I jumped around, wiggling and prancing to the beat of the music. I was cleaning my room, and to make it more fun, I was blasting music. Ever since that day by the river of the park, I've been all giddy and excited. It was like I had turned into a different person. Everything made me happy, and I always had a smile on my face. Or as Mel would call it, "a lovesick penguin." I glared at her when she said that, but I couldn't help but smile.

I didn't know how Drew was going to make penguins fly, but I had confidence that he would find a way. He had been taking me on "dates" over the past two weeks, where we would just sit around and chill. I would usually draw while he watched me. If this was how Drew was going to win me over, it was definitely working. Of course I didn't tell him that. 

"Honey, Mel is here!" I heard my mom shout from the kitchen. I turned off my music and ran downstairs to greet her.

"Hi Mel!" I waved excitedly to her.

"I was just talking to your mom about Drew, and your challenge for him, and she thought it was so cute!" Mel said in response.

"What?!? You told my mom?" I exclaimed.

"Uh... I'm right here, you know. And yes, she told me all about it! Now, I want to meet this Drew guy who stole my little girl's heart." My mom made her presence known with a cheesy line.

"Mom, no! It's fine. We're not even dating yet. There's no need to 'meet the parents.'" I responded, trying to stop this subject from continuing on.

"No no no, I have to meet this guy before you start dating him! That's the point of meeting him!" My mom said with so much excitement.

I just sighed, knowing there was no way to argue with her.

"How about tonight, at 6? Go ask him right now!" Mom jumped around frantically, muttering to herself about what to prepare for dinner.

"Mom, calm down. I'll call him and ask. But no promises." I said firmly before dragging Mel upstairs to my room with me.

I take a deep breath. Hopefully he would say no, because I really didn't want him to meet my crazy mother. But at the same time, I wanted to see him again. 

"Hey Zoey! What's up?" I hear his voice over the phone. 

I laugh, before answering. 

"Are you busy tonight?" I ask him. 

"Hmm...depends. What's going on tonight?" He asked back. 

"My mom wants to meet you, and I was wondering if you want to come over and eat dinner at our house around 6 pm?" I asked nervously. 

"I was gonna go to the gym, but since you asked so kindly, I will clear up my schedule just to come see you.  I missed you." I smiled at his cheesiness. 

"But you saw me yesterday." I said back. 

"Well, too bad. I want to see you again. Tell your mom that I'll be there at 6 exactly." He replied. 

"Okay, I'll see you then. Bye!" I hung up the phone without letting him say good bye to me, knowing that it would annoy him. He always made a big deal of saying good bye to me every time we called each other. 

I heard a squeal, reminding me that Mel was still here. I turn to her, a questioning look on my face. 

"Eep! He's coming tonight! So what do you need me to do? I can do your make up, I can pick out your clothes, Oh! Should I help your Mom with dinner? I should do that. See ya later!" And then she was gone. I just stared at the empty space that she left. Well that was weird. 

I begin thinking about everything. What would happen if Drew and I did start dating. I probably wouldn't want to leave high school so fast anymore. A lot would change. It was a question of whether I was ready for that change or not. I knew that Drew would find a way to make penguins fly, and I was excited. 

I thought about tonight. What my mom would think of Drew. He knew that I didn't have a father, but I hadn't quite told him why, yet. No one knew the story except for Mel. I hoped that Mom would approve of him. Although she probably would, seeing how she reacted every time I said I was going out to hang out with Drew. And Drew was such a gentleman, so everyone loved him. 

I finished cleaning my room, and went downstairs to see how Mel and my mom were doing. I also wanted to help Mom make dinner. 

The first thing that hit me was the aroma of Mom's famous grilled pork chops. My mouth watered at the scent. It smelled like home, something that brought me comfort. I loved this recipe that my mom made, and I was glad she was cooking it today. 

I saw the table was already set with beautiful blue plates and matching cups. Walking into the kitchen, I saw Mel and my mom dancing around the kitchen, smoothly producing the most mouth-watering food ever. I knew that Mel wanted to be a cook in the future, which is why she was so good at creating recipes. I loved it when she tried new recipes or created her own and let me try. Each time, they were delicious, and I would ask for more. 

"Honey, why aren't you dressed yet? It's already 5:45!" My mom exclaimed with a nervous look on her face. It was almost 6 already? I thought I had so much time! I looked at the clock, seeing that it indeed was 5:45

"Oh my gosh, thanks for reminding me Mom! Can I steal Mel quickly?" I asked her in a rush, now panicking about the time. 

Mom shouted yes at the same time Mel dropped everything and ran with me to my room. 

"Okay, so you want to look like you tried but you didn't at the same time. Do you get me?" Mel asked me. I stared back at her blankly. What she had just said made no sense. 

Mel didn't bother to explain, as she was already digging through my closet, throwing out clothes left and right. 

I ended up with a loose fitting t-shirt which I tucked into my skinny jeans. It was casual, and comfortable, which was perfect. 

"Thanks Mel! I really appreciate it. Do you want to join us for dinner?" I asked her. 

"No way! I am not intruding your little dinner with Drew and your mom. I'll just head home. It's getting late anyways." Mel told me. I nodded, and she gathered her stuff. 

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow, maybe?" I questioned. 

"Definitely! And you will tell me everything." She grinned evilly, before leaving. 

Walking down the stairs, I was ready. This was nothing. My mom was a cool mom, and hopefully everything would go well. 

The doorbell rings, and I walk over to open it, nervous for Drew to meet my mom. When I open the door, he's standing there, looking amazing. I stand there in shock for a few moments before realizing that I've been staring for too long. He's wearing a plain t-shirt and some jeans, but manages to look perfect. 

I clear my throat and gesture for him to come in. 

"Hey! My mom has dinner ready in the kitchen, so we can start eating right away." I told him. 

He smiles and nods. 

"You look beautiful, by the way." He says, making me blush. (darn these cheeks, failing me every time) 

"Thanks." I muttered quietly. 

"Now, I believe you hung up on me this morning without saying good bye, so I get a hug as a sorry?" He asked cheekily, acting like a little kid. 

I roll my eyes, and blush a little (stupid cheeks) before turning towards him and wrapping my arms around him. I feel his arms wrap around my small frame, causing a huge grin to blossom on my face. 

I can't seem to rub off the giant grin that has positioned itself on my face the whole night. As my mom and Drew made small talk, I watched him. I know that sounds creepy, but I watched how he interacted, and his kindness towards my mom. It was adorable, and I was slowly falling for him without him even trying. 

"So, Drew, I heard about Zoey's little challenge for you?" My mom brought up the topic I had tried so hard to avoid. I choked on my juice, trying to save this from going downhill. 

"No, no. How about we talk about how caring and sweet Drew is? He's brought me so many places so I could draw, and it was really fun. Not to mention how good he is at Chemistry. He tutored me the other day, and I got a great grade on my test!" I didn't realize that my rambling would just trigger more questions from my mom. I saw Drew chuckle at me, so I turned towards him and glared at him. But I couldn't give him a real glare because when I saw his smile, I softened. My mom just ignored me. 

"Well, let's ignore my crazy daughter. Tell me about how you're taking on her challenge?" My mom continued to ask Drew. 

Drew cleared his throat before answering. 

"Well, you see, Zoey stated that she wants me to find a way to make penguins fly, especially since penguins are her favorite animals, and practically an obsession of hers. And if I do find a way to do this, it will show my respect for her, and I can prove to her that I can be trusted, and I would never leave her. I do have a plan in mind, but I'm still working on how to execute it. I am definitely going to win Zoey's trust because I really do care about your daughter, and I think I am slowly falling for her. Every time I spend time with her, this smile grows on my face and I can never wipe it off my face. I get this warming feeling inside me every time I spend time with Zoey. She is really special, and I'm very grateful that I have this chance to get to know her better. You're very lucky to have her as a daughter, Mrs. Camden." Drew finishes, and I feel my heart swell up with how cute he is. I had never heard him talk about me that way, and it really showed his caring personality. 

I see my mom tear up a little, which makes me chuckle. 

"Thank you so much, dear. But do call me Marina. Calling me "Mrs." makes me seem old. And Drew, after hearing that huge speech on my daughter, I have to say, you are now on my good side. I've never heard anyone say that much about Zoey, and have so much passion when talking about her. I think you will be a good match for Zoey, and I'm glad that both you and Zoey have found each other. And I'm sure that whatever plan you think of to make penguins fly, you will execute it perfectly." My mom smiles kindly at Drew before bringing our dishes to the kitchen, leaving Drew and I alone. 

I turn towards him, unable to wipe of the everlasting grin on my face. I can't believe he said all that in front of me and my mom. And I knew that it was genuine, that he wasn't just trying to make a good impression on my mom. I knew at that moment that he really did care about me, which would make penguins flying much easier. 

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