Makenna Delling returned home that afternoon from school, after the first day of Spirit Week, in a really good mood. The time was 3:45. In just another forty-five minutes, she would be with Peter Nelson! Yeah, Makenna had homework, but she refused to do it. She had to get ready for Peter.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXELOkH1SiT
When her mother pulled into their garage at 3:45, Makenna quickly unbuckled and grabbed her book bag. “Thank you, Mom!” she announced, and she threw open the door of the car, “Excuse me, but I have a lot of homework! Might as well go ahead and get it done!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7VqiAuFse
“Get a snack first, Makenna.” Mrs. Delling spoke, and she and Caleb Delling together fixed their attention on the excited fairy.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69pjiY4QbQ
“No problem, Mom!” Makenna cheered, and she leaped ten feet in the air, “I’ll go right away! Please do not disturb me until I finish my homework. Thank you! Yippee!” Makenna reached back to her backpack and unzipped it, sticking her hands inside. From the backpack, she pulled out three, blue, pink, and purple pencil cases, and grinning, she started to juggle them. “I love homework!” Makenna announced as she juggled, “Fun times! See ya later, Mom and Caleb! Ha ha!” She caught the pencil cases and jogged out of the garage.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTU3wy880f
Behind, Caleb and Mrs. Delling, who were left behind, exchanged glances, and Caleb said, “Hm, she’s rather chipper this afternoon. Why do you think that’s so, Mom?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHO17yQ0yg
“I’m not sure, Caleb.” Mrs. Delling admitted, and she pulled the keys out of the ignition, unbuckling herself, “Something definitely happened today at school.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl5hEaTfIl
“But what?” Caleb asked, “To me, it appears as if…” Here, he smiled, closed his eyes, and pulled his hands together, “Makenna’s in love.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgspwF5puk
“In love?!” Mrs. Delling yelped, and she peered back to her son, “In love with who?”
The second Makenna entered the front door of her house, she scurried to the kitchen and got an apple. Then, as she bit into the apple, she jogged up the stairs toward her room and jumped the last two steps. When she landed, she hurried to her room and opened the door, sprinting inside. The second she was inside, she dropped her book bag off her shoulder which it landed with a thud on the floor and closed the door, locking it.
Makenna pressed her back up against the door, and while she examined her room, she said, “This is my date with Peter Nelson! I’ve got to make sure I look beautiful!” Right after she announced that, she took her back off the door and got straight to work. She turned on some pop music on her boom box that sat on her desk and plopped her book bag down in the chair. Then, she scurried over to her closet and changed into her blue and white top and denim skirt. After she changed, she hurried over to her mirror and took her hair out of the high ponytail. Grabbing a brush, she started to brush out her hair, and as she brushed, her feet danced a little bit to the music coming from her boom box. Makenna soon pulled her hair back up into the high ponytail, and still staring at herself in the mirror, she put dark blue dolphin studs in her ears. Then she redid her makeup. When Makenna was finished and satisfied with her appearance, the last thing she put on was some perfume. Then, backing away from the mirror, she approached her boom box and replaced her heels with a pair of ballet slippers. Then, reaching for the boom box, she turned on some ballet music. Scurrying to the center of her room, she put herself in first position and waited. Then, she started to dance. She kicked her leg straight up and stood on the tippy tops of her toes. Her mother may have taken away her ballet lessons, but that didn’t mean that she could stop her from dancing. Makenna was an amazing ballerina. She jumped into the air and twirled, landing on her toes. Then, she acted out numerous jetes, A.K.A., midair splits, and when she landed, she twirled ten times on her toes. Makenna was having so much fun, she lost track of time. When finally, she stopped momentarily to take a breather, she glanced at her digital clock that sat on the dresser next to her bed, and she gasped. It was 4:30! 4:30 exactly! “4:30?!” Makenna asked, shocked, and she quickly turned off her boom box, “Oh snap, I’m late! Peter Nelson!” Quickly, she pulled off her ballet slippers and put her heels back on.
Panicking, Makenna jogged in place and tried to think of a way she could sneak out of the house. She wanted to keep her door locked, so she couldn’t exit from downstairs. For the time being, it appeared as if fourteen-year-old Makenna Delling was trapped in her room.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0IvuLRxKA
She said, “Oh no!” and reached for her head, “What am I supposed to do?! What am I supposed to do?! Think, Makenna, think!” She started to run in circles, and as she ran, she repeatedly smacked herself in the head. “Run in circles, Makenna!” yelped the Metamorphic Fairy, “Run in circles! Think of a solution! Wait a minute.” She stopped, and her eyes rolled over to the window in her room. Wasn’t Makenna a fairy? Gulping, she approached her window and pulled it up. A warm, spring breeze blasted through her room, and Makenna cautiously peered outside. Her eyes landed on the alligator pond, and she gasped at what she saw. Down below, standing next to a bench that was next to the pond with an orange bicycle next to him, was Peter Nelson! He was surveying the area like a coastguard, and Makenna knew that he was looking for her. “Peter Nelson!” she yelped, and her hands started to forcibly shake, “What should I do?!” She thought that if really and truly she was a fairy, she would probably be able to dive out of the window and catch herself, but Makenna was nervous to take the risk. What if she wasn’t a fairy? What if she went splattering in the driveway? She was scared, but no! She had to do this! She was brave!
Makenna made up her mind. She backed up to her door and focused ahead on her open window.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBGJvudi2o
She stood still for a few moments, taking deep breaths, and then, she lifted her hand over her head and yelled, “For Peter Nelson!” With that, she sprinted forward, toward the window, and dove out of it, literally dove out of it! Makenna started to fall, and she yelled when she saw that the driveway was getting closer and closer! “AHH!” she screamed, and she reached for her head, “I’VE COMMITED SUICIDE! HELP!!” She continued to fall and continued to scream. Then suddenly, out of the blue, her necklace pendant glowed up blue, and Makenna was outlined by blue magic. Her fall stopped an inch from hitting the driveway, and Makenna gasped. “What the?!” she asked. She checked her hands, “Wait, I’m flying! I’m flying!” Makenna was overwhelmed! She really was a fairy! However, she still did not have her wings. Makenna didn’t care though. She was still flying! Laughing, she closed her eyes and felt herself getting lifted into the air. Her dolphin studs, necklace pendant, and blue fingernails glittered in the sunshine, and Makenna floated forward. “This is amazing!” she announced, “I’m flying!” However, after a bit, sadly, her flight ended. Her necklace pendant ran out of juice, and Makenna could feel herself stopping. However, she was still grinning. Slowly and carefully, the necklace took her toward the ground, and Makenna watched as it came closer and closer. After a bit, she was dropped off, on her feet, in her driveway, and her necklace pendant stopped glowing. With a smile glued on her face, she reached down and grabbed ahold of the necklace pendant, saying, “Oh, thank you, necklace pendant! You are amazing! What would I do without you?” Letting go, she turned her head and peered back to her house to check that the coast was clear.
It was. Makenna soon lifted her hand, and she saluted at the house.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PYJRTKsog
Then, turning on her heel, she jogged to the end of the driveway, and she saw that she was facing the road, as well as the Gator Pond, bench, and Peter Nelson! “Eee!” Makenna squealed, and she looked both ways to make sure no cars were coming. None were. Makenna took a deep breath. Then, squealing again, she stepped onto the road and crossed it, heading toward Peter Nelson. “Hey, Pete!” she called, and she waved at him. Peter Nelson heard her.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFfeXygYj3
He asked, “Huh?” and turned his head. Immediately, at the sight of Makenna approaching him, he smiled and stood up straight.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdsDCODzpO
Makenna soon stopped in front of him, and out of breath, she said, “Hey, sorry I’m late.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGskB6I5TK
“Oh, you’re not late.” Peter said, and he waved his hand, “I was early. Here, I got these for you.” Makenna pulled her ponytail onto her shoulder, and she watched as Peter reached for the bench. She gasped when she saw that from the bench, he picked up a bouquet of beautiful, blue roses! “They’re a gift.” Peter told the Metamorphic Fairy, and he held the roses out to her.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqzZyFKwFK
“Oh, Peter.” Makenna said on the brink of tears, and she took the flowers, “They’re beautiful. Thank you.” She knew she was blushing.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGYgkG4BFI
“I thought you’d like them,” said Peter, and he scratched his beardless chin, “I got them for half off at Freshfields. Besides, I know blue is your favorite color.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMeVVtsa2H
“Thank you.” Makenna again said, and she and Peter hugged.
Before going to his house to meet his parents, they first spent a few moments at the pond. Peter Nelson took Makenna’s hand, and he tugged her over to the bench, sitting her down. Then, he sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Together, they stared at the Gator Pond, and Makenna sighed, saying, “I love this pond, Peter.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZruPg6RlT
“Yeah,” he said with a nod, “I do too. I feel right at home when I’m looking at it. Anyways, this is amazing.” He and Makenna met eyes, “I mean, in terms of, I didn’t even realize how close we lived to each other.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpizgyCrSl
“Same here.” Makenna voiced, and lifting the roses, she sniffed them, “It’s inconceivable. Mmm, these smell so good, Pete.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEFnVoN6Ez
Peter chuckled.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSESBRa7KT
Then, clearing his throat, he scratched his nose and asked, “Makenna, are you ready to meet my parents?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKDepmQDNU
“Well, I don’t know.” Makenna lovingly said, and resting her hand on her thigh, she stared into Peter’s eyes, “What do you think?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQoiPGfpdQ
“Why don’t we go ahead and go?” Peter asked her, and standing up from the bench, he approached his bicycle and grabbed ahold of it. Makenna squealed from where she sat. Peter soon rested his hands on the handlebars of the bike, and looking at Makenna, he told her, “Hop on, Makenna. I’ll give you a ride to my house.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2fH4bbzjz
“Seriously?!” Makenna asked him, and Peter nodded.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAD42ZD98T
“Sure,” he said, “I don’t think it’s fair to let you walk. These handlebars are very strong.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN3GhLhJn3
“Thank you.” Makenna spoke, and she stood up from the bench as well. Then, approaching Peter’s bike, she stood in front of its handlebars and grabbed ahold of them. Then, she hopped up, and she gasped when she saw that she was now literally sitting on the handlebars of Peter’s bike!199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTux0A0zCm
He mounted the bike next and said, “Hang on tight, Makenna.” Makenna did. “Are you ready?” inquired Peter. Makenna vigorously nodded. “Very well.” Peter said. He lifted his feet and rested them on the bicycle’s peddles, “Let’s go then!” He peddled forward, onto the road, and started down it. Makenna squealed, and wind blasted her hair and face as she sat. She was having so much fun! However, she was unaware that behind her, Peter was smiling in a somewhat evil way it seemed.
Makenna and Peter didn’t realize it, but high in the sky, flying overhead of Jenkins Point Road, surveying the area, was Tracey, Merlin’s young apprentice! He had made it to Seabrook Island only a short time ago, and already he had made it to Jenkins Point. He was on the search for Makenna.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYCXugsAqe
His eyes landed on the bike whizzing down the road – it was now gaining up on a bridge – and recognizing the person sitting on the handlebars of it, Tracey said, “Makenna!” and he soared down toward the bike. Momentarily, he landed in a tree and crouched down, grabbing ahold of a higher branch with his right hand. With his left, he pulled other branches aside and peered out at the bicycle. It had stopped, and Tracey noticed that Makenna and the other person she was with were peering into each other’s eyes, in a loving way. “Makenna!” Tracey whispered, “Don’t trust him! Don’t trust him!” He watched as Peter’s hand touched Makenna on the cheek, and he tried to kiss her, but Makenna pulled away. She wasn’t ready for a kiss yet. “That’s right, Makenna,” whispered Tracey, “Pull away.” The bike soon started forward again, and narrowing his eyebrows, serious Tracey reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out one of his ninja stars. He stuck it in between his teeth, and through ninja speed, he vanished into midair and appeared above the road. The bike was now crossing the bridge, and marshland surrounded it, Makenna, and Peter. It stopped, and together, the two lovebirds studied the marshland.
Peter told Makenna,199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiBYJvkz3W
“We’re almost there, Makenna. My house is just a little further down.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP0kZ5snkv
“Wow.” Makenna said, amazed, “You really do live far down Jenkins Point, Pete.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGcigCLCGw
“Yeah,” said Peter, and he started peddling forward again. Tracey was flying after them, equal to the bike’s height, and he was gaining up on it. Peter didn’t realize that there was a real fairy flying behind them. Tracey was very careful. For being a ninja, he was also very quiet and stealthy. Quietly, he pulled the ninja star out of his mouth, and with it, he targeted Peter’s back tire. However, shortly after he took aim, he was discovered, but it wasn’t by Peter. Makenna had a question for him.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi2HA4EzDP
She asked, “Hey, Pete?” and Peter inquired,199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UfSGNt5Rb
“Yes, Makenna?” Makenna turned her head and peered over her shoulder to look at him. She opened her mouth to speak, but just before she did, her eyes landed on Tracey flying behind the bicycle, and they widened. She gasped. Tracey soon lifted his head, and his eyes met Makenna’s eyes. His eyes widened as well, and he too gasped. Then, cracking a feeble smile, he waved at the Metamorphic Fairy and lowered his star.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvF6KbJeTd
“Tracey!” Makenna whispered, totally shocked, “Tracey, it’s you!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNgsY7QwLN
Taking one hand off the handlebar, she waved him away, and Peter asked her, “What’s wrong, Makenna? Is something behind me?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhIJ2sHzjO
“No!” Makenna whispered in a frightened voice. However, Peter stopped the bicycle, and as quick as a flash, Tracey flew straight up and out of sight. However, he dropped his ninja star in the process, and it landed with a clang on the cement.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw668AVjWH
Peter soon asked Makenna, “Did you hear a flapping sound, Makenna?” Quickly, he peered back behind him to the empty road, and when he wasn’t looking, Makenna sighed with relief. Then, she peered into the sky and saw Tracey hovering. She cracked a grin. It was Tracey! It was really Tracey, Merlin’s apprentice! He was all right! He had survived the magic coma!199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfNZJGUWft
However, quickly she lost her smile and lowered her head when she saw that Peter had turned back. “That was so strange,” he said, and he peered into the sky, but Tracey had disappeared through ninja speed. Peter was only looking at beautiful, blue skies and cumulus clouds. “I thought that maybe a bird had gotten caught up in the bike’s tire. Oh well.” He lowered his head and focused in on Makenna who was staring at the side of the bridge, “Are you ready, Makenna? We’re getting close. Makenna?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aST7cjYDS
“Huh?” Makenna asked. Quickly, she pulled her eyes away from the side of the bridge and turned her head, gluing her attention on Peter instead, “Oh yes, I’m ready, Peter.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfNX730br1
“All right then!” Peter cheered, and he peddled forward again. While he peddled, Makenna locked her eyes on the continuous road and smiled to herself.
Soon after she and Peter vanished from sight, Tracey popped up from behind the bridge’s side, and his fingertips gripped it.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAresyVEE2
He smiled. “Ah,” he said, and he waved his hand, “that always works. Speed and stealth are essential for a fairy.” He focused his eyes forward on the area where he had dropped his star, and extending his hand, he reached for it. Green and purple sparkles escaped his fingertips, and they soared over the star, starting to circle it. The sparkles picked it up and threw it back toward Tracey. He caught it and said, “No way am I going to let that happen again, partner.” He slipped the star into his pocket and prepared to fly over the bridge, but a screech behind him caught his attention. “Huh?” asked the young fairy. Letting go of the bridge’s side, he turned around, and he saw that in the marsh, staring at him, with widened eyes, was a Great Blue Heron. It was wading in the water, and it wasn’t even blinking. It was only staring at the fairy. Tracey chuckled nervously, and waving his hand, he said, “How,” to the bird in his best manly voice, “Me gotta go. Me gotta save me friend. Return to your wading please.” The heron continued to stare at him. Tracey soon turned back to the bridge, and he checked his surroundings to make sure the coast was clear. When he was sure it was, he fluttered over the side of the bridge and focused ahead on the direction the bike had gone into. “All right, Makenna,” he seriously said, “Where are you going?” Drawing his star again, he flapped his wings and flew in the direction the bike had gone into.
Peter’s house was located toward the very end of Jenkins Point, and like Makenna’s house, it was backed up to the marsh. Trees, such as palm trees, bushes, and flowers surrounded the house, and it had a fairly long driveway. It was a large but beautiful house. Like her house, the garage was under it, and it had a huge, white staircase that led to the front door of the house. It was two stories tall, and it had two decks, a lower deck, which was on the first story, and a higher deck, which was on the second story. On the higher deck on the second story, hanging from the ceiling, were two fans. The house was painted olive green, it was outlined by white, and its roof was brown. It truly was a very pretty house.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNsH0h0RiP
Makenna said, “Wow,” at the sight of it, and Peter told her,199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7eBEKdgsh
“Here we are.” He turned his bicycle into the driveway and started down it. While he peddled, he waved at an auburn-haired woman, dressed in gardening clothes, who was working in the garden and called, “Hey, Mom, I’m back! I’ve brought Makenna Delling too!” His mother, who was named Liana, heard him and lifted her head. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she rubbed sweat from her forehead. At the sight of Peter coming toward her, she smiled and dropped the shovel. Then she stood up in the garden and pulled her gloves off.
Tracey, who had also made it to Peter’s house, peeped up from the roof of it, and he surveyed the area. Then, through ninja speed, he appeared behind a tree that hovered over the garden and landed on a branch in it, behind other branches and leaves, and he was well hidden. Like before in the last tree, he slightly pulled the leaves and branches aside and peered down on Peter’s mother.
Peter soon pulled his bicycle up to his mother, and stopping it, he put down the kickstand and saluted at her,199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfIt6JZQyJ
“Sergeant Peter Nelson has just returned from the front line, ma’am, and I’ve brought a friend along too.” Makenna chuckled flirtingly, and she reached for her teeth. Peter was so hot. He hopped off of the bike and approached her, offering her his hand. “Meet Makenna Delling,” he told his mother, and Makenna took his hand. Peter pulled her off the bike’s handlebars, and she landed on her feet in the driveway.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOZT7b5iEM
“How do you do, Miss Delling?” Liana asked her, and stepping out of the garden, she approached Makenna, and they shook hands. “Terrific, ma’am.” Makenna politely said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your son Peter is a wonderful guy.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Wy9snmgm
“Thank you,” said Mrs. Nelson, and she let Makenna’s hand go, “So I understand, Makenna, you live next to the alligator pond close to Jenkins Point’s exit?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEapR4WXf9
“Yes, ma’am,” spoke the Metamorphic Fairy, “I live with my parents and my younger brother Caleb. I love to surf and dance.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN5OAL2iTo
“Yeah,” Liana said, nodding, “Peter’s told me. Please.” She gestured at the huge, white staircase and front door, “Come inside. Allow me to get you a drink.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9SXdvMbpK
“Thank you, ma’am,” voiced Makenna, and backing away from Liana, Peter Nelson stretched out his arm and forced her to lock arms with him. Makenna blushed.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TsbgHBfU8
“We’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Makenna.” Mrs. Nelson spoke, and she started up the stairs before Makenna and Peter, “We want to make sure you’re taking good care of our little Peter.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXfYayUp7G
“Mom.” Peter said blushing, and Makenna chuckled, “Not in front of my date.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioT1bMeGtO
“Peter happens to be the youngest in the family,” explained his mother, and she stopped halfway up the stairs, resting her hand on the railing. She peeped down to Peter and Makenna, who were standing at the base of the staircase, and added, “His older brother, Coby, is a junior at Clemson, and his sister, Nikki, is currently living on Prince Edward Island. Little Peter is an only child now. He’s the baby.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudV9Y56hzF
“Mom.” Peter again said, and his cheeks flushed. He gestured at the front door, “Can we just move on?” and forcibly pulled Makenna close to him.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIHQGcbRbG
She stumbled and whispered, “Ow.”
Tracey, who had noticed this from his branch, growled, and he aimed his ninja star at Makenna’s so-called boyfriend.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TlciIYQxZ
“Let go of her,” he whispered, “You’re disgusting.” He tightened his grip on a branch he had pulled aside and took a step forward on the branch he was resting on, but unfortunately, he slipped, and the branch he was holding onto broke. It fell to the base of the tree, and a loud crack invaded the atmosphere.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2b0TAIWAl
Peter Nelson heard this, and he asked, “Huh?” letting Makenna go. She rubbed her arm and started up the stairs, joining Mrs. Nelson halfway to the top. They became involved in a conversation. While they were chitchatting, Peter focused his attention on the tree Tracey was hiding in, and seeing that he was being watched, the ninja gasped and quickly disappeared behind the leaves and branches. Peter had caught a glimpse of his green blur vanishing, and he narrowed his eyebrows to a suspicious position. Carefully, he approached the tree and stopped over the branch that had fallen from it. Peter peered down on it. Then, he peered into the tree, but quickly, Tracey performed the Shrinking Spell and shrunk down to two inches tall. He hid in a knothole of the tree and waited for the coast to clear. He was surrounded by a pile of acorns, and he took deep breaths.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUaBGG3ZMx
Finally, Peter’s mother, Liana, and Makenna peered back at him, and Liana asked, “Are you coming, Pete?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgALng3cd8S
“Yeah.” Peter quickly called, though he still looked suspicious, “I’m coming, Mom. I’m coming. I just thought I saw something.” A surge of magical energy suddenly invaded Makenna’s entire body, and she gasped. Tracey’s aura! She felt his aura!199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLFyV4pIWV
He was hiding in the tree Peter was checking out. “Tracey,” she whispered under her breath.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPQomyGJY2
Mrs. Nelson heard her, and glancing at Makenna, she asked, “Who?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtprBvpmb0t
“Nothing,” quickly spoke Makenna, and she forced a smile, “Sorry. I tend to talk to myself.” She chuckled and scratched the back of her head.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPZ5wLyCgT
Peter soon reached them, and he forcibly locked arms with Makenna again. Then, he headed up the stairs and passed his mother, glancing at her, “Mom, I think we’re having a problem with squirrels. If I was you, I would check out that tree back there. Makenna and I will meet you inside.” With that, he reached the top of the staircase, and his mother confusingly watched him open the door and slip inside. Shaking her head, she grabbed ahold of the staircase’s railing and jogged the rest of the way up.
From the knot hole he was hiding in, Tracey felt that the coast was finally clear.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYCzpUyYkj
He sighed with relief and said, “That was way too close.” Cautiously, he opened his wings, which were aching, and flapped them. Then, remaining at two inches tall, he flittered out of the knothole and flew to the top of the tree, soaring out of its leaves and branches. He was now hovering over the tree, and for a moment, he peered up to the sun and saw that it was getting lower in the sky. Tracey clenched his teeth. Then, he hurried to the front door of Peter’s house and followed his mother into it. The second he was in, before she could turn and see him, he soared to the ceiling and hid in the corner of it. However, it was dusty up here, and the dust tickled his throat. Lifting his hand, Tracey muffled coughs into it and peered down. He was looking down at the living room of Peter’s house. It was a decent-sized living room. A large, flat-screen TV hung over the fireplace, and it was stretched across the wall.
Makenna and Peter had just entered the living room; Mrs. Nelson went into the kitchen, and Makenna examined the area, saying,199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbUNcGZxxS
“Wow.” Her eyes landed on the flat-screen TV, “Oh sweet!” and she put her hands together, “It’s a flat-screen TV! I wish we had a flat-screen TV!” Her beautiful, blue eyes sparkled, and Peter chuckled from behind her.
Mrs. Nelson soon entered the living room too, and she placed a tray of tea and cookies down on the living room’s coffee table, which was in the center of the room, and said,199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSezjguZPU
“All right, kids, help yourself.” Peter and Makenna turned to the tray, and approaching it, Peter reached for a cookie, but his mother slapped his hand away. “Peter,” she sternly spoke, and Pete peered into her eyes. “Let your guest go first,” finished his mother. Peter Nelson slightly glared, and holding up his hands, he stepped away and let Makenna grab a cookie first.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPFrcnETge
She put the bouquet of flowers down on the face of the table and picked up a cookie, sniffing it. “Mmm,” she said, and she popped it into her mouth. She and Peter sat down together on the couch and snacked away.
While they were snacking, Mrs. Nelson shuffled over to a closed door that was almost directly under Tracey, and lifting her hand, she knocked on it and announced,199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx6IQJZ6We
“Cody darling, your guest is here. Would you please come out for just a moment to say hello to her?” Makenna and Peter together turned their heads and peered over their shoulders to the door Liana was standing in front of. Tracey too peeked down, and grabbing his nose, he muffled a sneeze. A few moments passed. Nobody exited from the office’s door. “Cody,” Liana spoke, and she crossed her arms, “we don’t have all day.” She huffed and stood aside of the door. Soon, it opened, and from the doorframe, out stepped, a tall, auburn-haired man who had blue eyes. It was the same man who saw Tracey seven years ago! Ah, so he was Peter’s father. He was dressed in a plaid, short-sleeved shirt, a hat, brown shoes and pants, and he was wearing a pair of spectacles. Liana, not realizing that he had stepped out of the office, closed her eyes and yelled, “CODY!” in his face.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndmIMVv2fr
“I’m here, dear,” he friendlily spoke, and Liana lifted her hand to chew him out, but before she could, Mr. Nelson’s eyes landed on Makenna Delling sitting on the couch, glancing at him, and he gasped, putting his hands together, “Oh, so you must be Makenna Delling!” Mrs. Nelson stared and lowered her hand.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ic8ti3Zu2
“That I am,” chuckled fourteen-year-old Makenna, and she glanced at Peter. Just exactly how crazy was his father again?199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl4GkuVRCW
Mr. Nelson soon wrapped his body around the couch, and he approached Makenna who quickly stood up. “Oh, wonderful to meet you, miss!” he cheerfully spoke, and grabbing Makenna’s hand, he forcibly shook it. Makenna yelled. “I am Mr. Cody Nelson!” Cody announced, and he continued to shake the fairy’s hand, “But please, you are free to either just call me Cody or Mr. Nelson!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPCZSsxrGn
“Great to meet you, sir.” Makenna admitted, and she released her hand. Liana soon rejoined the crowd, and all together, for a few moments, before starting a conversation, they ate cookies and drank tea.
From the ceiling, where Tracey was hovering, he fluttered out of the dusty corner, and his eyes landed on Cody Nelson who was smiling and sipping a cup of tea.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3RAgZny5s
“Hold on.” Tracey whispered to himself, “He looks familiar.” He squinted his eyes and carefully studied Mr. Nelson. To get a closer look at him, through ninja speed, he soared down into the living room and landed on a shelf that hovered over the fireplace and had pictures on it. Quickly, Tracey slipped behind one of the pictures, and dropping his wings behind his back, he gripped the side of it and peered out to the coffee table where the tray of cookies and tea sat. He studied Mr. Nelson for just a little bit longer. Then, he gasped. “Oh no!” he whispered. Mr. Nelson was the man who had seen him when he was ten years old! “What has Makenna gotten herself into?” Tracey asked, “If he finds out Makenna’s secret, she’ll be toast! She’ll be taken to a laboratory.” He had a pretty good feeling that any moment now, Mr. Nelson would drop his cookie and start talking about fairies and how he saw one seven years ago. Most likely, he would notice Makenna’s ears too. Tracey was so right.
Within just another minute, Mr. Nelson swallowed his third cookie and said,199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoEf5alooY
“Makenna, tell me.” Makenna lowered her cup of tea, and she, Peter, and Mrs. Nelson peered into Mr. Nelson’s eyes. He asked the Metamorphic Fairy, “From the time you first moved to Seabrook Island, have you ever had a feeling that there may be something…magical about it?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z4tHfoCqW
Makenna shivered. “Magical?” she asked, and she set the cup on the coffee table, putting her hands in her lap. She heard Mrs. Nelson and Peter groaning. She peeped at them and noticed that they had each done a face palm.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj10z68Wydu
“Ugh.” Peter mumbled, “Here we go again.”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8AEB5329x
Makenna fixed her attention back on Mr. Nelson. “Yes,” he said, and he nodded, “Magical as in something may be hiding on this island? Magical as in a person who has wings on their back?” Makenna’s eyes widened. Fairies?! He too was into fairy nonsense?! Makenna wanted to vomit. “Seriously?” she asked, trying her best to stay calm and not give away her secret, “Fairies, Mr. Nelson? You still believe in all those childish fairytales?”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPWsBsTV3V
“Believe?” Cody asked with widened eyes, and he took a step closer to her, “I saw one. I saw a fairy seven years ago.”
From where Tracey was hiding, he shivered, and he could feel his wings tingling behind his back.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpfCM4bEmo
Makenna stared at Mr. Nelson. Not even she believed him.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZLmGv1kaK
Peter nervously glanced at her and gave her a See what I mean? look.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWua5KD5jyg
Makenna chuckled sarcastically. “Shut up,” she said, and she gripped her necklace pendant. It was shaking slightly under her hand. Makenna found that she was a little nervous.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBY6mYgWlj
“He was a young fairy.” Mr. Nelson explained to her, “Maybe ten years old, and he was snooping around the alligator pond.” Makenna gasped. She again felt Tracey’s aura.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0mVmhiv1q
She tried her best to remain as calm and casual as she could. “Sir,” she uttered, and she gave Mr. Nelson a snooty smile, “I’ve lived here for fourteen years; I’ve explored every inch of this island, and I can assure you that there are no so-called fairies or a magical world of fairies here.” Hey, she liked that. Makenna thought she was blending in pretty well. “Excuse me,” she added with, and she stood up, “I’m going out to get some fresh air. Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson.” Waving, she turned on her heel, and the Nelson family watched as she scurried to the front door and opened it. For a moment, she stood in the doorframe, staring outside. Then, she shook her head and sauntered out of the house, closing the door behind.
In the living room, there was silence between the Nelson family members, and Tracey continued to watch them from behind the picture.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc2Lx4Bmv6
Then, Peter Nelson scoffed and glared at his father, saying, “Nice going, Dad. She’s gonna dump me now!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMV9TCIVtK
“But it’s the truth!” Cody yelped. He closed his eyes, and groaning, he banged the table’s face with his fists, “I saw a fairy! I saw a fairy! I know I did! And I’m not going to rest until I find him again!”199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXfI2Tzipo
“There are no such things as fairies!” Peter yelled at him, “When will you accept that?! Not to mention that your so-called delusional belief in fairies has cost you your job, and now it’s cost me a girlfriend! Way to go, Dad!” With that, he shoved the coffee table and stood up. Then, hurrying to the front door, he yelled, “Makenna!” and opened it.
Tracey made sure his parents weren’t watching. Then, as quick as a flash, he flew out from behind the picture and followed Peter outside. He slammed the door shut, and Liana and Cody, his parents, were left all alone in the living room.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJP8QjqSZk
Peering into her husband’s eyes, Liana told him, “You know, he has a point, Cody. Excuse me.” She stood up, “I’m going to start dinner,” and left. Cody plopped down on the floor and groaned, reaching for his head. Of course. He would never get people to believe him. Soon lowering his hand, he reached back and slipped his hand into his back pocket. From it, he drew a crinkly, folded piece of paper. Mr. Nelson held it in front of him and unfolded it, sighing. He had unfolded the blurry, unconvincing picture he had gotten of Tracey’s wings flapping when he saw him seven years ago.199Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBmEuA3ZEk
Mr. Nelson glared and tightened his grip on the picture. “I’ll show them,” he growled, “I’ll show them I really did see a fairy. And when I do, no one will ever doubt me again. They will hail me as a hero. I just have to find this fairy, wherever he is.”
