrow, and his eyes landed on Makenna.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmElAn1Ii16
She nodded, “Yeah, you see,” She chuckled, “I’m allergic to nuts.” To Makenna’s luck, there were ice cream flavors that didn’t have nuts in them.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGslAcxBzd
As the lady fixed her cone, Peter approached her and asked, “You’re allergic to nuts, Makenna?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXS6yzhff4
“Yeah.” Makenna admitted. She fixed her eyes on her crush, “I’m highly allergic to nuts, Pete. It stinks. When I was in 6th Grade, I had an anaphylactic reaction to nuts, and I do not want to have another one.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3P5knEOpg
“An anaphylactic reaction?” questioned Peter. He rubbed his bare chin, “Really?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQL5gtCchi
“Yeah,” said Makenna, and she thanked the lady who had just handed her her ice cream cone. Peter already had his. After paying, as the two were leaving, Makenna licked her ice cream cone and smiled. Peter too was smiling, but he was smiling very evilly.
He turned his head away from Makenna so she wouldn’t see his face.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxot88PhRa
In his head, he told himself, She’s allergic to nuts! Perfect! So, she does have a weak point! This suddenly got so much easier. I would love to see and anaphylactic reaction. He chuckled a small, evil chuckle. However, he quickly returned to his nice self when he saw that Makenna had looked at him. While they were eating their ice cream outside sitting at a table, Peter looked like he was thinking. He wanted to clarify something with Makenna, but he didn’t know the best time to ask her. Perhaps Bohicket would be best? He didn’t know. He wanted to find a time to suck the truth out of Makenna. He was a little suspicious of her. He had a feeling that she knew Tracey was a fairy, and something inside told him that she may be one too. Peter ate his ice cream in silence, but Makenna scarfed hers down. After enjoying some ice cream, the two teens next went to another store, this one was known as Aubergine Home Collection, and there, they played with the cooking supplies and beds. They spent a good while in Freshfields, but Makenna never did find the dress she wanted to wear to the dance. Finally, she gave up because she was getting hungry. The last store Peter Nelson took her too was a book store known as Indigo Books. There, they read the first chapter from most of the books in the teen section and even checked out a few biography and history books.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7eS54anAT
The storekeeper, who was getting ready to close for the night, couldn’t help but to tell them, “Aw, you two make the perfect couple.” Her statement caused Makenna to blush, as well as Peter.
Finally, late afternoon rolled in. By this time, clouds were really starting to build up in the sky, but the rays of the setting sun shone on them, so it was pretty for the time being. Bohicket Marina, where Peter took Makenna out to eat, was on the way to Seabrook Island. It was a very beautiful yet eventful location. It was in a cluster of more shopping buildings and restaurants. From the marina, people had a perfect view of boats coming in and out. Peter Nelson and Makenna arrived at the marina at sunset, and they asked about a table. Unfortunately, they would have to wait a bit before they could eat. Since it was late afternoon, Bohicket was packed with people wanting to eat dinner there. For Peter and Makenna, it would be about a thirty-minute wait, but they didn’t really mind. While they were waiting for a table, they explored the back of the marina and momentarily watched a band and a few children playing cornhole. Bohicket was a great place to bring the kids. Makenna had had a wonderful afternoon, even though she didn’t really get a dress, and Peter made sure she got even more comfortable with him. If she got comfortable, then perhaps he would be able to pull a few secrets from that fragile, little head of hers that would help him discover hers and Tracey’s true identities. After watching cornhole and the band for a little bit, in the light of the sunset, Peter took Makenna down to the marina’s docks, and they together checked out the different boats. Makenna enjoyed looking at the boats. A few of the boats in the marina were sailboats, and just looking at them, Makenna was reminded of the shipwrecked sailboat on North Beach. She gasped. However, she quickly brought her focus back on Peter. No, she refused to take Tracey back to Merlin’s Island. She just wanted to be with her so-called boyfriend.
Makenna had no knowledge about love. She just did whatever her girl instincts told her to do. On the other hand, Tracey had been tutored about love by Merlin the Great and Gina, so he was much more knowledgeable about it than Makenna was. Then again though, he was three years older than her. The point was, Tracey knew when somebody, a boy or a girl, was just a big joke. He could distinguish the difference between bad boys and girls vs. good boys and girls. Makenna couldn’t. It was very easy to pull her into a trap, unlike Tracey.
She and Peter Nelson sat together at the end of the dock, and they listened to the band and birds. Bohicket was beautiful at sunset. Makenna Delling ran her fingertips through the marina’s warm water and sighed.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCwLkDF0hd
Peter Nelson finally decided to have her fess up. “Makenna,” he sternly spoke, and Makenna glanced at him,227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqbdy7ErFM
“Yes, Peter?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwXnsIASyX
“You have some explaining to do.” Peter said, “I want you to be honest. Since I first saw him, I’ve been kind of suspicious. I have a feeling that Ninja Boy, your friend, may be a fairy.” Makenna’s eyes widened with fear. She shivered. “Is he?” asked Peter. Oh snap, Makenna was in a tight spot. How did Peter figure out? He kept on pressuring her to talk, but luckily, the sunset saved the Metamorphic Fairy.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFcTzreTx1
Makenna opened her mouth to speak, but then, her eyes landed on the pink and orange sky, and she gasped, whispering, “Sunset. It’s already sunset? Uh oh.” She turned to Peter, “I have to go, Peter.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yuAiRuNAr
“What?” Peter asked, “Again? What about dinner? You haven’t even answered my question yet!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEnW1gr9y3
Makenna again shivered. “Sorry, Peter,” she shakily spoke, and she stood up, “but I’ve stayed too long. I have to go home. I’m sure my parents are worried sick. Let’s do dinner another time, okay?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBMwQQLaNk
“Uh, okay.” Peter said. He was confused. Why did Makenna always have to leave at sunset? He asked her, “Do you want me to drive you home?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1BoQmYTgZ
“No.” Makenna quickly said in a somewhat country-like accent, “Goodbye, Peter. This is too complicated to explain. Here, I’m sure this will make you feel better.” Smiling, she leaned into Peter and kissed him! He gasped. His eyes widened. When Makenna pulled away, she chuckled flirtingly and jogged away from him, back down the dock. Left behind, Peter was in shock. He wasn’t even blinking. His jaw fell to the ground. Makenna really did think he loved her!
The Metamorphic Fairy scurried down the docks and tried to find a place to hide. She couldn’t transform in front of all these people! She peered down on her necklace pendant and saw that it was glowing, but it was strange, it wasn’t glowing as brightly as it usually did. It was almost as if, the pendant was losing its magic. Makenna soon scurried up a ramp that took her back to the marina’s yard, and she leaped on it. Her eyes rotated everywhere as she looked for a place to hide. She searched and searched and searched, and then, she found something! An alleyway! It wasn’t far from her, – it was near the band and cornhole game – but it was dark and a perfect place to hide and transform! Makenna hurried toward it.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pEr179vU4
She pushed through crowds of people and said, “Excuse me, excuse me!” It was time for her to go back to North Beach, and even though she didn’t want to do it, she had to take Tracey back to Merlin’s Island. She had to get there fast too or else Selene would track her down. Makenna really wasn’t reminded of Tracey until she saw the sailboat in the marina. She soon reached the alleyway, and she checked her surroundings to make sure the coast was clear. It was. Makenna made it right on time. The second she disappeared into the alleyway, she transformed! Suddenly, like before, she glowed up and was lifted into the sky. Makenna’s hair waved. She blinked, and the light pink eye shadow reappeared on her upper eyelids as well as the blue highlights in her hair. Her hair also grew and braided itself again. The Metamorphic Fairy was soon covered in blanket of blue magic, and she crossed her arms over her chest. She soared forward, and a blanket of blue magic trailed behind her. While she soared, she twirled a few times. Before long, like before, at the same time, her enormous, new wings popped out of her back, and the magic was sucked away from the fairy. Her metamorphosis was complete. She had officially transformed into a Level 2 Metamorphic Fairy again!
Makenna’s feet touched the concrete of the alleyway, and her wings dropped behind her back. She fell to her knees and took deep breaths. Seriously, was she always going to be this pooped whenever she transformed? It was strange, but Makenna’s new transformation was actually starting to lose a bit of its color! She was starting to grow pale, just like Tracey. Selene had been correct. Since Makenna had not given her act of true metamorphosis yet, she was starting to be drained of magic and power. However, she was still strong enough to fly and think straight.
After recovering from her exhausting transformation, she stood up and lifted her wings, flapping them. Since she had changed enough to get them to listen to her now, she was lifted into the air, but she wobbled a bit on midair. Flying was still a bit unusual to her. Makenna thought fast about what she should do in order to hide her fairy self when she flew out to Bohicket’s parking lot. Then, she remembered hearing about a spell called the Shrinking Spell. Makenna decided to perform that. She closed her eyes and thought about becoming small. It was unbelievable, but she did it!227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTiNOGSW9X
Before long, Makenna shrunk down to two inches tall, and she gasped when she saw that she had done it. “I did it,” she said, “I managed to perform another spell. Don’t worry, Tracey, I’m coming.” She looked down on her now paler transformation and gulped, “Why am I losing my color?” She remembered Selene’s warning that she was going to be a dead fairy if she didn’t give her act of true metamorphosis by Friday. No, Makenna wasn’t dying! She didn’t believe she was. She was just shaken up by all the chaos happening in the past week. She flapped her wings and lifted higher and higher into the air. While she climbed, she examined the walls of the buildings she was flying between. Before she knew it, Makenna Delling soon appeared over the cluster of buildings. She examined the parking lot and watched as adults and kids headed toward Bohicket. She took a deep breath, “All right, here goes,” and she soared out of the parking lot and toward North Beach. She had to hurry or else she would be facing Selene’s rage.
